smart interior design ideas for small spaces

one of the revelations of living in a smallhome is that choosing less square footage doesn't mean you necessarily have to makedo with less, just that you need to be super smart about how you organize the space youdo have. and, once you go into "storage genius" mode,it tends to have a ripple effect - many tiny homes end up with as much usable storage areaas places with a larger footprint, thanks to the space-savvy residents. here are a few small space storage secretsthat will come in handy no matter the size of your home...let's learn from the masters! a classic hideaway storage solution does doubleduty in mary lee's life in 300 square feet.

these crisp and stylish storage ottomans hideaway plenty and tuck neatly under a floating shelf for seating that is there when you needit and out of the way when you don't. urban living often means two things: smallspaces and bike-friendly commutes. this photo from joann's truly happy home showshow an (admittedly adorable) mode of transportation can also serve as interior decoration, whilenot taking up any valuable floor real estate. when in doubt, hang it up! think outside...the linen cabinet. if your dedicated storage for towels and hairdryersand the like is limited (or non-existent!), consider adding a piece of "furniture" toyou bathroom.

many bathrooms, such as this one from beth'scharming downsize have some unused space that can be maximized by the addition of a piecelike this that has both open and closed storage area. the 12-16 inches of floor space won't be missedin a room which usually only needs to accommodate one person at a time and the additional storagegained is a huge plus. always consider removing closet doors. this photo from erin and james' easy to livein is a perfect example of a doorway that, with a standard door (or even a folding style),would eat up lots of floor space and prevent the sofa from fitting into this opportunespot.

by using a curtain closure instead, it's streamlinedand the door doesn't affect the ideal flow of the room. embrace decorative storage opportunities. if you love books (and who doesn't?) you knowthat finding room for all of your beloved tomes can become a challenge. luckily, books are also awesomely attractive. this example from jason's charm think about the face of your hidden storage. the murphy bed in garrett's everything everyday apartment hides away during the day behind

the grand, nearly floor-to-ceiling mirrorwhich serves to decorate, visually expand and increase the natural light usage in thistiny home. whereas a blank front would have taken awayfrom the ambiance of this room, the mirror improves it. wall hung storage can be both useful and decorativeif you minimize the visual impact of the actual storage containers by having them blend inwith the surroundings. this white-on-white wall organizer in julia'scabin in the hills is a perfect example of the power of going monochromatic for openstorage. let your storage solution also help to defineyour space.

in this case, a simple open shelving unitis extended up to the ceiling and nearly wall-to-wall, creating a truly separate-feeling bedroomin deraismes' vintage finds studio. while this definitely provides a huge amountof storage, its room dividing duty is equally important to the success of the space. two basic bookcases form a "hidden" libraryheadboard in caitlin's treetop daydreams apartment. the curtains soften the look, add color, patternand texture to the overall interior design and can be closed for a more visually restfullook. when you really, really, really need someserious storage, consider building a raised platform in part of your space and make useof the now-underfoot space.

in silvana's innovative interior apartment,the riser also helps to define the bedroom area within the studio layout.

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