It’s said that size doesn’t matter — and sa usapang condo, agree kami dyan!  A smaller unit comes with challenges, but that doesn’t mean we can’t make the most out of the tight spaces. It’s all about getting creative with your furniture choices to make your condo look and feel bigger simultaneously.

Ika nga, “If there’s a will, there’s a way.”

If maximizing your condo space is something you’re struggling with, then you’ve come to the right place. Here are the top tips and tricks to make your living area work harder (and smarter) for you!

Furniture for Form and Function

Integrate space-saving, multi-purpose furniture into your area to ensure you’re making the most of your home and steering clear of clutter without sacrificing design.

Efficient Beds

Beds can easily take up most of your floor space, so make it work hard! While beds with storage capabilities may not be readily available online or in stores, you can look into having them specially designed for your tastes and needs. Though this may not be for the tipid at heart, it’s an excellent option if you plan to stay in your unit for years to come.

Take inspiration from Kapitbahay Heaven! With limited space for their room, they designed a bed frame that also connects with their clothing cabinet — o diba? Bongga! The cabinet utilizes a sliding door to keep the room spacious and even features more shelving to the side and a drawer on the main foundation. Their bed also has a pull-out — perfect for entertaining guests and late-night chikahan.

For those with kids, you can check out how Kapitbahay Iris executed this gorgeous room renovation. By turning their child’s bed into a bunk, they were able to make the room much more spacious. They even maximized the space by going the multipurpose route: utilizing the stairs as drawer storage plus adding a big desk and office chair beneath the bed for a more comfortable workspace. Sinong hindi mag-eenjoy magaral dito?

Ottomans or Storage Stools

Entertaining guests means having ample seating, so why not make the most out of your sitting space with multi-functional ottomans? They’re great for acting as extra chairs for when your Kapitbahays come to visit, a footstool, or even a coffee table. Plus, they serve as another container for whatever you need to store: books, blankets — you name it!

Smart Shelving

Focusing on furniture that makes the most out of your ceiling height (and not your floor space) is the name of the game for smaller condo units. Minimalist, ladder-style shelving is an excellent option for switching out bulky cabinets or bookshelves that can still hold your books and decorations without the mabigat look.

Need extra space for your books, picture frames, and ornaments but don’t have anywhere to put new shelves? Wall-mounted shelving or “floating shelves” may be the perfect magic trick to give you more freedom to decorate your home without needing floor space!

Get inspired by Kapitbahay Austin! They did an incredible job with this home, with open, wall-mounted shelving in the kitchen and built-in wall shelves in the living area (A). This design saves lots of space by effectively using the walls while keeping the vibe open and airy. And just look at that industrial design — ibang level talaga!

Skinny Side Tables

A skinny side table works wonders if your living room or bedroom is a little cramped, but you still want a surface to place your things on. These designs take little floor space and give you just the right amount of table space for essentials and cute decor.

Space-Saving Shoe Racks

As Pinoys, removing outside shoes before entering the home is customary. But sometimes, just one shoe closet isn’t enough. Make your doorway kalat-free with transparent, stackable shoe racks! It saves space by stacking upward and is also an excellent way to show off your collection of kicks — perfect for our sneakerhead Kapitbahays.  Plus, who said shoe racks had to be boring? Since it gives you extra surface space, you can add some paintings or plants on top to elevate the look of your doorway. 

Or, if that’s not your vibe, take a cue from Kapitbahay Kevin and try a Nordic-style shoe rack (B). It’s slim and features a flip-type drawer to stash your shoes easily. Though you may need to store tall heels or large, high-top sneakers elsewhere, it is still a good option for decluttering and adding a clean, minimalist touch.

Maximize with Extra Storage

Having enough places to store your belongings without your condo looking messy can be tricky, especially in more siksik studio units. That’s why it’s always a good idea to look into furniture pieces with storage that you can discreetly tuck away.

