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Whether you’ve just moved into your new home or you’re looking to maximize space while refreshing a room, here are some tips to help you make the most of every square foot. We’ve included ideas for space-saving furniture, helpful home-organization products, and recommendations from interior designers.
Maximize Space by Avoiding These Mistakes
Living room layouts can be a bit tricky when dealing with long couches. Sometimes people think it’s best to have it cut off the rest of the room, especially in a home with an open floor plan. However, this is often a mistake. “No one wants to walk into the back of a couch and have it cut off the room,” says interior designer Kendra Nash. Doing so can make a space feel less inviting. Nash suggestions creating a circular layout, if possible: “We love the idea of creating a circle of conversation in our furniture layouts. It is nice to be able to see one another and visit without being too far away from one another.”
When it comes to the kitchen, cluttered countertops are often an issue. They make it so there’s no focal point such as a colorful fruit bowl, a unique vase, or even a sparkling clean quartz countertop to appreciate. Also, it can quickly create stress in the heart of the home when it’s time to cook and there isn’t much space to do so. If this sounds familiar, see what you can store in cabinets or even in the garage. Sometimes we like the look of certain appliances, but they aren’t often used and take up a lot of space. If you have an appliance or kitchen gadget that you use less than every two weeks, consider storing it. It will instantly make the room feel bigger.
Another culprit that reduces space and might not be very useful: open glass hutches. While we aren’t saying discard your family heirloom, consider its placement and if it helps maximize space in your home. Perhaps it can be moved to a different location or used more effectively with some additional shelving.
While an island can add more workspace, make sure yours has drawers or cabinets so it’s functional. This is a common mistake many interior designers say they see. Breakfast bars and islands are great but if they don’t provide any storage space, they end up taking up more space vs. adding to it in a helpful way.
If you’re looking for products to help organize your kitchen, check out these ideas from The Container Store, and remember: leave no space unexamined:
Space-saving Furniture
Our bedrooms and closets often get filled with items we don’t necessarily use. Consider carving out a weekend or even 15 minutes a day over one week to sort through items to keep and donate. Then, reward yourself by purchasing some space-saving furniture to store what you know you will actually use. If you or a family member have tons of shoes, check out this shoe cabinet from IKEA. It doesn’t take up much floor space and holds approximately 15 pairs of shoes. This Wayfair shoe cabinet with adjustable shelves doubles as an entryway table, includes a top drawer, and holds up to 20 pairs of shoes.
Speaking of cabinets, if your home doesn’t have enough space for a full guest bedroom, maximize your home office, kids’ playroom or your living room by purchasing a daybed or a cabinet bed. You’ll save space and make a room in your home multifunctional.
Other versatile pieces of furniture to maximize space in your home include coffee tables with storage, hideaway desks, and storage benches.
Vertical Solutions
When moving into a new home or rearranging furniture, we often overlook vertical space. By finding ways to save floor space and make better use of wall space, you can make any room feel more open. For example, if you haven’t done so, use a wall mount for your TV. It can significantly reduce floor space, and it can be paired with shallower cabinetry to hide other electronics below. Alternatively, you could purchase a projector with a pull-down screen. Another effective solution is to install floor-to-ceiling shelves in closets and garages to use every inch. Corners are often overlooked as well. If you have a little one with tons of stuffed animals, install a net hammock to store them in the corner of their room. Is your book collection overflowing? Find a free corner and add a corner bookshelf to display your wonderful reads.
Get Creative
If you’re remodeling your rec room or basement and want to make the most of the space, consider getting creative with the layout by adding pocket doors or a sliding barn door. It can save a great deal of space and break up a large area in an interesting way.
Another way to strategically use space is to be mindful of the impact of light and color. Both can greatly influence the perception of space. Lighter colors tend to make rooms feel more expansive and reflect more light. Additionally, windows bring in more natural light, and mirrors can reflect light and give the illusion of more space in a smaller room. Colors can help differentiate spaces in a room, calming visual chaos. Lastly, never underestimate the power of good lighting. Brighten any dark areas of a room by finding interesting lamps or wall sconces. It can be fun to find something unique that adds character to a room. Replacing old light fixtures with ones that make a room feel more inviting can also make a significant difference.
For more home-related inspiration, check out Enhance Your Space on a Budget and Home Improvement Projects That Add Value.
