How To Make Living in A Smaller Home Work For You

Are you considering downsizing or buying a smaller home? Join the club! With the rising cost of living, many Americans opt to live in smaller homes. In fact, the median size of homes in the US is 2,014 sq ft, but in many markets, the median size is smaller than that. And, showing the demand for more compact living, new construction single-family homes averaged 100 sq ft smaller in 2022 than in 2021.

However, transitioning from a larger footprint to a smaller home can be challenging for families of any size. But don’t worry. These strategies can make living in a smaller home more manageable for you and your loved ones.

Maximize Vertical Space

Maximizing vertical space is one of the best ways to make living in a smaller home more comfortable. This means utilizing wall shelves, cabinets, or bookcases to store items instead of taking up valuable floor space.

Consider investing in multi-level furniture to free up even more floor space. Bunks and lofts work great for kids’ rooms, where the elevated beds free up floor space for a desk, pull-out sofa, or more dressers for storage.

Speaking of kids’ rooms, get creative with how you go vertical. Use nets hung in the corner to stash stuffed animals, balls, or other toys. We’ve seen rooms with pulley systems to elevate toy buckets.

Increase Natural Lighting

Small spaces can feel cramped and dark. However, maximizing natural lighting in your home creates a more spacious and inviting atmosphere.

Keep curtains or blinds open during the day to let in natural light. Need privacy because it’s a front door or bathroom window? There are peelable window stains that allow light to still flow in while keeping peeping toms out.

Add reflective surfaces such as mirrors to bounce light around the room. For countertops, backsplashes, and flooring, think of light colors and high-reflective tops to bounce light around the room.

When you can’t add windows, it may be possible to add skylights. Tubular skylights are compact to minimize the hole in your roof but still enable natural light to flow into a room.

Natural light will not only make your home feel bigger but also save on energy costs through reduced need for lighting.

Invest In Furniture with Multiple Purposes

When living in a smaller home, choose furniture that serves multiple purposes. For example, a sofa bed or futon can be used as seating and sleeping space for guests. A coffee table with hidden storage declutters the living room and a dining table that folds down when not in use can free up valuable space in the kitchen.

Today’s multifunctional furniture is stylish and purposeful, so you can find something that adds storage and use to a smaller home while matching your style.

Free Up Floor Space

In a smaller home, every square inch counts. One way to give the illusion of more floor space is to literally “free it up” with elevated furniture. Choose pieces with exposed legs or minimal floor contact. For example, a pedestal sink instead of a bulky under-sink cabinet in the bathroom. Exposed leg pieces give more room to move around.

Find other ways to get items off the ground. Coats, purses, and hats are part of life, but hanging items on the wall instead of placing them on a bulky coat rack adds floor space. Instead of floor lamps, can you hang the lighting? Avoid bulky pieces, like recliners or wardrobes, that gobble up your floor space.

Utilize Corners

Don’t let corners go to waste in your smaller home. Use them as storage space by installing shelves or adding corner-built cabinets. Placing a desk or reading nook in the room corner to make the most of every inch of your home.

In cozy kitchens, install cabinets with turntables in the corners. This ensures you don’t create “dead” space in the kitchen because of how the cabinets are laid out. The lazy Susan cabinet increases what you can store in the kitchen, helping get appliances and supplies off the counter.

Use Light Colors and Minimize Patterns

Light colors like white, neutrals, or pastels make a small space feel more open and airier. On the other hand, dark colors and busy patterns make rooms feel smaller and more cluttered.

Stick to light-colored furniture, walls, and décor to create an illusion of more space in your smaller home. That doesn’t mean all colors are off-limits. Bright pops of color or patterns are encouraged to show off your style and add interest to a room. And maybe instead of patterns, focus on layering textures for your rugs and fabrics.

Declutter Your Stuff

Decluttering is one of the most crucial strategies for living in a smaller home. Look realistically at your belongings and purge what you don’t need or use regularly. The less clutter you have, the more spacious your home will feel. Donate, sell, or store items taking up unnecessary space in your home.

Don’t just do this when you’re downsizing and moving in. A regular review of your belongings is a great spring-cleaning habit. Keep what you need or bring you joy and remove the rest. For things you need to keep, be creative about organizing and storing them. Winter coats or extra linens may go under the bed in containers when not in season.

Remodel with Pocket Doors

Save space by installing pocket doors. These doors slide into a wall, freeing up room that would typically be needed for a swinging door. Pocket doors are beneficial in smaller rooms where every inch of floor space matters, like bathrooms or bedroom closets.

Expand Into Outdoor Living

Extend your living area to the outdoors if you have limited indoor space. Create a cozy outdoor area with comfortable seating, plants, and lighting to enjoy the fresh air and nature. Balconies can utilize some of the tips above, with multi-purpose outdoor furniture for storage and seating, hanging storage, and colorful pieces. If you have a larger outdoor space, perhaps a table for eating meals will fit, or a small outdoor kitchen or bar will transform it into a cool entertaining space.

Prioritize Quality Over Quantity

When selecting items for your smaller home, focus on quality rather than quantity. Invest in well-crafted, durable pieces that stand the test of time rather than buying cheap, disposable furniture. Pieces of reduced quality show wear and tear faster and will make a home seem more confined.

By decluttering, optimizing your space, and prioritizing quality, you can create a comfortable and inviting living environment that suits your needs and lifestyle. Remember that a smaller home can lead to a simpler, more sustainable, and more fulfilling life.