How to Maximize Small Spaces in Your Home

August 20, 2024

Homes come in all shapes and sizes. For many, that could mean that some (or all) of the rooms are small. From a tiny bedroom to a small kitchen, we have you covered with tips to maximize small spaces. With these tips, you can make those areas of your home appear, and feel, as spacious as possible.

A Small Kitchen

Often referred to as the heart of the home, some kitchens run on the small side. If that sounds like yours, take advantage of corners and open shelving to create the illusion of space. Whether you go with a minimalist or maximalist design, go all-in to accentuate the unique features of your kitchen. A strong color palate, fun window covering, or standout backsplash can embolden the space. Built-in seating or a breakfast nook can also free up floor space. Also, check out 50 Small Kitchen Ideas to Make Your Space Feel Bigger.

Additionally, there are decluttering and organization hacks that can make your kitchen feel larger. First and foremost, keep counters clear. Consider hanging pots or using interior cabinet spaces by adding a hanging spice rack. A small rolling kitchen island cart can give you extra counter and storage space. Plus, when you have a full house with visitors, it can easily get tucked away.

A Little Living Room

A small living room has one large benefit: it is much easier to create a sense of coziness and comfort in a smaller space. In order to do that effectively, consider these 13 Small Living Room Ideas That Will Maximize Your Space. Most importantly, choose the proper sized furniture and chunk the room into zones as space permits. A fireplace could anchor two chairs. Don’t be afraid to float furniture off the wall, even in a small room. You can anchor it in place with an area rug to help delineate the space.

Carefully consider your color palette and keep it simple. A small living room looks larger with one color scheme. If you're not a fan of neutral colors that's okay. But stick to one tonal palette like cool blues and greens. The space will feel more cohesive.

Finally, employ vertical space. Create shelving, use sconces for lighting and hang a mirror on the wall to further lighten up the room and give the illusion of space. Avoid hanging too many pictures on the walls so that each picture you choose has room to breathe and people's eyes can travel upward and around to appreciate each image in this more open living room.

An Extra "Cozy" Bedroom

Whether it’s a small master bedroom or guest bedroom, there are ways to utilize furniture, storage and styling options to help maximize the space. In any small bedroom, it is important to get the most out of storage space. Again, going vertical can help. Consider a vertical bookshelf near the bed versus an end table. Built-in furniture can also open floor space. Think about getting a bed that has storage underneath or find storage containers that fit neatly under the bed.

Regarding color and style, decide what feeling you’re going for in the bedroom. If you’d like a cocooning effect, an accent wall with a dark color is fine even in a small space. If you’d prefer to give the illusion of space, choose a lighter paint color. You can always pick accent accessories and statement pieces to make the space more vibrant.

Any time you are dealing with a small space, try embracing minimalist concepts. The less items there are to store in a space, there will naturally be less items to hide away or keep laying around on counters (or floors). If you’d like help getting started with decluttering, check out Declutter Your Home With These Products & Tips.

A Cramped Kids’ Bedroom

Small kids’ bedrooms present a unique challenge. Children often inherently have a lot of stuff. So, applying minimalist ideologies can be challenging. Toys, school needs, art supplies, and clothes they are continuously outgrowing can easily make their rooms feel cluttered.

Many of the same storage and interior design principles can still be applied, but with an understanding of kids’ bedrooms. Hang bookshelves, use rolling carts, and flexible seating. Use board games as wall art. Similarly, Hot Wheels storage can turn into a "garage" that you put on a floating shelf to display until it's time to play. The possibilities and creative potential are endless! Additionally, check out these tips geared specifically towards children’s small bedrooms. Or, try out these fun storage ideas to organize a kids’ room to make it more functional.

Compact Closets

While walk-in closets are often the dream, they are not always the reality. In truth, many people are simply doing the best they can to store their clothes, belts, shoes, towels, etc. in a standard closet.

There are many products that can maximize your closet space and squeeze in extra storage. Adding an adjustable closet rod expander, hanging drawers, a tiered hanger for multiple pairs of pants, an over-the-door shoe organizer and overhead baskets can make any small or standard closet fit much more. Get creative by using suitcases to store winter clothes in summer and vice versa. Also, if you go through your closet once or twice a year, you can donate any items that are not being used on a regular basis.

