Ask a Designer: How Do I Maximise Space in a Small Room?
Just because your home is tiny, it doesn’t mean it can’t be terrific. Smart pieces and genius tricks can magically open up the smallest room
Magazine images of stunning warehouse apartments are all well and good, but what if your rooms have a square footage barely pushing triple figures? The average size of a UK house has halved since the 1920s and campaigners say it’s affecting our health and relationships.
So, with space at a premium, how do you make your small home perfectly formed? Clever storage and squeezing the most out of your property’s footprint are the simple answers; doing it in style is the tricky part. Here are some inspiring designs that tick all three boxes.
So, with space at a premium, how do you make your small home perfectly formed? Clever storage and squeezing the most out of your property’s footprint are the simple answers; doing it in style is the tricky part. Here are some inspiring designs that tick all three boxes.
Open up with sliding doors
It’s easy to forget that wherever there’s a door, it needs space to open. In a small room, this can severely limit your design options. These sliding glass doors to the en suite allow for the best use of the space. Pushed back, the comfortable bed and stylish bathroom sit happily together, creating a spacious room, then they can easily be closed up again for privacy.
Discover the benefits of sliding doors
It’s easy to forget that wherever there’s a door, it needs space to open. In a small room, this can severely limit your design options. These sliding glass doors to the en suite allow for the best use of the space. Pushed back, the comfortable bed and stylish bathroom sit happily together, creating a spacious room, then they can easily be closed up again for privacy.
Discover the benefits of sliding doors
Glaze a splashback
Small kitchens need both great storage and plenty of light to avoid looking poky and overcrowded. In this ingenious design, the window doubles as a splashback, using the full width to bring in as much light as possible while still leaving plenty of room for the much-needed wall cupboards above.
Small kitchens need both great storage and plenty of light to avoid looking poky and overcrowded. In this ingenious design, the window doubles as a splashback, using the full width to bring in as much light as possible while still leaving plenty of room for the much-needed wall cupboards above.
Bring in the side return
Victorian properties often have a narrow space running alongside the back of the house. It might not seem worth it, but an extension with a glass roof can create a bright dining area and a great feature out of a previously small kitchen. Here, the exposed brick wall adds texture and character.
Browse 10 creative ideas for side return extensions
Victorian properties often have a narrow space running alongside the back of the house. It might not seem worth it, but an extension with a glass roof can create a bright dining area and a great feature out of a previously small kitchen. Here, the exposed brick wall adds texture and character.
Browse 10 creative ideas for side return extensions
Choose multitaskers
If your room is really small, try combining different functions in the same place. Here, bed, study spot and a truckle bed for sleepovers fit together beautifully in one small space. There’s even a little cupboard in the base of the main unit, so not an inch of this clever design is wasted.
If your room is really small, try combining different functions in the same place. Here, bed, study spot and a truckle bed for sleepovers fit together beautifully in one small space. There’s even a little cupboard in the base of the main unit, so not an inch of this clever design is wasted.
Aim for space-smart shapes
It’s not just size that matters – shape is important, too. When it comes to sanitaryware, there’s a mind-boggling array of options. In this small bathroom, the curved edges of the Alessi fittings increase the space between toilet and basin, making the room feel bigger and more luxurious.
It’s not just size that matters – shape is important, too. When it comes to sanitaryware, there’s a mind-boggling array of options. In this small bathroom, the curved edges of the Alessi fittings increase the space between toilet and basin, making the room feel bigger and more luxurious.
Take a daring step
Under-stairs storage isn’t a new idea, but it remains one of the best ways to keep clutter at bay. These drawers built into the stairs make use of the hard-to-access space at the sharp end of the under-stairs triangle, and both organise and hide all those pesky shoes.
Under-stairs storage isn’t a new idea, but it remains one of the best ways to keep clutter at bay. These drawers built into the stairs make use of the hard-to-access space at the sharp end of the under-stairs triangle, and both organise and hide all those pesky shoes.
Clear the floor
A clear, open floor is a very effective way to visually enhance a space. Having no desk legs is a simple trick that allows the eye to see the full expanse of the room. Wall nooks, meanwhile, do the same favour for the desktop, lifting office paraphernalia out of the way for a clear, wide work space.
A clear, open floor is a very effective way to visually enhance a space. Having no desk legs is a simple trick that allows the eye to see the full expanse of the room. Wall nooks, meanwhile, do the same favour for the desktop, lifting office paraphernalia out of the way for a clear, wide work space.
Tuck in a banquette
With a narrow dining area, built-in bench seating is a perfect solution. A banquette is pushed right back against the wall, has the option of storage room under the seats, and offers plenty of space for guests to shuffle up if you’re having a big get-together.
With a narrow dining area, built-in bench seating is a perfect solution. A banquette is pushed right back against the wall, has the option of storage room under the seats, and offers plenty of space for guests to shuffle up if you’re having a big get-together.
Add an outdoor element
If you can’t fit everything in your house, consider a large garden shed wired up for electricity. Here, floor-to-ceiling bi-fold doors combined with earthy wooden features create a calm, leafy home office, but it could equally be used as a playroom, teenagers’ den, craft space or even a utility room.
TELL US...
How do you maximise space in a small room? Share your tips in the Comments below.
If you can’t fit everything in your house, consider a large garden shed wired up for electricity. Here, floor-to-ceiling bi-fold doors combined with earthy wooden features create a calm, leafy home office, but it could equally be used as a playroom, teenagers’ den, craft space or even a utility room.
TELL US...
How do you maximise space in a small room? Share your tips in the Comments below.
Keep those bathroom surfaces clutter-free by making the most of your storage options. Under the bath there’s lots of forgotten dead space for spare towels and bath products. Here, elegant wooden tip-back drawers hold a surprising amount without taking up an inch of extra space.