Something happened between the Stone Age and today. The number of humans walking the earth has more than tripled, and now some of us find ourselves living in cramped or small spaces. With the limited surface area around us, we are then faced with the problem of finding pieces of furniture to complement our homes. And because we would be staying at our homes for many years, it is always best to invest, keep pretty, organized, and clean.
Finding furniture that could not only stand the test of time, but also would look and fit your home snugly and beautifully is now relatively easy. Thank goodness for interior designers, design consultancy firms, showroom catalogues, pinterest, and interior blogs/vlogs, there’s just so much inspiration and help we can get.
Having things DIY at home is a great feat, but if you have such a small interior, planning is a must. Apres Interior Furniture is one such firm you can rely for help. Their option of manufacturing furniture to your requirements surely would make every nook and cranny of small interior spaces usable. Built-in and customized furniture mean no space is wasted.
To give your small home its maximum use, here are some ideas you might want to try.
Table of Contents
Extendable and Folding Tables
The dining table is something we all need in our homes. Just because, doesn’t mean you no longer need a dining table. You’d be delighted to know that there are many types of tables out there which have been designed specifically for small living spaces.
A lot of prayers have been answered with extendable and folding tables. Simply put, these tables are adjustable…the table top is actually divided into two. If you have a lot of visitors coming over, just pull the table top apart then you can add an extra plank of wood or leaf in the middle, extend the legs to each side as well and voila! More space for plates as well as chairs. The extra leaf can also be stored easily within reach; under the table top when not in use.
These folding tables can also function as your work area. You’ll find some with tiny drawers going down along the sides, where you can store the stuff you need for your hobby or whatnot.
If you plan to have a folding table made, it’s best if the color matches that of your wall. This gives the illusion of continuity, as if the table was an appendage of the wall. This makes your room look more spacious than it really is.
Having small spaces or living areas are not so much a liability, as it is a chance to challenge yourself into being creative. Find an extendable table to fit your needs, and you’ll feel like you’ve just struck gold.
Multi-functional Everything
Furniture which offers two uses (or more) in one is a great way to minimize the use of floor space.
Sofa Bed
Sofa beds take up a small space during the day, but conveniently turns to a bed at night, for those with studio-type apartments, these are great options. Sofa beds are also great when you have visitors staying the night over.
Murphy Bed
Murphy beds are very versatile, back then they just function as a bed at night, and is stored closed away in the morning. However, innovation and creativity made manufacturers think of better ways to integrate functionality. For one, it now folds up to produce a dining table or a desk in the morning (flip-up desk murphy bed). It can also be a bookshelf in the morning, which when you input books need not be put away at night. t’s a simple carpentry trick and a combination of mechanism that makes it work flawlessly.
Bunk Bed
Bunk beds are best for kids rooms. The idea is to use the underside of the bed for storage, even as a study area or play area. Depending on the child’s age, parents can design and change it over the years.
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Lift-Top Coffee Tables
Lift-top coffee table is a pop-up tabletop that can be easily and smoothly lifted or lowered by a metal mechanism and spring which serves as a storage. This works well for those who easily lose remote controls!
Basket Storage Table
These cute basket storage also works as a side or center table. You can store things like blankets, small pillows, newspapers, or yarn. Use it to as a coffee table or put a lamp on top when not in use, it stands out and is a pretty decor on its own.
Storage Seats
Storage benches, Ottomans, and trunks are another functional piece of furniture you can include in your small home. They don’t really eat a lot of floor space, and you can easily shove them under a high side shelf.
Maximize Storage Potential
Window Seats and Storage
Another smart way to have storage integrated and extra seats is when you have a bay window. Have a built in cabinet that would also be the base for your seat. Get tailored pillow seats for a perfect reading nook.
Take Advantage of Vertical Space
If you can get cabinets that runs from floor to ceiling, do it. Tall furniture will also give the illusion of having built-ins, but would also give you lots of storage space.
Floating Shelves
If tall furniture is not your thing, you can make use of space above shelves by installing floating shelves. You can then use beautifully decorated boxes to put stuff in or stack your books neatly. It’s just additional storage but it also adds character to your home design.
Hanging Cabinets
If you need more storage, you can make the space above usable by hanging cabinets, same idea as hanging cabinets in the kitchen. This doesn’t make use of floor space and surely measuring properly will not heard your head as you walk around. ^_^
Have Built-in Systems
If finding furniture that fit your spaces exactly, go for built ins. It might be way more expensive, but built ins, since customized for you will best fit and look perfect. Find trusted carpentry services in your area, canvass as you go and pick what appeals best to you. Consider pricing, their proximity from you, and their work.
Space Under The Stairs
Office Space
One space that homeowners often overlook is under the stairs. There’s so much potential in it. You can use it as an open office space like in the photo above.
Storage Cabinets, Pantry
You can install storage cabinets in it, depending on the layout. You can also install floating shelves or put finished shelves to store kitchen items and small appliance.
Craft Room, Laundry Room
Look for ideas on Pinterest to see what others have done for their under the stair space. Like this craft room. With enough space, it could also be a laundry area.
Keep Clutter Away
Closed cabinets and doors make it appear as though everything is in order. Store stuff away, you can put one to three standout pieces as decor and keep everything in display cases and have storage cabinets with doors. This also makes everything look in order.
Pick up stuff on the floor, and always make sure to throw away stuff, declutter as much as you can to make your home spacious.
Make Light Flow In
Make use of natural light. A bright room makes it look bigger. So opt to not use heavy curtains of dark curtains. If your side of the window doesn’t get to hot at noon, blind would do. If there isn’t enough light coming in, use mirrors. See next paragraph.
Mirror It
That a mirror makes a room appear bigger is something we know for a fact. However, there are a lot of things to consider when installing one, as picking the wrong mirror could spell disaster (design-wise).
A single large mirror will be the cure-all for bringing more light to your room, and to make cramped areas look more spacious.
Framing also matters, most often, smaller frames work better, or none at all.
Multi-functional mirrors like other furniture mentioned above is also a good idea, like a vanity mirror on a shelf works great for the bedroom. Aside from actually being used for when putting make up and checking one’s outfit, it brightens up the room a whole lot.
Whole wall mirrors are also an option, but don’t overdo it, just do one side of your room which will also act as a divider. It can get confusing if there are two mirrors facing each other (infinity effect).
Neutral Colors
Neutral colors make help a small room to feel larger. Wall furniture and walls in neutral make space look bright. You can then put little touches of color like throw pillows, small statement pots, and bright colored-leaf plants like red pepperomias.
More Furniture Ideas for Small Spaces
Like always, every home and every person’s preference is different, that’s why in a building where the same cut of abodes are made, each of them would still look diverse. You can always consult expert designers for help.
If you have small space, consider kitchen space for small condominiums and maximizing it for best use. If you have a high ceiling, a loft may be possible, it will give you more privacy for a bedroom and more storage area. Have other ideas design and furniture ideas for small spaces? Let us know in the comments.
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