Furniture Swaps That Keep Tiny Homes Organized

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Tiny homes work for some people, though they almost always require a little cleverness to keep their belongings organized. Sure, you will always have to downsize some when moving from a large home to a smaller one, but a tiny home doesn't have to be an empty home. It doesn't mean you have to be a minimalist; it simply means you get more creative with your decor and furniture. This means swapping out your "normal" furniture for more compact pieces that serve multiple purposes, with storage space on or in them. Think storage ottomans, strategic shelving, hidden drawers, and key placement. Even something as basic as a bunk bed can go from a bed for two to a bed for one with ample storage space.

While you can opt for less furniture in your small home, why compromise your style and comfort when there are some great multifunctional furniture items out there that allow you to maximize your space while keeping tidy and organized — and we're not just talking about those old school trundle or day beds. To help you find the compact or purposeful pieces you need to make the most of the space you do have, even if you are an apartment dweller, we suggest furniture swaps that will keep you loving your little space without making you feel cramped.

If you want to get really clever with your living room storage, invest in a couch like the HONBAY Contemporary Sectional Storage Sofa. Not only does it come with a couple of storage ottomans, which are the OGs of secret hiding places for junk in all rooms of the house, but the entire seat of the couch also lifts to reveal all the goodies hidden within. This is an ideal place to store your throw blankets, extra couch pillows, and even to keep kids' toys hidden from view.

Storage ottomans are an excellent addition to any space where you put your feet up. They offer space for organizing anything you can fit in them. Store pet toys in them to keep your tiny home looking neat while your pet sleeps, or put your throw blankets in them when they're not in season (out of sight, out of mind). With a range of sizes and shapes, there are ottomans for homes of all sizes, including your tiny one.

Your walls in that tiny home will come in handy for making the most of the space and keeping it tidy. If you're a knick-knack collector or a book lover, you don't have to say goodbye to your belongings — you can invest in some floating shelves to hold your books and other goodies, which frees up some extra floor space where bookshelves used to be. Creating a specific space for your collections will mean there is less clutter elsewhere. Styling floating shelves just right can make your space cozy.

Convertible coffee tables are a must-have in tiny spaces. They offer a table for eating or working at with a lifting lid, and then lots of space under that to store things like your gaming controllers, remotes, books, and notebooks. Some of these coffee tables also come with extra drawers, so not only do you have an under-shelf space to store decorative items, but you can also put all of your pens, journals, and other stuff hidden away when you don't need them.

When it comes to end tables, there are all sorts of sizes and shapes available. Look for a compact option that will sit nicely next to your couch or chair, and pick something that serves multiple purposes. We like the WLIVE End Table with Charging Station that not only has a door that leads to whatever you want to hide away, but also plugs into the wall so you can charge your cell phones or plug in your laptop without extra cords everywhere.

Whether it's the place you drop your keys when you get home from work or just an extra space for home decor and a box of tissues, those extra tables around the living room can help to keep your space organized. However, if you have a smaller home, you may want to consider space-saving tables, such as long, thin ones that tuck neatly behind couches. Of course, the layout of your room will determine if this is a swap you can manage, but even up against the wall, these thinner tables will fit better in your tiny home.

From beds with drawers underneath to beds with attached bookshelves, there are all sorts of ways to turn your bedrooms into organized storage spaces. If you have a bed that stands a bit off the ground, you can use the space underneath for storage, but beds with drawers underneath offer more secure (and nice-looking) storage. If you read in bed, a bookshelf headboard or bookshelves along half the bed will give you more space for a reading light and your to-read pile.

While not everyone has a chair in their bedroom to sit on when they're putting on stockings or shoes, if you do have one, swapping that chair for a storage bench is a great way to add a little more space in your room for extra blankets, pillows, and even your spare set of sheets. If you store these in your bench at the end of the bed, you'll open up more linen closet space for other stuff. You can even DIY your own storage bench to improve the organization in your tiny home.

Why get one small bookshelf when you can have an entire wall turned into shelving? If you have an extensive collection of things you want to display, even books, you don't have to get rid of them to fit into your smaller living space. Instead, you have some options — from floor-to-ceiling shelving you can anchor to your walls to investing in a full-on updated built-in shelving project that will give you a roomier space and lots of storage spots to get organized. 

If you have enough space in the kitchen for a small nook or dining space, instead of a dining table and four chairs, consider installing bench seating that lifts up with storage space within along one or two sides of the table. This will utilize some wall space and leave you extra room that chairs would have taken up. While a bench may sound like a bulky piece of furniture, it can actually take up much less space than a basic dining chair and gives you another spot to tuck away those extra, rarely used kitchen gadgets.

Bunk beds are a great way to save space in a kid's room (even if you only have one kid). If you are a one-child parent, the extra bunk can be used to store your kid's plushie collection or out-of-season clothing (you don't even need a second mattress if you're using the space just for storage and organization). There are also bunk bed options with a bed on top and empty space below, which make an excellent swap for a regular bed because they will open up more space in the room for toy boxes or other items in need of organization.

There are many unique, compact wheeled carts on the market that make great multipurpose side tables — and the shelving on the bottom level gives you an extra space for storing items like TV remotes and books. This would be an excellent replacement for an end table for those who like to do more than just lounge in the living room. Because the table has wheels, it can be easily moved to double as a craft table, computer table, or even a dining space. There are numerous creative ways to use utility carts around the house.

Slim dressers and drawer units that fit flush against walls mean less floor space is used while creating useful storage to organize your belongings. This is great for families with pets and kids or anyone who needs a little extra room for doing things like yoga. You don't have to invest in expensive furniture — look for sleek designs in modern pieces, and you can get that slender furniture with a lower price tag.

A single shelf doesn't hold much, but with an over-the-toilet cabinet or shelving unit, you can find more space to store your toilet paper, towels, and more. Bathrooms are one of those spaces where some of us always seem to have more stuff than we can fit in there — from too many different perfumes and colognes to extra shampoo and body wash. The more space you have, the better. Plus, a shelf right over your toilet gives easy access when you run out of toilet paper in a compromised position.

While pedestal sinks are a great way to save space in small homes, they don't give you any storage to keep things in order, so they're not good if you want a better-organized bathroom. A vanity unit is the better bet, especially if you love keeping your bathroom clean and want to keep your cleaning supplies in a convenient space. There are plenty of cool, modern designs for these types of sinks that can fit into any space.