Whether you have a pint-sized bedroom that needs some extra storage, are stuck with a kitchen desperately in need of shelving, or have a living room that can instantly feel cluttered with the addition of one item, there’s bound to be a small space hack to cure your biggest design woe.
Thankfully, there are plenty of ways to hack your way to an open, efficient, and stylish space. The best tips can run the gamut from a strategically placed sofa to furniture that can do double duty, to a small design tweak like hanging up a mirror.
So go ahead and check out all the best small-space hacks we curated. Even if you have a bigger home, we bet these cool ideas can help you get your pad a little bit more organized and stylish. What are you waiting for? Scroll away and take your small space from meh to marvelous in no time.
Small-Space Hack 1: Skip The Floor Lamp
Proper lighting can make or break your home’s vibe, but you can totally skip the floor lamp. A DIY similar to this fixture will illuminate your room and free up some extra space. Don’t want to flex your DIY muscle? You can always opt for a classic set of wall sconces. Now that’s what we call a small-space hack that glows.
Small-Space Hack 2: Stick With A Storage Bed
As far as we’re concerned, you will make the most of your space if you stick with a storage bed. Whether you slide some baskets underneath your frame or find a bed with built-in storage, this small-space hack is the perfect place to stow chunky sweaters and jeans. Um, yes please.
Small-Space Hack 3: A Cohesive Color Scheme
ICYMI — A cohesive color scheme can do a lot more than streamline the design process. There’s a reason why people call a space with too many clashing colors “busy.” Choose a similar palette to hack your way to a calm vibe. If your room is small, try to keep your colors light.
Small-Space Hack 4: Embrace Mirrors
When in doubt, embrace mirrors. If you have a room that feels too cramped, you can easily add a mirror to create the illusion of a large space. Plus, with so many styles to choose from, this is one small-space hack that’s just as pretty as it is practical.
Small-Space Hack 5: Float Your Shelves
Bookshelves can be bulky, so why not float your shelves instead? Not only is this an easy DIY project to conduct this weekend, but you can also place furniture underneath your shelves. Oh, but just make sure you dress up your shelves with books, plants, and plenty of other knickknacks. We also have some ideas for the perfect shelfie inspo…
Small-Space Hack 6: Opt For Unconventional
Opt for unconventional pieces that can double down on storage. For example, you’d probably never expect that a crate could be such a good nightstand. However, when you prop it up on its side, you’ll wind up with not one, but two opportunities to stow your stuff. Why haven’t we thought of this before?
Small-Space Hack 7: Maximize Every Nook And Cranny
If you want to keep your craftiness to a minimum, maximize every nook and cranny in your home. Sure, everyone knows the mirror-cum-medicine cabinet is a bathroom staple these days. However, it can be a missed opportunity to make the most of the storage space you already have. So what are you waiting for? Stock each shelf with all your lotions and potions.
Small-Space Hack 8: Lucite Love
Show your lucite love by adding a clear table to the mix. In addition to making a statement in your space, the transparent pieces can trick the eye into thinking you have more space than you really do. If you’re in need of some inspiration, check out our 20 spot-on ways to use lucite in your home.
Small-Space Hack 9: Take Advantage Of Empty Space
With square footage at a minimum, it’s important to take advantage of empty space. In most kitchens, the base of the cabinets is left undisturbed. But in tiny quarters? This often-ignored spot can wind up being a fantastic place to hang some of your favorite coffee mugs. Simply drill a few holes and hang out!
Small-Space Hack 10: Marvelous Mid-Century Furniture
Marvelous, mid-century furniture is a great option for a smaller apartment since thin legs don’t create large breaks in the visual plane. Plus, you can definitely find some cool vintage pieces to up the style in your tiny space.
Small-Space Hack 11: Create A Nest
Create a nest — a nest of furniture, that is. If you want to have plenty of side tables or stools for when guests visit, but don’t want them to take up too much floor space, investing in pieces that stack underneath each other is pretty much the best of both worlds.
