At a Glance:
The Appeal of Small Space Living
The Challenges of Small Space Living
Ways to Save Space in a Small Room
Space Saving Living Room Furniture
Space Saving Dining Room Furniture
Space Saving Bedroom Furniture
From tiny houses to studio apartments, you may be living in a small space by choice or by necessity. Either way, you can find ways to embrace it and make the most of your space. By incorporating creative storage solutions and multifunctional, space saving furniture pieces, it is possible to create a dream home with limited square footage.
In this interior design guide, our experts reveal small space furniture ideas every homeowner should know for how to save space in a room. After overviewing the challenges of small space living, we’ll give tips on ways to save space in a small room and recommend our favorite space saving furniture pieces for your living room, dining room, and bedroom.
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ShopThe Appeal of Small Space Living
Small space living has become increasingly popular in recent years due to rising housing costs and a desire for a simpler lifestyle. While it comes with challenges, many people find it appealing. In the midst of a busy and frantic-paced world, small space living is an invitation to slow down, declutter, and rest.
Here are some of the appealing aspects of small space living:
✅ Affordability
✅ Simplicity and forced minimalism
✅ Environmental sustainability
✅ Low maintenance
✅ Creative design opportunities (like utilizing multifunctional furniture)
✅ Reduced stress
✅ Closeness and interpersonal connection
The Challenges of Small Space Living
With its many appealing qualities, small space living also presents some challenges. Rather than seeing this as a stumbling block, consider it an opportunity to get creative. The internet (and this guide) are full of space saving furniture ideas to maximize the space you do have.
Here are some of the challenges of small space living:
✖ Limited storage
✖ Lack of privacy
✖ Limited entertainment space
✖ More clutter management
✖ Limited furniture options
✖ Feeling cramped
Learn More: Small Apartment Living Room Ideas
Ways to Save Space in a Small Room
The key to maximizing space in a small room is to choose multipurpose furniture. Choose furniture pieces that do double duty. For example, in the bedroom, choose a bed frame that includes storage drawers underneath or a bookcase in the headboard. Choose a dining room table that includes a drawer or a coffee table with a lid that conceals hidden storage in the living room. Sleeper sofas for small spaces are a great way to host guests when you’re tight on space or don’t have a designated guestroom.
Use All Your Home’s Surfaces
You can look at every nook and cranny in your house to find creative ways to incorporate storage. Is there an unused corner where you could install corner shelves? Space under the stairway for storage? Using a vessel sink in the bathroom makes room for more storage space in the vanity cabinet.
The Art of Decluttering
Another simple way to save space in a small room, home, or apartment is to declutter. Creative storage solutions and multipurpose furniture for small spaces are great options, but the simplest and fastest way to save space in a small room is to get rid of excess stuff. Sort and throw away junk mail, flyers, and menus immediately. Real Simple’s list of Little-Home Commandments includes, “You shall buy only what you need” and “You shall tidy and organize daily.” Real Simple also recommends decluttering your countertops, flat surfaces, and refrigerator every week; your pantry every month; and your closets, paperwork, and toys every year.
Select Furniture That’s “Outside the Box”
Other furniture hacks for small spaces focus on expandable and adjustable furniture pieces. For example, drop leaf tables for small spaces can expand to seat more people or fold up to take up less space. Extendable tables for small spaces expand when you need them and collapse or return to a normal size when you don’t.
Learn More: The Perfect Fit: 5 Best Loveseats for Small Spaces
Space Saving Living Room Furniture
The key is to utilize multifunctional furniture in every room. Keep reading for our top furniture for small spaces recommendations, and discover new ways to use make your home multifunctional while adding style, too.
✔ Great for Apartments: Flexsteel Main Street Gray Ash Twin Sleeper
Shop This Flexsteel Sofa Sleeper
A sleeper sofa is a great way to add extra sleeping space that doubles as regular living room seating. This loveseat has chic rolled arms and a neutral charcoal color that lends itself to a number of design styles. This would be a great addition to a glam, contemporary, or transitional space. And yes—the mattress comes with the sofa!
✔ Great For Small Living Rooms: Benchcraft Abney Driftwood Sofa Chaise
Shop This Benchcraft Sectional Sofa
A sofa with chaise for small spaces is a great option because it essentially combines a sofa and a chair in one without the addition of another full-sized sofa or loveseat. This particular pick is great because it features light upholstery, which is an insider trick for making a space look bigger. Choosing timeless finishes that you won’t get tired of and don’t overwhelm your room is critical for creating a relaxing small space living room, and this transitional-style sofa has all the right elements to look good throughout the seasons of your home.
✔ Great For Multipurpose Living Rooms: Signature Design by Ashley Realyn White/Brown Lift Top Coffee Table
Shop This Signature Design by Ashley Lift Top Table
A lift top coffee table is a creative way to add storage to your living room. The two-tone wood and distressed white wood finish is perfect for a farmhouse, shabby chic, or rustic design. It adds warmth to your space and gives it a cozy, lived-in feel. Lift the top and create an instant workspace for your remote work routine by day and a makeshift table to dine and catch up on the latest entertainment from a single place.
