15 Essential and Affordable Things Every Small House Needs
Small house living has a lot of positive implications: Cleaning can be a breeze, there’s usually lower utility bills because you’re not heating or cooling a huge house. If you’re well organized, then you probably have everything in its place and easy to find. Yes indeed, small house living can be awesome. But there’s always the exception, right? Like where will that third house guest sleep when you only have two bedrooms? Or, where do you put that mountain of shoes you just can’t seem to edit? Finding useful storage is the number one concern I get from clients living in small homes. The next is comfortable guest accommodations, followed by a myriad of functionality related questions. So, I thought what better way to cover some of these topics then by exploring some of my favorite ways to create more storage, comfort and function for your small house. Let’s dive right into 15 Essential Things Every Small House Needs.
Affiliate disclosure: I want to be completely transparent, if you click on a product picture and you purchase through my link, I may earn a small commission at no extra expense to you.
1. Washer dryer combo
Let’s start with the most expensive item on the list. If you consider the price of two, high efficiently units, the value is worth it. This contraption is a serious game changer for anyone living without the benefit of a dedicated laundry room or space for two separate units. If you’re floor space won’t allow for two bulky appliances, consider something like this all in one unit that can do the job of two.
You can tuck it under a kitchen counter or stick it in a hall closet. Maybe you have space in the corner of the bathroom. There are so many options that can make this unit functional in any space.
If you opt for the hall closet and you can spare the room, you could certainly make a neat and tidy, tiny laundry area with smart storage solutions: shelving, hanging space for those items you want to place on hangers right out of the wash. You could even get a door mounted ironing board if your space allows.
2. Pull Out Sofa
Sleeper sofas have come a LONG way in the last few years. Many have the option to upgrade the comfort of the mattress with gel foam or air.
A moderately priced sleeper will run you around $600 to $2000, well worth the investment if you lack a third bedroom for your weekend guests.
This one has a price tag of $600 and has storage in the chaise, which is also reversible. (Mind officially blown!)
The comfort is heads and tails above the sleepers of decades past. You know, the ones with the uncomfortable metal bars that hit you in the exact wrong place on your back?
These days, the mechanics of the sofa have been engineered to keep comfort top priority.
So don’t panic when aunt Martha says she’s bringing her friend, Betty Mae, from the retirement village for the family reunion this summer. There’s time to find the perfect sleeper so both ladies are super comfortable and cozy!
3. Under Bed Storage
Sleek slide out boxes and hydraulic lifts can make your bed look like a DeLorean. Best of all, if you’re space challenged, you’ll be able to store tons of stuff under the bed.
Think about how nice it will be to have the things you need – that would otherwise be cluttering up every corner of your room – all neat and tidy under the bed.
These lifts make easy work out of raising up your bed like a car hood. They stay up until you put them down because of the hydraulics and that way, you can easily fuss with and organize the space underneath till your heart’s content.
4. Storage Ottoman:
Remember that shoe collection in a pile by the front door? This round foot stool is the perfect place to organize them into a manageable place away from the front door. This way, when Aunt Martha comes for that visit, she won’t trip over the mountain of Jimmy Choo’s on the way to the bathroom the moment she arrives.
Here’s another option I love, say Aunt Martha brings Betty Mae’s great-grand nephew, Cody, along for the visit. (So what if he’s not officially family, the kid has to sleep somewhere!) This convertible ottoman/bed is great for a kid or maybe even Betty Mae, I mean she’s only 4’7!
Either way, you can set it up in the corner of the living room and it’s an instant third or fourth bed for a night or two, genius!
5. Modular Kitchen Tables
Let’s get serious for a minute and talk about small kitchen tables. Sometimes, when you’re working with a small floor plan, going all out with a large kitchen table just won’t work. If you’re short on floor space, consider investing in some more creative options for the classic kitchen table or eating space.
I love the idea of a gate leg table because they are usually small footprints that can expand to accommodate more people when needed but can remain small for everyday use.
Another great small space kitchen eating area option is this wall mounted drop leaf table. If all you have is a super small wall that also needs to be kept clear of furniture most of the time, then this option is a great solution. When not being used, it folds down and only projects off the wall a couple of inches. It’s perfect for a couple of people to use it daily and it also provides a little extra prep space when you need it. It’s a great solution for a very functional but temporary table.
6. Comfortable Folding Chairs
Sticking with the small kitchen scenario for a minute, having comfortable and functional seating is essential. If you don’t have the room to keep dining chairs out all the time, then these folding chairs will make a huge difference for you.
