7 Ways to Maximize Space in a Small Home or Apartment |
With the New Year approaching, you'll soon be into cleaning and organizing again.
If you're like me, you may already be thinking ahead to a few changes you want to make to maximize the square footage in your home.
1. Chairs that Convert to a Bed
That's right; there are chairs that fold open and turn into a bed. These are ideal for small apartments or small rooms where you need a place for company to crash. Here are some examples of various styles; some unfold, some fold down, and others sit and fold directly onto the floor.
2. End Tables That Double as a Pet Crate
These are especially handy for smaller homes. They're an excellent solution for apartment dwellers with pets. They range in style, design, and color. Put one or two on either side of the couch, and you now have a place for the fur babies and coffee tables all in one piece.
3. Plano Storage Unit for Crafts and Supplies
Wednesday Elf from ReviewThisReviews discusses how she uses the Plano Storage Unit to organize her crafting supplies. If you're not interested in spending too much money but need an efficient organizational unit, this one works. We use these as well. Ours is in the basement, holding our Christmas decorations. They're also handy in garages.
4. Elaborate Ways to Use Space Under a Staircase
If renovations and a good-sized budget are in your organizational future, check out these design ideas for using space under the stairs; a reading nook, a washroom, extra sleeping space, a playroom, a dog house, and the list goes on.
5. Space Saving Table and Chairs
These aren't your grandmother's table and chairs, although some of those were pretty nice. Today's space-saving tables come in a wide variety of colors, shapes, sizes, and designs: There are the standard folding leaf tables, chairs the tuck directly under each part of the table, bench type seats, and more. These are the perfect solution for a tiny kitchen or enclosed porch and balcony.
6. Creating Additional Storage in a Bedroom
Here you'll find five suggestions on how you can add more storage space to the bedroom. My personal favorite is the bed skirt organizer. It's an actual bed skirt with plastic storage inserts for both sides. If you don't want to see the clutter in the bed skirt, add a bedspread that covers it, or put a cloth bed skirt over it. Other suggestions include a bedside cubby that stores items and fits under the mattress, ottoman storage, over-the-door storage units, and under-the-bed storage.
7. Loft Beds for Adults
Check out these funky designs. Living in an apartment in a city usually means that the square footage is minimal. If that's the case, you'll want to consider one of these lofts. Designs vary with some featuring desks, a table and seating area, and daybeds. Going vertical solves the small space problem, and these designs do precisely that.
Great ideas for maximizing the space available in any house or apartment, Barbara. Thanks so much for including my Plano storage shelves article. It is so much easier to deal with my crafting hobby/business since getting organized with the way I store my supplies now. When you are short on space, organizers in many forms are a terrific help.
ReplyDeleteA great round-up of space-saving ideas to help us get a jump-start on our new year's resolutions!
ReplyDeleteI always love your fabulous space-saving recommendations. I already have a day bed in my craft room, but the chairs that convert to beds would be an awesome way to have twin beds in that room instead. I am always trying to find ways to reduce the clutter around our home. We seem to be a little like squirrels gathering nuts for the winter.
ReplyDeleteBarbara, I love these ideas! I'm always looking for space saving ideas. These are great. I'm book-marking this so I can refer back as I get closer to building my small home.
ReplyDeleteI can always use help when it comes to getting organized Barbara! You have given me a whole bunch of great ideas to do just that. Have you been peeking into my craft room? I know I need to get that room sorted and maybe I will use some of your ideas to do just that. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI have always liked those loft beds (since seeing my first one in my college dorm). Also, I adore those under-the-stairs dog areas for resting. I wouldn't mind having one of those chairs that converts to a bed, either. Great ideas!
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