My pal, Brenda, recently moved into a little house. Correction: an older little house. She is facing many of the same problems that I have coped with for years: not enough cupboard space, tiny closets, small rooms. We’ve talked about this in our phone conversations and I thought I might share some of my ideas with you.
First of all, I have never not lived in a small space. The house I grew up in wasn’t much bigger than Brenda’s and there were six of us. I shared a bedroom with my two sisters for much of my young life. We had one bathroom. After I left home, I lived in dorm rooms and then moved on to studio apartments. It was a big deal for me when I graduated to a one bedroom apartment. It was still small, however. The house that Don and I lived in when we were in San Diego was small, the cottage we rented when we first moved East was smaller than MHC, and MHC is Small, with a capital S. It only makes sense that I’ve figured out ways to deal with small space living over the years. Here is my personal set of ‘rules’ for living in a small space:
1. Do not fall into the trap of buying apartment-sized furniture.
2. Have many pieces of furniture that can do double duty.
3. Find inventive ways to work around storage problems.
4. Think ‘outside the box.’
5. Have what you love around you.
I’ll now go into a bit more detail.
Rule #1: Do not fall into the trap of buying apartment-sized furniture. By that, I mean those pieces that are designed and advertised for small space living. Unless you’re living in a closet, it is much better to have normal-sized pieces of furniture in your home. In fact, a few big and/or tall pieces will make your room look even larger. I guarantee it.
I bought this large cupboard at auction a couple of years after we moved to MHC. It has a big presence in the room. I knew it would work and I knew it would make the room seem larger. It does.
We also have a piano in our living room. Would I like it to have its own wall in a larger room? Sure, but it works just fine in our cozy living room.
Back to the cupboard. When you open that door you will see lots of shelves which provide valuable space in which to store paperwork, light bulbs, pay stubs, office supplies, etc. That brings me to my second and most important tip.
Rule #2. Have many pieces of furniture that can do double duty. Except for chairs and sofas, almost everything we have in this house functions in more than one way. In addition to the table top, all occasional tables in this house have either a lower shelf or drawers, providing additional storage space. And the table next to our loveseat is really not just a table, it’s a vintage stool that I commandeer quite often in order to reach high places. Here are some examples of double duty pieces:
This vintage sideboard has lived in all of our houses. It’s just inside the front door here at the cottage. It no longer functions as a sideboard but as a valuable (and beautiful) storage piece in our living room. In addition to the top surface, there are display shelves where pieces of McCoy Pottery do double duty as well. One holds car and house keys. One holds sunglasses. One holds the key to wind the clock. Those 3 drawers provide a lot of storage space. One functions as a file drawer, the others hold a host of essentials.
I knew I wanted a bench in the kitchen but I was very clear that it had to be a storage bench. Why waste valuable space? Inside this bench are all sorts of tools and DIY supplies. I don’t know what we would do without it. It’s attractive and functional. We also store dog towels in that basket underneath the bench.
We bought this music cabinet at auction right after we moved in. My first thought was to use it for what it was intended – to hold my collection of sheet music and music books. But in addition to that, it now holds many things we want to keep flat: maps, vintage movie posters, large photographs. This little cabinet has proved to be invaluable for a whole host of hard-to-store-properly items.
And, apparently, some old remotes.
We have no space to store linens here. There is no quaint built-in linen closet like so many older homes have. Here’s another piece we bought at auction for $20. This cabinet is upstairs in the guest room. It took about a year for me to realize that the two shelves inside those doors would be perfect to store linens and towels. So our ‘linen closet’ isn’t conveniently located next to our main bathroom. In fact, it’s on the second floor. But it solves a major problem, as well as providing additional storage for quilts in the basket on top. (That’s a guitar case on the right. Guitars are everywhere here at MHC.)
Rule #3 – Find inventive ways to work around storage problems: This cottage was completely gutted and remodeled in 2000 by a previous owner. That gave us up-to-date wiring, a skylight, and a couple of neat ideas in the kitchen and bathroom. (I can’t take credit for these. I’m grateful for them every day because they have been lifesavers for us.)
