Choosing to live in a 400-square-foot apartment forced me to downsize in a way I never thought possible. In 1981, I rented a third-floor walkup with one room that was divided by a galley kitchen on one side and a bathroom on the other. After eight years of living there, I got very comfortable living with less, but what made it work was my furniture. Since the main room served as my bedroom, living room, office and dining room, every piece had to serve more than one purpose.
Of course, there was a sofa bed. I also had a cedar chest that was wonderful for storage but also useful as a stand for my television and electronic equipment. In front of the window was a small round table that I used for eating meals and desk work. The kitchen boasted a small freezer at the far end that doubled as a countertop. And, I placed a sheet pan over my stovetop, covered it with a tea towel and put my clean dishes on top to dry.
Most of us don't live in 400-square-foot apartments, but we may have rooms that are small. Beyond dual-purpose furniture, improvising and cutting back materially, here are eight ways to make the most out of those undersized rooms at home. Some of these ideas can help you to open up a larger room, too.
1. Face your clutter in order to create more space, especially in a small room, by emptying out anything that isn't beautiful, useful, sentimental or loved.
2. Less furniture will make a room look larger but it's also about making sure it is proportionally correct. Rather than overstuffed furniture, use slim rocking chairs, love seats and open-back chairs.
3. One misconception is that you have to live with white walls to make a room look larger. However, accenting a wall in a darker color will make it appear to recede. If you go with an overall palette of white, use splashes of color with accessories and artwork, or by painting a radiator, wall trim or the back of a bookshelf. Floors painted white or a light color with deck paint adds brightness to the room.
4. Mirrors also reflect light, both natural and artificial. Floor, wall mirrors, even ceiling mirrors can make the smallest room feel bigger. Placing a mirror on a door or cabinet surface will give you the same results. Mirrors positioned in such a way that they reflect a window or door generate more light and space.
5. Track lighting is great because it frees up floor space. To direct the light where you need it, use recessed halogen lights with adjustable fixtures. Interior lighting in closets helps you to see what's in there.
6. Keep your windows clean to allow more light to come in. Avoid heavy-looking window treatments and draperies with bold patterns. For accessories such as throw pillows and bedspreads, mix textures and patterns in the same color family.
7. To avoid an overcrowded look when accessorizing, rotate objects every time the seasons change. Living without clutter shifts the energy from chaotic to composed.
8. Beyond bookshelves and entertainment centers, use baskets with lids, wooden chests and boxes covered in attractive fabrics for storage. Arrange a sofa on an angle so that you can hide things behind it. Store things behind a corner door left open such as an ironing board, a broom and your umbrella. An end table with a lid that comes off and a wicker trunk that doubles as a coffee table are also invaluable for storage.
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