Generate Space on a Budget: DIY for Small Spaces

DIY For Small Spaces

is the ultimate guide for anyone looking to maximize their living area without breaking the bank. For those of us living in small apartments, houses, or units, it's easy to feel like we're constantly running out of space. And while there's not much we can do to change our square footage, there are ways to make the most of the space we have. With a little creativity and elbow grease, it's possible to turn a cramped and cluttered space into a comfortable and functional home.

Decluttering and Editing Your Space

Before you can even think about DIY projects, you need to get to grips with the basics: decluttering and editing your space. Clutter is one of the biggest space-hogs in any room, so taking the time to get rid of all unwanted items will free up a surprising amount of space. Start by sorting items into three piles: keep, donate, and throw away. Be ruthless with items you haven't used in the past year, and try to keep only items that bring you joy or serve a practical purpose. To make the most of your space, edit your possessions by evaluating each item and deciding whether it adds to or detracts from your overall aesthetic. Try pairing down your wardrobe, for example, or reconsidering the number of decorative items you display. By paring back your possessions, you'll be amazed at how much more space you'll have to work with. It's time to get creative and find ways to utilize every inch of your space. Here are some tips for editing your space: *

• Conduct a 'one in, one out' policy to prevent clutter from building up again.
• Use a 'one in, one near' policy to ensure items are used before buying duplicates.
• Consider color and style when buying new items to match your existing aesthetic.

Storage Solutions

With a clutter-free space, you'll be amazed at how quickly your home starts to feel bigger. But sometimes, no matter how neatly you've organized your belongings, it's hard to avoid the feeling that you're living in a neat and tidy capsule. That's where storage solutions come in – clever and creative ways to store items that are hiding beneath the surface. Think about investing in some multipurpose furniture, like a storage ottoman or a Murphy bed, or repurposing items you already have, like an old ladder or a wooden crate. Here are a few examples of storage solutions you can DIY or repurpose: *

• Turn an old ladder into a bookshelf or bar.
• Use wooden crates as extra shelves or a coffee table.
• Install a pegboard for hanging utensils, tools, or accessories.

And don't forget about vertical space – with the average ceiling height of American homes being around 8 feet tall, there's plenty to munch on if we get creative with our storage. Here's an example of a table showing how much storage you can fit in a room with varying ceiling heights:

Height (ft)	Visual Square Footage	Storage
6	462	80 square feet
7	563	100 square feet
8	677	120 square feet
9	793	140 square feet

In this example, as the ceiling height increases by one foot, we gain an additional 26-31 square feet of visual and storage space. It's not a huge difference, but it adds up – especially when you factor in how often we need to use that extra space.

Multifunctional Furniture

Multifunctional furniture is a staple of small space living – it's any item that serves more than one purpose, thus reducing the overall quantity of items needed in your home. Think of an item that's stylish and serves as a decor, a storage unit, and even a work or homework station. Here are some examples of great multifunctional furniture pieces you can DIY or repurpose: *

• Turn a hollowed-out wooden door into a coffee table.
• Repurpose an old desk into a computer and homework station.
• Invest in a storage bed frame or a loft bed.

Of course, while multifunctional furniture is great for saving space, it's essential to remember that it has a higher upfront cost and is sometimes more difficult to make or install. However, think of it as a long-term investment that can change the way you use your space – and, ultimately, make it feel bigger.

Usage Strategies

Usage strategies aren't necessarily DIY projects per se, but rather clever ways of rearranging what you have to make it seem bigger. This can include not leaving mattresses against the wall, using vertical anchoring points, and orienting furniture parallel to walls. Think about lighting too – where you position lamps and the color choices in light-spectrum variations to create illusion of space. Here are some further ideas you can implement: *

• Use a brightness app to make the room feel brighter and more open.
• Place furniture groupings at the walls, encouraging the flow around the space.
• Hang mirrors to help make the space appear larger.

If you're an owner of a small space, these are producers worth implementing into your lifestyle. Remember, DIY doesn't have to mean mounting an Ikea dresser vertically. It's the thought that counts, and it's not about doing an incredible amount of work or building five floating shelves.