We are always getting requests from readers for tips on how to maximise space at home. It’s the reason we’ve shared articles like 12 genius ideas for awkward under-stair space and 17 back of door storage ideas to get the most out of your space. Today we’re compiling all our best creative storage and space saving ideas into one comprehensive blog post. So if you’re looking for tips on how to have a more spacious home, we’ve got you covered!
Related article: 17 back of door storage ideas to get the most out of your space
Related article: Genius toy storage solutions: Get organised with the best storage ideas for kids toys
Benefits of maximising space in the home
Before we delve into all the ways you can save space around your home, let’s remind ourselves of why we’re doing this. Trust us, this is an important step because decluttering and organising your home takes effort… and things generally get worse before they get better! So when you’re ready to throw in the towel, it’s helpful to have all the reasons you’re doing this at the forefront of your mind.
Maximising space around your home, or space utilisation as it’s sometimes called, is about effective use of available space in a particular environment. It can lead to efficiency, reduce waste (like in a pantry it can reduce food waste) and encourage productivity.
More organised and clutter-free environments ultimately make life more convenient. It promotes comfort, ease of movement and makes everyday routines more efficient. So try to think of this exercise as less of a chore and more of a lifestyle upgrade!
Evaluate rooms for potential space
Now that you’re really invested in the idea of having a more spacious home, let’s get started!
Firstly, we suggest evaluating rooms for potential space. Do a walk around your home and take note of any wasted or dead spaces, such as an empty nook or blank wall space. And don’t just look inside your home, the solution to extra space for the home could be outside in the way of adding a shed in a large backyard or adding shelving in your garage. There’s a storage solution for every need, even storage cages for industrial grade aerosol products!
When evaluating rooms for potential space, considers the area’s layout, size, and functionality. Also pay attention to existing fixtures like doorways, lighting and how you could better utilise the space.
Sometimes the smallest storage upgrades can make the biggest difference to your lifestyle. For example, organising your spices in the kitchen can make the daily activity of preparing meals more enjoyable. Take your time going room-by-room and think about how you could elevate your lifestyle with space saving and storage ideas that will simplify routines and spark joy.
Utilise vertical space
There are so many ways you can utilise vertical space in your home! This space saving tip is especially important for people who live in apartments or smaller homes where floor space is limited. Think about maximising wall space, like using wall shelves or back of door storage units, as well as the open space in a room such as a loft bed.
By utilising efficient and space-saving vertical solutions, you preserve precious floor space and a sense of spaciousness in your home.
Explore hidden spaces like under the stairs or above cabinets
Little hidden pockets of space, such as under the stairs or above cabinets, can provide endless creative storage solutions. From storing your prized wine collection to keeping kids toys under control, there are many ways you can make use of these neglected areas.
Check out this article for plenty of ideas on how you can use the space under your stairs.
You may even have larger hidden spaces around your home, such as an attic or basement that you could transform into a functional space. These can be perfect for a home office, man cave or home gym.
Use built-in storage
A home can feel cluttered when there are lots of little bits of furniture or things in a space. It’s visually busy and can create a sense of chaos. Instead, consider incorporating larger storage solutions, such as a built-in bookshelf in your living room or building a mudroom in your entry or laundry.
While custom joinery is an investment, you can find more cost-effective options out there. For example, IKEA has a fabulous range of cabinets that you can configure to suit your space and you can build these yourself to save on labour. Alternatively, we’ve seen plenty of great hacks where people buy affordable furniture that they transform into built-in storage, like this built-in bookcase pantry.
Revise your heating and cooling system choices
Are portable heaters or fans overtaking your home? Or do you have bulky inbuilt systems that are overcrowding your home? One effective way to create more space in your home is by buying a mini split system for your heating and cooling needs. Unlike traditional HVAC systems, a mini split doesn’t have cumbersome ductwork. This means you can install them on the wall or even in the ceiling, freeing up considerable space in your home and helping you to maximise floor space.
Revise your furniture placement or selection
Sometimes the answer to a more spacious home doesn’t lie in adding more storage solutions — rather, simply rethinking how you use your space. Bulky furniture or poor room layouts can diminish the sense of space in a home. Here are some ideas on how you can improve your furniture choices and layout.
Choose multipurpose furniture
An ottoman that also doubles as a coffee table or a sofa with hidden storage are just a couple of the fab multipurpose furniture items you can find on the market. Extendable dining tables, sofa beds and gas lift beds with hidden storage are a few more ideas you could consider to maximise space and functionality.
If space in your home is limited, consider what furniture items you don’t need or use infrequently. It may provide you with other ideas on how you could creatively save space. For example, we’ve seen apartments where owners have done away with dining tables and attached a plank of wood to a wall on hinges. It creates a tabletop during meal times and otherwise discretely folds away to free up precious floor space.
Arrange furniture for optimal space and flow
Arranging furniture to make best use of a space involves careful planning and at times, creativity! The obvious layout may not always be the best one. Our tip is to pull out a pen and paper and draw various options to see how you can promote movement and suit the function of the room. For example, in a living room, consider how you could layout the room with the sofa in various locations — including in the centre of the room. You may be surprised by what you come up with!
Additionally, pressing all your furniture hard against the walls can make the space feel cramped. Consider pulling furniture away from walls to achieve a sense of visual spaciousness.
Use wall-mounted furniture
We touched on this idea above but it’s worth having its own section because there are many ways you can use wall-mounted furniture to save space. Ideal for small apartments, wall-mounted furniture includes floating shelves, wall desks, or even wall beds.
Declutter for more space
When considering how to have a more spacious home, an obvious answer that we often pretend doesn’t exist is to declutter. Yes, we know, decluttering can be a chore but as we covered earlier, you can switch this thinking around to consider it a lifestyle upgrade.
Less stuff can equate to less mess and stress, saving time spent finding items or tidying up your home. It can also lead to a greater appreciation for the things we have and cherish.
There are many ways you can declutter, from the KonMari method of discarding items that don’t bring joy, to the Four-Box method where you categorise items into keep, discard, relocate and undecided boxes. Remember, the trick to maintaining a spacious home is to routinely declutter so make it a habit to declutter each room at least once a year.
Check out this article for mantras to get you into the mood to declutter.
Has this guide on how to have a more spacious home given you ideas for what you could do around your home? Or perhaps you recently overhauled a space in a creative way and can share other home storage ideas? Chat wit us in the comments below.
