Top tips for maximising a small space

With smaller housing developments being built to help first home buyers finally get onto the property ladder, and the evolution of tiny homes, the need to maximise space has become even more important. If you’re fitting out your home, here’s some tips from us on how you can maximise your space and reclaim some room!

Hidden storage

Clutter takes up a lot of space and so can storage units! One of our tips when talking to people about their furniture options is to consider the size of your space and its usage. In the bedroom a bed base with hidden drawers is a great option, enabling you to store seasonal clothes, shoes, treasured items or accessories.  It also means you have  a space to clear away the clutter and create more ‘negative space’ giving your room a more spacious and neat look.

Keep it compact

Most people we speak to love the idea of a comfortable couch as well as a recliner, so they can lie back, relax and watch the game.  In a smaller space, that simply isn’t possible as having both can really dominate your lounge and create a congested feeling.  

To solve this it may be worth considering a recliner lounge suite, which gives you the same results but in a more compact form.  With the recliner function built directly into the lounge suite, you can have the best of both worlds without losing precious space in your lounge. Plus, if you move into a bigger home in the future, you can always add an extra recliner with the same look and feel to ensure cohesion with your furniture styling. 

Stack the walls

Are you a bookworm at heart? Do you love trinkets, art or keepsakes? Need to create an office or study space which is both functional and versatile? Don’t compromise on being surrounded by your lovely things or your precious books – just stack them!  Having boxes of treasures or piles of books around your smaller space can create a lot of clutter in your home, so the best way to deal with it is to stack it!

This desk with shelves is both a great way to get your books and treasures off the ground and into an orderly, more accessible format and is also perfect for creating your own study nook or home office space so you can get on with your work. 

Make your dining space work for you

Long lunches……luxurious dinners…..family get togethers. Growing up in a country and a culture who celebrates life, love and family through shared dining experiences is wonderful, however doing that in a smaller home can be a challenge.

A convertible dining table gives you the freedom and flexibility to have a table in your home that is functional for everyday use without dominating your space, while giving you the option to ‘upsize’ for special events and occasions!  For those starting out in their own first home, this is an absolute must have as it gives you a functional table that literally grows with your family and its needs!

Create an extra sleeping space

You can’t beat the joy of sharing a movie night with friends, but what happens when it’s too late to drive home? 

Love the family surprising you with a visit? 

In a single bedroom smaller home or apartment, where will they sleep? 

That’s where a sofa bed is the perfect solution, providing you with the comfortable seating space you need for entertaining, as well as additional sleeping space. Modern day sofa beds are very different from the sofa beds of the 70’s and 80’s, with most guests not even realising they’re sitting on their bed for the night!  

It’s important to note too that our fold out mattresses are so far removed from the foam squabs of yesteryear, with many of our clients sharing that ‘sleeping on our sofa bed was their guests best night’s sleep in years!’ 

Reclaim the kids play room space

Did you dream of having bunks when you were a child? Well perhaps your child does too! Bunk beds are a great way to reclaim bedroom space in a child’s room, giving them more floor play space and creating a lighter, airier feeling to a smaller room. They’re also fantastic if you have 2 children to accommodate in one room.  

For a child who has lots of toys, clothes, shoes or accessories, bunks with drawers in the bottom are both a space saver and a life saver for parents who prefer a space that is clutter free.  Perhaps you could consider turning ‘packing the drawers’ into a fun game for your wee ones to encourage them to keep their rooms tidy? Hey, it’s worth a try, right?

Create your own spaces with dividers

If you’re in a single room or studio space, room dividers and free standing bookshelves are a great way to section off a bedroom, dining, working or sleeping area without impacting your space or blocking the light. 

They also give you the flexibility to ‘change things up’ so for anyone with a bit of creative flair who loves to regularly re-arrange their space, dividers and a few free standing artificial plants or indoor trees can rapidly transform a home without the need for builders or impacting the home’s infrastructure.  They’re also really good for renters who are looking for ways to personalise their space or those living in shared accommodation. 

So there’s our top tips on how to maximise your smaller living space! 

For help and support on where to get started, have a look at the links in this article or come and visit us in store!  We look forward to seeing you.