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Unless your place has a sprawling floor plan, furniture and belongings can make it feel cramped. The good news is that there are home decor items that will help you make the most of your living space. From furniture with compact designs and built-in storage to well-organized shelving units and everything in between, the right pieces will make your home seem roomier while maximizing its cozy factor.
Whether you live in a small house or studio apartment, strategies that give it a larger feel include getting organized and adding space-saving decor. Before you choose decor items for your home, it’s important to do an assessment that will guide you as you shop.
The first step in freeing up space in your home is to eliminate items that are crowding hallways, tables, corners and other common areas. Start by sorting out items you plan to keep and set them aside to organize. Throw out or donate those you no longer need or use.
If you need more space to put small items, versatile options are available. Shelves can be mounted on walls or in corners to make room for trinkets and collectibles. Portable cabinets come in many size options and can be placed in just about any room of a house to store everyday essentials.
When a room is on the small side, large pieces of furniture make it seem that much smaller. Compact chairs, sofas and loveseats provide adequate seating for relaxation yet take up less area of a room. Tables that nest can be stored together when not in use. What’s more, some everyday pieces like benches, ottomans and bed frames have unique built-in storage capacity for stashing frequently used items.
If you work from home or have a student who requires space for homework, chances are you have documents, books and tech items taking up space throughout the house. A home office desk and shelves will provide room for these items as well as a separate place to work. Compact, L-shaped or corner desks are ideal for converting a small area into a home office.
[ Zipcode Design New London Linen Convertible Chair ]
What you need to know: This is an attractive chair that doubles as a bed, making it a good choice for living rooms and guest rooms.
What you’ll love: In addition to a stylish, contemporary design, this chair features a convertible construction that turns into a twin-size bed in seconds. It includes a throw pillow.
What you should consider: Some consumers may find the firm cushioning uncomfortable.
Where to buy: Available at Wayfair
[ Red Barrel Studio Amalfi Upholstered Flip-Top Storage Bench ]
What you need to know: The Amalfi storage bench saves space by serving as both a seat and a place to keep blankets, clothes, toys and more.
What you’ll love: More than just a comfortable place to sit, the upholstered top of this bench opens to reveal generous storage space. It’s available in five colors to match your decor.
What you should consider: The legs of this bench are challenging to assemble and have been reported to break.
Where to buy: Available at Wayfair
[ South Shore Flexible Storage Platform Bed ]
What you need to know: If you need extra storage in your bedroom, you can’t go wrong with this bed that boasts roomy bins and shelves.
What you’ll love: This bed’s modern platform design comes with bonus storage in the base that’s ideal for bedding and pillows.
What you should consider: The bed is heavy and difficult to move during and after assembly.
Where to buy: Available at Wayfair and Amazon
[ Walker Edison Two-piece Nesting V-Leg Side Tables ]
What you need to know: Whether you need space-saving tables for displaying items or for use as end tables, this duo is a good choice.
What you’ll love: These two attractive tables nest together, so they don’t take up excessive space. Their triangular bases give them a contemporary appearance.
What you should consider: Some customers have griped about quality control issues, including missing pieces and broken legs.
Where to buy: Available at Amazon
[ OneSpace Stanton Computer Desk ]
What you need to know: Although this desk doesn’t have a lot of bells and whistles, it’s a practical choice for small homework areas.
What you’ll love: This desk offers practical features such as a keyboard and bottom shelf to help you stay organized while you work. The trim structure doesn’t take up a lot of room.
What you should consider: Because it is quite small, this desk won’t work for everyone.
Where to buy: Available at Amazon
[ DANYA B 3-Shelf Decorative Shelving Unit ]
What you need to know: Whether you install these shelves in one unit or in three, you’ll love how they add space and style to any room.
What you’ll love: This system has three shelves that can be installed individually or together. It’s versatile and good-looking too.
What you should consider: The shelves won’t accommodate extremely heavy items.
Where to buy: Available at Amazon
What you need to know: If you need more storage in a bedroom, bathroom, family room or kitchen, this cabinet offers space to fit your needs.
What you’ll love: The Ivan cabinet’s trim design, roomy drawers and spacious shelf system make it suitable for any room. It’s fairly easy to assemble.
What you should consider: The cabinet is made of manufactured wood, which may be a deal-breaker for some consumers.
Where to buy: Available at Wayfair
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Jennifer Manfrin writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers.
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