Feature Signature Design by Ashley Realyn review: “Easy to put together and love the storage space. Love the option to lift the table towards me to work on my laptop or eat food to watch TV.”
✔ Great For Décor Lovers: Stylecraft 3-Piece Bronze/White Nested Table
Shop This Stylecraft Nesting Table Set
Nesting tables are a classic example of the expandable space saving furniture hack. This set happens to level up this hack with elegant bronze and marble finishes. The curved shapes and striking contrast make this set of nesting tables perfect for a glam or contemporary design.
Wondering how to use nesting tables? When you need to save on space, tuck (or nest) the three tables together and place them next to your couch like you would an end table. When you need more hard surfaces for entertaining, separate the three tables and spread them throughout your room.
Space Saving Dining Room Furniture
When you can afford some extra elbow room in the dining room, the next best solution is practical furniture that lets maximize every inch of space you have. Here are a few great examples of how to furnish a small dining room.
✔ Great For “Cozy” Kitchens: Liberty Thornton 3-Piece Two-Tone Drop Leaf Table Set
Shop This Liberty Furniture Drop Leaf Table
This drop leaf table set, which comes with two chairs, is the perfect space saving furniture pick for a small dining room, kitchenette, or breakfast nook. It’s a great surface for eating, studying, or working. When you need extra space, you can fold the sides down and move it into a corner. The wood and white two-tone finish is perfect for a farmhouse design.
✔ Great For Galley Kitchens: Aspenhome Zane Grey Extendable Counter Height Table
Shop This Aspenhome Extendable Dining Table
This sleek and stylish table includes an 18” leaf that you can remove when you need to save on space or include when you’re hosting friends for dinner. The gray and matte black provide a striking contrast that’s perfect for a modern, industrial, or contemporary space. The rectangular shape works particular well in galley kitchens!
Space Saving Bedroom Furniture
We wouldn't blame you if you said you spent just as much time in the bedroom as you do the living room. But if that's the case, having a functional bedroom where you can work, read, relax, and more is crucial—especially if you're working in tight quarters. Take a look at these small bedroom ideas recommended by our interior design experts.
✔ Great For Multifunctional Bedroom Décor: KAS Rugs Soho Oasis 18”x18” Pouf
This pouf adds a fun element to your room without overwhelming the space. If you need a little extra color, pattern, and texture in your space but you don’t want to cover your bed with throw pillows, a pouf is a great alternative. This pouf would be perfect for a boho or eclectic bedroom design.
Wondering how to use a pouf? If you have an armchair, your pouf can act as a footrest. You could also place two poufs at the end of your bed instead of a bench, and they can act as a place to sit and take your shoes off at the end of the day. You can even use a pouf as a chair for a vanity table.
Learn More: 6 Bed Frames with Storage to Save Space
✔ Great For Extra Bedroom Storage: Hughes Furniture 17200 Cycle Hay Storage Ottoman
This bedroom storage ottoman can be tucked at the foot of your bed to provide a place to sit and extra storage. Its neutral upholstery, rounded feet, and nailhead trim make this a great choice for a traditional or farmhouse design.
Learn More: How to Style Small Bedroom Furniture (Minimalist Design Guide)
Many people crave simplicity and rest in the midst of a busy, sometimes overwhelming, life. Opting for small space living invites you to declutter, prioritize what’s important, be creative, and embrace space saving furniture. If you are looking for ways to bring extra storage or functionality to your space, Colder’s offers a great selection of multipurpose furniture and is the best place to shop for space saving furniture in Milwaukee
Why Trust Colder’s?
Since 1942, we at Colder's pride ourselves on offering value, selection, and service. Serving Southeastern Wisconsin with four showrooms that stock quality name-brand furniture, appliances, and mattresses, Colder’s is sure to house exactly what you are looking for. And if you can't find it on our floors, chances are, we can order it for you. As a local, family-owned company, we are always doing our best to provide the highest value at the lowest cost to everyone who walks through our doors.
Colder’s is committed not only to continuously offering can’t-miss sales but also to working with each customer, making sure that you take advantage of every possible markdown — that’s our best price guarantee. Still need help? We offer zero percent appliance and furniture financing on your home needs!
Shop Space Saving Furniture at Colder’s
Don’t put off happiness — and shop furniture online for unbeatable prices at Colder’s. Our friendly experts are always happy to help you discover space saving furniture solutions, whether you call us at 414-476-1574 or use our online chat feature. Better yet, stop by one of our Colder’s locations in West Allis, Oak Creek, Delafield, and Grafton, Wisconsin to touch, see, feel, and experience home products that fulfill your dreams. Visit us today!
Learn More: Small Living Room Ideas with TVs Included