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Living in compact quarters? Even if space isn’t on your side, there are plenty of ways to maximize square footage and increase the value of your home in the process. From clever custom storage ideas to easy outdoor hacks, here are 12 features that will have you living large in a teeny space.
Brian McCourt is a contractor, design expert and co-host of HGTV Canada’s Backyard Builds.
Brian McCourt is a contractor, design expert and co-host of HGTV Canada’s Backyard Builds.
Renovations
12 Features That Will Add the Most Value to Your Tiny Space
November 9, 2017
Living in compact quarters? Even if space isn’t on your side, there are plenty of ways to maximize square footage and increase the value of your home in the process. From clever custom storage ideas to easy outdoor hacks, here are 12 features that will have you living large in a teeny space.
Brian McCourt is a contractor, design expert and co-host of HGTV Canada’s Backyard Builds.
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Minimal Window Dressings
1/12Minimal Window Dressings
1/12Photo Credit: Pexels
Paring back window treatments keeps a room feeling larger. Blinds or sheers are the best coverings for small spaces. The more natural light the better, so install curtain rods that span beyond the window. That way, when you draw them open, you’re not covering the window and blocking all that brightness.Renovations12 Features That Will Add the Most Value to Your Tiny SpaceMinimal Window Dressings
PHOTO 1 of 12READ LESS -Paring back window treatments keeps a room feeling larger. Blinds or sheers are the best coverings for small spaces. The more natural light the better, so install curtain rods that span beyond the window. That way, when you draw them open, you’re not covering the window and blocking all that brightness.Photo Credit: Pexels
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Textural Elements
2/12Textural Elements
2/12Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
Feature walls are a great way to kick up the design of a room, but this can be tricky to pull off in a small space. Instead, keep the colour scheme neutral and create a textured accent wall with moulding. Heck, if you’re feeling adventurous, paint some old records white, mount them on one wall, add lighting through the center hole of each record and plug it in! Get creative with texture and unify the look with paint.Renovations12 Features That Will Add the Most Value to Your Tiny SpaceTextural Elements
PHOTO 2 of 12READ LESS -Feature walls are a great way to kick up the design of a room, but this can be tricky to pull off in a small space. Instead, keep the colour scheme neutral and create a textured accent wall with moulding. Heck, if you’re feeling adventurous, paint some old records white, mount them on one wall, add lighting through the center hole of each record and plug it in! Get creative with texture and unify the look with paint.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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DIY Murphy Bed
3/12DIY Murphy Bed
3/12Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo
Who doesn’t love a Murphy bed? This modern wall bed is at the top of my list for how to add value to a tiny place. It’s also the perfect solution for maximizing space in a shared guest room or home office. Now, if someone could just show us how to make an easy and affordable version!Renovations12 Features That Will Add the Most Value to Your Tiny SpaceDIY Murphy Bed
PHOTO 3 of 12READ LESS -Who doesn’t love a Murphy bed? This modern wall bed is at the top of my list for how to add value to a tiny place. It’s also the perfect solution for maximizing space in a shared guest room or home office. Now, if someone could just show us how to make an easy and affordable version!Photo Credit: Darren Goldstein/DSG Photo
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Tiny Appliances
4/12Tiny Appliances
4/12Photo Credit: Unsplash
An apartment-sized galley kitchen can feel like a cramped hallway stuffed with cabinets and gadgets. That’s why <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/limited-counter-space-these-teeny-appliances-are-calling-your-name-1897580/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">compact appliances</a> are a must in a small cooking space. Bigger isn’t always better! <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/maximize-narrow-cooking-space-1905517/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">See here for more ways to maximize your extra-narrow kitchen</a>.Renovations12 Features That Will Add the Most Value to Your Tiny SpaceTiny Appliances
PHOTO 4 of 12READ LESS -An apartment-sized galley kitchen can feel like a cramped hallway stuffed with cabinets and gadgets. That’s why <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/limited-counter-space-these-teeny-appliances-are-calling-your-name-1897580/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">compact appliances</a> are a must in a small cooking space. Bigger isn’t always better! <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/kitchens/photos/maximize-narrow-cooking-space-1905517/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">See here for more ways to maximize your extra-narrow kitchen</a>.Photo Credit: Unsplash
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Shower Niches
5/12Shower Niches
5/12Photo Credit: Tracey Ayton
Shower niches have become popular these past few years, especially in tiny spaces, since they make it possible to use wasted wall space. It may run you an extra $300-$500 on your bathroom reno bill, but you’ll use and love it every day.Renovations12 Features That Will Add the Most Value to Your Tiny SpaceShower Niches
PHOTO 5 of 12READ LESS -Shower niches have become popular these past few years, especially in tiny spaces, since they make it possible to use wasted wall space. It may run you an extra $300-$500 on your bathroom reno bill, but you’ll use and love it every day.Photo Credit: Tracey Ayton
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Storage Between Studs
6/12Storage Between Studs
6/12Photo Credit: Getty Images
Building code requires wall studs to be 16 inches apart on center. That leaves 14.5 inches of dead space between the studs that could potentially be used for inset cabinets, tall wall storage or even just a spot for extra toilet paper. If you’re gutting a room, think about how you can use some of that stud space to your advantage.Renovations12 Features That Will Add the Most Value to Your Tiny SpaceStorage Between Studs
