You can find small spaces in just about any average home. There's nothing wrong with small spaces as long as you can properly maximize your available space. For instance, a spacious kitchen can change the way your home functions. Unfortunately, space usually costs money, and not all of us can afford mansions with all the space we desire.
Maximizing the existing space in your home can brighten rooms and make them appear and feel more spacious than they really are. Good interior design can dramatically transform an area of your home, whether a small portion or an entire room. So how can you maximize space in your home? Read these tips to find out.
Use Light Colors
Adding dark colors to your home is tempting, especially if you prefer to hide stains and dirt. For instance, it's much easier to make a kitchen with a black stovetop look clean than one with a white stovetop. However, using brighter colors like white, creams, and grays lightens a room, which gives the appearance of space and openness.
Use Storage Solutions
Small rooms typically don't have built-in storage solutions. However, when you're looking to maximize space, you need as much storage as possible to help keep items off the floor, countertops, tabletops, and so forth. There are storage solutions designed for each room. For instance, you can use under-bed storage in the bedroom, an ottoman with built-in storage in the living room, and storage containers in closets to maximize space in various areas of the home.
Use Wall Space
Vertical space is often something people don't realize is available to them. Shelving units can help you make the most of the space available in your home, keeping items like books and trinkets off the floor and tables. It can also be used for larger items. For instance, you can use a bike rack in your garage to maximize the space available outside the home.
Organize
The better organized your home is, the more spacious it will feel. Have you ever realized that small spaces feel more open when there's less on the floor and in your way? Keeping your items properly organized, whether they're dishes, trinkets, books, or blankets, will make a room appear larger because everything will have its place.
Rent a Storage Unit
Let's face it; there's sometimes simply not enough square footage in your home for all of your things. If you just can't bring yourself to throw out your valuable belongings, consider investing in a storage unit. A storage unit is valuable, especially if you live in an apartment, because it gives you extra space outside of your home to store clutter and furniture you don't need in your current home but may need later.
For instance, if you recently downsized, you may keep an extra sofa or chairs in your storage unit if you purchase a larger home. Meanwhile, if you have a lot of clothes and not a lot of space in your closet, you can store seasonal clothing in a storage unit and retrieve it once you need it again.
Use Multi-Functional Furniture
Multi-Functional furniture has multiple uses, acting as a storage container and a piece of furniture or two types of furniture. For instance, you may have a couch that pulls out to a bed. Meanwhile, you might have an ottoman that doubles as a footrest and storage solution for your living room.
The more functions your furniture has, the more it can do for the functionality of your home. Purchasing items with added storage, like tables with drawers and storage compartments, can help you create more space while reducing the space these items take up in your home.
Consider Creating a Storage Room
If you have a larger home but don't necessarily need every bedroom, consider using your additional, unused rooms for storage. For instance, if you live alone in an apartment with three bedrooms, you might use the third bedroom for storing furniture and clothing. Meanwhile, if you live in a house and have a basement or attic, you can dedicate these spaces to storage.
That said, if you're going to create a storage room in your own home, you should keep it as organized as possible to make it easier to find things again. You don't want another cluttered, messy room in your home. Instead, create an inventory of all the belongings you're storing to keep track of everything properly and learn how to stack items from heaviest to lightest so nothing will get destroyed if something happens to fall over.
Learn to Edit
We all pick things up while we're out and about. Unfortunately, this means potentially buying more things for your home than you actually need. While you likely won't purchase a sofa while running errands, you may buy other things like throw pillows, seating, and home decor that can make your home appear more cluttered.
Yes, you can still buy the things you want for your home, but you'll need to learn how to edit yourself. Instead of simply adding more things on top of your sofa, consider getting rid of old throw pillows and blankets whenever you buy something new. With this in mind, you're replacing items rather than purchasing more, which can help you edit yourself before even pulling out your credit card to pay.
Maximizing Space
With these simple tips and tricks, you can maximize the space available in your home regardless of its square footage. If possible, consider looking at a floor plan of your home and drawing how you want it to look with the items you have. If something just doesn't fit, you can get rid of it, donate it, or put it in a storage unit or additional room in your home.
Remember, certain tricks can make your home appear larger, such as keeping it clean and organized at all times. Whether you live in a studio apartment or three bedroom home, there are ways to maximize your space and reduce clutter.
Author bio: Ashley Nielsen earned a B.S. degree in Business Administration Marketing at Point Loma Nazarene University. She is a freelance writer who loves to share knowledge about general business, marketing, lifestyle, wellness, and financial tips. During her free time, she enjoys being outside, staying active, reading a book, or diving deep into her favorite music.
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