Small-Space Hack 12: Defy Gravity
Dare to defy gravity with your curtains. Simply hanging them closer to your ceiling — yes, even if that means placing ’em above your physical bed frame — can trick people into thinking that your pint-sized quarters are larger than they really are. When it comes to this small-space hack, seeing is believing.
Small-Space Hack 13: Sheer Shades
Speaking of your windows, it’s time to ditch the drapes and say hello to some sheer shades. Not only can curtains turn your space into a dreamy, bohemian oasis, but they can also create the illusion of a larger space. For this small-space hack, we’re particularly fond of some light and airy linen curtains.
Small-Space Hack 14: Trunk Club
Attention all small-space dwellers — join the trunk club. It doesn’t matter if you opt for a new or vintage version, this unconventional find can perform double duty as both a coffee table and a storage solution. Trust us, you’re going to appreciate using that trunk space to keep your home organized.
Small-Space Hack 15: Go Low
If you go low, your style can instantly go high. Don’t believe us? One way to double down on your storage is by tucking a few storage baskets underneath a console table or bench. Lonny editor nailed the look in her former bedroom.
Small-Space Hack 16: Layering Up
You wouldn’t think twice about layering up your throw blankets, so why should your bath towels be any different? Not only can this simple small-space hack save you plenty of storage space, but it can also make your bathroom look exactly like a fancy, five-star hotel. The best news? You’ll never have to check out.
Small Space Hack 17: Lighten Up
Anyone who is working with teeny, tiny quarters should do themselves a favor and lighten up — their room, that is. While this small-space hack might seem obvious to some, you’d be surprised at how many people have settled on a hue that makes their space feel claustrophobic.
Small-Space Hack 18: Furniture to Match
Once you selected the perfect hue for your room, it’s a good idea to find furniture to match. Giving your room the tonal treatment will open up the area, plus it will give your digs a cool, pared-back flair. After all, who wouldn’t want to live in a minimalist monastery?
Small-Space Hack 19: Practical Placement
If you have a lot of stuff, but very little storage space, might we recommend a crash course in practical placement? Sure, setting a bulkier item like a tea kettle or casserole dish on your stovetop may seem like no big deal; however, it can free up some hot cabinet real estate. Best of all? It’ll also give your space a cozy, slightly staged flair.
Small-Space Hack 20: Show Some Leg
When it comes to your small space, it’s totally fine to show some leg. In fact, it’s encouraged. While we love modern, modular furniture as much as the next design enthusiast, it can look a little bulky in tight quarters. Instead, furniture with exposed legs will create some negative space and open up your room.
Small-Space Hack 21:Work Those Walls
Work those walls in your kitchen by affixing a magnetic strip for all your favorite knives. If you ask us, this small-space hack is equal parts efficient and accessible. Since you won’t need a traditional knife block, you’ll free up plenty of in-demand counter space. Plus, you can easily grab a paring knife mid-recipe.
Small-Space Hack 22: Embrace Your Green Thumb
If you’re a bonafide plant parent, we’re giving your full permission to embrace your green thumb. Instead of opting for a bulky planter, place a few succulents on your window sill. Want some more leafy friends? You can also construct a floating shelf on your window for a great design moment and optimal sunlight.
Small-Space Hack 23: Hang Out
Who doesn’t want to hang out with their plants? (Sorry, we had to.) If you want to grow your collection of aloe vera and snake plants, flex your DIY muscle by installing a hanging planter. Not only is this an easy way to free up some floor space, but it’ll also draw the eye upward, creating the illusion of a larger and taller room.
Small-Space Hack 24: Style With Stripes
Attempting to style with stripes might seem like a design disaster waiting to happen, but it could very well be the small-space hack you didn’t know your home needed. Similar to wearing vertical stripes, a lined rug can help elongate your room. Turns out, your fashion taste and design aesthetic aren’t so different after all…
Small-Space Hack 25: A Double-Duty Door
As far as we’re concerned, a double-duty door is the gift that keeps on giving. While affixing a mirror to the back of your door might seem the most obvious decision, we challenge you to think outside of the box. Turn your fashion choices into a design moment by hanging up your favorite frock. Your room will be all dressed up with nowhere to go — and your closet will thank you.