Under-Bed Storage Containers

If you need more wardrobe space but have nowhere to put new drawers or dressers, you can use dust-proof under-bed storage containers for your foldable clothes. This way, you can utilize the space underneath your beds while keeping your room looking nice and tidy. You can also look into storage containers with wheels for an even easier time retrieving your clothes. 

Trolley Cart Organizer

When your kitchen cabinets are getting packed but still need a storage space that’s easy to reach, a trolley is a fun choice. Have your essentials ready to go wherever you need with a multi-tiered, wheeled cart. Prepping a meal and need to see your arsenal of spices and ingredients quickly? Hosting a party and want an easy-to-access pulutan bar? A trolley — ala Hogwarts Express — has your back.

Multi-Layer Clothing Basket

If you’re living with other people, kids, or a pet, a tiered clothing basket might be for you. With separate baskets, you can easily organize your laundry by category — without having to dump the entire hamper on the floor beforehand. Plus, you can skip throwing used-but-not-so-used clothes on THAT chair (‘wag na mahiya; we all have one!) and store them in a separate basket for reuse.

Alternatively, you can store things you constantly use, such as children’s toys, pet accessories, or bath essentials, so it’s always easy to reach. Bonus points if it has wheels!

Making Your Condo Look Bigger

Do you want your condo to appear bigger than it actually is?  These hacks are perfect for visually enlarging your space.

Let the Light In

Light is vital to making your home look more expansive and more soothing to the eyes. Make your home feel more maaliwalas by utilizing your windows to the fullest! Keep the space around them free so light can quickly fill the room. When it’s nighttime, having good lighting via ceiling or wall lights (make sure na walang pundido!) can help the space feel less stuffy.

Create Space with Mirrors

One tried-and-true method of creating the illusion of space is adding mirrors. If space permits, go for a mirror that can cover a large portion of your wall. Especially great for the living room area, this trick will help reflect light and give your space more depth.

Alternatively, if one large mirror is not within the budget, a collection of small stitching mirrors you can assemble is another good option. Plus, you can get creative with how you mount these mirrors. Classic rectangles? Gallery style? Avant-garde geometric shapes? In the words of Rufa Mae Quinto, “Go, go, go!”

Peep Kabitbahay Joy’s mirror setup — it’s simple but adds flare and opens up the room (C)!

Divide Big Rooms 

Having one large room divided into different spaces can help you make the room feel like it’s larger than it is. Diving your rooms can be done in several ways, such as physical dividers, rugs, or a simple paint job.

Kapitbahay Michaella made a great example of dividing and conquering! Instead of buying a cabinet and attaching it to the wall, they made their space more breathable and cohesive by using a large wardrobe to separate the bedroom and workstation (D). This method is excellent for keeping the workspace zen and free from chismis. 

Another great trick for creating an illusion of space is dividing your room with paint. Aside from adding a pleasant pop of color to your home, contrasting paint helps make a visual separation in your rooms without needing physical dividers.

Say Hello to Shutters

While it’s undeniable how elegant large curtains can be, small spaces can benefit from blinds or shutters. Not only does it lay flat against the window, freeing up space by the window, but it can also help the room look taller and less cluttered. 

However, if you do prefer curtains, you can try designs that lean more on the lighter, more sheer side to maximize natural lighting and create a more flowy appearance.

Have It Built-In

While this tip requires a more hefty budget, it does the trick regarding doubling up on space. So if you’re not currently on tipid-mode, you can try having things that generally jut out (i.e., shelves, bookcases, cabinets, sofas, wardrobes, and refrigerators) built into your walls or awkward corners to help free up your floor space.

Just take it from Kapitbahay Roxette, who finished an incredible kitchen renovation with built-in overhead cabinets (and a refrigerator slotted perfectly underneath!), drawers with pullout baskets to maximize storage, and even a skinny cabinet on the side to utilize the space entirely.

So, mga Kapitbahay, how do you make space in your condo? Let us know your top condo-dwelling tips!