Your home is your haven but who hasn’t wished for a more spacious one? Choosing the right place to call home has always been a tricky decision. Do you live in the city or in the suburbs? Would you like lower maintenance hassles? Are there kids on the way?

Small homes and condos almost always cry out for more space, while large homes could still have scope for efficient space use so that you get more roomy with organized living areas; but that extra bit of space you are looking for is right under your nose! Here are some tips to help you get the maximum out of your home.

Look under the bed – With a bit of planning, under-the-bed storage can free up tons of cabinet space. Use this space to put away winter clothes, spare sheets and duvets and other items that you are unlikely to require on a frequent basis. Don’t forget to pack them well!

What’s under the stairs? – There is some serious storage space under the staircase. Granted that the triangular shape is a bit awkward to get in and out, but think of pull-out drawers rather than walk-in cabinets, and suddenly, huge amounts of storage space open up.
While on the topic of stairs, we loved one homeowner’s idea, where draws were built under every single step on the staircase! Isn’t that a nifty idea? Toys, shoes, tools or even hobby kits could fit in wonderfully in these under-the-step draws. Alternatively, the space under each step could also turn into an open-face bookshelf “ stacked lying down if your steps aren’t tall enough to stand the books up. Wouldn’t that make a cool library that inspired the kids to read!

Put it up on the wall – Do you really need that traditional desk? That’s at least 6 square feet of space that gets clogged and eventually becomes hard to clean. Choose fold-down tables instead, that come with a compact shelf. Attach the whole thing to the wall, put your laptop, stationary or crafting things on the shelf. Prop up the writing table when you need it, and fold it away neatly when you don’t.

You have looked at videos of wall-mountable beds for long enough, and you know you want it. Honestly, when you are not hosting, a fold-away bed in the guest bedroom will free up a whole room that you can use, let us say, for yoga!

Today’s shrinking spaces require not just pretty furniture, but also smart ones. Pick wisely, and you’ll never want for space.