4 Ways to Make Your House Look Bigger

With floor space at an all-time premium, space-saving solutions are a must in any contemporary home. The essentials are a given; seating and surfaces, a place to lay your head at night, the sanctuary of the bathroom, the comforting heart that is the kitchen, and so on. Yet, given the constraints of square footage in the modern-day home sphere, it can be quite a challenging feat to fit in everything you want and need.

In essence, compact homes make use of every square inch of space. it must meet the needs of the homeowner in every way, providing functionality and accessibility without sacrificing comfort nor aesthetic weight. Thankfully, given the genius of creative designer minds, that’s not merely a pipe dream; it is a reality that is unfolding before our very eyes.

Recognising the limitations of their spaces, homeowners have become increasingly conscious about where and how they set up their storage solutions. Leveraging the expertise of professionals, homeowners have long utilised walls and ceilings alike, installing and consequently supporting shelves off of them. Gone are the days of badly- designed and hard-to-reach nooks in kitchen cabinets; no longer do corners go forgotten. In the realm of furniture, designers have also upped the ante, proffering elegantly chic pieces that are perfectly at home in smaller spaces. After all, it’s not the size of the sofa that matters; it’s how comfortably you sit in it.

1. Hack the walls

While the importance of walls cannot be overstated, smaller homes can oftentimes benefit from having an open space configuration. The absence of walls can impart an airy weightlessness upon the space, freeing it from the constraints of one-too-many corners.

Demarcate between the zones of your home with functional furnishings; room dividers notwithstanding, shelves and surfaces are great solutions for ‘cordoning off’ various areas, marking the difference between the living space, dining space, kitchen, and more.

Instead of relegating your shelving units to the walls, try mounting them from your ceiling instead. Not only will it add a touch of visual interest to your home, it can also be used to split up two separate spaces - all while ensuring you have plenty of storage to spare.

Another great way to demarcate your spaces without eating up precious floor space is by using a carpet.

2. Choose modular furniture

While it may not necessarily be a good idea to try and fit a full sofa set into a smaller living space, you can still make your furnishings work for you. Choose smaller, modular pieces that can be rearranged and reconfigured for spatial constraints. A great idea is to hunt down pieces that can also be modified to suit current needs - think tables that can be folded, extended, or even adjusted in height as needed.

Say goodbye to pesky side tables that never quite fit perfectly into the corner. The Arflex Capilano Triangular side Table and the Ottawa side table from BoConcept leave no corner unfilled - lending quietly functional luxe.

Even if home is a smaller space, there’s no need to sacrifice on comfort. Instead of choosing a smaller sofa, opt for modular pieces that you can move along with you in the event you upgrade to a larger home.

Looking for a standing desk? The height of the Brut table is adjustable at will, which means it pulls triple its weight - as a dining table, a lower coffee table, and a taller standing work desk.

3. Get more storage space

Maximise kitchen and dining space by incorporating built-in cabinets and open shelving for stylish, practical storage. Utilise the area under benches and banquettes with pull- out drawers, perfect for storing table linens and utensils. Install floating shelves above countertops for easy access to frequently used items. Here are more ideas on adding storage space throughout the rest of the home.

The space beneath your bed is a great spot for storing all your unused bed linens. For easier access, choose a wheeled storage unit that you can roll inwards and out. Don’t forget to measure the space to ensure the perfect fit.

Opt for sliding doors over open and close doors. The former allows you to place furniture closer together without sacrificing accessibility. The latter requires enough room for the doors to open fully.

4. Multi-purpose furniture

In the realm of smaller homes, it is absolutely critical that your furniture pieces serve more than a singular purpose. The best furnishings are those that pull their weight in functionality, whilst giving up none of their fashionable design sensibilities. Consider hidden storage compartments cheekily incorporated into small desks to clever feats of engineering that magically transform sofas into lush, comfortable beds.

One surface need not serve a singular purpose; The Tiera Writing Desk from Commune is proof of that. With an incorporated mirror, storage, and a surface for work, it is easily multi-purpose, and can be used for getting ready, working on the computer, and more.

Loft beds are ideal for both children and adults in compact apartment spaces. They create a cosy, cavern-like nook for kids to hang out and offer a smart solution to maximise space in small rooms. Choose sturdy materials for safety and consider built-in features like desks, shelves, or storage underneath. Ensure the loft bed fits the room’s height and is easily accessible.

If you’re truly pressed for space, do away with separate sofas and beds, and invest in a high-quality piece that marries the best of both worlds. Just remember to leave enough room to fully unfold the bed, and bask in all the room you’ll have once the sun comes up and the bed is put away.