Products for a Small Space: How to Gain Space and Storage

Like me, you may live in a small space. I live in a downtown Toronto condo, a “shoe box” as some may call it. I for one, don’t mind living in a smaller space. Considering I live alone, a 500 sq ft shoe box is just fine for me. The less space, the less cleaning, which is a win in my books. Even if you don’t live in a condo, you still may experience space challenges. Very common complaints I hear from my clients are “There just isn’t enough storage space”…”I think we need a bigger home”…”The space feels cramped”. So, I know there is a major concern with every homeowner surrounding the lack of space in their space.  

Designing for a small space

As a designer who lives and services downtown Toronto, pretty much every home I walk into will have a challenge around lack of space (or perceived lack of space). Luckily, throughout the years I’ve come across some super space-saving home goods and furniture pieces that have made designing small scale less tricky.

I want to make the point that designing a small space is challenging. It is more than just finding condo-sized versions of things. The truth is, when designing for tight spaces you really need to be intentional about every single piece of furniture. You need to be aware of the positioning of every piece and also be innovative in your approach. I’ve found that my most innovative ideas have come from challenges I’ve faced while designing smaller spaces.

To design a small space successfully, the space needs be multi-functional and well thought out, so it is quite the process. The intentions for your space should be true to your personal needs, It’s about creating a space that is functional for YOU. So there is no right way to how you should design your small space.

My intention with this post is to share some products that have helped me and my clients when furnishing their space on the smaller-side.

Home goods and furniture pieces that are small scale friendly

Bed with lift-up storage

Ok, so in the bedroom sometimes adding a full-on dresser is just not possible. In these cases, I like to incorporate a bed with a lift-up storage feature. I like this type of storage bed better than the beds with built-in drawers. I find that those small drawers aren’t as practical. With a bed like this, you can store anything that can fit. So, it’s pretty much a no-brainer. If you’re living in a studio or just want more storage, this is a great solution.

BUT

If you’re someone who really wants a dresser in your bedroom, I have found one that may work…

I recently sourced this dresser for my client’s Airbnb that I am working on (project reveal soon). I love it because of the shallow depth (only 13”). And, as you can see there are loads of drawers. So, if your style goes well with mid-century modern furniture, this dresser may be a good pick for your small space.

Bench seating with storage instead of chairs

In the dining room, you may be tight for storage and space. In that case, you should consider adding bench seating instead of chairs. This is actually a huge design trend. You can pair one side of the dining table with bench seating while the other with chairs. The cool thing about this is that you can sneak some storage in with a bench that has storage built in. Also, freestanding benches can be easily pushed under the table when not in use. This way, the dining set doesn’t take up as much room as a traditional table and chair set does. 

Over the door towel rack

Another place where people struggle for space is the bathroom. Crazy enough, but a lot of bathrooms don’t even have enough room for a towel rod! Luckily, I found this renter-friendly over-the-door towel rack that is pretty sleek if you don’t have the wall area for a towel rod.

Medicine cabinets 

While we are on the topic of bathrooms, an easy way to make the most out of your bathroom is to replace your one-function mirror with a medicine cabinet. I like how sleek and functional this one is.

Home office solutions

There are plenty of solutions for adding a desk in a tight space. Including floating desks, extendable desks and lap desks, like this one that is compatible with this Ikea chair.

I like all of these desk solutions for different reasons. You will have to justify based on your individual needs and space. These are great solutions for folks who need an office desk from time to time but simply don’t have the room.

Fold-away furniture 

In a small home, it’s crucial for every area to be multi-functional and versatile. One way you can achieve this is with fold-away furniture. In your living room, you may feel like you need accent chairs for when guests come over. But if you don’t need these chairs present on a regular basis, these chairs might be eating away at your precious space. So, a fold-away chair like so may be a great option. There are also many other fold-away furniture pieces on the market, such as tables and desks.

More insight on designing for a small space

When it comes to designing for a small area, it comes down to more than just picking the right furniture pieces. When it comes to functional design, firstly it is crucial to declutter. Read Declutter Your Mind By Decluttering Your Home.

Once you have decluttered, it is then time to evaluate what you have and your goals for your place. Maybe you’re someone who likes to work out at home, and therefore you need furniture and things that can be moved out of the way. Maybe you’re someone who cooks and bakes a lot (like me) so you want to prioritize and maximize your kitchen storage. Or maybe you just want to make your small space feel bigger. It’s all about your lifestyle and what you want to achieve. From there, you can make a roadmap on how to achieve your home goals.

To really get the most out of your petite space, I would recommend working with a designer (yes, I am biased). But, you tend to get better results in life when you work with the right professionals! Creating a plan for your space is what you need in order to guarantee functionality. There is really no “winging it” with a small space. When you wing the design process, you end up with a hot mess. So give me a call and we’ll make the design process an enjoyable one.