31 Tiny House Hacks To Maximize Your Space

Just because your house is small doesn’t mean you can’t live large.

Jenny Chang / BuzzFeed

1. Keep your window-to-wall ratio high.

Keep your window-to-wall ratio high.

Large panes of glass really open up this 136 sq ft DIY Colorado Mountain Home.Bonus: Tucked under the built in desk are two stools that double as storage.

2. Install floor to ceiling bookshelves.

Install floor to ceiling bookshelves.

Tiny little cottage, big big storage.

3. Use semi-opaque materials to allow light into windowless rooms.

Use semi-opaque materials to allow light into windowless rooms.

ivonnesemprunl.com / Via Dwell

This panelite kitchen backsplash doubles as a bathroom wall.

4. Create outdoor living space to add the feeling of square footage without the cost.

Create outdoor living space to add the feeling of square footage without the cost.

This 8-foot, wraparound porch provides a spot to lounge in the summer, and protects against snow in the winter.

5. Opt for fewer walls, more multipurpose rooms.

Opt for fewer walls, more multipurpose rooms.

Go ahead. Smash that wall out. This open floor plan from BlueSky MOD makes the most of its tiny footprint.

7. Actually, add a loft anywhere.

Sleeping and reading nooks maximize your space and provide privacy in shared areas. Snag space above your kitchen, bathroom, living room — there’s no end to those versatile vertical spaces.

8. Utilize the space under the stairs.

Utilize the space under the stairs.

So many things to hide, so little time.

9. Install prefab windows to brighten old school architecture.

Install prefab windows to brighten old school architecture.

This cob house juxtaposes earthen building materials with modern prefab windows.

10. Replace doors with sliding walls to let your space breathe.

Replace doors with sliding walls to let your space breathe.

This Brooklyn apartment feels much larger than its 500 square feet, thanks to large sliding doors with wide doorways.

11. Use glass walls to separate spaces without visually dividing a room.

12. Get creative with mirrors.

Get creative with mirrors.

Mirrors can instantly double the appearance of a room, but there’s no reason you have to go the traditional route! Metallic subway tile adds a layer of texture to this tiny WC.

13. Pick your favorite room in the house and go big.

Pick your favorite room in the house and go big.

This gourmet kitchen sits inside a tiny New Zealand home, making use of a reflective island and translucent cabinets to keep things feeling open and bright.

16. Curtains can also step in where privacy is needed.

Curtains can also step in where privacy is needed.

Got one wide open room? Make it into two without committing!

17. Decorate with light.

Decorate with light.

The diogene prototype micro-house takes skylights to new heights.

18. Use open storage to draw the eye upward.

Use open storage to draw the eye upward.

Need some accountability for your clutter? Open storage will force you to live organized (or put your mess on display).

19. Create the illusion of vertical space by selecting low-sitting furniture.

Create the illusion of vertical space by selecting low-sitting furniture.

If you’re a fan of tiny homes, this $9K dome home that only took six weeks to construct is not to be missed.

20. Repurpose the closet.

Repurpose the closet.

Display your best fashion finds right out in the open to save space and show off your style.

21. Add a pop of color!

Add a pop of color!

Or two. A little pop goes a long way.

22. Utilize retractable pantry drawers for small appliances.

Utilize retractable pantry drawers for small appliances.

This 192-square-foot home makes up in clever storage what it lacks in footprint.

23. Keep lines and materials simple.

Keep lines and materials simple.

This tiny L.A. home went back to basics with cement walls and stainless steel countertops.

24. On the flipside, you can embrace the quaint.

On the flipside, you can embrace the quaint.

An eclectic home doesn’t have to be a cluttered home. This cob home proves you can still live simply in an exciting space.

25. Discover unexpected storage.

Discover unexpected storage.

Similar to under the stairs, there are often plenty of unused crawl spaces and nooks in a home that can be creatively turned into organized storage.

27. Another use for lofted bedrooms? You can fit a walk-in closet underneath.

Another use for lofted bedrooms? You can fit a walk-in closet underneath.

This Stockholm apartment leaves no opportunity un-seized.

28. Create storage out of load-bearing elements and lose those pesky walls.

Create storage out of load-bearing elements and lose those pesky walls.

Japanese architect Shigeru Ban is pioneering this ingenious hack on the traditional post-and-beam home.

29. Install a breakfast bar.

Install a breakfast bar.

Who needs a kitchen table when you’ve got a built in coffee bar? (InstructionsHERE.)

30. Think you don’t have space for a tub? Try a three-fourths tub!

Think you don't have space for a tub? Try a three-fourths tub!

Great for bathing kids if you’ve got standing room only.

31. Do a whole room in white.

Do a whole room in white.

Whites make everything appear bigger and brighter.

via buzzfeed