Ten Hacks for Living Large in a Tiny Home

One of the challenges of embracing tiny home living is that your living space is, well, tiny! Even if you’re coming from much larger living quarters, though, you can learn to thrive in less space. From tossing extraneous items to getting a bit creative with storage space, there are ample ways to make the most out of your tiny space. 

Let’s start with ten.

#1: Downsize your possessions.

The first – and easiest – way to fit your full-sized life into your tiny home is to purge all that is no longer prized, best, or essential. Create three piles – donate, recycle, or sell – and assign a place for every item in your home. If you truly scrutinize what you own, you’ll inevitably find that you only truly use (or love) an extremely small percentage of your possessions.

#2: Live outside.

We don’t mean literally! But creating a comfortable, beautiful outdoor space like a built-in deck, patio, or even just a small grassy area with an outdoor table and chairs can extend the livable space within your home. As much as possible, entertain your guests outside or encourage your children to regularly get out for some fresh air. Not only will this make your home seem larger, but it will stave off any potential for conflict generated from living in such close quarters.

#3: Utilize lofts.

Think back to your college dorm room or apartment days when you boosted your bed off the ground to make room for your desk, chairs, or other possessions. The same tactic works for tiny homes. Some homeowners choose to loft their beds, while others opt for retractable beds that fold into the walls but build lofts to supply additional seating or storage. 

#4: Put your staircase to work. 

The space underneath a staircase, whether a full staircase or a ladder leading up to a loft, is wasted space, something you simply can’t afford in a home that’s already less than 400 square feet. Use the space underneath your stairs to house furniture, or better yet, build bookshelves or storage niches into the backs of the stairs.

#5: Create an illusion with mirrors.

Mirrors provide more than just a decorative touch: Strategically placed mirrors can actually make a space appear much larger. Hang mirrors throughout your tiny home to draw the eye upward and outward and to make your living quarters feel more spacious than they are.

#6: Install retractable pantry doors and foldable tables.

Your tiny kitchen has no room for swinging doors or cumbersome tables. Invest in a table that folds against the wall when it’s not in use. And install a pantry door that slides or retracts rather than a traditional door that swings open.

#7: Make your load bearing walls work harder.

Add a unique design touch and increase your storage space by installing built-ins on the sides of your load-bearing walls. You can use the built-ins to store books, baskets of toys for your children, or personal items and keepsakes. 

#8: Embrace sliding doors. 

By using sliding doors instead of traditional doors, you can save yourself tremendous space – and aggravation. Better yet, use room dividers or curtains instead of doors, so you can easily switch between providing privacy for your roommates or family members and opening your space to create a larger, common living area for everyone to enjoy.

#9: Fill your walls.

Yes, you can fill your walls with artwork and family photos, but also consider using them for additional storage! Install hooks and hang your pots and pans, dish towels, utensils, storage baskets, or even houseplants. This is not only an efficient use of your space but will also prevent excess clutter that would otherwise accumulate on the few flat surfaces in your home.

#10: Let your cabinet tops do more than collect dust. 

For tiny home residents, the excess space above kitchen and bathroom cabinets is storage gold. Fill baskets with your less frequently utilized items and stow them neatly above your cabinets to keep them out of sight, but still accessible.

Embracing Life with Less

Tiny home living is not just an affordable option, but a lifestyle choice that can lead us into cleaner, greener habits. Try these hacks to help you make the most of your home and live abundantly in your tiny space.

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.