Small Space Living: Cool Compact Furniture for Today’s Tiny Homes
House sizes are shrinking – which means furniture is, too. Check out these smart options for smaller spaces
Ever spotted your dream sofa or coffee table, then realised its dimensions are way too big for your living room? In an age of astronomical property prices and rocketing rents, many of us are making do with less space than we’d ideally like, which means our furniture choices need to work harder, too (or in many cases, simply need to fit through a narrow front door or down a tight hallway).
If your home is on the small side, there are plenty of compact furniture options around. Whether you swap a big corner sofa for a more compact retro two-seater with wooden legs, or go for a folding dining table rather than a big farmhouse number, small space living doesn’t need to be uncomfortable or unstylish. Here are a few options that could help make life a little less squashed and squeezed.
If your home is on the small side, there are plenty of compact furniture options around. Whether you swap a big corner sofa for a more compact retro two-seater with wooden legs, or go for a folding dining table rather than a big farmhouse number, small space living doesn’t need to be uncomfortable or unstylish. Here are a few options that could help make life a little less squashed and squeezed.
Be a queen
While king-size beds are what most people hanker after, they just aren’t practical, or possible, in many bedrooms. One compromise is a queen-size bed – roomier than a standard double, but not so large you’ll scrape your toes on the wall when you climb out of bed. Choosing a bed style with a simple frame will also take up less room.
While king-size beds are what most people hanker after, they just aren’t practical, or possible, in many bedrooms. One compromise is a queen-size bed – roomier than a standard double, but not so large you’ll scrape your toes on the wall when you climb out of bed. Choosing a bed style with a simple frame will also take up less room.
Stay armless
In skinny living rooms, consider a sofa style with narrow or no arms. It can be a way to maximise your lounging area while minimising the overall footprint the sofa occupies. Choosing one with plump cushions, as seen here, keeps the snuggle factor high, even if the overall dimensions are modest.
In skinny living rooms, consider a sofa style with narrow or no arms. It can be a way to maximise your lounging area while minimising the overall footprint the sofa occupies. Choosing one with plump cushions, as seen here, keeps the snuggle factor high, even if the overall dimensions are modest.
Go wall-mounted
An angled lamp wired directly into a wall is a good way to keep the floor free of dusty freestanding bases, not to mention ugly wiring. They can be a great option in a small bedroom, replacing the usual bedside lamps. Wall-mounted lamps can also work in studies, dining rooms or anywhere that floor space is at a premium.
Obviously, you’ll need to plan ahead and consider factors such as whether the dimensions of your bed could change in the future before talking to your electrician.
An angled lamp wired directly into a wall is a good way to keep the floor free of dusty freestanding bases, not to mention ugly wiring. They can be a great option in a small bedroom, replacing the usual bedside lamps. Wall-mounted lamps can also work in studies, dining rooms or anywhere that floor space is at a premium.
Obviously, you’ll need to plan ahead and consider factors such as whether the dimensions of your bed could change in the future before talking to your electrician.
Live in the round
In a small dining area, a round table can be a sensible way to squeeze in the maximum number of chairs. A longer, rectangular table can end up butting against a wall or infringing on the living area in an open-plan space. And a round model also means no sharp corners to bump into.
In a small dining area, a round table can be a sensible way to squeeze in the maximum number of chairs. A longer, rectangular table can end up butting against a wall or infringing on the living area in an open-plan space. And a round model also means no sharp corners to bump into.
Design a bedside ledge
If your bedroom is snug, squeezing in even the tiniest of tables on each side of the bed can be tricky – and in the worst-case scenario, one of you has to manage without. Building a bespoke wall shelf, as seen here, can sidestep this problem, while looking ultra-streamlined. This mini surface is just big enough for night-time essentials, such as a book and a glass of water.
