Decorating
12 Clever Ways to Create Space in a Teeny Tiny Home
If you need to create space from nothing, look no further than these nifty design tricks
In a compact living space, each piece of furniture should earn its keep. These 12 ideas – including adjustable tables, sliding bookcases and nesting and expanding furniture – make the most of small-space living.
2. Sliding bookcase
Take advantage of potential floor-to-ceiling storage space over the stairs by mounting a bookcase on a track system. When positioned over the staircase, the shelving is out of the way, freeing up extra room in the living area. Simply slide it back into the room when you want to access the shelves.
See more smart storage solutions in this home
Take advantage of potential floor-to-ceiling storage space over the stairs by mounting a bookcase on a track system. When positioned over the staircase, the shelving is out of the way, freeing up extra room in the living area. Simply slide it back into the room when you want to access the shelves.
See more smart storage solutions in this home
3. Fold-down bed with a twist
Rather than folding down over empty space, this bed was designed to fit perfectly over a sofa, so no furniture shifting is needed at bedtime. Just flip down the back cushions of the sofa, lower the bed and voilà! – room transformed.
Rather than folding down over empty space, this bed was designed to fit perfectly over a sofa, so no furniture shifting is needed at bedtime. Just flip down the back cushions of the sofa, lower the bed and voilà! – room transformed.
4. Expanding dining table
With help from a leaf (easily stored in a nearby closet), what appears to be a simple Parsons-style console table transforms into a full-size dining table with room for six. Bonus: The cube-shaped ottoman tucked into a tiny closet office here detaches into six stools.
See more of this multitasking London studio
With help from a leaf (easily stored in a nearby closet), what appears to be a simple Parsons-style console table transforms into a full-size dining table with room for six. Bonus: The cube-shaped ottoman tucked into a tiny closet office here detaches into six stools.
See more of this multitasking London studio
5. Pullout work surface
Kitchens sometimes incorporate pullout cutting boards to create extra benchtop space – why not have a pullout desk? Fully extended, it offers plenty of room to work on a laptop, but when you need the space, it quickly slides away.
Kitchens sometimes incorporate pullout cutting boards to create extra benchtop space – why not have a pullout desk? Fully extended, it offers plenty of room to work on a laptop, but when you need the space, it quickly slides away.
6. Fold-up dining table
When this unassuming wood panel is folded up, there is more room for manoeuvring in this small kitchen – folded down, it becomes a dining table for four. The tops of the sleek white bench seats open to reveal storage inside.
When this unassuming wood panel is folded up, there is more room for manoeuvring in this small kitchen – folded down, it becomes a dining table for four. The tops of the sleek white bench seats open to reveal storage inside.
7. Built-in bureau
A built-in bureau is a clever way to sneak a work surface and storage into a small space. If the storage is skipped, having a drop-down desk installed is a fairly simple project for a pro or handy homeowner to tackle.
8. Nesting coffee table and benches
With the desk folded up and a set of nesting benches and a coffee table pulled out from beneath the small sofa, this workspace is transformed into a seating area.
A built-in bureau is a clever way to sneak a work surface and storage into a small space. If the storage is skipped, having a drop-down desk installed is a fairly simple project for a pro or handy homeowner to tackle.
8. Nesting coffee table and benches
With the desk folded up and a set of nesting benches and a coffee table pulled out from beneath the small sofa, this workspace is transformed into a seating area.
9. Fold-away loft bed
Instead of being positioned lower on the wall like a typical fold-down bed, this version folds up high, allowing the lower level to remain usable, even when the bed is down. A ladder (stowed away in a closet between uses) provides access to the bed, while high built-in storage becomes a bedside table.
See the rest of this project
Instead of being positioned lower on the wall like a typical fold-down bed, this version folds up high, allowing the lower level to remain usable, even when the bed is down. A ladder (stowed away in a closet between uses) provides access to the bed, while high built-in storage becomes a bedside table.
See the rest of this project
10. Slide-away bed
In this unique arrangement, a full-size bed can be slid partially underneath the raised floor, transforming (with the help of a few pillows) into a couch. With the bed out of the way, sleek built-in storage cabinets become a useful part of the living space.
In this unique arrangement, a full-size bed can be slid partially underneath the raised floor, transforming (with the help of a few pillows) into a couch. With the bed out of the way, sleek built-in storage cabinets become a useful part of the living space.
11. Mirror magic
While mirrors cannot literally add space, their value should not be underestimated. Wall-to-wall frameless mirrors give a small apartment a grander feel and make a room look far larger than it is.
While mirrors cannot literally add space, their value should not be underestimated. Wall-to-wall frameless mirrors give a small apartment a grander feel and make a room look far larger than it is.
12. Smart stairs
Space beneath the stairs should be put to work in a compact space, and what better way than with perfectly fitted storage compartments? An open-sided, rather than walled-in, staircase keeps a small room feeling more spacious and allows light into the upper level.
TELL US
Do you live in a small space? How do you make it work?
MORE
Live Big in a Small House: 25 Tricks to Expand Your Space
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Dining Tables Squeezed Into All Manner of Small Spaces
Space beneath the stairs should be put to work in a compact space, and what better way than with perfectly fitted storage compartments? An open-sided, rather than walled-in, staircase keeps a small room feeling more spacious and allows light into the upper level.
TELL US
Do you live in a small space? How do you make it work?
MORE
Live Big in a Small House: 25 Tricks to Expand Your Space
Mental Tricks to Help You Outsmart Your Small Space
Dining Tables Squeezed Into All Manner of Small Spaces
A sleek glass-top table with an adjustable base allows you to quickly change a lounge area with a coffee table to a dining area. With a cushy corner banquette, the zone will be just as comfortable whether you’re grabbing a bite or settling in to watch a movie.