Nowadays, the size of the typical home is slowly shrinking. And this is not without reason. With higher prices for everything from housing to groceries, people are forced to downsize to afford their homes.
Read about an inspirational downsizing story here.
However, despite its many advantages in the financial aspect, a smaller home can be challenging, especially for people from medium to large-sized households. The most common issue? Space.
Space, after all, is one of the most precious commodities in a home. And while many condos, apartments, and modern homes on the smaller side try to provide this for their occupants, it can still be not enough. But, with some creativity and the proper techniques, it is possible to find a way around these problems.
Space Saving Techniques That Are Beneficial For Small Homes
Here are the best space-saving ideas for small homes:
Tip #1: Move All Non-Essential Items Into A Self Storage Unit
Often, a home is filled with things that are not used regularly, such as old furniture or extra appliances. This makes it more difficult to find space for things that need to be stored in the home. Moreover, it eats up areas in the house that would be much better dedicated to something more useful.
The best way around this is by using self storage units, which can provide you with ample room and easy access when necessary. A self storage unit also provides your belongings with unmatched safety and security, especially with its strict security protocols, state-of-the-art surveillance systems, fortified perimeter fencing, reliable staff, excellent standards of cleanliness, and the availability of climate-controlled units.
If you choose this route, though, it is essential to remember that aside from the size of the unit, its features, and the length of use, where you are located plays a part in how much your self storage unit will cost. That means a self storage unit in Toronto will cost differently than a unit in Vancouver or Quebec. Quite similarly, in the UK, self storage in Leeds will differ in cost from self storage in London or Bournemouth.
Tip #2: Don’t Forget To Declutter
Aside from items that are not essential to your everyday life, you will also want to eliminate clutter. This includes things like knickknacks, old documents, extra clothing, and shoes that you don’t wear often enough to warrant a storage space in your home.
Decluttering helps save on the amount of space taken up by clutter and improves self-organisation skills which can help with other domestic issues such as laundry or cooking. Moreover, you will find that decluttering benefits your surroundings and your routine and benefits your mental and physical health as well.
Tip #3: Rearrange Your Furniture
When you are short on space, it is essential to remember that there are a few tricks for maximising the use of your small home. For example, if your room has enough floor space but lacks table or countertop surface area, consider placing tables and counters in unconventional places such as against the wall or even outside.
This also applies to things such as a bed and dresser, which can usually be placed against the wall without taking up too much space in a room. This is important because if you use these tricks wisely, not only will your home have more of an aesthetic appeal, but it can help save on many other aspects that are essential for a comfortable and self-sufficient life.
Tip #4: Make Use Of Appropriately Sized Furniture Pieces
Speaking of furniture, do not forget to account for space in your home when you are acquiring new furniture pieces. For example, if you need a new dining set, you will want to get one that will fit your dining area and let you sit and move around comfortably.
Also, remember this tip when you plan to use a large bed or couch as the focal piece in your bedroom or living room. Keep in mind that while having only one large item in it will help make the room visually spacious, it can also quickly make the room feel cramped if you don’t take your surroundings into account.
Tip #5: Maximize The Vertical Space
The best way to maximise your space in a small home is by using vertical storage surfaces instead of taking up floor space with furniture and appliances. If you can, consider hanging items on the walls and ceiling.
You can do this by using hooks, shelves, racks, or even the back of a door. This will save you from having to purchase an extra table or shelf for your home and allows you to get creative with the placement of these items to suit your needs best.
Mounting a TV is one of the best examples of how you can use vertical space. And because you are getting rid of the typical TV or entertainment stand, it is also a great way to save on floor space while still being able to watch TV comfortably from the comfort of your couch or bed.
Lastly, stacking items can also help store items away without using too much space. For example, if you want to store your shoes but don’t have enough room on the floor or near your closet door, then consider placing them inside one another and stacking them vertically. Then, they can be placed onto shelves that are positioned high off of the ground and out of sight until you need them. Books are also a great item to stack because they usually are fairly thin and can be stacked vertically on shelves or placed in baskets.
Tip #6: Be Conscious Of Your Lighting And Decor
It’s essential to be mindful of your lighting and decor for your home to feel spacious. One good way is by using light colours on the walls, which will make a room appear larger and help with mood setting.
Are you planning on sprucing up your kitchen walls? Check out these tips!
Consider getting an extra lamp or two brightly coloured ones and using them to provide additional light in a particular room. This will not only look aesthetically pleasing but can also help make the room appear larger as well! (Bonus points if you look into lighting fixtures you can hang from the wall or ceiling!)
As for decor, try not to overcrowd the space with too many furniture pieces, even if they are small or multipurpose. This will make a room feel cluttered and claustrophobic rather than spacious.
Tip #7: Have A Designated Place For Everything
To have a space that feels spacious, it is best to keep the area uncluttered and organised.
This can be accomplished by having designated places for everything, so you know exactly where each item belongs when not in use. For example, if you have bookshelves, then place your books on them and remove any other things, such as decorative items, from the shelves so that they are not in the way when you want to put a book away.
Tip #8: Don’t Put Things Down, Put Them Away
It is essential to make sure that you’re not putting things down and then leaving them there. This clutters the space unnecessarily, resulting in a closed-in feeling if what you are trying to achieve is an open, spacious feel.
So, instead of putting things down, put them away in the designated space they belong to. For example, if you are cooking and have some ingredients out on the counter, place them back in the fridge as soon as you are done using them. This way, they won’t be sitting around on your counter or kitchen table, taking up room that could have been used for other things if it wasn’t taken care of properly.
Tip #9: Think Twice Before Making Any Purchase
This can be applied to everything in the home, but it is especially relevant for small spaces. It is also a good idea to think about how much use an item will get and if purchasing something new would be more worth your money than decluttering old items, which can save space as well!
So before making any purchases, consider whether or not they will make your room feel spacious and if it would be more worth your money to declutter instead.
There you have it, the top space saving ideas for small homes! With these tips, you’ll be able to create a more spacious feeling in your home. Do remember, though, that not all of these tips will work for every person’s situation, so the best way to make your home feel spacious is by getting creative and using what you have to its advantage!
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This article was written by Michaela Pinga of WhatStorage. Michaela, who has since rediscovered her love for writing, has a degree and went to school for digital filmmaking. In her free time, Michaela enjoys consuming an alarmingly large amount of pop content in the form of books, TV shows, films, music, and many others.
