6 Ways Your Home’s Layout Could Be Wasting Space

Whether you live in an apartment, condo, or house, we all have a finite amount of space and probably wish we had more. While most of us can’t make our homes larger, there are ways to use the space more efficiently. Here are six ways your home’s layout could be wasting space, along with some easy fixes for this problem.

Your Living Room Is Overwhelmed by a Giant Sectional

Many people opt for oversized sectionals because they are on-trend and generally comfortable. However, these pieces really only look good in very large living rooms and end up overwhelming smaller ones because they tend to cut off the space.

A sectional isn’t the only way to have lots of seating. If you like to entertain, choose a modular sofa and add extra pieces when friends and family come over.

Alternatively, choosing a smaller sofa with an ottoman (which can double as seating in a pinch) and using accent chairs is more intimate and flexible. It also allows you to add more color and texture to the space.

Your Bedroom Takes Up Your Whole House

If you’re currently renovating or building your home, you might be tempted to create a large primary suite. But it can end up wasting a ton of space, according to Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker Tali Berzak of Compass. “Bedrooms do not need to be too long. A king-sized bed is seven feet, and two end tables, approximately two feet each, mean an 11-foot bedroom will fit a king. Therefore, a primary bedroom that is more than 14 feet starts to become too big. Unless there is another purpose for the extra space, it will feel like wasted space,” she says.

A smaller bedroom with an en-suite bathroom serves the same purpose and frees up square footage for other rooms.

The Bed Is Against the Wall

Many people think putting a bed against a wall is a smart way to save space. However, it makes the entire space look awkward at best. Instead of putting your bed against a wall, opt for a smaller bed if possible—such as downsizing from a king to a queen.

Depending on closet and window placement, you can also go with one nightstand instead of two, or a small chest next to the bed instead of a nightstand. Alternatively, opting for a bed that has nightstands built into the headboard can look sleek and save space.

You Have a Kitchen Island Instead of a Peninsula

While nice to have, kitchen islands generally take up too much space in a smaller home. Instead of an island, opt for a peninsula with some stools, which can serve the same purpose—give you a spot to eat and extra prep space with a smaller footprint.

There’s a Closet in Your Home Office

“Generally speaking, home offices don’t need a formal closet,” says Berzak. If you’re building out this type of room, she suggests creating a built-in unit instead. “A built-in that is the appropriate size for use could be a better option,” she explains. “This also holds true for small bedrooms where space efficiency is necessary.”

There’s a Swinging Door When There Should Be a Pocket Door

A standard door can take up a lot of unnecessary space, making it a challenge to navigate narrow spaces. “On many occasions, we use pocket doors when we simply don’t have space for a swinging door or know it will make the living experience awkward,” says Berzak. “A 32-inch door is standard and this takes up a lot of space, particularly in a bathroom. With a pocket door, you lose four inches, meaning we can have more space to walk around the room. This is ideal for both powder rooms and primary bathrooms.”