Live Large in Small Spaces: 37 Genius Hacks for Maximizing Every Inch

This article was originally published on worldtravelling.com and has been republished here with permission.

Confronted with the confines of a compact living space, you might often find yourself battling clutter and cramped quarters. But we are here to revolutionize your small-space living. We understand the unique challenges of smaller homes, and that’s why we’ve curated 37 ingenious and practical tips that will help you unlock the hidden potential of every nook and cranny.

In this comprehensive guide, you’ll discover a treasure trove of clever strategies, from innovative storage solutions to multi-functional furniture hacks. These ideas are more than just space-savers—they’re about enhancing your living area to make it feel more open, organized, and inviting. Whether you’re looking to streamline your kitchen, optimize your living room, or create a multi-purpose area, these hacks will empower you to transform your limited space into a versatile and stylish abode.

Command the space

Tired of a cluttered desk overrun with mail, receipts, and miscellaneous items? Consider creating a wall-mounted command center to keep things organized. This DIY project is both practical and economical, requiring basic materials like 1×8 boards, plywood, wood glue, and a few nails and screws. Most of these items could be leftover from other projects, making the cost minimal—expect to spend no more than $20-$25 if you need to purchase new materials. First, cut your boards according to the project’s specifications.

Then assemble and secure the boxes using wood glue and nails. After sanding and painting, attach the boxes to a backer board, and add mounting hardware and metal tag frames for labeling. Mount the entire unit to a convenient wall, and enjoy a well-organized space that frees up your desk, just in time for back-to-school season or any time of the year.

An Easy Way to DIY a Hidden Wooden Cutting Board

Cutting boards are everyday cookware with no proper place to go when unused. Some kitchens are like that, at least. Cutting boards are essential for maintaining your countertops clean and saving your dishes from bold knife work, whether chopping vegetables for a salad or slicing meat for a stew. Since they are frequently used, finding a better way to store them only makes sense. Therefore, we came up with a better solution.

This practical cutting board storage solution only costs around $5 in wood pieces and takes less than an hour to assemble. You will need two wood moldings, four wood blocks, wood Glue, a drill, a screw, and measuring tape. How to build it: Create a cutting-board holder from two pieces of wood moldings (trims work, too) and four wood blocks to make height. Use wood glue to stick them together, so they take on the cradle you require. Take your holders and drill connection points in all their blocks so that they pierce through the molding. Drill into the base of your cabinet to match the hole in the holder to the cabinet holes. Mount the holders and form your cutting board’s cradle.

DIY Non-permanent Solution to Create Walls or Room Dividers Around Your Bed

Using wood is a great option if you’re looking for a DIY, non-permanent solution to create walls or room dividers around your bed. With a few basic tools and materials, you can create custom, sturdy, and stylish dividers that can easily assemble and disassemble. To begin, you’ll need to gather your materials. You’ll need several pieces of wood cut to your desired height and width, as well as hinges, screws, and a drill. You may also want to consider using decorative elements like paint or wallpaper to customize your divider.

First, decide on the layout and size of your divider. Cut the wood pieces to size using a saw, making sure to create matching pieces for each side of the divider. Once the pieces are cut, sand the edges to ensure a smooth finish. Next, attach hinges to the sides of each piece of wood, spacing them evenly apart. Once the hinges are in place, connect the pieces of wood using screws, making sure that they are aligned properly and securely fastened together. Once your divider is assembled, you can decorate it as desired using paint, wallpaper, or fabric. You may also want to consider adding shelves or storage compartments to make your divider even more functional. Finally, place your divider around your bed to create a private, intimate space. Because it is non-permanent, you can easily move or disassemble the divider when needed.

The ultimate bed storage

The Malm storage bed is a classic solution for under-bed storage. That’s correct, you can’t talk about small-space design without discussing IKEA.

Some of their best-selling items, such as this bed, feature smart storage solutions. It is also convenient that you don’t have to spend a lot of money to receive it. You get a queen-sized bed plus a large storage container in one piece for a few hundred dollars. The gas piston and spring system make it easy and safe to open and close the bed without putting strain on your back. And that means you don’t have to be super strong to access the storage. These beds are also a great option for guest rooms, allowing you to store spare bedding and blankets under the bed until family or friends come to stay. The IKEA Malm bed is 100% wood from more sustainable sources.