Almost 2,000 square feet is the average size of a newly-constructed American home today! Many Portland homes are much smaller than those in other parts of the country. In Portland’s most desirable neighborhoods, most homes built in the 1950s were less than 1,200 square feet. Having a small house can be great, but it can also be challenging.
Keeping a smaller home is easier than you think. Follow these tips to accomplish that. This post is also useful for those who have a small basement or bedroom in otherwise perfect homes, but don’t know what to do with it.
1. Take it on board
It’s okay to move into a smaller condo or apartment if you bought a smaller home or own a smaller home. Let yourself be challenged by a smaller space instead, and embrace the benefits even more. Don’t worry if you’re considering a small living space for a variety of reasons. It can be used for so many things.
There are three big reasons why you should love smaller spaces
- Cleaning is easier
- Heating and cooling are less expensive
- Yards and outdoor spaces tend to be larger
2. Tips for designing small spaces
Avoid overly bright or dark colors when you are painting a small room or home. Instead, choose neutral tones that are light in color. Natural light will be reflected by these colors, further increasing the feeling of space, openness, and brightness in the room.
In addition to reflecting light, a mirror can expand a room’s appearance as well. Don’t go overboard! The effect can be dampened by too many mirrors. For maximum impact, choose one mirror thoughtfully.
Avoid single-purpose furniture when you live in a small space. Smaller homes benefit from multipurpose pieces, such as multifunctional wooden folding sofa bed for home.
3. Make a priority list
In every home, there are compromises. There’s no doubt that this applies in particular to people who live in a small space. There is no such thing as having everything you want. There are however a lot of things you can do even in a very small home if you think creatively.
Portland homes are known for their features such as:
- Office at home
- Kids’ play area
- Home gym or yoga studio
- A full-sized kitchen
- Guest room
There may not be enough space for a home office or overnight guests in a small space. You can create a quiet work area in the living room by partitioning off part of it. If you wish to accommodate guests, you can purchase a pullout sofa of high quality. During your morning practice, you might set up a home yoga studio.
Find a creative way to accomplish what you can’t live without first.
3. Organize and declutter
When it comes to moving into a small home, what’s the biggest mistake people make? Taking everything they own and filling it with it. Furniture, clothing, and other possessions quickly fill a small home for retirees, younger couples, and growing families.
Consider decluttering instead. If you don’t need anything, donate it. If there is anything that you can easily replace, you should be ruthless with it. The best thing you can do if you are worried about making a bad decision is to store items for 6 months, so you won’t regret it. It’s a good idea to donate items you don’t use to a good cause if you don’t use them, and that will prevent you from spending money on storing them.
4. Make the most of natural light
This Portland mid-century masterpiece features large windows and an open floor design. Winters in Portland can be long and gray, making it feel like the city has no natural light at all. Smaller homes can feel especially dreary because of this. It is possible to let a lot of natural light into a smaller house if it features skylights or larger windows. Blinds, curtains, and shades can be used to adjust how much light enters your home and to provide privacy.
5. Organize your storage creatively
Living in a small home provides you with an opportunity to get creative – especially when you’re trying to figure out how to store your stuff. Among some of the most innovative storage solutions we have found for small homes are:
You can maximize your space by installing custom storage, such as built-ins and under-the-stairs nooks.
Keep your eyes open! If your small home is cramped, vertical storage options like hanging pots in the kitchen or mounting medicine cabinets on bathroom doors can prevent excess space from being wasted.
6. Floors should be cleared
You should look for ways to eliminate permanent fixtures when you live in a small home or a house with a cramped basement. You’ll have more options available to you if your home has a lot of available floor space. Dressers and other bulky furniture can be eliminated by using vertical storage solutions and closet organizers, which we discussed earlier.
In addition to a bookcase or entertainment center, wall-mounted shelving may also be an option. An out-of-the-way home office can also be created with a wall-mounted fold-out desk.
