In this world we live in, space is becoming more and more of a commodity. If you are like so many of us and live in an apartment you need to make use of every square inch you have. From shelving solutions to bunk beds, today we are going to discuss a few simple ideas that you may have overlooked.

New Space Saving Solutions

Avoid the coffee table trap

Besides having a supernatural attraction to clutter, the coffee table is a surprisingly inefficient piece of furniture. They offer surprisingly little storage space for the footprint that they have. I suggest getting a big, classy, wooden chest that you can store extra blankets and bedding in.

This frees up space in closets and other storage areas that can be better utilized for storing things you want to quick access to. In my living room I have a beautiful chest with a split sliding top that I store lots of things in. It’s convenient and a great conversation piece.

Another great option is to use a low chest of drawers. There are some really low chests of drawers, similar to a very short dresser, with lots of storage space and a large flat top that can used as a table. Just make sure that it’s a high quality piece with a back that is presentable since this piece will be visible from all angles.

Bunk beds: Not just for kids

We all want to have a devoted guest room for when friends and family spend the night but living in a one room flat might put a damper on that dream. A pull out sofa is one solution but they are a hassle, eventually break down and are almost never comfortable. Get a set of adult bunk beds.

They are just as comfortable as a regular bed and make use of a lot of wasted space. My aunt and uncle had a cabin in Maine that had a whole room full of bunk beds. Having 8 sleeping spaces total in one room was very important in our family of 7 siblings and all of their children. Many well designed bunk beds come with extra drawers and storage space to sweeten the deal even further.

Skyscraper storage

Build to the ceiling and don’t be afraid of shelving. A single set of shelves in a living room is a little out of place but it’s surprising how cool a whole wall of shelves can look. If you go all the way and commit to the look it’s a unique way to make use of space. We only have so much square footage to play with so we need to use it efficiently. Find some unique shelving. There are a lot of really interesting and offbeat shelving solutions out there that can add some fun to a room while being useful as well.

These are just a few solutions that you can use to make better use of your space. Whether you are reliving a bit of nostalgia during a late night chat with a friend in a set of bunk beds or explaining your flexible rubber bookshelves to your dinner guest, a space efficient home is not far off.