7 Space-Saving Furniture Ideas for Small Homes

Sofa beds are a great piece of dual-purpose furniture to maximize space in your home, and perfect if you live in an apartment, condo, or small house. They allow you to effortlessly switch between a comfortable seating option for everyday use and a bed for overnight guests — all you need is an extra set of sheets, a blanket, and a pillow. 

As you browse sofa bed options to add to your living room, pay close attention to the softness of the mattress and the overall design to make sure it’s comfortable and matches the decor in the rest of your home. If you can, try buying one in-store so you can test it out before purchasing, or double-check the return policy if you’re shopping online. In general, sofa beds made of fabric upholstery tend to last longer and endure wear and tear better compared to faux leather alternatives.

Modular furniture, or furniture made up of smaller units that can be attached, disassembled, and reconfigured, is a creative and flexible approach to saving space in any area of your home. Modular furniture is perfect for smaller areas. You can customize it to the unique shape and size of your floor plan, making it endlessly adaptable to changing needs and even new spaces if you decide to move into a larger home or downsize. There are many different kinds of modular furniture, including wire cube organizers that allow you to attach units together to create just the right amount of storage. You can also easily buy modular sofas and tables and benches. 

Nesting and stacking tables are a practical and space-efficient way to increase table space without adding clutter to your home. These accent tables, which come in a variety of shapes, materials, and designs, typically consist of two or more individual tables that can neatly fit within one another to become a single unit when not in use. Since these tables aren’t attached in any way, you can spread them out and use them in different areas throughout your home, whether it’s for eating, working, or holding objects.

Loft beds, which consist of a single bed elevated off the floor so that there’s free space underneath, are a great way to maximize space in a small room. Loft beds make use of vertical space and create a zone that you can fill with other furniture, such as a desk, loveseat, or chest of drawers — all without taking up extra floor space. They’re particularly useful for kids or college students who share a room because the area underneath the loft bed can be transformed into a study area.

When choosing a loft bed, make sure you think carefully about factors like safety and accessibility. Not all children are mature enough to use a loft bed, and you should check to make sure there’s around 40 inches of clearance between the mattress and ceiling so that your child doesn’t bump their head when they sit upright.

Collapsible furniture can be easily folded down when not in use, allowing you to stow it out of sight and eliminate a cluttered feel in small living areas. Unlike the plastic folding chairs and tables you might see at picnics and events, collapsible furniture for the home comes in a range of attractive styles and durable materials that are meant for everyday display and use. Some examples include: 

• A folding acrylic tray table that allows you to eat in front of the TV, create a makeshift desk, or increase counter space in your kitchen.
• A collapsible dining chair made of beech and rattan — perfect for entertaining guests and stylish enough to display in your dining area around the clock. 
• A folding wall-mount desk that’s perfect for multifunctional bedroom-office rooms so you can hide your workspace once you clock out. 
• A Murphy bed that can be tucked up against the wall to magically free up floor space — ideal for studio apartments and tiny homes.

Like bar carts, movable islands are a fantastic addition to any kitchen, offering additional floating storage and counter space. Equipped with casters or wheels, these islands can be easily repositioned within your kitchen space, allowing for endlessly flexible layouts. When it comes to everyday use, they’re perfect for holding large appliances like espresso machines and crock pots, but you can also use them as a food prep surface, transform them into an eating area with a few bar stools, or even wheel them into your living room or media room to serve snacks, drinks, and buffet-style meals without cluttering up table space. You can get movable kitchen islands in a variety of sizes and materials, allowing you to find the one that fits your home best.

Even without shelves, room dividers are an easy way to create zones within a studio apartment or small living area. However, if you’re looking for a partition that can offer additional storage and display options as well, you can buy foldable dividers that come with removable shelves or even use a freestanding bookshelf as a room divider. This will help reduce clutter and keep your things organized, especially in open-concept living spaces. For a solution that’s even more tailored to your living space, you can hire a professional to design a custom built-in for your home (or, if you’re particularly handy, DIY your own).