12 Ways to Stretch Your Space
Borrow tips and tricks from these space-savvy homes
Lara Sargent
2 June 2016
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience writing for national magazines, newspapers and websites.
Houzz UK contributor. Freelance interiors journalist with over 20 years' experience... More
If you’re struggling with a lack of space, you’re certainly not the only one: many people have to find ways to maximise their compact homes. Check out the creative ideas in these spaces, including a multi-tasking studio apartment, a converted train car and a treetop hideaway, and be inspired to make the most of your small space.
1. Make furniture multi-task
With small spaces, particularly kitchens, storage is often one of the biggest issues. Be clever with your furniture pieces and choose items that maximise their footprint.
This peninsula unit has room for appliances on the kitchen side, as well as shelves on the back and end that hold everything from dishes and glassware to cookbooks.
With small spaces, particularly kitchens, storage is often one of the biggest issues. Be clever with your furniture pieces and choose items that maximise their footprint.
This peninsula unit has room for appliances on the kitchen side, as well as shelves on the back and end that hold everything from dishes and glassware to cookbooks.
2. Employ a coherent palette
It can be tricky to create harmony in a space when you’re trying to squeeze in so much, particularly if different areas have different functions, as shown here. One way to zone a space while keeping it fuss-free is to choose a colour palette and simply vary the tones for each zone so that they’re distinct but harmonious.
See more of this micro apartment
It can be tricky to create harmony in a space when you’re trying to squeeze in so much, particularly if different areas have different functions, as shown here. One way to zone a space while keeping it fuss-free is to choose a colour palette and simply vary the tones for each zone so that they’re distinct but harmonious.
See more of this micro apartment
3. Go big on artwork
Never assume that your space is too small for artwork. In fact, it can visually open up a room, as this artist’s home in England proves. Imagine this space without the paintings; far from crowding it, they add depth and seem to widen the room.
The built-in lidded benches are another little trick to steal from this home – the perfect combination of seating and storage for a small space. To increase comfort, top them with thick seat cushions and plenty of pillows.
Never assume that your space is too small for artwork. In fact, it can visually open up a room, as this artist’s home in England proves. Imagine this space without the paintings; far from crowding it, they add depth and seem to widen the room.
The built-in lidded benches are another little trick to steal from this home – the perfect combination of seating and storage for a small space. To increase comfort, top them with thick seat cushions and plenty of pillows.
4. Fold it away
Folding furniture can transform a teeny overcrowded space into an efficient multi-functional room. This living room converts to a comfortable bedroom thanks to a wall bed that folds down over the low-level sofa. A good-quality sofa bed would also do the trick if you’re after a more affordable and less custom solution.
The built-in mirrored closets are another space-smart takeaway from this clever studio apartment. As well as visually doubling the room, they hide loads of storage, including a compact home office.
Folding furniture can transform a teeny overcrowded space into an efficient multi-functional room. This living room converts to a comfortable bedroom thanks to a wall bed that folds down over the low-level sofa. A good-quality sofa bed would also do the trick if you’re after a more affordable and less custom solution.
The built-in mirrored closets are another space-smart takeaway from this clever studio apartment. As well as visually doubling the room, they hide loads of storage, including a compact home office.
5. Exploit your levels
A great way to gain space is to make use of all the levels in your home. Raising a bed can give you room for all sorts of things underneath.
The designers of this scheme have also made use of the sofa, with a black coffee table that can be pulled out slotted underneath, along with two white blocks for additional seating. The bed can also be folded up if extra headroom is needed.
A great way to gain space is to make use of all the levels in your home. Raising a bed can give you room for all sorts of things underneath.
The designers of this scheme have also made use of the sofa, with a black coffee table that can be pulled out slotted underneath, along with two white blocks for additional seating. The bed can also be folded up if extra headroom is needed.
6. Divide and store
Another idea to make a small space work for all your needs is to zone it with wall dividers. But rather than lose the space, why not do something creative and turn the divider into a piece of storage itself? Sneak in cabinets and shelves, and you’ll find you’ve added valuable surface area and managed to separate your spaces effectively.
For a smart twist – literally – the inside section of this divider pivots, and there’s a TV on one side that can be watched from the sofa or the bed!
Another idea to make a small space work for all your needs is to zone it with wall dividers. But rather than lose the space, why not do something creative and turn the divider into a piece of storage itself? Sneak in cabinets and shelves, and you’ll find you’ve added valuable surface area and managed to separate your spaces effectively.
For a smart twist – literally – the inside section of this divider pivots, and there’s a TV on one side that can be watched from the sofa or the bed!
7. Let your furniture do the talking
If you live in a small home, own many a treasured piece of furniture and are trying not to overwhelm the space, a good solution is to paint your walls white and let your belongings take centre stage.
