With a decrease in available land space as well as an increase in environmental concerns, smaller, well designed homes are becoming a big trend.

There have been recent discussions about laneway housing and mini-suites being approved as residential abodes. If you are living with small space challenges, there are lots of wonderful big ideas to help you make the most out of each square foot.

Before you start considering any design ideas for your small space, it is crucial that you do some de-cluttering, purging and recycling. We are a population of consumers who tend to purchase more than we really need. Consider removing items from horizontal surfaces (the floor, table tops, etc) and storing them away behind cabinet doors or drawers. Clutter will make any space look smaller.

Consider furniture that is scaled proportionally for each room in your home. Because a certain piece of furniture looks great in a showroom, it doesn’t mean that it will work in your home. Smaller condo-size furnishings have been developed for small space living so look for these options. Also look for dual-purpose furnishings such as ottomans, a side bench or a coffee table that houses hidden storage compartments.

Take advantage of wall space. If you can afford build-in cabinets, I would highly recommend it. Have an interior designer or mill-worker help you design creative storage solution for wall niches, under stairs, and especially for those awkward spaces that come from oddly shaped buildings or covered mechanical infrastructure. More affordable alternatives include placing a tall shelving unit against a wall or installing floating wall shelves.

Here are some more big ideas for small space living.

Incorporate reflective and transparent surfaces. An airy glass topped coffee table (or side table) will make a room feel more spacious than a bulky solid wood coffee table.

Limit the number of flooring material in your home. Too many changes in flooring material can chop up the space and break the flow from one room to another.

Where possible, install sliding doors instead of hinged doors. If privacy is not an issue, have the door completely removed. This will help smaller rooms like dens appear larger and more inviting.

Use mirrors to visually enlarge a space. They are great in the foyers and powder rooms

Consider hiring an interior designer. Interior designers are trained professionals who can help you achieve your small space goals.

Big ideas for small spaces can be found at Ikea Richmond. They have carved out several complete suites fitted with a kitchen, living room, bathroom and bedroom ranging from 237 sq. ft to 592 sq. ft. Terry Law, interior designer at Ikea Richmond says “At Ikea, we are aware that some people are challenged by limited space. Our goal is to offer products and design solutions that are creative, practical, modular, mobile, multi-functional and space saving. By understanding our client’s lifestyle needs and activities, we can create inspiring solutions for those challenged with limited space.”

Designing and living in a modest-sized home can be just as satisfying as living in a home with an abundance of space. Our homes don’t need to be larger; they need to be designed better to improve function and promote safe circulation while maximizing storage opportunities. For every small space, there are plenty of big ideas.