PHOTO 6 of 12READ LESS -Building code requires wall studs to be 16 inches apart on center. That leaves 14.5 inches of dead space between the studs that could potentially be used for inset cabinets, tall wall storage or even just a spot for extra toilet paper. If you’re gutting a room, think about how you can use some of that stud space to your advantage.Photo Credit: Getty Images
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Custom Shelving
7/12Custom Shelving
7/12Photo Credit: Sabrina Smelko
Another genius way to eliminate wasted space? Take it from <em><a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/shows/save-my-reno/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Save My Reno</a></em>’s Sabrina Smelko and incorporate a custom shelving unit into a narrow nook. By doing her homework and investigating existing build outs, Sabrina found enough space to inset a prefab shelving unit into her bathroom wall. <a href="http://sabrinasmelko.com/sabrinasbathroom-the-reveal/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Here's how she made it happen</a>.Renovations12 Features That Will Add the Most Value to Your Tiny SpaceCustom Shelving
PHOTO 7 of 12READ LESS -Another genius way to eliminate wasted space? Take it from <em><a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/shows/save-my-reno/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Save My Reno</a></em>’s Sabrina Smelko and incorporate a custom shelving unit into a narrow nook. By doing her homework and investigating existing build outs, Sabrina found enough space to inset a prefab shelving unit into her bathroom wall. <a href="http://sabrinasmelko.com/sabrinasbathroom-the-reveal/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Here's how she made it happen</a>.Photo Credit: Sabrina Smelko
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Vertical Space
8/12Vertical Space
8/12Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
Every square foot counts in a compact space – even vertical square footage. Sometimes there’s nowhere to go but up. Well-designed tiny spaces take advantage of every nook and cranny.Renovations12 Features That Will Add the Most Value to Your Tiny SpaceVertical Space
PHOTO 8 of 12READ LESS -Every square foot counts in a compact space – even vertical square footage. Sometimes there’s nowhere to go but up. Well-designed tiny spaces take advantage of every nook and cranny.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Built-In Seating
9/12Built-In Seating
9/12Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
We all know that bench seating is a great space saver and can double as valuable storage, but custom units can cost thousands. Check out this <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/shows/backyard-builds/videos/diy-storage-banquette-896971843585/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">easy DIY storage banquette</a> designed by my fellow <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/shows/backyard-builds/" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><em>Backyard Builds</em></a> co-host Sarah Keenleyside, which she crafted using a prefab shelving unit from IKEA – it's stylish, affordable and effective!Renovations12 Features That Will Add the Most Value to Your Tiny SpaceBuilt-In Seating
PHOTO 9 of 12READ LESS -We all know that bench seating is a great space saver and can double as valuable storage, but custom units can cost thousands. Check out this <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/shows/backyard-builds/videos/diy-storage-banquette-896971843585/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">easy DIY storage banquette</a> designed by my fellow <a href="http://www.hgtv.ca/shows/backyard-builds/" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><em>Backyard Builds</em></a> co-host Sarah Keenleyside, which she crafted using a prefab shelving unit from IKEA – it's stylish, affordable and effective!Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Mirrored Surfaces
10/12Mirrored Surfaces
10/12Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
Reflective elements keep the light alive and bounce it around the room. Choosing mirrored furniture pieces for a small space can add tons of value to the overall look and feel of your home.Renovations12 Features That Will Add the Most Value to Your Tiny SpaceMirrored Surfaces
PHOTO 10 of 12READ LESS -Reflective elements keep the light alive and bounce it around the room. Choosing mirrored furniture pieces for a small space can add tons of value to the overall look and feel of your home.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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Space-Saving BBQ
11/12Space-Saving BBQ
11/12Photo Credit: Space Grill Source: spacegrill.co
Tiny patios often go BBQ-less thanks to minimal square footage. Instead of neglecting your grilling skills, check out the <a href="https://spacegrill.co/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Space Grill</a>, which folds out when you need it and tucks away when you don’t. Kind of like a “Murphy grill”. Alright, maybe I like Murphy beds a little too much…Renovations12 Features That Will Add the Most Value to Your Tiny SpaceSpace-Saving BBQ
PHOTO 11 of 12READ LESS -Tiny patios often go BBQ-less thanks to minimal square footage. Instead of neglecting your grilling skills, check out the <a href="https://spacegrill.co/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Space Grill</a>, which folds out when you need it and tucks away when you don’t. Kind of like a “Murphy grill”. Alright, maybe I like Murphy beds a little too much…Photo Credit: Space Grill Source: spacegrill.co
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Water Feature
12/12Water Feature
12/12Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
If you have a tiny backyard or balcony, there likely isn’t much room for a garden. Luckily, I’ve come up with the perfect solution: a DIY water feature. Check out <a href="http://www.greatcanadianhomes.ca/video/diy-planter-pond-973884995935/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">this super easy DIY planter pond</a>, which can take up as little as one square foot of real estate in your outdoor space.Renovations12 Features That Will Add the Most Value to Your Tiny SpaceWater Feature
PHOTO 12 of 12READ LESS -If you have a tiny backyard or balcony, there likely isn’t much room for a garden. Luckily, I’ve come up with the perfect solution: a DIY water feature. Check out <a href="http://www.greatcanadianhomes.ca/video/diy-planter-pond-973884995935/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">this super easy DIY planter pond</a>, which can take up as little as one square foot of real estate in your outdoor space.Photo Credit: HGTV Canada
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