For better or for worse, many of us are finding ourselves living in smaller homes than we once imagined. This is especially true for those who are at the beginning of their careers or who can’t afford to jump onto the property ladder at a higher rung thanks to their cost of living. This increasing lack of space has meant that homeowners and renters are forced to squeeze as much as possible from what they have, and furniture companies have been quick to capitalise. Read on for a few pointers on how to make the most of a small home.
Multitasking Rooms
One of the best ways to make the most of your limited space is to combine different functions in the same room. Many will be forced to do this by the layout of their home, but there are also choices that you can make to maximise efficiency. For instance, you can create an impromptu office space in a bedroom by removing the existing nightstand and replacing it with a small desk. You’ll get more from your home if you let go of the need for segregation.
Be Brutal
When you move into a small home, especially if you’re downsizing, it can be difficult to decide exactly what you want to fit in. One of the best ways to save space is to get rid of unneeded clutter. Ask yourself: what do I use this item for? How often do I use it? Could its function be performed by something else? Our natural preference is to keep items that we own, trying to shove them into whatever space is available, because we feel like we are being wasteful if we don’t. Resist this urge and either sell excess furniture or put it into storage. A great example of this is the dryer; an expensive and bulky machine which is easily replaceable with a simple clothes rack which folds up neatly after use.
Choose Furniture Wisely
Given that average apartment sizes are shrinking, and that there is a new trend in some parts of the world for so-called micro homes, it’s hardly surprising that furniture manufacturers are trying their best to fit as much functionality as possible into smaller items. Shopping around a little and thinking creatively about the space available could yield some great results. Anything which combines two or more functions is ideal. For example, you can save a lot of space by forgoing a dining table and instead utilising a section of your kitchen counter as a breakfast bar. Breakfast bar stools for kitchens are far smaller than conventional seats. Alternatively, by choosing dining chairs Ireland which fold or stack away, you can easily convert this into extra space for food preparation.
Play with the Lighting
If you can’t find a way to cut back any further, you can still employ a couple of tricks to create the illusion of added space. These ideas are cheap, simple, and easy to implement. Adding a large mirror will mislead the eye into perceiving a more generously proportioned room, whilst effective lighting helps to make the most of a limited space by ensuring that none of it is hidden in the shadows.
