From classic to inventive, these design moves use intelligence in the battle to live comfortably in a compact space

Inspiration can come in all shapes and sizes, and I’d argue that it can also come from any time. Architects and designers look to the past all the time, if to varying degrees, but generally the 21st-century tendency is to reward the new and the innovative.

Thinking minimalistically

Minimalism need not be lack of stuff. Another way to think of it is as keeping spaces clear by putting the stuff away. Therefore, lots of easily accessible storage (easily accessible being the most important part of this tactic) works best in freeing spaces from clutter.

Living low

If there is one technique that would find the most resistance, it’s definitely sitting on the floor or sleeping on futons on the floor. Yet such a tactic is individual rather than cultural. Areas of sitting and lounging are formed by wood strips can snake around the living area to become benches and flooring.

A more directly Asian-inspired precedent can be found in a dining table that can lift from the floor. People may sit on the floor and place their legs in the space below the table; sometimes this space is heated to warm the body in colder months.

Level hangers

Changes in floor level can create zones within a space without the use of walls. A residence may have a sunken living room on the way to the rear yard. Give wall shelving to enable the space to work in a minimalist way, and there’s potential for building storage into the face of the raised floor. Some strip lighting below the television, can encourage the owners and guests to live low.

Bringing the outside in

While providing an outdoor space eats up some usable indoor space, it goes very far toward improving the quality of the interior, bringing in natural light and providing a connection to a slice of nature, be it a tree, some plants or even the sky.

Furniture for small spaces

We suggest modern furnishings that have more transparency than their traditional counterparts, particularly chairs. But I’m partial to folding chairs for the ease with which they can be stowed away. A small kitchen and eating area can be the perfect example given how both the chairs and table can be folded to be stored.

Stairs

One of the most obvious places for storage is under stairs, a place that can’t really be used for anything else, except for perhaps a desk. There are many ways that storage in and under stairs can work: Drawers in riser faces; hinged stair treads; and drawers, shelves or cabinets on the side.

Odd corners and dead spaces

If there is one area in our homes that is designed down to the fraction of an inch for efficiency, it is the kitchen. Every little bit of space outside of appliances and clear floor area is often used for some sort of storage – no dead space. A narrow spice rack that also caps the end of the oven and can provide a little bit of counter space.

Storage that moves

Casters are a great thing for furniture pieces that will be moved on a daily basis, or for items that will be repositioned less frequently. A storage unit can fit snugly underneath the kitchen island and be rolled out to make room for another person at the island, or it can be moved elsewhere to serve as a side table or something else.

Disappearing acts

Some of the most creative projects are those that make a small space appear bigger with furniture that’s tucked away when not in use. These disappearing acts focus mainly on beds, so that a space can serve as a bedroom at night and as a living room, office or other space during the day.

Convertible and multipurpose pieces

Going hand in hand with flexible arrangements in small spaces is the desire for elements to have two or more functions. Many people have had at least one piece of furniture in this regard, most likely right out of college: The futon. Serving as a bed at night and a couch during the day, the futon is the most basic of convertible and multipurpose furniture.

Just for bathrooms

Size and efficiency really matter in bathrooms too. A bathroom the size of a powder room, can have a shower, sink and toilet (the latter two combined) packed into a tiny space. The toilet-sink is a clever design from Japan – water for refilling the tank comes through the faucet when flushing, so people don’t use excess water to wash their hands.

Just for kids’ rooms

Give your kid’s bedrooms a loft bed, and the steps can double as storage. Underneath can be designed a play area with more storage and a wall that wants to be drawn on.