12 Efficient & Creative Built-In Furniture Pieces For Tight Spaces
These strategically designed items will allow you to get the most from your tiny space
In a compact living space, each piece of furniture should earn its keep. These 12 ideas – including adjustable tables, sliding bookcases and nesting and expanding furniture – make the most of small-space living.
Murphy bed with a twist
Rather than folding down over empty space, this Murphy bed was designed to fit perfectly over a sofa, so no furniture shifting is needed at bedtime. Just flip down the back cushions of the sofa, lower the bed and voilà! -- room transformed.
Rather than folding down over empty space, this Murphy bed was designed to fit perfectly over a sofa, so no furniture shifting is needed at bedtime. Just flip down the back cushions of the sofa, lower the bed and voilà! -- room transformed.
Expanding dining table
With help from a leaf (easily stored in a nearby wardrobe), what appears to be a simple Parsons-style console table transforms into a full-sized dining table with room for six. Bonus: The cube-shaped ottoman tucked into a tiny wardrobe-office here detaches into six stools.
Take a tour of this studio flat
With help from a leaf (easily stored in a nearby wardrobe), what appears to be a simple Parsons-style console table transforms into a full-sized dining table with room for six. Bonus: The cube-shaped ottoman tucked into a tiny wardrobe-office here detaches into six stools.
Take a tour of this studio flat
Pullout work surface
Kitchens sometimes incorporate pullout cutting boards to create extra counter space – why not have a pullout desk? Fully extended, it offers plenty of room to work on a laptop, but when you need the space, it quickly slides away.
Kitchens sometimes incorporate pullout cutting boards to create extra counter space – why not have a pullout desk? Fully extended, it offers plenty of room to work on a laptop, but when you need the space, it quickly slides away.
Adjustable-height table
A sleek glass-top table with an adjustable base allows you to quickly change a living area with a coffee table into a dining area. With a corner banquette, the zone will be just as comfortable whether you’re grabbing a bite or settling in to watch a movie.
A sleek glass-top table with an adjustable base allows you to quickly change a living area with a coffee table into a dining area. With a corner banquette, the zone will be just as comfortable whether you’re grabbing a bite or settling in to watch a movie.
Fold-up dining table
When this unassuming wood panel is folded up, there is more room for manoeuvring in this small kitchen -- folded down, it becomes a dining table for four. The tops of the sleek white bench seats open to reveal storage inside.
Browse through these gorgeous dining tables that serve up oodles of style
When this unassuming wood panel is folded up, there is more room for manoeuvring in this small kitchen -- folded down, it becomes a dining table for four. The tops of the sleek white bench seats open to reveal storage inside.
Browse through these gorgeous dining tables that serve up oodles of style
Built-in secretary desk
A common detail in the homes of craftspeople, the built-in secretary desk is a clever way to sneak a work surface and storage into a small space. If the storage is skipped, having a drop-down desk installed is a fairly simple project for a professional or handy homeowner to tackle.
Nesting coffee table and benches
With the desk folded up and a set of nesting benches and a coffee table pulled out from beneath the small sofa, this workspace is transformed into a seating area.
A common detail in the homes of craftspeople, the built-in secretary desk is a clever way to sneak a work surface and storage into a small space. If the storage is skipped, having a drop-down desk installed is a fairly simple project for a professional or handy homeowner to tackle.
Nesting coffee table and benches
With the desk folded up and a set of nesting benches and a coffee table pulled out from beneath the small sofa, this workspace is transformed into a seating area.
Murphy loft bed
Instead of being positioned lower on the wall like a typical Murphy bed, this version folds up high, allowing the lower level to remain usable, even when the bed is down. A ladder (stowed away in a wardrobe between uses) provides access to the bed, while high built-in storage becomes a bedside table.
Instead of being positioned lower on the wall like a typical Murphy bed, this version folds up high, allowing the lower level to remain usable, even when the bed is down. A ladder (stowed away in a wardrobe between uses) provides access to the bed, while high built-in storage becomes a bedside table.
Slide-away bed
In this unique arrangement, a full-sized bed can be slid partially underneath the raised floor, transforming (with the help of a few cushions) into a sofa. With the bed out of the way, sleek built-in storage cabinets become a useful part of the living space.
In this unique arrangement, a full-sized bed can be slid partially underneath the raised floor, transforming (with the help of a few cushions) into a sofa. With the bed out of the way, sleek built-in storage cabinets become a useful part of the living space.
Mirror magic
While mirrors cannot literally add space, their value should not be underestimated. Wall-to-wall frameless mirrors give a small apartment a grander feel and make a room look far larger than it is.
See how mirrors can create a space-boosting illusion
While mirrors cannot literally add space, their value should not be underestimated. Wall-to-wall frameless mirrors give a small apartment a grander feel and make a room look far larger than it is.
See how mirrors can create a space-boosting illusion
Smart stairs
Space beneath the stairs should be put to work in a compact space, and what better way than with perfectly fitted storage compartments? An open-sided, rather than walled-in, staircase keeps a small room feeling more spacious and allows light into the upper level.
These gorgeous lights bring a sparkle to staircases
Read more:
Smart Storage Solutions for All Spaces
Tell us:
Do you live in a small space? How do you make it work? Share your thoughts and tips in the Comments below.
Space beneath the stairs should be put to work in a compact space, and what better way than with perfectly fitted storage compartments? An open-sided, rather than walled-in, staircase keeps a small room feeling more spacious and allows light into the upper level.
These gorgeous lights bring a sparkle to staircases
Read more:
Smart Storage Solutions for All Spaces
Tell us:
Do you live in a small space? How do you make it work? Share your thoughts and tips in the Comments below.
Take advantage of potential floor-to-ceiling storage space over the stairs by mounting a bookcase on a track system. When positioned over the staircase, the shelving is out of the way, freeing up extra room in the living area. Simply slide it back into the room when you want to access the shelves.
See more smart storage features in this home