Regardless of whether you live in a small apartment, townhouse or unit, finding ways to increase storage potential and maximise the usability of your space is key to transforming your interiors with purpose.
If you have recently moved into a new home or are simply looking to refresh an existing space with added functionality, you’ve come to the right place. Today, we explore 6 ways to boost the functionality of your modern home, without having to break the budget or sacrifice personal style. Read on to find out more.
1. Look Towards Multi-Function Kitchen Appliances
Anyone who lives in a small dwelling will know how challenging it can be to fit various kitchen appliances into a home that isn’t exactly bursting with storage space. Sometimes, despite your best efforts, there simply isn’t enough space in your kitchen for all your stuff. So, what can you do about this common dilemma if you’re looking to boost the functionality of your modern home? The simple solution is to look towards one of the many multi-function appliances which you can find at Appliances Online (and earn Qantas Points while you’re at it).
From multi-cookers and combination microwave ovens, to blender/food processor combos and digital air fryers, multi-function kitchen appliances are the quick-fix to all your storage woes. These ‘do it all’ gadgets combine various cooking methods such as various cooking methods including pressure cooking, slow cooking, rice cooking, steaming and air frying all in one small compact package, allowing you to maximise the functionality of your space without having to deal with bursting cupboards or cluttered countertops.
Explore 10 multi-purpose kitchen appliances for small homes in this article.
2. Take Advantage Of Vertical Space
When space is a rare commodity, it’s time to start looking upward instead of outwards. The truth is that many of us are not making use of vertical space in our homes as much as we should. Before you resign yourself to living in clutter, we recommend spending some time to assess if you can employ some underutilised vertical space for your storage needs and even a few of your design ideas, too.
Some of the easiest ways to take advantage of vertical space include adding tall bookcases, cabinets or shelves, or by hanging hooks for jackets in the hallway, pots and pans in the kitchen and/or gardening supplies in your garage. Something as simple as a hanging organiser in your wardrobe is also an incredible cost-friendly (albeit effective) way of tripling or even quadrupling your storage space in a matter of seconds. No room for an official home office? No problem, because you can use freestanding shelving and vertical space to create a makeshift one.
Learn 20 clever ways to make use of vertical space in your small home here.
3. Maximise Your Square Footage With Storage Furniture
Are you tired of not having enough storage space for bulky items such as sporting equipment, luggage and out-of-season clothing? One of the best ways you can instantly boost the functionality of your modern home (regardless of size) is to maximise every inch of square footage you have with the help of storage furniture. Hidden compartments in furniture are undetectable and offer quick access to your belongings when you need them.
When it comes to getting the most bang for your buck, the first thing you should look towards is investing in a storage bed. There are numerous options available on the market, with our top picks being divan bed frames (beds with storage drawers) and gas lift beds that use the entire space between your floor and mattress to create functional storage space. Some other popular storage furniture options include storage ottomans for bedrooms and living rooms, storage coffee tables and sofas with hidden compartments that offer the perfect concealed spaces for extra bedding, clutter, large items and anything else that you would prefer to keep out of sight.
4. Don’t Neglect Awkward Spaces
Do you have an awkward space in the corner of your living room that you have no idea what to do with? Challenging spaces are often left bare, and bare spaces tend to attract clutter. If an unused corner in your home is starting to get a little messy, it just may be the perfect time to find new ways to utilise your awkward nooks and crannies for the better. While it may be challenging to find furniture that fits into tricky spots, it certainly by no means is impossible. In fact, many companies now offer custom made pieces that fit into spaces perfectly, allowing you to make use of spaces you would never have dreamed of before.
Alternatively, decorating awkward corners can be as simple as creating a visually appealing hanging display with the help of hanging hooks, artwork and an assortment of hanging planters, lanterns, or baskets that double up as hidden storage. Space under your stairs can be used to create a cosy reading nook, whilst smart pantry storage solutions can be implemented to maximise even the tightest of cupboard spaces in your kitchen. It’s all about thinking outside of the box!
5. Future-Proof Your Home
While you may be trying to boost functionality with the present moment in mind, it is equally as important to be forward-thinking in your home design. The truth is that if someone is only thinking about the present, problems might arise sometime in the future. As such, it is vital that you ensure your design addresses more than just your immediate (and ever-changing) needs. For example, if you plan on starting a family down the line, it may be beneficial to think about how you can maximise your storage space for the inevitable mountains of laundry, diapers and formula that are guaranteed to accumulate.
If you already have small children, consider how your home will function when they grow up. Privacy and distance may be a growing desire as small children become noisy teenagers. If you have open-plan spaces in your home, consider using foldaway walls or partitions that will allow you to create separate areas for office work, schoolwork, exercise and even sleeping as needed.
6. Control Clutter
Last but not least, the fastest and easiest way to make a space functional is to declutter. Even if your home looks relatively neat and tidy, you’ll be surprised at the number of unused items and junk you will find when you’re really looking with a close eye. For starters, we recommend going through your belongings and filtering out items that are broken, barely used or no longer have a place in your life. You can give things away to friends and family members, sell them online or even donate them to your local charity shop. You’ll be amazed at the amount of space you will be able to free up when you get rid of things that no longer serve a purpose in your home or life.
Once you have rid your home of unwanted items, look around and start to tackle your junk drawers, paperwork, files and anything else that has accumulated over time. You don’t have to do this all at once, and you can take it one step at a time by dedicating one day of the week to decluttering. Once you’ve gotten on top of things, it’s extremely important to remember that decluttering is an ongoing process. So, always remember to return everything to its original place when you’re done with it. You’ll thank yourself later.
And there you have it — 6 practical and cost-friendly ways you can boost the functionality of your modern home, no matter your square footage. At the end of the day, a functional home is one that is perfectly suited to your current and future needs, with an emphasis on maximising storage and practicality as you cruise through the various chapters of life.
