Renovation planning, on the go
Save your favourite home ideas, enquire with firms and explore home deals.
Switch to the app
19 - 20 Oct: Skip showroom-hopping! Meet multiple IDs at the Qanvast Hangout event. 😎 RSVP now
ARTICLES

Want MORE Space? Try These 9 Space-Saving Carpentry Ideas

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

space-saving Murphy bed
Save to Qanvast Board
9
Save this photo

View this project by Le Interior Affairs

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.

space-saving Murphy bed
Save to Qanvast Board
6
Save this photo

View this project by Le Interior Affairs

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.

space-saving Murphy bed
Save to Qanvast Board
1
Save this photo

View this project by Yang's Inspiration Design

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

bunk bed design ideas
Save to Qanvast Board
14
Save this photo

View this project by Image Creative Design

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

nesting table design ideas
Save to Qanvast Board
8
Save this photo

View this project by 85 SQFT

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.

Senja Close by 85 SQFT
Save to Qanvast Board
5
Save this photo

View this project by 85 SQFT

3b) Pull-out dining table

Farrer Park by Aart Boxx Interior
Save to Qanvast Board
3
Save this photo

View this project by Aart Boxx Interior

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.

pull-out table design ideas
Save to Qanvast Board
2
Save this photo

View this project by Aart Boxx Interior

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

rotatable table design ideas
Save to Qanvast Board
68
Save this photo

View this project by Forefront Interior

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.

Northshore Drive by Forefront Interior
Save to Qanvast Board
112
Save this photo

View this project by Forefront Interior

3d) Drop-leaf dining table

drop-leaf table design ideas
Save to Qanvast Board
4
Save this photo

View this project by PULP Design Studio

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

space-saving carpentry
Save to Qanvast Board
5
Save this photo

View this project by Visionary Interior

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

pull-out ironing board ideas
Save to Qanvast Board
16
Save this photo

View this project by Urban Home Design 二本設計家

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!

Ang Mo Kio Avenue 5 by Urban Home Design 二本設計家
Save to Qanvast Board
28
Save this photo

View this project by Urban Home Design 二本設計家

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

movable kitchen island design ideas
Save to Qanvast Board
49
Save this photo

View this project by Jubilee Interior

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

dining booth design ideas
Save to Qanvast Board
9
Save this photo

View this project by Ingenious Design Solutions

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

bay window design ideas
Save to Qanvast Board
7
Save this photo

View this project by PHD Posh Home Design

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

study table design ideas
Save to Qanvast Board
5
Save this photo

View this project by Loft.9 Design Studio 九阁设计

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

kitchen pull out drawer ideas
Save to Qanvast Board
20
Save this photo

View this project by Flo Design

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.


We're on Instagram, Telegram and TikTok! Follow us there to keep up with the latest design trends 🙌

Explore similar content
Carpentry Space-Saving

Renovate with assurance, only on Qanvast. Find and meet interior designers verified by homeowners, with no hidden costs and no commissions involved. Find an ID

Get a budget estimate before meeting IDs
Chat