If you’re attracted to the idea of a tiny house or micro-apartment, you know it means taking advantage of every nook and cranny when it comes to designing your space. The tiny house community often calls anything 400 square feet or less home. When small is the order of the day, vertical space, dual-purpose furniture, and light colors are the tools you need to make your space feel larger and less cramped as soon as you move in.
If you’re thinking of living small — or even if you’re already accustomed to this lifestyle — a few simple tips can help you maximize your limited space. With a home that’s both welcoming and functional, you can still live large — even in a tiny space.
Be Honest About Your Needs
Only people who live in a tiny house truly know how to decorate a tiny house. Jamie Mackay, founder of tiny home manufacturing company Wheelhaus, advises being “brutally honest about what you need and love.” He says before going small, eliminate items from a tiny space that you only feel “so-so” about because it’ll increase your quality of life when you move into an organized space filled with only the items you genuinely care about.
See Double
It may seem counterintuitive, but including one large piece of furniture in a tiny space makes the room appear larger and luxurious, according to Mackay. Small or large, choosing furniture that offers multiple functions is imperative for tiny spaces. Select items like a sleeper sofa, storage cubes that double as seating, or a sideboard with shelves and drawers, and be on the lookout for comfortable folding chairs that tuck away into nooks and crannies when not in use.
Go High
Prepare your home by looking up for maximum use of air and wall space. Use tall, tiered pieces and floor-to-ceiling shelving — set back into the wall, if possible. Think outside the box, such as over-the-door storage cubbies that hold everything from shoes to cleaning supplies. Mount baskets on the wall for bathroom and bedroom storage, and if you have a closet, add hooks to store hats, scarves, and other seasonal items.
Go Low
Maximize storage potential underneath other pieces of furniture, such as under beds, tables, and bureaus with legs, and do it stylishly with matching boxes and baskets to keep things streamlined. Stock up on collapsible baskets and bins that are easy to store when not in use.
Go Light and Bright
Wheelhaus cabins intentionally have high ceilings and many windows to create the illusion of a larger space. If you’re going to live in a micro-space that has low ceilings and minimal windows with little natural light getting in, go lighter when it comes to wall color, floor design, and furniture. Add ample artificial lighting to brighten up the space, and place mirrors opposite bright spots or windows to reflect and double the amount of light in a room. Light, bright spaces tend to provide a cheerful, happy setting, regardless of size.
Maximize your time as you transition into tiny living. Furniture rental provides you with the ability to furnish your compact home or apartment before you move in rather than spending precious time searching for items to fit. CORT Furniture Rental makes the transition easy, with perfectly proportioned furniture, artwork, and other necessities that make you feel at home.