Like the sofa sleeper I mentioned earlier, folding chairs have also come along way too. A nice quality folding chair is not flimsy or ugly. These days, furniture makers have come to realize that having stylish options like these folding chairs add to the aesthetics of a home. You don’t have to sacrifice style in favor of functionality.
These chairs work just as well as extra seating in other rooms too. Not enough room on the couch? Bring these chairs into the living room and now cousin Bob doesn’t have to sit next to Uncle Dave on the couch. Especially after Dave’s third helping of baked beans at the reunion… You’re welcome, cousin Bob!
7. Decorative Boxes, Baskets
A tried and true essential thing that every small house needs is a place to hide away clutter and stay organized. The absolute best option I’ve found for this situation is decorative boxes and baskets. There are tons of great options on the market and you’ll surely find ones that will match your home’s décor.
One of my favorite options for keeping stuff neat and contained are these boxes. The dividers are adjustable or removable and they offer sturdy construction so you can stack them on shelves or on top of each other. You can put so much stuff in them: cables, power cords, papers, magazines, you name it!
8. Closet Organizer
Every small house needs a closet organizer to maximize the space for the best use. Having the option for hanging storage, shelving and/or drawers is literally the recipe for total house love.
I can tell you from experience that the closet organizer in my bedroom has changed my life! That’s a pretty bold statement but it’s so true. A good closet organizer will allow you to maximize the entire area inside the closet.
Places like California Closets (not sponsored) can come in and help you to plan out the best solution for you so you can outfit your closet with storage that will not only help you organize and display clothing but they can help you to make double or triple use out of the space you have.
9. Convertible Coffee Table
Let’s face it, if you’re not hosting a dinner party in your small house, then you’re probably eating dinner in front of the TV, am I right? I know that’s my go to place. Burritos and Hulu on a Saturday night, you can’t beat it!
Eating in front of the tube is one use for this convertible coffee table but it’s not just for catching up on reruns of Designing Women – don’t judge me- You can also use it as a work surface. The articulating top pivots to the perfect position to type away on your laptop or jot down your thoughts in your journal. Even better, there’s still space underneath to hide away even more clutter!
10. Kitchen Cart/Bar Cart
Give me a cart on wheels and I’ll show you some of the most useful storage you can find anywhere! I love a bar/kitchen cart. Having something this multi-functional on wheels will change your routine for the better!
It’s the ideal piece for a cocktail party, small and compact, but it will hold all the liquor, mixers, tools and treats you need. It will work inside and out on the patio just the same. It’s a wonderful utility cart that can hold your mixer, blender or anything else you need every now and again. Wheel it into the pantry or in the corner of the kitchen for quick access. If it’s out all the time, it can be styled to match your décor. Trust me, this is a definite essential!
11. Flat Screen Articulating Wall Mount
TV’s keep getting thinner and thinner, you know. What they lack in depth, they can make up for in size. Now I’m not going to pretend to be a fan of super huge TV’s, I’m definitely not. But, for better or worse, we all have these giant picture boxes and if you’re living in a small house, chances are there probably isn’t the perfect place to put them.
If you’re looking to mount your TV to the wall, I suggest going with an articulating swing arm mount that will enable you to position the TV in any direction you need it to go. Long gone are the days when you had to suffer through being the last to the party and being stuck on the corner with the worst view of the screen.
In my living room, for example, I have long narrow space and my TV is across the room from the sofa. It’s not centered on the wall and I have a recliner chair on the same wall as the TV. With my swivel arm mount, I can move the TV away from the wall and angled it so I can comfortably watch from the sofa or chair at any time. This is another essential for any small living room with a TV.
12. Large Mirrors
I’ve said it before and I’ll definitely stand by my opinion that using large mirrors is the easiest way to make a small space feel larger. Floor mirrors add visual dimension to small spaces: making them almost appear like there’s additional space or another room.
I love to place large mirrors perpendicular to a bank of windows because this helps to reflect the light around the room.
If you feel a bit cramped in your small space, try incorporating a mirror. I’m telling you it will open the space and make the room feel much larger.
13. Cordless Wall Mounted Vacuum
Big, clunky corded vacuums are a thing of the past. I say good riddance! These days, cordless canister vacs do an amazing job navigating floor transitions: carpet, hardwood, tile, etc. They can make quick work of any small house and the best part is they take up nearly no space at all.
