Optimizing Your Living Space

Posted in Home Interior Design Tips

Ask any homeowner the one thing they would change about their house and the answer is often the same – more space. Whether you have a two-story ranch or small apartment, you can never have enough space for your furniture and other belongings. Aside from buying a new, larger home or spending money on renovations to your existing one, here are some tips to maximize the living space you have.

The following tips will help you maximize the space that you already have in the rooms of your home.

Know Your Measurements

The first tip is to understand the depth of the space you’re working with. Simply eye-balling a room and guessing whether or not a sofa will fit can lead to future frustration. You can avoid this hassle with a measuring tape. Set aside some time to measure the dimensions of the room you are looking to furnish, as well as the furniture you already have. Save yourself the trouble and know the space you have to work with.

Select the Right Furniture

A good starting point is to find furniture that is multi-functional. If you don’t have space for a bookcase, storage chest or credenza, look for sofas that have built-in storage units. This will allow you to store items such as remote controls, coasters and other accessories that you will need, but can’t display. Many ottomans are designed with pull-out drawers that make excellent storage units. You won’t have to sacrifice style and will be able to keep belongings in the right room.

Make the Room Feel Bigger

Another tip to getting the most out of a given room is to create the illusion of space. Large mirrors and glass tabletops project light around the room to create the impression of a bigger area. Allowing natural light in and letting large wall mirrors reflect it around the room will make the room feel larger than it actually is.

Be a Minimalist

Lastly, being organized can have a big impact. A cluttered room will diminish the space you have and make it difficult to maneuver around. If you don’t have room for a large table or recliner, don’t force it. A minimalist approach that focuses on the necessities will create a living space that offers comfort rather than clutter.