Downsizing, or choosing small space living for a more sustainable lifestyle is a great opportunity to use functional décor to maximize your space and your life. You don’t have to sacrifice your style just because you live in a small space. Whether it’s an apartment, condo, tiny home, or renovated 50’s bungalow; your space can still reflect your own style without looking cramped or cluttered

When it comes to thinking about your small space living it’s all about maximizing it; maximizing storage, functionality, and most importantly enjoyment.

Here are some tips to help you:

Small Space Living Tip #1: Look Inside

Adding storage to a sofa chaise, under a fabulous upholstered bedframe, built into a coat rack, and using storage ottomans concealing couch blankets and reading materials; all make small spaces ‘do’ more by making furniture do double duty. How can we forget baskets? Used for everything from mittens at the front door, to laundry, to plants; a basket (or ten) can help keep your space organized and clutter free.

Small Space Living Tip #2: Look Up

The best tip for maximizing small space living is to look up. Use your walls and get creative with how your space can offer you more by taking advantage of the vertical space. Shelving is a great way to add storage and display your favourite things. Look for tall shelving units with drawers at the bottom; or try adding some floating shelves above your sofa or above the tub.

Small Space Living Tip #3: Look Under

Condo sofas, loveseats, and accent chairs all make for great small space living room furniture. To maximize them even more, look for furniture you can ‘look under’ with minimal legs and giving the pieces a sense of ‘floating’. Items with a mid-century modern feel work well for this.

Small Space Living Tip #4: Look Twice

A bar cart on wheels, the small space entertainers’ best friends. Used as a side table in the living room, a bar cart can easily be wheeled around the house for use during dinner parties and events. Cocktail tables with lift tops work well too. Look for furniture that makes you look at it twice, because it works two (or more) ways depending on your needs. What about a kitchen island on wheels? One minute it’s a kitchen island helping you chop and prep, the next it’s moved into a corner to serve as the self-serve taco station or bar during a dinner party.

Small Space Living Tip #5: Look at Your Reflection

A great way to add the feeling of space to is to add mirrors. Tuck a floor length mirror into a corner to make the room pop, or add one to a cramped laundry room to add more light. Add a mirror on your open shelving or as a show stopping centre piece above the fireplace. Reflecting your space and the light helps your room feel larger and gives a feeling of airiness.

Find more tips and advice on furniture and home décor on our blog.

Rebecca, Your Furniture Expert