Our kitchen is big. It’s filled with light. We love that. Unfortunately, that means that most of the wall space is taken up by windows. We have very little cupboard space. Thank goodness for this tall cupboard which is just inside the kitchen door and is about a foot deep.
See? Pretty narrow. But when you open it up, here’s what you get:
Shelves, shelves and more shelves – on both sides. There is a lot of storage packed into this narrow space. What a great idea for small kitchens – in very little space you can get a great deal of storage. I don’t know what we would do without this pantry. It’s Don’s favorite thing in the kitchen.
We have no basement. We don’t have a laundry room. (Having a laundry/mud room is a little dream of mine.) In the meantime, let’s take a trip to the downstairs bathroom.
Right inside the door is another door. If you didn’t know better you would most likely assume it was the linen closet. But you already know we don’t have a linen closet.
It holds our washer/dryer. This little closet is a great way to incorporate extra space in a useful way – especially in a bathroom where there is already plumbing installed.
This last one was my idea. I bought this kitchen cabinet when we lived in our first tiny rental here in the East. There was even less cupboard space there.
It’s not a very deep cupboard, but it holds quite a bit of china. And I store cleaning products and dog grooming essentials inside those lower doors. When we first toured this house, I made sure there was enough wall space in this corner of the kitchen for our little cabinet. Find storage where you can. If you don’t have it and like us, don’t have the money to completely remodel your kitchen, be creative. Haunt auctions, look at pieces with a fresh eye.
Rule #4: Think outside the box: Find inventive ways to use space or the lack thereof. I have two examples. The first has received a lot of play already on this blog and in a national magazine, so I won’t talk too much about it. Briefly, I needed space for me. I wanted to sew, to craft, to have a sort of studio space. There are only two bedrooms in this house and they’re both booked. So, I thought outside the box and made the upstairs hallway my studio. You can click on “Studio” at the top of the blog and you will find a link with all sorts of photos. To give you an idea of the space, here’s one photo:
And another:
It solves a lack-of-space problem and adds a lot of personality to that formerly bland upstairs hallway.
The other example takes us back to the kitchen. I’ve already said we don’t have enough cupboard space. We also don’t have enough counter space. To solve both those problems, I trotted off to my trusty friend, the auction, and for $60 bought an old, darkly stained sideboard. I painted it, added beadboard to the back and now I have a kitchen island.
The top provides valuable work space. The cupboards and drawers provide valuable storage space. What did I do before this kitchen island came into our home?
Rule #5. Have what you love around you: Yes, some editing is usually necessary. Every once in a while, I edit. But, I am a believer in having what you love around you. In your small space, make sure to have the things you treasure, that make you smile, that warm your heart in every room. If it gets a little cozy, so what? I would not be able to exist in a space that had been purged of my favorite things in order to look more spacious. Let me tell you a quick story.
In our first little rental out here in the East, we lived in a cottage on the grounds of a larger home. This place was tiny. I did my usual thing of filling the space with things we loved: quilts on the wall, the piano, cozy throws everywhere. a china cabinet, photos and framed art. Our first landlord had to sell the property. Consequently, a lot of prospective buyers traipsed through our house. What did we hear repeatedly? This place is so charming! Oh my god, I love this little cottage! How did you make it so homey? The cottage got more compliments than the big house!
Believe me. We used every inch of space in that house. But it was filled with color and beloved treasures and cozy furniture and that made all the difference. If you love what you have around you, it will make all the difference in the world. Even if it’s in a small space.
Whew! This was a long post. I hope that some of these ideas help those of you who are trying to find ways to make your small space work for you. It can be done.
Hey, we’d love a slightly bigger space. There are two of us. I’m 5’9″ and Don is 6’4″ – we could use a bit of extra room. But we cope. And frankly, I think living in a small space forces you to be creative. I’m always thinking about ways to make this space work for us.
I never noticed before, but we have the same kitchen cabinets and hardware! What year was your cottage built?
xo
I never noticed before, but we have the same kitchen cabinets and hardware! What year was your cottage built?
xo
Claudia, your home is so beautiful. Everything is so homey and comfortable….and I would choose that over a large home any day. I love my little house!