Find quirky ideas for bedside storage
If your bedroom is snug, squeezing in even the tiniest of tables on each side of the bed can be tricky – and in the worst-case scenario, one of you has to manage without. Building a bespoke wall shelf, as seen here, can sidestep this problem, while looking ultra-streamlined. This mini surface is just big enough for night-time essentials, such as a book and a glass of water.
Find quirky ideas for bedside storage
Nab a nest of tables
If you don’t have the space or inclination for a permanent coffee table, this 1970s staple still has appeal thanks to its incredible practicality and flexibility. The largest table in a nest can be used as a side table for lamps and books, as seen here. Then its smaller siblings can be brought out as required for TV dinners, cups of tea and games of cards.
Check out more 1970s designs that can work brilliantly in modern homes
If you don’t have the space or inclination for a permanent coffee table, this 1970s staple still has appeal thanks to its incredible practicality and flexibility. The largest table in a nest can be used as a side table for lamps and books, as seen here. Then its smaller siblings can be brought out as required for TV dinners, cups of tea and games of cards.
Check out more 1970s designs that can work brilliantly in modern homes
Bench up
In a narrow dining room, a bench can be a stylish space-saving option. Benches can be pushed up against a wall, as here, meaning your table takes up less width in the room. Plus they’ll squeeze more dinner guests in than the equivalent length required for dining chairs.
In a narrow dining room, a bench can be a stylish space-saving option. Benches can be pushed up against a wall, as here, meaning your table takes up less width in the room. Plus they’ll squeeze more dinner guests in than the equivalent length required for dining chairs.
Stack them high
If you have a tiny dining space, stackable dining chairs with modest proportions can offer the best of both worlds. Several can be squeezed around a little table and, if necessary, they can easily be piled up and stored in a corner.
If you have a tiny dining space, stackable dining chairs with modest proportions can offer the best of both worlds. Several can be squeezed around a little table and, if necessary, they can easily be piled up and stored in a corner.
Choose a love seat
For living areas that don’t have space for two full-sized sofas, consider swapping in a love seat – a sofa/armchair hybrid that’s (just) big enough for two. This sweet vintage Ercol number has space-saving wooden arms and legs.
For living areas that don’t have space for two full-sized sofas, consider swapping in a love seat – a sofa/armchair hybrid that’s (just) big enough for two. This sweet vintage Ercol number has space-saving wooden arms and legs.
Squeeze in a desk with storage
The majority of us don’t have the luxury of a spare bedroom that can be sacrificed as a study. However, there are numerous ways to squeeze in a home office. Look for a narrow desk you can tuck into the corner of a bedroom or a living room alcove. Or choose a unit that’s integrated with further storage, like this one. This helps make the most of wall space, while providing room to stash home office essentials.
The majority of us don’t have the luxury of a spare bedroom that can be sacrificed as a study. However, there are numerous ways to squeeze in a home office. Look for a narrow desk you can tuck into the corner of a bedroom or a living room alcove. Or choose a unit that’s integrated with further storage, like this one. This helps make the most of wall space, while providing room to stash home office essentials.
Shop for a storage seat
Opting for multi-tasking furniture in a small space makes obvious sense. This ottoman works as a footstool and extra seat, but also has room inside to store whatever you fancy – linens, throws or stray toys littering the floor. If you’d prefer a bespoke option, try building a storage bench in a bay window for the ultimate practical window seat.
TELL US…
Which items of furniture have made life easier in your small home? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
Opting for multi-tasking furniture in a small space makes obvious sense. This ottoman works as a footstool and extra seat, but also has room inside to store whatever you fancy – linens, throws or stray toys littering the floor. If you’d prefer a bespoke option, try building a storage bench in a bay window for the ultimate practical window seat.
TELL US…
Which items of furniture have made life easier in your small home? Share your tips and photos in the Comments below.
A folding table can be ultra-versatile in a tight space. Part folded, as seen here, it can be tucked against a wall and used for everyday meals without occupying too much floor area. And when dinner guests come over, you can fold it out to its full glory.