It can be frustrating to live in a small home where you never seem to have enough room for storage, furniture, or day-to-day life. You may find yourself dreaming of moving somewhere with an extra bedroom and a few more closets. But did you know there’s probably more space in your home than you think? Consider these easy solutions to transform your surroundings in no time.

Fold-down furniture

Are you lacking floor or closet space for your ironing board, desk, or baby-changing table? You may want to look at replacing them with options that fold down, and up, to be stored in self-contained cabinets. Not only will you avoid lugging items in and out of a closet, or stepping around a messy desk or changing table, you’ll get more space by having these pieces nestled in the wall when not in use.

Unexpected storage

Closets, cabinets, and bookcases are the obvious spots for clothes, shoes, books, and more, but to make use of every space in your home, think outside the box, considering underutilised areas that can be transformed into storage. Shelves can be added above door frames, boxes or drawers can be placed under your bed to hold clothes at the end of each season, and the area below your stairs can be transformed into an extra walk-in closet, library, or reading nook. Get creative and consider consulting an interior designer to help make your ideas a reality.

Loft beds

Small bedrooms are cosy, but you may want to consider looking up to maximise space and fit in more than your bed. With loft beds, the frame is elevated, freeing up the room below for an office, living space, or dresser. This undeniably modern piece of furniture is a great way to double the size of a room without the expense of an add-on or remodel.

Mirrors

You’ll instantly brighten any room, and make it look bigger, by hanging a wall mirror, or even two. Choose a frame that complements your decor and enjoy the illusion of space with this quick and easy solution for your bedroom, living room, or dining room. The bigger the mirror, the greater impact it will have on the space, and as an added bonus, you’ll have a spot to make sure you are looking your best before heading out the door in the morning. 

Corner shelving
Corners aren’t just made for cobwebs and dust – you can use this space to your advantage, by adding shelves, either alone, or stacked on top of each other. In the kitchen, corner shelves are perfect for spices, oils, small cooking tools, and other ingredients. In the bedroom, they can be convenient space-saving nightstands, and in the bathroom, a spot for toiletries or towels that won’t fit in cabinets.

Slide-out cabinet

You’ve probably never considered the slim space between your fridge and a wall as a storage option, but with a quick home project, you’ll find it’s the perfect place for an entire pantry’s worth of goods. If you are feeling handy, you can build a thin shelving unit (similar to a bookcase) on wheels for this fix, or hire a contractor to create the perfect hidden storage for your kitchen.

Magnetic utensil holder and hanging pots

Knives and large utensils jumbled in a drawer, or sitting in a container on your kitchen counter, are unsightly and inconvenient. With a magnetic knife or cutlery rack screwed into the wall above your sink, backsplash, or stove, you can save drawer space while making your kitchen equipment more accessible.

For pots and pans, cabinets aren’t the only storage option. Install a rack with hooks above your stove, where you can hang these necessities and make use of vertical storage. It’s another double solution for efficiency of space and time.

If you’re inspired by these creative designs for small homes, but don’t know where to begin, get in touch with a local contractor who can help you put those unused nooks and crannies to work.