We hope these tips help, and remember that even a small space can be fun, functional, and stylish!

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10 Ways to Make the Most of the Rainy Season

March 4, 2025

Rainy days in the Pacific Northwest aren't for everyone, but there are many ways to make them more enjoyable. And, as we head into spring, keep in mind that this darker rainy season is temporary. Soon, we'll have more daylight hours, and spring flowers will be blooming. Check out these ideas for making rainy days as fun as possible. Stay active Whether it’s joining a local gym, starting an at-home gym practice, or going for a walk despite the rain, staying active is essential for your mental and physical health during the rainy season. Also, nature is the Pacific Northwest’s playground. Many local trails have thick forests that provide shelter from the rain and shield you from the worst of it. Invest in proper clothing and gear Similarly, if being outside and staying active is your preferred activity method, don’t let the weather stop you. Investing in proper clothing, shoes, and gear can make almost any day an outside day. Many local stores, like Wildernest on Bainbridge Island and Flicka in Poulsbo, have waterproof jackets and shoes . Invest in a pair of warm wool socks to keep your feet dry. On really cold days, put a pair of warmers into your gloves or shoes. Talk to a doctor about options If you're new to the Pacific Northwest, consider talking to your doctor about other ways to help your body physically adapt to the winter weather and darkness that is unique to this area. They might recommend daily vitamin D supplements and a sun lamp . Sun lamps mimic natural light and can be effective for those with Seasonal Affective Disorder. Speak to your doctor before making any changes. Try boredom busters for kids Do you have kids who are starting to bounce off the walls or are (conversely) staying glued to their devices? Check out this list of fun boredom busters to break up the long days. Even a quick card or board game can put a spark of controlled energy into the room. There are also many local indoor play spaces to choose from in the area. There are play spaces for toddlers , indoor trampoline parks , laser tag venues , and arcades for teens. Lean into seasonal sports Enjoying a winter sport can mean everything from watching it live to watching it on TV to participating in it. Living so close to the Olympic Mountains and Mount Rainier means various options for skiing, snowboarding, tubing, snowshoeing, and more. In addition, for those looking to watch sports live in the winter, Seattle is home to many professional teams, as well as minor league and college teams. If you prefer to stay off the roads and in the comfort of your own home, invite a couple of friends over to watch a game together. Start a new hobby For many, the rainy days provide a little more time since there’s often less running around. You can use that extra time to pick up a new hobby. Perhaps you’d like to get on the sourdough bread bandwagon, pick up woodworking, or learn how to knit. Maybe you’ve never made a mosaic but want to give it a try. Whatever you choose, these slower days provide the perfect opportunity to give it a whirl. BARN (Bainbridge Artisan Resource Network) hosts a range of workshops in an incredible space. Be sure to check them out. Choose an indoor home project to complete Meanwhile, if you feel stuck at home and don’t feel like picking up a new hobby, then why not tidy up your home a bit? Since this is the time of year when you may find yourself at home more, think about doing something that will make it feel more inviting. Purge old clothes, household items, and toys no longer being used. Pick a room to reorganize or rearrange the furniture. Hang up the pictures that you’ve been meaning to get to, or re-paint your home office. Tackling and completing a home improvement project will create a great sense of accomplishment. 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Plan a future trip Having something to look forward to can help pass the time during long rainy stretches. Think of an activity or trip that you’d like to do in the future and start planning. It could be an overnight trip or your weeklong summer vacation. It can be a camping trip, a day at the spa, or an upcoming concert. If all else fails, plan next year’s vacation to somewhere warm during this time to escape the cold days. It doesn’t matter where you go, or when you go, or for how long. Simply put something on the calendar you’re looking forward to and start making it happen. We know the rainy season isn't for everyone. Keep in mind that longer, sunnier days are on the horizon. In the meantime, take advantage of some of these ideas to make the next few weeks (and future winters) not just bearable but enjoyable.