12 Clever Ways to Squeeze More Out of Small Spaces
Discover clever ways of maximising space in a small square footage – and avoid claustrophobia and clutter
If you are a city dweller, chances are you have invested in the usual multi-tasking furniture and illusionist mirrors, and have a ready reckoner for storage tips – all things mandatory in the arsenal of the owner (or renter) of a tiny home. However, if you feel your home still lacks spaciousness (or at least the semblance of it) despite having employed the above-mentioned hacks, you may need to add some much-required ammo in the form of these creative ideas to make up for the shortfall.
2. Segment the spaces
This may seem contrary to the earlier point, but subtly sectioning off your open-plan space into zones with the help of furniture (like this large cabinet) gives purpose to each zone, yet it will feel like part of the whole room.
Tip: Other options for a divider could be light, dreamy drapes; a standing bookcase; a wooden jali screen; or even a large TV on a stand, which can be turned towards either side for viewing.
Pro tip: If you have a room with a small floor area, then laying floor tiles oriented along its length can give the illusion of extending the floor, making the place seem larger than it actually is.
This may seem contrary to the earlier point, but subtly sectioning off your open-plan space into zones with the help of furniture (like this large cabinet) gives purpose to each zone, yet it will feel like part of the whole room.
Tip: Other options for a divider could be light, dreamy drapes; a standing bookcase; a wooden jali screen; or even a large TV on a stand, which can be turned towards either side for viewing.
Pro tip: If you have a room with a small floor area, then laying floor tiles oriented along its length can give the illusion of extending the floor, making the place seem larger than it actually is.
3. Fold your doors
Small spaces need airiness and openness. Folding doors that tuck in together are a great way to enhance the spacious feel – they occupy minimal space as opposed to the regular swing door which takes up floor space to open.
Tip: A barn-style door that slides along the wall on tracks is another alternative for creating more space.
Small spaces need airiness and openness. Folding doors that tuck in together are a great way to enhance the spacious feel – they occupy minimal space as opposed to the regular swing door which takes up floor space to open.
Tip: A barn-style door that slides along the wall on tracks is another alternative for creating more space.
4. Pick blinds over curtains
If you have small windows, consider using blinds or shutters rather than long flowing curtains. These will fit nicely along the window frame, and the sleek uncluttered look that blinds impart makes the room feel less encumbered and more open. Bonus points if your blind doubles as artwork, like here.
Read up on how to choose between curtains or blinds
If you have small windows, consider using blinds or shutters rather than long flowing curtains. These will fit nicely along the window frame, and the sleek uncluttered look that blinds impart makes the room feel less encumbered and more open. Bonus points if your blind doubles as artwork, like here.
Read up on how to choose between curtains or blinds
5. Balance your furniture
The key to designing a small space is picking the right furniture. Think slim-line, low-lying, ‘leggy’ pieces of seating furniture, which can fit comfortably into tiny spaces, giving the room enough ‘breathing space’ and a lighter feel overall.
Similarly, armless sofas give the room a more open look, as they do not create boundaries and allow the eye to move around the room uminterrupted.
Here are more tips on choosing furniture for small spaces
The key to designing a small space is picking the right furniture. Think slim-line, low-lying, ‘leggy’ pieces of seating furniture, which can fit comfortably into tiny spaces, giving the room enough ‘breathing space’ and a lighter feel overall.
Similarly, armless sofas give the room a more open look, as they do not create boundaries and allow the eye to move around the room uminterrupted.
Here are more tips on choosing furniture for small spaces
6. Underplay colour
If you decide you can’t do without with your favourite super-comfortable but bulky armchairs, make sure they blend into the walls – it’s an oft-used design tactic which tricks the eye into visually enlarging the space. In this living room, matching the fabric of the ottoman to that of the two cushions provides even more continuity.
If you decide you can’t do without with your favourite super-comfortable but bulky armchairs, make sure they blend into the walls – it’s an oft-used design tactic which tricks the eye into visually enlarging the space. In this living room, matching the fabric of the ottoman to that of the two cushions provides even more continuity.