Claudia,
Great post with lots of good ideas. I downsized from a larger house and constantly rearrange the “stuff” I cannot bear to part with. I also still acquire “stuff”…. Love your McCoy – I have some of the same pieces.
Carol
great, great ideas! We live in the top floor of a small bungalow since my mother and father in law had to move in, so I get the small space problem. We have actually done some of the same things as you wrote about. :)
Claudia, thanks for defending the small home. Mine is not a lot larger than yours and with more storage space, but I still have trouble finding a place to put things. Thanks for the tips. I always enjoy visiting your cozy cottage.
Each and every one of your ideas is spot on. What fun to have a tour of your cottage. Love the sideboard in the kitchen. Isn’t it great when an antique just jumps out at you and speaks your name. I can look and look for monthes and not find a thing I like and then there it is right there hidden in a corner in some new stop. Still on the prowl for a nightstand dresser. Two years and going. I know it will find me one of these days. Isn’t it nice to see Brenda settled in. She is working so fast and will have it her home in no time.
Love your living spaces, what a beautiful job you do, Claudia. The kitchen is so charming, and I really love that white cabinet with the turquoise knitted garland. You and Brenda both have a knack.
Now you know what I was looking at….all the McCoy!
Love your kitchen, so bright and big!
what a great post claudia. i need more double duty pieces of furniture like you have. most of or furniture came with us from a large house where storage was not an issue. on the top of my list is an ottoman that has storage in it. i cannot wait to find one. my fingers are crossed for christmas! my biggest storage issue is clothes. with one tiny closet it is a battle. paring down the wardrobe makes the most sense but it is still a struggle to get everything to fit. thanks for the post and the great ideas.
Claudia, I love your little cottage more every day. I look forward to your posts and this one is lovely as usual.
Thank for the generosity in your writing and for sharing your ideas with us!
Love,
Sue
xo
I love this post and the tour around your house, i also live in a very tiny home and i am going to move with my son into my boyfriends apartment in two years and i am already thinking about witch furniture pieces i take with me and witch i have to let go of.Thanks for your inspiration, i think i am going to use his hallway as a hobbieroom or using a closet in the livingroom for my hobbie and workspace.
Hugs
Maria
Older homes are a challenge! We have precious little closet space – love your ideas – I grew up in California in a small 3 bedroom ranch -5 children – Mom knew how to keep things in order there too – we had one of those old dishwashers you had to connect to the sink to use – it had a butcher block top my dad put on – extra counter space and a sideboard when needed! Loved your post and am now a follower!
Kathy
Claudia it’s perfect and you just gave me more ideas. Have a great day. Ciao Rita
A wonderful post, Claudia. Creativity is a must in small space living. It’s been years since I lived in a small space, my single girl days, but I always found that going ‘UP’ was always one answer. Tall cabinets, shelves on the walls, etc. You’ve done such a fabulous job on your home and it’s perfect!
Great post, Claudia! I agree that large pieces look fantastic in a tiny space – and our home is only 375 sq. feet big!
Creative storage ideas pop out once you’re living in a small space. For instance, we made a queen size platform bed (with foam mattress) that lifts up – tons of storage under the bed. Also the large armoire and baker’s rack are great. I put large baskets on top of the armoire which store seasonal items that I don’t need to get to but every few months. Even our little refrigerator sits on a large drawer cabinet that we made.
I love living in a small space – and I couldn’t agree with you more… don’t let go of your treasures – display them!
Happy Wednesday,
Zuzu
Small house living is good for the intellect. It’s like doing a daily crossword puzzle trying to figure things out! I’ve loved living in tiny spaces. Besides you fill it all up no matter how much space you have. Well I do. Your place is darling! Love the kitchen island.
I do love your cottage, so much charm and the pieces you have acquired. THE UTMOST is the center island…. land sakes!!! I am in love with that piece, you sure lucked up. If I only could find a piece like that. LOOK at all that detail… outstanding painted white too.
Claudia, I finally dropped by, got busy last night. What a adorable little place you have.
We live in 800 square feet, and it works. Love the hints, and the inspiration photos.
I am going to check out more of your studio shots, can’t wait to have my own little space!
And congrats at getting your own domain.
