It’s been a couple years living in our smaller home. I am still learning tricks to maximize our space and make what we have more functional and feel more spacious. Here are a few things that I have learned along the way for making my small home feel bigger. A lot of these were just trial and error to find what worked for us.
Open It Up
One of the best changes we made in this house was opening up the wall between the kitchen and living room. Instead of a boxy, broken up main area of the house, we have one big open, flowing space and it makes everything feel bigger even though we didn’t add an inch of square footage.
Build It In
By adding built in storage to a bedroom and bathroom, we were able to take advantage of precious space. Instead of cabinets on the floor or jutting out from our walls in the bathroom, a built in storage shelf makes all the difference for making the tiny space feel as big as possible.
Vault It
Our three current bedrooms are all pretty close in size to each other. 2 have low ceilings and one we were able to vault. It makes a huge difference in the open airy feeling and makes that room feel like there is a lot more to it than there is. It also provided more space for storage above the ceiling.
Go Outside
We added a patio off of our living room and it immediately felt like additional living space – extending what we have already. Making a courtyard or patio can make a huge difference in how your living space feels.
Let The Sun Shine In
This is one of the easiest (and it’s free!) things to do to make a space feel bigger. Open the blinds, let the sun shine inside so your space is brighter and feels more open.
Go Dual (Or Multi) Purpose
By having pieces in your home helps do more with less. In my home, a dresser as an entry table gives me the storage I need in the drawers and the function I need on top for the things that come inside the front door. Storage ottomans, end tables and a coffee table with drawers, a tv wall cabinets with bookshelves, a kitchen island with cabinet space, and a captain’s bed in my sons room are all examples of furniture we’ve incorporated that help make the most of the space we have – we need less in each room so everything feels bigger.
Remove the Clutter
Even a big room feels too small if it has too much stuff in it. Remove the things that aren’t providing function or beauty and the space will feel bigger and more spacious. The smallest of rooms can feel cozy, functional, and spacious without too much stuff in the way.
Do you live in a small house? What are some of the things you do to make it feel roomier for everyone? I’d love to hear other ideas. I am still learning!
Our house is 480 square feet. We’re remodeling the kitchen to fit a lot of the things you wrote. While vaulted ceilings aren’t an option, I feel like I can go “check” “check” for so many of the other items. They really are what make our space livable.
Katie
Katie´s last blog post..Mudding the Drywall, Doing the Details
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I think your tips are all huge! I find that just by picking up and clearing countertops, tables and desks makes the home feel more spacious. I try to pick up clutter (dog toys, paperwork, etc.) every night before bed. It takes only a few minutes and makes a huge difference.
Kim´s last blog post..In the bag
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I can’t wait to have my own space to work on.
Jaime´s last blog post..Tuna FAIL
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Let the sun shine in – that’s what I say. I spent the afternoon yesterday taking down all the blinds for spring. It makes is so much brighter. I like light colors as well in small spaces.
Chiot’s Run´s last blog post..Houseplants and Clean Air
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Clean surfaces make my small home feel bigger and, of course, cleaner. Great tips!
Nicki at Domestic Cents´s last blog post..Being Your Children’s First Teacher
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Each of our children have loft beds. Their beds are above (like a top bunk) with a desk area underneath. This has opened up their rooms considerably!
Donnetta´s last blog post..Making Strawberry Freezer Jam
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Donnetta, loft beds when my kids are a bit older is an excellent idea!
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What beautiful colors you have in your home! We often think that someday we will buy a cottage together and decorate it light and airy! We find that dark, warm looking colors work out great {to trick the mind, more than anything!} here in Ohio!!
Great blog!!
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A small cozy home doesn’t have to mean plain bare walls. You can decorate with panoramic photographic prints.
These ‘shoestring’ sized posters add color and life to the home without overwhelming the place.
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Hi!
New reader here. I really like your site and will be adding you. We have a 1111/(2 bedroom) sq ft home in Austin (with 3 year old twins!) I have decluttered and this has made the biggest difference. I also inherited a hutch from great grandma that serves as great storage for toys, books.
Our home is always a work in progress. I like comfy cozy. I like to wrap my home in warmth.
-Shannon in Austin
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Some great advice here, thank you. I’m certainly working on the decluttering, but it’s a huge job. I’m determined, though!
chaotic kitten´s last blog post..Shopping
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I do have a small house. For me I think they key is everything has to serve a purpose… no extra bits and pieces to just take up room.. I found you through the nester! Love your blog!
Jen R sanctuary arts at home´s last blog post..A little blue paint never hurt anyone…
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