If you have a compact home or you’re looking for ways to maximize space in a small living area, there are some ingenious ways to create more usable space. In this guide, we’ll outline some small steps that will have a big impact on the look of your home and its functionality.

Make the most of your wall space

Using wall space to free up floor space is one of the simplest and most effective ways to make living spaces more versatile. Hanging shelves, racks and rails on the walls will enable you to store your stuff neatly without taking over the floor, which can make even the largest living spaces look smaller and more cramped. Using vertical space can also help you avoid clutter, which is key to maintaining tidy, open, spacious living areas.

Opt for small, multifunctional pieces of furniture

Every room looks bigger and brighter when it’s empty, but we all need furniture in our homes. If you have a bijou bathroom, a compact kitchen or a tiny living room, opt for small pieces of furniture that won’t dominate or take over the space. Pieces like a small glass coffee table, a 2-seater couch, a narrow, freestanding cupboard or an extendable, compact dining table will help you design versatile, practical spaces that look larger. It’s essential to measure the room, consider the shape and layout of the space and check dimensions before you order furniture. You’ll need to make sure that the item will fit comfortably. It’s a great idea to search for multifunctional furniture to save space and prevent clutter. Tables, chests and units with built-in drawers and cubby holes are excellent examples.

Maximize natural light

Natural light creates the illusion of bigger, brighter rooms. Angle furniture towards windows and doors, consider adding extra windows or a larger door if the room is dark and choose light colors for the walls and floors. You can also add light with mirrors, which bounce natural light around the room.

Embrace innovative storage solutions

Innovative storage solutions can help you organize your home, keep on top of clutter and create more usable living space. Ideas, such as racks that go over the back of the door, pull-out rails and drawers that live underneath sofas and expandable cabinets, are ideal for small homes. You can also invest in furniture that offers additional storage, such as beds that have storage beneath the mattress.

Create flow

Creating interior designs that flow adds cohesion, which helps to make rooms look bigger and more open and airy. Opt for the same colors on the walls and choose the same flooring materials throughout your living spaces. Mixing and matching patterns, materials and colors breaks up the overall aesthetic, which can make areas look smaller.

Many of us would love to have more space in our homes. As our families grow or our needs evolve, we may run out of space. If you’re short on room, there are ways to maximize usable space. Make the most of vertical spaces, opt for small, multifunctional pieces of furniture, maximize natural light and create flow using cohesive design elements and concepts.