Selecting furniture pieces can be a pretty intimidating task for most people. It can be especially intimidating to people who are working with rather limited space.
Even if your space is at a minimum you don’t have to resort to furniture items that are less than stellar. If you want to invest in top-notch furniture that’s ideal for life in tight spaces, you can try all sorts of options out.
Here are some of our best tips for how to choose the best furniture when you live in small space apartments, condominiums, townhomes and the like. You don’t have to live in a spacious palace to feel like you do.
Opt for Stools That Stack
Seats at tables can take up a significant amount of real estate. If you have a dining room that’s not exactly the roomiest in the world though here’s a convenient solution for you. You should opt for stools or chairs that you stack neatly. If you have no need for them after meals and snacks, you can store them out of sight and out of mind.
Try Benches Out
Benches can work wonders for people who live in comparatively cramped homes. If you want to conserve valuable space at home, you can try these kinds of seats out. Couches and chairs are usually a lot wider than benches are. Benches can be placed right up against your walls. Many benches are designed to be stored right below their tables as well. If you’re searching for home seating options that are simultaneously convenient, practical and optimal for tight environments, benches may be the right avenue.
Go for Furniture Pieces That Have Various Uses
If you want to take full advantage of your available space at home, you should look for furniture pieces that accommodate various uses. An example of great dual-use furniture are ottomans that offer spare storage room. A living room ottoman that can keep some of your favorite novels or a nice little blanket is a great addition. You could also opt for a coffee table that’s equipped with roomy drawers if at all possible. You can keep all sorts of essentials in these drawers.
Invest in Furniture That’s on the Small Side
People tend to go for furniture pieces that are bigger. They often feel that these kinds of pieces are sturdier and will last longer making their investment “better.” This isn’t necessarily true, though. While it is true you sometimes get what you spend, there are many furniture options available that are smaller and more affordable, while still being resilient and tough. If you want to maximize space opt for furniture pieces that are more slender and have a “slim design” as opposed to bulkier furniture.
Get Furniture Items That You Can Mount Onto the Wall
Taking advantage of the space that’s on the wall can be a smart choice for people who are crafty and resourceful. Remember, placing furniture items onto the wall keeps them off the ground and uses up vertical space (which is often overlooked). Some great wall mounted furniture options include work desks, side tables, or even dining tables. Additionally, open shelving plans give you more storage space, while keeping your area seem more open and spacious.
Use Corners for Extra Convenience
Walls can come in handy for people who live in tight homes. The same goes for corners. If you want to make the best out of a living room that’s decidedly tiny, you should concentrate on any and all available nooks and crannies. If you need a place to store jackets for guests, corners can work like a charm. Draping them in corners can be discreet and can save a lot of critical space at the same time. Hanging hooks can be helpful.
Try your hand at putting tables in corners whenever possible as well. Corner furniture placement can, in many cases, serve as an optical illusion of sorts. It can sometimes give the impression that tight spaces are much bigger than they are in reality.
Check Out Scandinavian Furniture Designs
Scandinavian-designed furniture has long been loved for its angular, minimalistic and streamlined appearances. Since they’re streamlined, they tend to work extremely well in living spaces that are anything but big and spacious. If you want to give your living space a wonderfully minimalist feel, purchasing Scandinavian furniture pieces can be a good option. Scandinavian design believes beauty, functionality, and comfort should be available to all.
Remember That Less Is More
Clutter isn’t a good thing for any living space. Clutter can be overwhelming and can make your home look like a disaster area and is horrible for your well-being too. If you want to keep your home orderly and welcoming, you should be selective regarding your furniture choices. Try to make sure that you have space to move around and you don’t want to make the mistake of designing a layout that’s too busy. Remember when designing, especially in small spaces, utilizing your area effectively is the utmost importance — when in doubt, always opt to go for less rather than more stuff!
Chris McNair is the General Manager of European Leather Gallery, the Premier Ekornes Stressless Recliner store in the US.