12 Ways to Love Your Small Space and Maximise Every Centimetre
Borrow tips and tricks from these space-smart properties to make the most of your compact home
Lara Sargent
12 April 2016
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience writing for national magazines, newspapers and websites.
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience... More
If you’re struggling with a lack of space, you’re certainly not the only one: homeowners across the nation have had to find ways to maximise their compact properties. Check out the creative ideas in these homes, including a multi-tasking studio flat, a converted cart shed and a treetop hideaway, and be inspired to make the most of your small space.
Make furniture multi-task
With small spaces, particularly kitchens, storage space is often one of the biggest issues. Be clever with your furniture and choose items that really make the most of their footprint.
This peninsula unit has room for appliances on the kitchen side, as well as shelves on the back and end that hold everything from crockery and glassware to cookery books.
With small spaces, particularly kitchens, storage space is often one of the biggest issues. Be clever with your furniture and choose items that really make the most of their footprint.
This peninsula unit has room for appliances on the kitchen side, as well as shelves on the back and end that hold everything from crockery and glassware to cookery books.
Employ a coherent palette
It can be tricky to create harmony in a space when you’re trying to squeeze in so much, particularly if different areas have very different functions, as here. A great way to zone a space while keeping it fuss-free is to choose a colour palette and simply vary the tones for each zone, so they are distinct but harmonious.
It can be tricky to create harmony in a space when you’re trying to squeeze in so much, particularly if different areas have very different functions, as here. A great way to zone a space while keeping it fuss-free is to choose a colour palette and simply vary the tones for each zone, so they are distinct but harmonious.
Go big on artwork
Never think your space is too small for artwork. In fact, it can be the perfect way to open up a room, as this artist’s home in East Sussex proves. Imagine this snug without the paintings; far from crowding the space, they add depth and seem to widen the room.
The built-in, lidded benches are another little trick to steal from this home – the perfect combination of seating and storage for a small space. To maximise comfort, top with thick seat pads and plenty of cushions.
Read more about this beautiful artist’s home in East Sussex
Never think your space is too small for artwork. In fact, it can be the perfect way to open up a room, as this artist’s home in East Sussex proves. Imagine this snug without the paintings; far from crowding the space, they add depth and seem to widen the room.
The built-in, lidded benches are another little trick to steal from this home – the perfect combination of seating and storage for a small space. To maximise comfort, top with thick seat pads and plenty of cushions.
Read more about this beautiful artist’s home in East Sussex
Fold it away
Foldaway furniture can transform a teeny, overcrowded space into an efficient, multi-functioning room. This living room seamlessly transforms into a comfortable bedroom thanks to a wall bed that folds down over the low-level sofa. A good-quality sofa-bed would also do the trick if you’re after a more affordable, non-bespoke solution.
The built-in mirrored cupboards are another space-smart takeaway from this clever studio flat. As well as visually doubling the room, they hide loads of storage, including a compact home office.
Take a tour of this ingeniously designed flat
Foldaway furniture can transform a teeny, overcrowded space into an efficient, multi-functioning room. This living room seamlessly transforms into a comfortable bedroom thanks to a wall bed that folds down over the low-level sofa. A good-quality sofa-bed would also do the trick if you’re after a more affordable, non-bespoke solution.
The built-in mirrored cupboards are another space-smart takeaway from this clever studio flat. As well as visually doubling the room, they hide loads of storage, including a compact home office.
Take a tour of this ingeniously designed flat
Exploit your levels
A great way to gain some additional space is to make use of all the levels in your home. Raising a bed can give you room for all sorts of things underneath.
The designers of this scheme have also made use of the sofa, with a black coffee table that can be pulled out slotted underneath, along with two white blocks for additional seating. The bed can also be folded up if extra headroom is needed.
A great way to gain some additional space is to make use of all the levels in your home. Raising a bed can give you room for all sorts of things underneath.
The designers of this scheme have also made use of the sofa, with a black coffee table that can be pulled out slotted underneath, along with two white blocks for additional seating. The bed can also be folded up if extra headroom is needed.
Divide and store
A great way to make a small space work for all your needs is to zone it with wall dividers. But rather than lose the space, why not do something creative and turn the divider into a piece of storage itself? Sneak in some cupboards and shelves, and you’ll find you’ve added valuable surface area and managed to separate your spaces effectively.
For a smart twist – literally – the inside section of this divider pivots, and there’s a TV on one side that can be watched from the sofa or the bed!
A great way to make a small space work for all your needs is to zone it with wall dividers. But rather than lose the space, why not do something creative and turn the divider into a piece of storage itself? Sneak in some cupboards and shelves, and you’ll find you’ve added valuable surface area and managed to separate your spaces effectively.
For a smart twist – literally – the inside section of this divider pivots, and there’s a TV on one side that can be watched from the sofa or the bed!
Let your furniture do the talking
If you live in a small home, own many a treasured piece of furniture, and are trying not to overwhelm the space, a good solution is to paint all of your walls white and let your belongings take centre stage.
