7 Tips to Maximize Your Living Space

By Stephanie Cochard

Whether you choose to dwell in a sleek city loft, embrace the quaint comfort of a single-family home, or adopt the tiny home trend, maximizing space in any home is a must. Even if square footage is in short supply, you can still live large with a few unconventional tricks and personalized touches to maximize your living space and capitalize on the potential functionality hiding in your home. Here are ten ways to boost your square footage:

1. Establish zones.  Your home is a hub for all sorts of activities, from eating, to sleeping, entertaining, lounging, and maybe even working. Create different areas to address these various roles, like reserving a corner nook for a study, or clearing a food prep section in the kitchen. These zones may serve more than one purpose, but clearly separating the space will allow your home to better fill all of its functions.

2. Avoid dark colors. Pale palettes add a modern feel and increase the flow of any space. When decorating, keep the colors light and uniform throughout, as neutral tones will give the illusion of open space. Play with dark or bright colors in small, thoughtfully-placed doses, like adding a throw pillow or picture frame.

3. Invest in multifunctional pieces. Did you know that a coffee table can double as a desk? Think about opportunities to use furniture in different ways and invest in pieces that could serve more than one purpose. Too many pieces will crowd the space and overwhelm the eye, so stick to clean lines and artistic focal points that work together in a cohesive way.   

4. Crush the clutter. The quickest way to suck away square footage is by permitting clutter to cloud your floor and furniture. Keep the space tidy at all times and make sure items are organized and stored away neatly. 

5. Get in over your head. High-hanging curtains, tall mirrors, or floor to ceiling bookshelves will utilize all available wall space and create the illusion of height. Draw the eye upward with these touches and use all of the space hiding overhead in your home.

6. Embrace light. Natural light instantly adds brightness and the illusion of open space. Allow light to create continuity throughout your home and look for opportunities to enlarge any windows or install doors to let it shine through.

7. Use outdoor space. Patios or other outdoor spaces can serve as an extension of your home’s interior. Maximize your outdoor area by furnishing it with a table, chairs, and lounge pillows that mimic the style of your interior to make it cozy, inviting, and visually seamless.

Don’t forget to utilize every square inch of space in your home. Your small space can become a palace if you embrace the possibilities.