7. Incorporate stripes
Stripes can dramatically alter the visual dimensions of a room because of their repetitive and seemingly endless pattern. The horizontal blue stripes on the wall here help to tie all the elements of the room into a unified whole, thereby giving the effect of space.
Tip: Do not mix up the direction of the stripes on different surfaces; as having them running crossways to each other will break the flow and make the room look smaller.
Stripes can dramatically alter the visual dimensions of a room because of their repetitive and seemingly endless pattern. The horizontal blue stripes on the wall here help to tie all the elements of the room into a unified whole, thereby giving the effect of space.
Tip: Do not mix up the direction of the stripes on different surfaces; as having them running crossways to each other will break the flow and make the room look smaller.
Pro tip: Use horizontal stripes if you wish to elongate the room and vertical ones to make the ceiling look higher.
8. Understate with lighter shades
Lighter hues do not overpower the decor; instead, they add to a sense of space. The light-blue tone and the subtle surface design of this lofty cupboard prevent the piece from looking bulky, making it a perfect piece of furniture that provides ample storage for a small bedroom.
Lighter hues do not overpower the decor; instead, they add to a sense of space. The light-blue tone and the subtle surface design of this lofty cupboard prevent the piece from looking bulky, making it a perfect piece of furniture that provides ample storage for a small bedroom.
9. Put corners to work
Use up the corners of a room to the maximum extent possible.
Sectional sofas were invented for a reason – they maximise available space, and here they do just that by fitting in cosily and providing ample seating that an alternate style of seating would not achieve.
Use up the corners of a room to the maximum extent possible.
Sectional sofas were invented for a reason – they maximise available space, and here they do just that by fitting in cosily and providing ample seating that an alternate style of seating would not achieve.
10. Opt for scattered lighting
Having one strong light on your ceiling may be the easiest and most efficient way to illuminate a room but it can sometimes kill its atmosphere. Spreading the light at different heights is vastly better – it is more soothing to the eye, it creates a cosy ambience in various spots of a room and the depth they add gives the illusion of space.
Having one strong light on your ceiling may be the easiest and most efficient way to illuminate a room but it can sometimes kill its atmosphere. Spreading the light at different heights is vastly better – it is more soothing to the eye, it creates a cosy ambience in various spots of a room and the depth they add gives the illusion of space.
11. Use inconvenient spaces
There’s always a way to use the most awkward of spaces, as this not-so-large bedroom shows us. Note how the two angled corners of the room have been transformed into display and storage units by installing custom-made wooden racks.
There’s always a way to use the most awkward of spaces, as this not-so-large bedroom shows us. Note how the two angled corners of the room have been transformed into display and storage units by installing custom-made wooden racks.
12. Mount your shelves
Suspending shelves off the floor frees up floor space; at the same time it makes for a less cluttered look, and the room looks more airy. The simplicity in form, spacing and material of the shelves in this image, as well as the rest of the furniture, adds to the spacious look of the room.
Read more:
20 Small Flats From Around the World That Maximise Space
Ultimate Space-Boosting Ideas for Small Homes
Tell us:
Which of these ideas have you used? Do tell us in the Comments section below.
Suspending shelves off the floor frees up floor space; at the same time it makes for a less cluttered look, and the room looks more airy. The simplicity in form, spacing and material of the shelves in this image, as well as the rest of the furniture, adds to the spacious look of the room.
Read more:
20 Small Flats From Around the World That Maximise Space
Ultimate Space-Boosting Ideas for Small Homes
Tell us:
Which of these ideas have you used? Do tell us in the Comments section below.
Knocking down walls to open up small homes is a popular solution to create a feeling of space. This idea not only encourages more intimate and sociable living but is a great solution for making the most of small spaces. Do be mindful about which walls can be knocked down and which cannot (such as load-bearing ones).