Jen @ Muddy Boot Dreams
Great post Claudia. My favorite things always do double duty or hold something else.
Fifteen years ago we moved from a 13 room house to a 44′ sailboat and lived aboard for five years. It was my idea … imagine that! When the boat was fully furnished for living aboard the rule was that we didn’t bring anything new on board unless we were willing to get rid of something already there. Worked quite well … I did, however, find some rather unique storage spots under the floor in the holds. And a bonus — the holds just below the waterline made the most wonderful wine storage area!
Living small is fun if you set your mind to it.
Nice post! I don’t have a problem with lack of space, because I live in a 1950s ranch house, but I still found your post interesting. I’ve always wanted to live in a cottage. I can do so vicariously through your blog–thanks! :-)
I’m visiting from Brenda’s and I have to tell you how inspiring this post is! I, too, live in a small home and I have slowly adjusted to the storage/space issues. I also embrace the the room I have to display the things I love and have them close around me rather than spread out over 3000 square feet!
I am so glad I found your blog! This is a timely post for me as we recently renovated our kitchen and though I don’t have more cabinet space, I am trying to think outside the box when it comes to storage. So far, so good!!
Have a wonderful day, Claudia!
XO,
Jane
I LOVE this post–and I always enjoy a tour of your beautiful home. I feel the same as you-surround yourself with what makes you happy and what you love, even if you are not following the “trends”. If your home is filled with things that make you happy you will always be happy to return home each day :)
YOU DID A BEAUTIFUL JOB IN DECORATING
YOUR CHARMING COTTAGE…AND THE PIECES OF FURNITURE YOU HAVE ADDED TO YOUR ROOMS ARE JUST PERFECT. YOUR WHITE SIDEBOARD IN THE KITCHEN IS SO LOVELY. YOU ARE VERY CLEVER, YOUR HOME IS WARM, COZY, BECAUSE YOU MADE IT THAT WAY…..JUST LOVELY……
HAVE A NICE DAY, DON’T YOU JUST LOVE THIS WEATHER? RIZZI
If I was in your house by myself and could fit that kitchen island on my self, you’d come home with it missing! I love it that much! And your other hutches and pieces I would kill for. Can’t find any right now myself. Yes, defend the small space! I loved that comment.
Brenda
Claudia, this was a wonderful post. You and your husband are about the same heights as Mr. T and I and we currently live in a 1500 Sqf house – our biggest. It was “cozy” at times when the kids were growing up, but because we were always on top of each other we always knew what was going on. And their friends loved to come over here and didn’t feel like “the rents” were spying, just that we were interested in them.
What resonates most about your post is surround yourself with things that you love and that have meaning to you. It always reflects to visitors and friends that you have a comfortable home that is lived in and appreciated.
Ann
A MOST WONDERFUL HELPFUL POST..I LOVE ALL YOUR PIECES AND LOVE THE IDEA THE MOST OF THE CENTER PIECE IN THE KITCHEN WHAT A FABULOUS IDEA…WHO THOUGHT..I HAVE ONE JUST LIKE THAT IN THE BASEMENT. IT’S BEEN SITTING FOR YEARS … BUT THAT’S A LOVELY IDEA…HAVE A GREAT DAY..JANICE
I love your home, Claudia. It’s so cozy. That corner up the stairs is so creatively put together. And, your island in the kitchen is a dream. I love how you painted it and finished the back with beadboard. How I would love to have a floor like yours in my kitchen! Personally, I prefer a small house unless you have a huge family. But for two people, I think you’re just fine as you are. You’ve made everything work for you. If you had more space, what would you do with it! Buy more stuff to fill the space? I think you’re just fine as you are. I also have a small apartment and use everything I have.
Claudia I adore your house, and you have furnished it so beautifully. It doesn’t look crowded either. Of course it looks huge to me, now that I’m living in one bedroom and sharing a small upstairs bathroom with my two granddaughters, and a small kitchen with my son and family. It has been hard getting used to living this “small” but I wouldn’t change it for anything. I’m so glad I got rid of all my junk. I decluttered for nearly two years and haven’t missed one single thing. Except for one thing! A friend was helping me take some stuff to a thrift store and picked up the wrong box. She took my Cuisinart Food Processor rather than the old crockpot! It’s been months though, and I still haven’t replaced it, so I’m not real sure I need it anyways. :)
Love your post Claudia – I live in a very small place too. It really forces you to be creative and also set the needs of being very organised and not keep too much stuff, said she who brings home tons of stuff from flea markets all summer :o)
Loe your storage ideas.