While only a handful of people can claim to live in a restored railway carriage like this one, creating a white backdrop is a useful design trick that can enhance all kinds of small spaces.
Take a tour of this restored train carriage
If you live in a small home, own many a treasured piece of furniture, and are trying not to overwhelm the space, a good solution is to paint all of your walls white and let your belongings take centre stage.
While only a handful of people can claim to live in a restored railway carriage like this one, creating a white backdrop is a useful design trick that can enhance all kinds of small spaces.
Take a tour of this restored train carriage
Use odd features to your advantage
You may not have a bedroom in the treetops, like this one, but there’s an important lesson to be learned from this tiny tree house – don’t let awkward features inhibit your ambitions.
Whether it’s chunky branches, a boiler, a disused chimney or another bulky detail, give some serious thought to the way you position your furniture and you’ll be sure to find a solution that makes the best of the space – awkward feature and all.
You may not have a bedroom in the treetops, like this one, but there’s an important lesson to be learned from this tiny tree house – don’t let awkward features inhibit your ambitions.
Whether it’s chunky branches, a boiler, a disused chimney or another bulky detail, give some serious thought to the way you position your furniture and you’ll be sure to find a solution that makes the best of the space – awkward feature and all.
Seek out salvaged materials
Tiny homes have one big benefit: they don’t need endless metres of materials to fit them out. And that’s a serious advantage if you love using old offcuts and recycled bits and pieces that are unlikely to come in abundant lengths.
Be inspired by this weeny 18th century building in the Cotswolds, where almost everything is upcycled, recycled, reclaimed or handmade. The kitchen cabinet doors were salvaged from a neighbour’s barn clear-out, the worktop is scaffolding planks and the splashback is simply old corrugated steel.
Tour the rest of this tiny home
Tiny homes have one big benefit: they don’t need endless metres of materials to fit them out. And that’s a serious advantage if you love using old offcuts and recycled bits and pieces that are unlikely to come in abundant lengths.
Be inspired by this weeny 18th century building in the Cotswolds, where almost everything is upcycled, recycled, reclaimed or handmade. The kitchen cabinet doors were salvaged from a neighbour’s barn clear-out, the worktop is scaffolding planks and the splashback is simply old corrugated steel.
Tour the rest of this tiny home
Stick to the essentials
If there’s one thing a tiny space will force you to do, it’s figure out what’s really important. Think hard about what you really need and use in your home, and be strict about sticking to just those items.
Whether that means cutting out some appliances, slimming down your wardrobe or limiting your library of books, being careful about what you allow into your home will make it a much nicer space in the long run.
If there’s one thing a tiny space will force you to do, it’s figure out what’s really important. Think hard about what you really need and use in your home, and be strict about sticking to just those items.
Whether that means cutting out some appliances, slimming down your wardrobe or limiting your library of books, being careful about what you allow into your home will make it a much nicer space in the long run.
Explore every angle
Unusual-shaped walls and a small footprint shouldn’t deter you from creating an interior you love. This quirky, octagonal house manages to fit in all the essentials and look cosy and calm at the same time.
If you have a small and awkward space and can’t work out how to configure it, it’s worth calling in a professional who can help you come up with clever ideas and bring them to life. Bespoke might cost a little more, but it can be an investment worth making if you want to maximise your space.
Be inspired by this eco-friendly octagonal home in west Wales
Unusual-shaped walls and a small footprint shouldn’t deter you from creating an interior you love. This quirky, octagonal house manages to fit in all the essentials and look cosy and calm at the same time.
If you have a small and awkward space and can’t work out how to configure it, it’s worth calling in a professional who can help you come up with clever ideas and bring them to life. Bespoke might cost a little more, but it can be an investment worth making if you want to maximise your space.
Be inspired by this eco-friendly octagonal home in west Wales
Design a hard-working headboard
If your bedroom is tight for space, but you’re desperate to squeeze in a little desk, or perhaps some extra shelving, don’t overlook your headboard as a potential solution.
For just a couple of extra inches added on to the length of your bed, you’ll gain some valuable space to meet some of your needs. This multi-tasking bed even has a slide-out additional mattress underneath for guests!
Check out 10 brilliant micro home offices
TELL US…
How have you made your small space work for you? Share your advice and photos in the Comments below.
If your bedroom is tight for space, but you’re desperate to squeeze in a little desk, or perhaps some extra shelving, don’t overlook your headboard as a potential solution.
For just a couple of extra inches added on to the length of your bed, you’ll gain some valuable space to meet some of your needs. This multi-tasking bed even has a slide-out additional mattress underneath for guests!
Check out 10 brilliant micro home offices
TELL US…
How have you made your small space work for you? Share your advice and photos in the Comments below.
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Excellent tips and pictures, love this article. Thank you!
Narrow cabinets can be really difficult to make functional because access to the back is really difficult. We love this make over of a small cabinet... It was a DIY solution & all the small spices (that couldn't be stored in a cabinet like this) are now in easy reach. The stainless steel basket has a clear removable base, so things don't move around and cleaning is super easy. Here are some more ideas for making the most of small spaces.