Planning rules and hacks to make a small house bigger

While tiny homes can be cozy, they can become incredibly messy due to lack of space and storage. And when you have things everywhereTiny homes can look (and feel) smaller than they are, making life incredibly stressful.

Obviously, knowing How to declutter when you’re overwhelmed A great place to start, as you can regularly get rid of things that no longer serve you or your tiny home. But the reality is that those who live in smaller homes still need the same practical things as those who live in larger homes—which means organization is key.

As Hester Van Hien, home decluttering and organizing consultant orderly‘Without a complete overhaul or full-on decluttering session, there are other, simpler things you can do to make a small space feel less cluttered,’ explains So, it’s worth taking inspiration from the planning rules and hacks that professional planners use for tiny homes.

1. Keep floors and surfaces clean

White kitchen with white metro tiles on the wall and white worktop. The under-counter cabinets are bright yellow

One of the best ways Create order in small homes with limited storage Vertical space is to be maximized, as this keeps floor and clean surfaces. and Shannon Murphy, professional organizer and founder Simple Living Coechoes this. ‘An easy way to make a small house feel bigger is to get off the floor as much as possible,’ she says.

‘The more visible floor space there is, the bigger and quieter a room naturally feels,’ she adds. Wall-mounted storage, floating shelves and Furniture Growing from the ground can help create this effect.’ If you follow the steps of no, it goes the same People with constantly tidy worktopsas anyone A clear area creates the illusion that the space is larger than it is.

However, every room can benefit from clutter-free floors and surfaces, which is why it’s worth investing in small space-friendly storage solutions. This can be as simple as using this 60PCS Self-Adhesive Cable Clips (£9.99 at Amazon) For hiding messy wires, in-cupboard organizers and even large pieces of furniture for storage.

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2. Elevate and move your furniture

Teal painted living room with black fireplace and gray sofa with cushions and blanket on it.

While permanent fixtures like sofas and cabinets are essential in any home, smaller homes need to be more strategic about the type and placement of this furniture. Actually, at Kate Dufton, professional organizer and declutterer Ace your spaceIt suggests choosing multi-purpose furniture to make a small home feel bigger.

‘Multi-functional furniture with storage allows you to reduce the number of pieces in your home, so your small home doesn’t feel too crowded,’ she explains. But since it’s often not practical (or financially viable) to replace your furniture, Kate also suggests that lifting and moving your existing furniture can still make a big impact.

‘You can often change the space by moving tall furniture to the far side of the room, so it gives you a clear view and instantly feels more spacious,’ she says. And if you have less slung pieces, use furniture feet like these Adjustable feet for furniture (£14.99 on Amazon) can help Raise the furniture To make a small room look bigger.

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3. Follow the one-in-one-out rule

A pink painted bedroom with blue paneling behind a white bed. Beside the bed is a small round side table and a brown accent chair

There are many Decluttering methods There are out there, but those who want to make a small home look bigger can definitely benefit from using it One-in-one-out rule. This allows you to continue shopping for new items for your home – such as decor or household essentials – without overcrowding your limited space.

Kate explains, ‘Rather than letting clutter take over, every time you bring something new and extra into your home, you need to let something go. Set up a charity basket where you pass frequently and are easily accessible, so you can drop off your unwanted items as you go.’

This will also help you save money in the long run, as you will be more deliberate with purchases. And instead of buying something on a whim and adding clutter to your home, you have to decide if you like it enough to replace it with something else in your home. If you don’t have one, you probably don’t need it—and you’ll avoid adding another unwanted item to your tiny home.

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4. Hide with intent

Hallway with wooden floor and carpeted stairs leading to the upper floor of the house

Modern homes and families need a lot of ugly but practical things that can quickly clutter up a small space and make it feel smaller. And while you don’t have to get rid of a small house to make it look bigger, it might be worth hiding it on purpose. A handout Clutter bucket (or two) can help with that.

Clutter buckets are also often called ‘drop zones’ for these essentials that you don’t want on show. ‘Do you have a few bits and bobs on your kitchen counter?’ explains Hester. Pop these loose items into a bowl, and your kitchen will instantly look neater, calmer, and more spacious. You can do the same for a sideboard in the hallway, where a variety of items are usually collected.’

For larger, unsightly items, a clutter bucket with a lid can help you hide them, keeping them nearby when you need them. However, as Kate warns, ‘the key is to empty it regularly and put everything away, otherwise you’ll end up with a lot of doom baskets instead!