Make These Space-Saving Furniture Swaps
I’ve lived in New York since I was 18, which means my friends and I went through being broke early in our careers and then gradually made more money (and space!) together, gradually moving into slightly larger apartments every several years. .
Space-saving furniture has existed in many forms during the most difficult and cramped eras of my adult life, and while I can’t recommend you redecorate your entire bedroom to accommodate a Murphy bed (although they’re damn cool), I can point out up to a few truly unique pieces that will save you place, even if you’re not a ramen-eating 21-year-old anymore. Some space-saving swaps can make your entire home look tidier and more livable, plus there are some pretty smart-looking furniture pieces that fit the bill.
Compact kitchen furniture
First, I have to recommend my favorite space-saving piece of furniture of all time: the wall-mounted folding table. The first time I saw one of these bad boys was on a trip to Ikea in 2015. I bought it locally, took it home and installed it that same night, eliminating the need for a large table taking up all the precious space in my small kitchen. . It looked like this:
What I liked about it was that it folded up against the wall when not in use, but still had a ledge sticking out a few inches so I could store salt, pepper and other knick-knacks on it, whether on the table was raised or lowered. It was durable and I never had any issues with putting too much pressure on it. Ikea no longer sells the exact one I had, but does sell a similar version for $109.99 with a storage shelf above it that could hold even more condiments and knick-knacks than the shelf I relied on in my time.
These folding tables are perfect for a living room, children’s room, or home office. Of course, this works in the kitchen, but only if you don’t plan on hosting large dinners for several people; only two people could eat on mine at a time. If you need a compact desk but have a large family, try something like this:
The doors of this table fold, significantly reducing its size and leaving only the middle part filled with drawers for storing things. You can place plates, utensils, and dinner items in the storage compartment and only put them away when it’s time to eat.
Compact bedroom furniture
You already know I think Murphy beds are super cool, but most of the time they are a major renovation project. You can purchase trundle beds that fold back into lockers , but they can be expensive, up to around $1,000. Besides the fact that it is expensive, it leaves a large signal cabinet in the room, which does not save much space. It’s better to buy something more multi-functional, like this folding bed, which has storage compartments around it, so you can use it not only for sleeping, but also for storing all your small items.
You can, of course, choose a more classic sleeping arrangement, such as a sofa that turns into a bed. This one , costing $299, is more affordable.
I’m also still hanging on to my folding tabletop soap dish. For the bedroom, consider one that’s designed as a desk with built-in lighting and storage, so it’s ideal for studying, reading, or working on personal projects, but folds back up against the wall when you’re not doing anything. this.
Other compact furniture
The kitchen and bedroom are important for saving space, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop there. Look at this table that slides out of the shelving unit and tell me it wouldn’t be a lifesaver in the laundry room, where you can store detergents and cleaning supplies on the shelves and use the table when you need to fold or iron clothes:
Once you start looking for creative pieces, the possibilities are endless. Try a coffee table with secret storage that, thanks to clever hinges, turns into a desk or table you can reach on the sofa. Use slim shelving to make use of small spaces in the bathroom and kitchen, turning wasted space into storage and organization. Nested end tables provide more surface space when you need it, but disappear when you need just a little. You can even get your kids into the game with a tiny play table with seats and storage bins that fit perfectly under the tabletop when not in use.
Space-saving furniture has come a long way, so even if you’re not trying to make it work in a tiny home, you can still have a neater, more put-together home that suits your needs at the moment.