Big ideas for bigger spaces.
When you’re working with your home’s limited square footage, it’s not just about creating the illusion of a bigger space – functionality matters too. That’s why custom carpentry is essential, since it can be tailored to fit your practical needs while optimising space.
Think dining tables that can be folded away for space, or awkward niches repurposed into handy storage drawers. These are just a few of the great ideas that can help you recoup precious space, so keep reading to discover more!
1. Getting a built-in Murphy bed
No matter how ambitious you are, saving a room’s worth of space sounds like a stretch – but that’s what you can get with a Murphy bed! This fold-down type of bed is hinged at one end of the wall and can be stored vertically to free up floor space.
Like in this home, you could have it built into a closet/wardrobe space to make the most of your space for both storage and display.
Meanwhile, in this 50 sqm one-bedder condo where space-saving carpentry couldn’t be more important, the owner still managed to make room for a guest bed: with a Murphy bed built into the side of the TV feature wall.
2. Going vertical with bunk beds
When you’re tight on floor space, try bunk beds to maximise the vertical height instead. They’re a great option for children’s bedrooms, especially with the added thrill they seem to evoke in kids.
3. Using tables that can be seamlessly tucked away
3a) Nesting table
It’s a no-brainer that the best space-saving ideas are found in other small homes. Just take a look at this 2-room BTO flat!
Since there’s no space for a dedicated study room, the owner set up a seamless nesting study table in the living/dining room. As the name suggests, it’s ‘nesting’ a dining table which can be rolled in and out as needed.
3b) Pull-out dining table
Given the limited square footage in this 3-room resale HDB flat, the owners decided to forgo a dining table in the communal area and installed a pull-out table in the kitchen instead.
This makes the living room feel much more spacious, and the kitchen doesn’t get cramped either since the table can be folded away.
3c) Kitchen peninsula with rotating table
Have space to spare for a peninsula? An alternative to a pull-out a table is one that swivels neatly into your kitchen peninsula; it takes up little space and is just as sleek.
3d) Drop-leaf dining table
In case you need more ideas for a space-saving dining table, here’s another: a table with a hinged edge (the ‘leaf’) that can be lifted up and fixed in place when you’re hosting guests.
3e) Folding table for hobbies/activities
A folding table is another type of table that can be tucked away. With a table like this, you could even set up a flexible spot for your hobbies, like how this homeowner uses it for calligraphy.
4. Pull-out ironing board in drawer
At first glance, this looks like any other storage drawer in the service yard… but the upper drawer is actually hiding a built-in ironing board!
Direct and easy access to your ironing board aside, such a set-up helps you save on space storing it elsewhere.
5. Kitchen island on wheels
You’ve seen stationary kitchen islands, but have you ever thought of a movable island? Since you can cart a movable one around, that’s a win for space.
While you could select one off-the-shelf, getting a customised movable island opens up the possibilities of designs that suit your needs and match the rest of your interior.
6. Banquette seating for hosting
When you’re looking to save space but host often, built-in banquette seating works great since it can seat more people, unlike with chairs which are more clunky.
To level up the use of the space, you can turn them into seating storage too, like in the home above.
7. Recess area converted to bay window seating/storage
If you have a recess area under your window, one functional and space-saving idea is to convert it into a bay window seat with storage.
This way, you get a two-in-one nook with storage and seating to snuggle in and enjoy a cuppa or a quiet read – all while basking in the natural light.
8. Flip-down study table
No rooms to spare for a study? Try a flip-down study!
In this home, the partition in this living room doubles as a TV feature wall on one side, and a flip-down desk on the other for a no-frills setup we love.
9. Install pull-out trays in kitchen cabinets
In the kitchen, consider installing pull-out trays in your cabinets. While this doesn’t exactly save space, it does help with making the most of (otherwise) dead space deep within the cabinet, which is just as important.
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