Just found your blog courtesy of Cozy Little House. You have so many great ideas! Can’t wait to come back to look & read. :)
Brenda sent me from Cozy Little House. I enjoyed your blog post and your blog is wonderful. I have just signed on as a follower. I would love it if you would come and visit me.
Danielle
Stopping by from Cozy Little House. Loved your post. You’ve shared some great information about small space living. I love your sewing area!
This is such a refreshing post. Your ideas really do work and your home is lovely. Thank you for sharing…
Lovely post! Personally I love small spaces, my one bedroom apartment could be vacuumed and I didn’t have to replug! LOVED it ;) You have done such a great job. My mom and I have so much furniture it is crazy we ever fit in a place together. I have sold most of mine off BUT that just means I can buy new! Love your home!
Hugs, Lisa
I also live in a small house, and one with rooms on three floors. It’s fun isn’t it, working out how to squeeze everything in, but I’m not as inventive as you. We may be moving soon, possibly to somewhere smaller. Wish me luck ;D
I’ve been living in a small cottage for over 20 years – and would never go back to the 3 story 6 bedroom place I had before! There’s something so right – and very Eiropean – about having a more compact perspective on the space one ‘needs’.
Keep on encouraging people to LIVE LARGE WHILE LIVING SMALL… I agree with Brenda, maybe there should be a club!!
Great post; glad I found your blog.
My kitchen cabinets and hardware are like yours. Mine was so plain and Mr. Sweet routed them for me and now they look like vintage beadboard. Funny the things you can do with what you already have….it’s the little things. :))
So happy to have found your blog. I have recently moved in with my 87 year old mother to help her. I am presently confined to living and working in one room (with her furniture, while my furniture is in storage) so I am trying every day to make the space work for me. It’s interesting. 8-)
Claudia, you certainly have made good use of all of those pieces. I agree with you, you don’t have to buy things to “fit” the house. Like you, I have BIG pieces for storage – and they are in small spaces.
It is always great fun to see the corners of your beautiful home! LOVE your kitchen, too! The island piece worked out great!
xxoo
Becky
hi
A great post!!!
Here in India its always a challenge to stay in small homes especially in metro cities where I live space is a premium … only the rich can stay in homes more than 1200 sq feet most of the working class stay in apartment which range from 500 to 800 sq feet ie either with one bedroom one bathroom or 2 bed and 2 bath..Its so difficult to arrange everything that we have .. the kitchens are so tiny that it is impossible for more than 2 people to work there at one time…There are many who are in the lower income group who stay in just one room which may be around 200 sq feet..But its good you have started this now we will get some great tips and can share some with you too….
Claudia your house is so charming! I love your kitchen and my favorite thing is the side board that you made into an island. Although I love looking at large spacious homes, and think I would like more space, I actually prefer cozy. I love this new series Living comfortably in a small space. Our house is 1100 square feet (ot counting the basement). I am so very grateful for our finished basement. I have always been drawn to smaller cottage type homes and your home is lovely.
~Sandy
What a charming home you have. Thank you for some great ideas. I recently had to downsize into a studio at 55 with a lifetime of furniture and goods. I got rid of 3/4 of my belongings. I wanted to keep my antiques,china cabinet and artwork so I did. I even incorporated my Mothers antiues after she passed. I made it all work but it does take being very creative! I think life in a small space is wonderful, its so cozy and easy to maintain. I have a place for everything so nothing is ever lost. I love the feeling of organization in my life and order. Much like you I have zero linen closets,no storage and my clothes closet is so very tiny so I just do without except basics. I also made do with furniture that serves as storage. The challenge is not keeping it clean or neat, its utilizing every available nook for storage.
You have me some great ideas for shopping at auction for furniture and good deals.