There is a tiny-house movement in architecture, which is more of a social movement. Here people advocate for downsizing and living simple lives with only the essentials. The tiny-house movement is about learning to live with less and taking only what you need from the Earth’s required resources.
So, whether your small spaces are a conscious decision to live more ethically or merely a function of living in a busy urban centre with limited funds, there are design trends to help you make the most of your small spaces. Here we explore some hints and tips to help you make the most of the space that you do have.
Storage is your first thought
The biggest problem with a small space is never enough room to put things. While you can adhere to a minimalist life and reject all needless possessions, you are more likely to have to get creative with storage. You need to reduce the visual clutter to a minimum, so you can create a perception of space. Consequently, your first purchase must be a bed with drawer’s underneath, an ottoman where your shoes can go, floor to ceiling shelving or cupboards, and more. Your storage needs to result from an intentional plan for how and where you store your possessions.
Mobile furniture helps
Having furniture on casters allows you to adjust a space quickly for the different uses you need for your room. You can use mobile screens to separate open-plan spaces and move these to the side of the room when you need one larger area. Your home-office supplies can be put into a mobile storage unit that can push into a cupboard when your working day is done.
There is also little need to have a permanent desk for your work. There are fold-down tables that can be pushed against a wall. Alternatively, you may want to get some wood and wall mount it with hinges to have a fold-down desk.
Everything has more than one job
No piece of furniture in your room should have a single purpose. You need to think carefully about how that small side table in the hall for your keys can also be the store for your shopping bags. Then, there is the table where you eat your dinner that becomes your office space during the workday.
It is about thinking flexibly. So, buying benches for your kitchen table rather than chairs means more space to seat people on social evenings. Also, you can have a place to store linens with the right benches.
Make use of the ceiling
Interior designers call the ceiling the fifth wall and understand that there is much to be done to create space here. Applying the same colour to walls and ceiling can open the space, especially if this is a light colour that reflects the sunshine that pours in. Keeping the scheme unfussy this way also helps a small space feel uncluttered.
You can also hang things from the ceiling – any way you can increase floor space, the better you will be using the space.
Scale and placement are key
Low profile furniture can make a small space feel bigger, as you give a false perception of height. Equally, you need to create a flow in the home that helps you move from one space to another. A home feels cluttered when you feel like you are dodging around furniture and banging against things. Therefore, consider how you can move around your tiny home and feel like you have all the space you need.
When thinking about the size of furniture and its placement, you need to think about how you use the space. A large sofa might feel like a luxury in a small home, but it could be the most practical use of space depending on how close you are to the people you live with. If you prefer to eat in your living area, a larger coffee table might be just the thing rather than a dining table. Choose items that complement how you like to live your life, and then every piece will find its place in your home.
Summary
Small spaces require imagination, as you make everything in your homework twice as hard. However, ultimately, you have to be intentional in your choices and buy things that will be used.