Your small home need never feel crowded or cramped. With planning and creativity, you can transform a tiny space into a tiny pleasure.

Trim the extra
Get rid of that extra 'stuff' you never use and see your space grow.

Look up
All around your small space, your walls offer vertical storage potential. Take advantage of it and place shelving high on your walls for items you don't use as often. A small step ladders makes access easy.

Look down
Use the space under your bed for storing off-season clothes, large serving platters, or spare leaves for your dining table. If you have side tables, couches, dressers or other furniture that doesn't go all the way to the floor, put wicker baskets underneath to store books, magazines and linens.

Use color
Bright, dark and bold colors on your walls work just as well in small spaces as in large rooms. Always make sure your ceiling color is lighter than your walls to create a sense of height. Use colors on your walls to create great visual dividers without the expense of flooring, walls or furniture.

Multitask with your furniture
Is that:
a) an ottoman
b) a storage unit
c) a guest bed
d) all of the above
When space is at a premium, choose furniture for its flexibility, expandability and versatility. Buy a coffee table with deep drawers for storage. Use a sofa bed in your living room for overnight guests. Try a gate-leg table in your eating area so it can be tucked away when not in use.

Use Mirrors
Mirrors come in an infinite range of shapes and sizes. They are functional and beautiful and, most important, they create the feeling of more space in your small rooms.

Source: Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver