Simple Design Hacks I Learned To Make The Most Of Tight Spaces
One thing I’ve learned during this whole incredible process is how to be flexible and adjust my designs into layouts that are both functional and beautiful. This can be particularly tough when tackling renovations in small rooms and tight spaces, especially in an old farmhouse. Changing your mind set from “small” to “cozy” and filled with character can help a lot!
(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)
But I’ve thankfully found how to make the most of these spaces with just a few design hacks over the years of working on this massively fun and never ending project. Take a look at some simple adjustments, appliances, and tricks I tried that can make your home feel more spacious and put together.
Use Your Wallspace
Make the most of the floors in your home by using the wall space for both decor, storage, and functional appliances.
Some of my favorite benefits of hanging shelves are the ability to display beautiful and meaningful pieces without sacrificing the little space I have by displaying them on the floor or tables.
Our basement reveal gave a glimpse of how to do this by showcasing Lodi’s guitars along a feature wall (new guest suite update for the space coming soon!)
For heating appliances, column radiators are a great solution to save on wall space too. Their narrow, wall-mounting design allows you to choose any convenient space in your small room to hold the unit comfortably without blocking an entire wall.
Use your wallspace to free up as much floor space as you can for bigger furniture pieces.
Add an Area Rug
While this may sound strange, area rugs are a fantastic way to designate sections of a room for specific furniture or uses that have little space to begin with.
Try using a smaller rug to separate a sitting area from an eating space in a tight living and dining room.
Or use a small throw rug for under the foot of your bed to showcase the sleeping area from a large wardrobe or office desk.
Laying out these seemingly simple blocks of fabric really pull a space together in a way that’s homey and functional, despite the size of the room itself.
Position furniture around mirrors and windows
Natural light is key to really opening up a room and making it appear bigger. This can sometimes be tricky if we have a room with small or awkwardly placed windows high on the wall. Thankfully, we can manipulate that light through the use of mirrors across and around the room.
Typically furniture should be arranged with access to larger windows without blocking them. But in smaller spaces where a piece of furniture has to be positioned on a wall with a window, try placing a larger mirror on a wall directly opposite or adjacent to the window and furnishings.
This offsets the closed off feel of a small room by allowing the natural light to reflect into every corner effortlessly.
Try multipurpose furniture
And finally, one of my favourite ways to save some space is adding some multipurpose furniture to the room you’re designing. Here are just a few examples of some cool furnishings worth considering:
- Sleeper sofas – Perfect for seating and a guest bed when needed.
- Office table to dining table – Use folding slats to shorten or extend the table for your workday or dinner time.
- Murphy beds – Tuck away guest beds effortlessly into the wall to save on serious floor space.
- Storage coffee tables – Store everything from books, linens, electronics, and games in the table’s clever compartments.
Conclusion
Small rooms can be tricky to design but they are worth the effort once the space is transformed. Get creative and try adding some of your favorite hacks to make your small home one you truly love.
To see a tiny space transformation on the farm, check out our little house renovation here!
(This is a contributed post, for more information about my compensation please read my disclosure policy)