Making the most of space-saving furniture and avoiding problems

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With the huge rise in home working, we are asking our homes to do more and more. Not only do we need spaces to eat, sleep and relax, but also somewhere to work, study and provide storage for our possessions. All at a time when our homes are getting smaller.

A recent Which? report revealed that the average home is 20% smaller than in the 1970s and most of us have a lot more stuff than we did back then.

This means reducing clutter and making the most of the space we have are both more vital than ever. For most people, building an extension or moving to a larger home aren’t really options.

However, one highly effective way to address both these issues is not only by reducing how much stuff you own but by using multi-functional furniture. This is a great way to open up space and allow a room to multitask, as well as you.

You will be familiar with how effective bunk beds are for children’s bedrooms, extending tables for kitchen/dining rooms and sofa beds for everyday use. I am a fan of the fold-away bed that doubles as a desk and storage unit and can allow a room to act as a home office as well as a guest room. I have also had clients who have given their kids more room to play by using this as their bed solution. 

Another big advantage is that by having one piece of furniture that does two jobs, you can afford to invest in good quality that will look and work better, plus it will last much longer and provide more comfort.

If you don’t do it right, however, there are some possible downsides. Here are some suggestions to help you avoid them.

Beware of ‘Out of sight, out of mind’ syndrome

When you know the desk surface and everything on it is going to fold away out of view, it can be tempting to not bother keeping it tidy. So, start as you mean to continue and establish a habit: ‘Before I fold it away, I will spend 1 minute decluttering the desk.’ Keep it up and this small action will make a big difference.

Replace what you have rather than simply adding another large item of furniture

If you decided to invest in a desk bed, make sure you arrange to remove the old bed and desk or any other redundant furniture a few days before it is installed. The ‘one-in, one-out’ principle, in this case, is ‘one in, two out’.

Start with a vision

I am a great believer in using some of our amazing tech eg. Pinterest, to build your vision and support your subconscious. So, creating a mental representation of how your ideal space could be will give your subconscious mind the tools to support you.

What might your perfect room look like? What materials, colours and forms delight and inspire you? Not a Pinterest user? You can collect and flip through some interior design magazines or catalogues and cut out the things you like.

If you are not a visual person, just imagine the space and write a description or sit down with your partner or a friend and talk about what you’d like.

Building better habits

The spaces we live in and the furniture in them, shape and are shaped by our behaviour.

Changing the furniture in your home is a great opportunity to step back and re-evaluate your habits.

Before you make any big decisions about furniture or the layout of your space, just observe yourself for a day as you go about your typical activities and notice some of the patterns you have.

Where could you change? What might help you be more effective or make your routine more enjoyable? Talk to your family about what they need from the space in terms of social, practical, and functional aspects. What things serve you and which don’t? How could you combine certain activities?

Plan to make the best use of the space and the furniture

Armed with the review of your habits and your vision and needs, take time to carefully consider and maximise the space you have and where new pieces can be housed. Consider where it will best fit in your home and room and think about what else you need to optimise the space.

Along with new furniture, this might include lamps, box files, trays, and other types of containers. What could help support the new habits you want to build? If you don’t feel confident doing this yourself, many furniture suppliers offer design advice.

Declutter before it comes

Changing your furniture and your room presents you with a great opportunity to declutter. Instead of transplanting all your old clutter into the new space, clear the decks and make a fresh start.

A couple of weeks before your new furniture arrives, set aside some time to sort through everything in the room.  My Home Declutter Kit [www.homedeclutterkit.com] will give you a methodology to help you tackle this in a structured and efficient way, to get the results you need.

Well-designed and well-made space-saving furniture not only makes better use of space but also presents you with a wonderful opportunity to create a home that truly supports you and the life you want to lead. However, this must be done right, always work with a good supplier and do the thinking and preparation to get the best results.

Remember, over the years you are going to spend a lot of time in that room and using that furniture, so make the investment in time, thought and quality that will help you to create the home you need and deserve.

Starting the declutter…

If you would love to redesign your home but can’t get going because you know you need to declutter and are paralysed at the prospect, take a look at my book The Secret Life of Clutter. It is packed with insights into what might be standing in the way that can help you get started!