Hacks for Living in a Tiny Space
Own nothing..?
Of course not! As we already talked about when looking at an introduction to compact living there are some key things that you do need to consider when downsizing or living in a small space..
Everything can be multi-functional - Furniture choices are key.
Keep it light and airy - Don’t over-do it on lots of colours.
Integrate some soft edges in the space e.g. round table.
Make sure you have sufficient storage - As they say, out of sight out of mind…
Introduce plants into the place - bring the outside in.
Here are some of the ways we have implemented some of these ideas into our space without spending a load of time or money:
‘1. Everything can be multi-functional - Furniture choices are key.’
We had to work with existing furniture.
Wardrobe = Add cheap build your own storage boxes to store shoes or extra clothes. We got some really cheap online (I think via Groupon at the time) but here are some similar clip together flat pack storage boxes.
Chest of drawers = Also acts as our TV + PS4 stand.
Sofa-bed = It’s in the name guys…
As long as it is easy to use for different functions, all functions will be used.
‘2. Keep it light and airy - Don’t over-do it on lots of colours.’
Recently I decided to take it upon myself to freshen up our room and repaint the white walls after 9 years…To white. Now some of you are probably reading this like..WHAT?! Paint it the same colour?! Yes.
Hell, 9 years is a long time and as I’ll show you with a photo, the sun bleaches white to a yellow. The paint I decided on was B&Q Good Home Air Purifying Satin White - I’ll explain…
Satin = Slight reflection to it therefore it bounces light around the room (rather than matt which absorbs the light and gloss which is just too shiny in my opinion).
Air Purifying = ‘Help de-pollute your home by reducing Formaldehyde (a gas in building products that can irritate eyes/nose/throat/skin and increase breathing problems for asthmatics) in the air.
Good Home = This paint is pretty cheap and good coverage! It can also be used on multi-surfaces (I used it on my wooden skirting boards). A great all rounder!
Anyway, I thought it was really decent paint and freshened up the space nicely!
The only colours we have in the room are white, greys, black, natural woods, cream (carpet) and a splash on green. The green is kept to the cushions and blackout blind.
Again all of these are quite muted or natural colours making a calming space that has a connecting to the outdoors.
‘3. Integrate some soft edges in the space e.g. round table.’
As I said before we have re-used all the existing furniture that was already in the space therefore there are not many places where this idea has been implemented. Also the fact it is literally a bedroom we’re working with at the minute doesn’t exactly help the matter!
I can say I have inherited some 1970s furniture from my Grandad. Here you can see the Tallboy chest of drawers uses curved handles to add a soft touch as well as having tall legs. Being raised off of the floor gives the illusion of space as we can see all of the floor beneath.
The same concept works with the small stacking tables which you can see are made of natural teak wood, have curved legs and slide under each other to take up minimal amount of space where needed.
‘4. Make sure you have sufficient storage - As they say, out of sight out of mind…’
Having my childhood bedroom becoming a full time space for both Ash and me took a lot of adjusting. Who knew boys had so much stuff…? Here’s how we added a few extra places to keep ‘things’ (after we tried some minimalism games that is!)…
Already mentioned it but flat-pack storage boxes for the bottom of your wardrobe!
Storage box for under sofa/bed.
Inner drawer organisers.
Woven baskets.
Re-using jars for medicine storage in the bathroom.
Everything needs to have a home, that way it will become a intuitive habit for it to be returned there, by you, your partner or flatmates.
‘5. Introduce plants into the place - bring the outside in.’
This is something I may have gone a bit overboard with but realistic about what you choose as I definitely killed half of my first bunch of plants off within a couple of weeks.
A really simple way of adding a bit of colour, enhancing the air within your tiny space and keeping a connection to the natural world outside your window.
Here is a post on integrating air-purifying plants into your home, the benefits they give you and the upkeep they need!
So that’s a couple of ideas thrown at you coming from our current situation and my basic perspective. Looking towards the future I would of course look for more deliberate features that could become multi-functional because they’re only going to enhance the space you’re in!