They can be mounted in a closet or pantry. As long as you have a power outlet close by, these handy gadgets can be tucked away until needed. Take it from me, this is one of the small house essentials you will love.
14. Parsons Table
There is probably no more functional and multi-use piece of furniture than a simple parson’s table. They can be used as a front entry table, a sofa table, a dining room credenza, an office desk, a make-up vanity, a TV console, a dining table..The list can go on and on.
If you’re looking for versatility and multi-functionality, then consider investing in a parson table. There are many options and sizes on the market and they are available in wood, stone, glass, lucite and more. Parson tables are timeless, and they go with any type of décor style.
15. Room Divider
Room dividers are great to hide a space or to define an area within a room. If you need a little home office or meditation space in your main living room but you don’t want to compete with the main function of the room, a divider is a perfect solution.
They work in practically any sized room to separate and create space where there is none. You can place them in a bedroom shared by two people to give a bit of privacy and personality.
There’s a ton of different styles of room dividers on the market: You can find some that have color or texture that will compliment any type of room décor or decorating style.
Conclusion
There you have it, 15 Essential and Affordable Things Every Small House Needs:
Washer Dryer Combo
Pull Out Sofa
Under Bed Storage
Storage Ottoman
Modular Kitchen Tables
Comfortable Folding Chairs
Decorative Boxes and Baskets
Closet Organizers
Convertible Coffee Table
Kitchen/Bar Cart
TV Swivel Wall Mount
Large Mirrors
Cordless Wall Mounted Vacuum
Parson Table
Room Divider
Now it’s your turn, what do you think every small house needs? Do you agree with my list or would you add in or eliminate some of the things I mentioned? Is there one more absolute essential that you use? I’d love to know what that is and why you couldn’t live without it.
Leave me a comment below and if you think this would help a friend, pass it along by clicking any of the social share buttons below or off to the left.
Thank you for stopping by. I hope you found this post useful and mildly entertaining? Until next week, stay fabulous and keep your dreams big for your small house!
What to Read Next:
HOW TO ACCESSORIZE YOUR HOME LIKE A PRO PART 2
Call them finishing touches or final details, the accessories we add to our space tell the story of us. They show our friends and family what is important to us and what our personal style is all about. It doesn’t matter if your house is small, large, contemporary or traditional, these combined 20 tips will work. This is a follow up post to a piece I wrote in May of 2017. Just as in the first post, these new 10 tips for accessorizing your home like a pro will work for any occasion or season. I will be sure to link that original post below so you can check it out. Let’s get right into it.
Add Mirrors To Your Space
Mirrors can help maximize the light in your space. Place the mirror perpendicular to your windows to capitalize on as much natural light as you can. Large, leaning mirrors that are placed directly on the floor, can make a small room look and feel larger, visually doubling the space. It tricks you into thinking there is another room. Suddenly a small space feels opens and that can make the difference between feeling confined and expansive. Mirrors also give you the opportunity to reinforce the overall design style of the space. You can add in a large floor mirror with an ornate gilded frame to highlight a traditional or bohemian vibe. Frame-less or minimal frames will help to define a modern or minimal space.
2. Don’t Forget About Lights
Lamps can add shape, height and texture to your space. A beautiful lamp can reinforce your color story as well. In design, we typically use 3 kinds of light: general, task and accent.
1. general “ambient”- this is your overall lighting, ceiling lights, chandeliers, recessed lights, they make up the general lighting in the room.
2. Task- help you to accomplish tasks like reading. These are floor or table lamps. This light is more utilitarian, helping you to read, work or complete other tasks that require direct light.
3. Accent- defines or highlights certain things. Think can or up-lights behind a plant or screen, directional spots on art or architectural elements you want to highlight. They add interest and drama to your space.
Light will emphasize anything that it shines on. It will create shadow and contrast so remember to use it to highlight those things. If you don’t want to draw attention to something, it’s best to rethink bathing it with light.
Michael is Principal designer and blogger at Michael Helwig Interiors in beautiful Buffalo, New York. Since 2011, he’s a space planning expert, offering online interior e-design services for folks living in small homes, or for those with awkward and tricky layouts. He’s a frequent expert contributor to many National media publications and news outlets on topics related to decorating, interior design, diy projects, and more. Michael happily shares his experience to help folks avoid expensive mistakes and decorating disappointments. You can follow him on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook @interiorsmh.