11 Ingenious Space-Saving Ideas Everyone Should See Before Renovating

In lieu of floor lamps or table lamps, install wall sconces. Not only do they save space on your nightstands, but they also make bedrooms looks much more polished and refined. Now you can use your slim bedside table for essentials only.

Installing spacious sliding drawers within your cabinets can clear up room on your countertops. Aside from cooking essentials and a wine collection, keep your trashcan and appliances inside a cabinet. Not only will this make the room look cleaner, but it'll hide your garbage.

When you have a small space but are blessed with high ceilings, take advantage of that height by building a loft. In a studio apartment, this can make all the difference, as it separates your private space from the kitchen, living room, and bathroom.

A built-in banquet or bench can serve as dining seating in an eat-in kitchen. If you choose something more sophisticated, it'll make a small dining nook in the kitchen as elevated as a formal dining room. Plus, if you customize it to your space with scale in mind, the size and shape won't look too bulky. Floating shelves are also a good call. Display your décor on them to show of your personal style in a small but mighty way.

If you work from home a lot but don't have an extra room to convert into an office, install a sliding table somewhere else in your home, whether it's the living room, kitchen, or bedroom. Then you can slide up a chair when you need to and tuck away when you don't.

Before you commit to building a custom kitchen island or eat-in bar with stools, think about how realistic it really is for your space. In a narrow galley kitchen like this one, a small kitchen island is stylish and functional without taking up all the useable space.

If you build shelving into your walls, you won't have to take up space on the floors with an etagere or bulky armoire. This way, you can use that extra floor space with statement-making furniture. If having one less furniture item makes you feel like you'll have less room to show off your personal style—don't fret. A bold paint color like this one will do the trick (and it takes up exactly zero square footage).

If you have an awkward corner in the living room by the fireplace, install a custom upholstered bench. This creates extra seating when guests come over while also filling a gap in the room. And it takes up less space than a large lounge chair or settee.

If you're renovating a small bathroom and want to make it feel bigger, use the same floor tiles throughout the room so the shower blends in seamlessly, creating the illusion of a bigger room. And instead of installing a door or a step into the shower, consider a transparent glass slab to prevent water from splashing.

Add a wall unit that allows you to display your cookware. Wall-mounted storage can end up saving you a ton of storage space and if you have pretty copper cookware like this, it should be out in the open for others to see anyway.

Taking advantage of every little nook and cranny in the house allows you to use the more spacious rooms for something else. Whether you need an extra powder room or closet, that awkward space under the stairs is full of untapped potential.