Making the Most Out of Furniture in a Small Living Space

Demand more from your furniture. Living in small spaces requires you to choose furniture wisely. In addition to the right style and fabric, keep a keen eye out for furniture that does more than sit pretty. You want pieces that also provide function, in the form of storage.

Multi-Function Coffee Tables

When you have a small living space, one of the first items you may want to give up to save space is a coffee table or end table. While this may save you some room, you will miss out on functionality and storage.

* Trunk Show - If you need a place to store extra blankets or any items you may not use daily, use a large trunk with personality as a makeshift coffee table.

* Storage, Cubed - A small wooden cube, usually stored with the open end in a vertical direction can become a mini coffee table or end table, when you add a top. Store magazines, books or card games inside. Top with a round glass table top if you don't have kids or pets. For an end table, you can use anything wide and long enough to cover the top as your table top: including the board from one of your favorite games or a piece of reclaimed wood or metal.

Think Vertically

* Floor-to-Ceiling Shelves - It may seem counter-intuitive to use a whole wall for bookshelves, but when they span the entire space from floor to ceiling, you'll be happy to have them. When the entire wall is shelved, you create a cohesive and solid look, one which still allows you to place furniture in front of it. Use narrow shelves to save space and a small ladder to step stool to help you reach the upper shelves.

* Use all of the underneath and overhead space available when setting up your computer. Leave enough room for the monitor and add shelving all the way to the ceiling. Whatever you're not using on your desk should be store neatly above in small boxes, binders or bins.

Tip: Keep collectibles shelved together to make the shelves look less cluttered.

Hidden Storage and Surfaces

Be on the look out for chairs with hidden storage drawers underneath, or traditional-looking coffee tables with tops that open. Some tables have a top which slides to the edge of the table, doubling the surface area. Simple ottomans provide extra seating, storage and sometimes a place to eat a snack if you sit on the floor.

Built-In Bed Storage

Using built-in bed storage provides two advantages. You'll have an organized way to store your stuff. Underneath the bed will stay not only neater, but cleaner as dust bunnies will have no place to burrow. Furniture with two or three drawers provides storage for kids' pajamas, socks, underwear and extra pillowcases and sheets.