Moving into a new home can be exciting for lots of reasons. However, the prospect can seem challenging if you’re transitioning into a small house, especially if you have a partner or children in tow.

Thankfully, living in a smaller house doesn’t have to feel cramped. Instead, you can make these smaller spaces feel more accommodating with a bit of creativity and some elbow grease. Here are some top tips on how to maximize every square foot.

Step 1: Utilize Every Surface

When measuring the space in your home, you’re looking at the square footage of the floor. You may also pay attention to the height of ceilings, but that’s just it. However, living in a smaller place, you need to pay attention to every surface.

• Underneath Cabinets and Shelves – Who’s to say that you can only use the top side of your shelf? What if you could store items underneath as well? You can utilize magnets, clips, and other devices to make both sides equally practical.
• Ceiling Space – Fortunately, popcorn ceilings are out of fashion, so you should be able to use this area for hanging cabinets and shelves. Even if you have popcorn ceilings, you can scrape the bumps off for a more practical surface.
• Walls – Bare walls are like a blank canvas in a small home. You can install shelves, cabinets, and more to ensure you get to use every vertical foot wherever possible. Then, if you install these elements too high up, just buy a step stool or ladder to access these points.

Step 2: Use Multi-Function Pieces

What if you had drawers underneath your stairs? How about drawers or cabinets underneath your bed? What if your bed could fold up when you’re not sleeping? This out-of-the-box thinking can help you increase your living and storage space. In addition, your home will feel less cluttered and cramped when you can put everything away.

Step 3: Switch to Sliding Doors

One element that requires quite a bit of clearance is the door. Whether it’s a bedroom, kitchen, or back door, switching to a sliding model can help you utilize more floor space accordingly. Since sliding doors are in vogue, you can find a wide array of styles to match your home’s aesthetic.

Step 4: Downsize Your Belongings

When you’re living in a smaller house, you don’t have the luxury of accumulating various knick-knacks items. So, you can look at your living conditions as a beneficial way to avoid collecting junk and clutter. Of course, this issue is more prevalent when moving from a larger house into a smaller one, but downsizing is always a good idea, regardless of your situation.

When downsizing, focus on essentials and try to buy new items incrementally. For example, you can get just enough cookware and dining pieces for everyone in the house. Then, if you need extra, you can potentially buy more for guests or specific situations.

Step 5: Get Moving Help From Us!

Moving into a smaller house can feel a bit daunting, especially if you have a lot of belongings. Fortunately, we can take care of the logistics so you can focus on settling in. Contact us to find out how.