Although not many people can claim to live in a restored train car like this one, creating a white backdrop is a useful design trick that can enhance all kinds of small spaces.
Take a tour of this unique home
If you live in a small home, own many a treasured piece of furniture and are trying not to overwhelm the space, a good solution is to paint your walls white and let your belongings take centre stage.
Although not many people can claim to live in a restored train car like this one, creating a white backdrop is a useful design trick that can enhance all kinds of small spaces.
Take a tour of this unique home
8. Use odd features to your advantage
You may not have a bedroom in the treetops, like this one, but there’s an important lesson to be learned from this tiny tree house: don’t let awkward features inhibit your ambitions.
Whether you have chunky branches, an unused fireplace or another bulky detail, give serious thought to how to position your furniture, and you’ll be sure to find a small-space solution that makes the best of the awkward feature.
You may not have a bedroom in the treetops, like this one, but there’s an important lesson to be learned from this tiny tree house: don’t let awkward features inhibit your ambitions.
Whether you have chunky branches, an unused fireplace or another bulky detail, give serious thought to how to position your furniture, and you’ll be sure to find a small-space solution that makes the best of the awkward feature.
9. Seek out salvaged materials
Tiny homes have one big benefit: they don’t need endless quantities of materials to equip them. And that’s a serious advantage if you love using remnants and recycled bits and pieces that are unlikely to come in abundant lengths.
Be inspired by this wee 18th-century building in England’s Cotswolds. Almost everything in this home is upcycled, recycled, reclaimed or handmade. The kitchen cabinet doors were salvaged from a neighbour’s barn, the benchtop is scaffolding planks, and the splashback is old corrugated steel.
Tiny homes have one big benefit: they don’t need endless quantities of materials to equip them. And that’s a serious advantage if you love using remnants and recycled bits and pieces that are unlikely to come in abundant lengths.
Be inspired by this wee 18th-century building in England’s Cotswolds. Almost everything in this home is upcycled, recycled, reclaimed or handmade. The kitchen cabinet doors were salvaged from a neighbour’s barn, the benchtop is scaffolding planks, and the splashback is old corrugated steel.
10. Stick to the essentials
If there’s one thing a tiny space will force you to do, it’s figure out what’s really important. Think hard about what you really need and use in your home, and be strict about sticking to just those items.
Whether that means cutting out some appliances, slimming down your wardrobe or limiting your library of books, being careful about what you allow into your home will make it a much nicer space in the long run.
If there’s one thing a tiny space will force you to do, it’s figure out what’s really important. Think hard about what you really need and use in your home, and be strict about sticking to just those items.
Whether that means cutting out some appliances, slimming down your wardrobe or limiting your library of books, being careful about what you allow into your home will make it a much nicer space in the long run.
11. Explore every angle
Unusually shaped walls and a small footprint shouldn’t deter you from creating an interior you love. This quirky octagonal house manages to fit in the essentials and look cosy and calm at the same time.
If you have a small and awkward space and can’t work out how to configure it, it’s worth calling in a professional who can help you come up with clever ideas and bring them to life. Customising may cost a little more, but it can be a worthwhile investment if you want to maximise your space.
Be inspired by this octagonal home in Wales
Unusually shaped walls and a small footprint shouldn’t deter you from creating an interior you love. This quirky octagonal house manages to fit in the essentials and look cosy and calm at the same time.
If you have a small and awkward space and can’t work out how to configure it, it’s worth calling in a professional who can help you come up with clever ideas and bring them to life. Customising may cost a little more, but it can be a worthwhile investment if you want to maximise your space.
Be inspired by this octagonal home in Wales
12. Design a hard-working bedhead
If your bedroom is tight for space, but you’re desperate to squeeze in a little desk or perhaps extra shelving, don’t overlook your bedhead as a potential solution.
For just a couple of extra centimetres added on to the length of your bed, you’ll gain valuable space to meet some of your needs. This multi-tasking bed even has a trundle bed for a guest!
TELL US
How have you made your small space work for you? Share your advice and photos in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse more photos about design in small spaces
If your bedroom is tight for space, but you’re desperate to squeeze in a little desk or perhaps extra shelving, don’t overlook your bedhead as a potential solution.
For just a couple of extra centimetres added on to the length of your bed, you’ll gain valuable space to meet some of your needs. This multi-tasking bed even has a trundle bed for a guest!
TELL US
How have you made your small space work for you? Share your advice and photos in the Comments below.
MORE
Browse more photos about design in small spaces
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Excellent tips and pictures, love this article. Thank you!
Narrow cabinets can be really difficult to make functional because access to the back is really difficult. We love this make over of a small cabinet... It was a DIY solution & all the small spices (that couldn't be stored in a cabinet like this) are now in easy reach. The stainless steel basket has a clear removable base, so things don't move around and cleaning is super easy. Here are some more ideas for making the most of small spaces.