We all want to get the most out of our homes, and in some cases, that means being resourceful when it comes to making the most of small spaces. What if you were limited to 250 square feet? When faced with that challenge, people come up with some pretty ingenious solutions—like building houses on top of trains or moving into tiny mobile homes. Here are five space-saving tips inspired by tiny homes and other small spaces you can use in your own home to make the most of your living area.
1) Maximize every inch of space
Tiny homes are all about maximizing space and making the most of every square inch. Here are five space-saving tips inspired by tiny homes that you can use in your own home
- Use furniture to create vertical storage.
- Use small bins and baskets to create a versatile storage system for small items, like school supplies or craft supplies.
- Clear off surfaces so there’s room for things you need often, like mail or electronics chargers.
- Hang pots from the ceiling with hooks or command strips so they’re out of sight but still accessible when needed.
2) Hide belongings in creative ways
- Get a coffee table with hidden storage. Place items you don’t use often, like extra blankets or board games, in the space beneath your coffee table. This way, they’re out of sight but still within easy reach.
- Look for multifunctional furniture. A futon can serve as a couch during the day and a bed at night. An ottoman with built-in storage can hold throws and pillows when not in use.
- Use your walls wisely. Consider adding shelving to them to store books and other things that take up floor space. Hang paintings low enough so that people won’t walk into them. Hang hooks on your wall to hang backpacks, purses, coats, keys—whatever you need quick access to.
- Buy multipurpose products. For example, get all-in-one soap instead of bar soap, liquid dish soap instead of dishwasher detergent tablets, etc. And if you have an office desk in your living room: use it! It doesn’t matter what time of day it is—if there’s some work that needs to be done, do it right then and there.
- Recycle old containers and tins into new ones for organizing small items around the house.
3) Utilize vertical space
Tiny homes are all about utilizing every square inch of space, and that includes vertical space. Stack things vertically whenever possible to open up floor space. This can be done with shelves, cubbies, hooks, and racks. Get creative and make the most of your wall space! Hang shelving units, cabinets, or even bookcases on the walls to save room in the center of a room. Wall brackets provide an easy way to attach these items right where you need them.
4) Use multi-function furniture
Multi-function furniture is key in small spaces. A sofa that doubles as a guest bed, a coffee table with hidden storage, or a dresser that can also be used as a TV stand are all great options. Not only do they save space, but they can also save you money. Furniture like this is often more expensive than it would be to buy the two pieces separately, but they’ll last much longer and look better over time.
Since everything has multiple uses in tiny homes, it makes sense to get multi-functional pieces when possible.
5) Get rid of the things you don’t need
We all have stuff that we don’t need, and getting rid of it can be tough. But holding on to things we don’t use only clutters our homes and our lives. If you’re feeling overwhelmed by your belongings, take a cue from the tiny house movement and declutter your space. You’ll be surprised by how much better you feel when you get rid of the things you don’t need. Plus, you’ll save a lot of time and money if you’re not spending hours looking for misplaced items. Decluttering is always worth it!
