Small Space Needs Big Change

So most of us live in a space that we wish was bigger. All this means is that we are forced to be inventive and creative enough to love our places as they should be loved. There truly are endless ways to make a home feel land look bigger.

First, I cannot stress this enough, ALWAYS plan out what you are doing. You want to go through each room and figure out how you’d like to use it. If you want to entertain, then make some space for this. Do you read a lot and want to plan for a nice cozy little area to do so? Think about what your lifestyle includes, and plan accordingly. It helps to imagine each room is empty and that you’re starting from scratch. The sooner you figure out what you want from your home, the likelier you will be to get it. Planning out your space will allow you to save money, and to resist filling it up with unnecessary junk.

So, now the fun part. Work with what you have in order to make your home have a whole new function.

Not Just A Closet

Some of us are lucky enough to have extra closet space. If this is the case, don’t use it to store extra junk. Think of it as a small room that’s going to waste. Try to get a desk that fits properly and add a place for supplies. Or instead add a stack-able washer and dryer, add some fold out shelving to the closet door, and you have yourself a brand new laundry room. This way you can close the door, and not have to look or think about laundry until the next load is due.

New Use Of Furniture

An ottoman can be used for more than just a place to put your feet. Get one that can function as storage and put up all of those kids toys you have lying around.  Most can be doubled as extra seating for when you have guests over from time to time.

I hope you have a dining table. Everyone should have a dining table. No matter the size, I think it is important to have a place to sit down and eat with others from time to time. Now, add a few shelves and supplies, and you can double this space as a small office. Just be sure you have a place for everything you need, and to put away what you don’t when the time comes.

Have all the materials but no space for a craft room? An unused dresser can be filled with all of the yarn, glue, and paper you need. Just open each drawer and enjoy how easy it is to keep this spot clutter free.

Re-invent A Room

When you moved into your home, there were no rules that said you had to use the room in the way it was planned by the architect. Nope. You or your family have their own way of doing things. So try to use a room any way you wish. A lot of people don’t need formal dining rooms anymore. So maybe you would rather it be a family room or some other new way to entertain.

Do you have an extra guest room that is only used a couple of times a year? Then maybe do it up as an office. Replace the bed with a fold out sofa or futon. Divide up the room in the best way you see fit, and you’d be surprised how well two spaces can become one.

Divide and Separate

Wish you could get away with having more than one function in that living room? Try to separate with area rugs, book shelves, curtains or screens. It lets multiple people do different things at one time. We don’t need walls to define our space. We can do that ourselves.

In the end, just try to make sure you are getting the full potential of your space. I always fear that some of us are settling, and we should really never do that. Good luck!

This post is written by guest contributor Rhiannon Gillis, who has been in the Interior Design Industry for over 10 years now. Right now she is working as a freelance designer in Los Angeles and writer for Rhiannon’s Interiors.