Outsmart your square footage with stylish solutions for small space living.

1. Look Up

Photography: Ryan Brook

Even a small room can house plenty of storage. Reduce wasted space by building shelves above doors and windows, using wheeled under-bed storage, or dedicating a wall as a place to hang shelves. Here, the space above and beside the bed has been cleverly outfitted with wall-mounted cabinets and shelving. With built-in lighting, bedside tables and a few favourite reads close at hand, the sleep zone is transformed into a cozy, restful nook for relaxing.

2. Take a Seat

Photography: Drew Hadley

When it comes to the kitchen, you can never have enough storage. A surefire small space solution: a bench with built-in storage. You can stash all sorts of items within – a bench is ideal for large platters or oversized cookware – and it’s cozy for seating when the number of dinner guests begins to swell. Storage-wise, a toy-chest-like seat that flips up is a popular choice. Or opt for front-opening cabinets under the seat if the bench is extra-long or made of heavy material; they’ll be easier to access than lifting a heavy hinged seat.

3. Pick a Door

Photography: Robin Stubbert

Doors on hinges require leaving floor space free to swing them open and closed, which can significantly reduce room for furniture in a small condo where every inch counts. Solution: Say ciao to traditional doors and bonjour to sliding ones (or doors on rails). We love the modern look of a sliding door. Make it a design focus by painting it an eye-catching accent colour or using reclaimed barnboard for a rustic feel.

4. Get to Work

Photography: Drew Hadley

A wall-mounted desk with integrated shelves and cabinets is an excellent way to maximize your work area. We love how the closed storage cabinets let you hide work at the end of the day – ideal in multi-purpose spaces like bedrooms and dining rooms. To keep things Zen, establish an end-of-day filing routine. A handsome office chair and a few decorative items ensure the work zone enhances the aesthetics of the rest of the room.

5. Think Multi-Purpose

Photography: Drew Hadley

Turn one room into three, as in this combo office, laundry room and guest room. The clever furnishings allow for a streamlined transition from one setup to another: the ergonomic desk on wheels is a breeze to shimmy aside when not needed; the stacked washer and dryer hide discreetly behind a sliding door; and each of the oversized ottomans transforms into a comfy single bed for overnight guests.