You’re looking around and your living room is feeling cramped. Your kitchen is getting tight, and maybe even your bathroom makes you feel claustrophobic. We are here to help you with some space saving furniture ideas for 2021. Implement some or all of these ideas to finish off the year in a clean, cluster-free living space that feels more comfortable and inviting than ever before.
The classic piece of furniture for saving space is the Murphy Bed. By day, the Murphy Bed is folded up into an innocent looking wardrobe. The area is open for whatever else you need to use it for (ping pong, perhaps?). By night, the Murphy Bed lays flat for you to sleep on. You can have your cake and eat too. But outside of the classic Murphy Bed, which is probably more expensive, more installation headache and work than most people want to deal with, what other options do we have for space saving furniture in 2021?
You’re looking around and your living room is feeling cramped. Your kitchen is getting tight, and maybe even your bathroom makes you feel claustrophobic. We are here to help you with some space saving furniture ideas for 2021. Implement some or all of these ideas to finish off the year in a clean, cluster-free living space that feels more comfortable and inviting than ever before.
The classic piece of furniture for saving space is the Murphy Bed. By day, the Murphy Bed is folded up into an innocent looking wardrobe. The area is open for whatever else you need to use it for (ping pong, perhaps?). By night, the Murphy Bed lays flat for you to sleep on. You can have your cake and eat too. But outside of the classic Murphy Bed, which is probably more expensive, more installation headache and work than most people want to deal with, what other options do we have for space saving furniture in 2021?
Your furniture can pull double duty as a storage solution if you are in the market for some new pieces to complete your space. Some of the most popular options include:
Coffee tables with storage. Look for coffee tables with built in drawers and shelves. Keep your coffee table items stashed and finally you’ll have a nice, clean living room.
Full entertainment center for tv stand. Instead of a low profile tv stand, find an attractive entertainment center or dresser with lots of drawers. Use it to store all of your video games, batteries, and cables.
Seating with storage. Need extra seating and extra storage? Chair, ottomans, and benches with storage underneath are readily available at many furniture stores. Storage ottomans have a low profile and can double as extra seats during a party. Storage benches can be placed near a door to hold shoes and have a spot to sit and put them on, or placed at the foot of a bed to hold extra sheets, blankets, and pillows.
Chairs and tables that fold flat. As soon as meals are over, you can fold up the table and chairs to make room for whatever else you need to do with the space. Dancing in the kitchen, anyone?
Small couches or opt for just a loveseat for couples. As inviting as a full blown sectional is, think about how much couch space you regularly use. If it’s just you, your partner, and a cat, you might only need a loveseat. If you think you need more seating for occasions when you have people over, look into the storage ottomans we discussed above.
Side tables and end tables instead of coffee tables. A full coffee table might be too large for your needs and space. If all you need is to hold a drink and a remote or two, consider getting just a smaller end table or side table to save space. This is especially helpful in a narrow room where you are sitting close to the tv. If you need something to rest your feet on, a side table and an ottoman (with storage underneath, of course!) is still a smaller footprint than a coffee table.
Dining table with tuckable chairs/stools. If you are tripping over your dining chairs while moving around your kitchen and dining area, look for a dining table that comes with fully tucking chairs or stools. When not in use, the chairs can hide all the way under the table. This will reduce the space needed for dining and make your space look really clean.
Desk that doubles as a kitchen table. If you are like a lot of us whose homes have been doubling as a workplace and a school for the past year, you know that it pays to have flexible furniture. If you’re in the market for one anyway, look for a dining table and chairs that can work as a desk. Sit on the chair with your arms on the table to see if the height is right (you want your elbows to be bent as close as possible to 90 degrees). For this purpose it also helps to have a table with a stronger material to withstand you and your kids writing on it and having laptops moved around on it without being scratched. Metal, glass, and granite are all durable options. If you really want wood, oak is the most scratch-resistant. Tuck your computer, papers, and backpack in a cupboard when it’s time to eat.
Sofa bed. Sofa beds have been around forever and you’ve probably slept on some really uncomfortable ones over the years. These days, furniture manufacturers have stepped up and made sofa beds that are downright luxurious. Fold them up during the day to keep your studio or other small living space looking tidy.
Storage ottoman as extra seating. As we discussed already above, storage ottomans are a great way to keep your stuff stowed, put your feet up while lounging on the couch, and have extra seating options when you have friends and family over.
Look up. Need a space saving way to store everything? Place decorative storage items (refer to stylish storage bin ideas below) on top of your cupboards, bookshelves, or even in corners. Use hanging planters to add greenery without taking up precious counter or bookshelf space. Macrame plant hangers are back and will add a softer, more cozy look to a space. This is an easy way to add interest in modern rooms that may be dominated by painted and other non-natural finishes.
Look down. If you’ve got low ceilings, look down for extra storage space. Many coffee tables, shelves, console tables, and even couches have under-utilized spaces underneath them. Find low profile, attractive storage options that can fit under your furniture to store items that are typically needed nearby. For example, keep magazines and books in a container under your coffee table, feather dusters and furniture polish under a shelf in the living room, hats and gloves under an entryway table. Stylish containers are your friend!
Wicker baskets. Baskets are a perpetually stylish storage option. Put one by your front door to stash shoes when you walk in. Place another near your couch to store blankets. A small basket on your coffee table can store more remotes, video game controllers, and coasters than leaving them scattered on the coffee table and will look cleaner.
Collapsible fabric boxes. These inexpensive boxes can be found almost anywhere you can find home decor. Even the dollar store has them. Put a few on a bookshelf to store any ugly or non-book items and add visual interest to your shelving layout. Fold up and hide them away when not in use.
If all else fails, you could try to go more minimalist. If your stuff is outpacing your storage, consider getting rid of some of it. You could even make some cash selling items on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist. Look up Marie Kondo if you are struggling to part with some of your old stuff. Or use the old “One Year Rule” - if it hasn’t been used for a year, it may be time to get rid of it. Even if you aren’t one of us who has clutter coming out your ears, it feels great to go through your stuff every year or so and get rid of the things that no longer make you happy.
Implement some or all of these space saving furniture ideas in 2021 and we guarantee that you will enjoy your living space even more this year. In Feng Shui, clutter is a negative force that drains you of your energy and vitality. By saving space and clearing more open areas in your home, you may notice that you feel less stressed, have an easier time relaxing, and truly enjoy every moment spent at home. We could all use more of that this year.