21 Perfectly Petite Pieces for Small Spaces
- Molly Ishmael
- Apr 16, 2022
- 8 min read
Updated: Apr 22, 2022
Do you live in a small apartment or compact condo? Or perhaps you live in a large home but there's a room or two that feels cramped. When there's simply no space for storage or regularly-sized furniture, we've all been there. Even the most clutter-free home requires reasonable storage solutions for modern life. For those times when you need something small, never fear! My list of 21 Petite Products is here!
True, not all furniture for small rooms needs to be tiny. Sometimes a large sofa or bed can make a small space seem more luxuriously cozy, as long as there is room to walk around and proportionate decor, in my opinion. But even in those cases, you may need to pair a tiny piece with a standard one to make everything fit. Scroll down to see my Top 21 small-space suggestions!
Whether your home is small or large, we can all use clever space solutions! Stock photo.
Confession: I have a number of the pieces below. Over the years, even when living in spacious homes, I've found there are small spaces here and there that require clever solutions. A few years ago, I lived in a one-bedroom apartment built in the 1970s that didn't exactly have the most "modern" design sentiments when it came to space. The kitchen and bathroom were particularly pint-sized and totally lacking in storage. That apartment was one experience that forced me to get creative. Not to worry, I believe there are solutions for every space. Below are my tried-and-true favorites, plus a few new ideas to try!
Personal Favorite: These tiny tables do it all!
First on the list, I have a similar style and probably used them in almost every room in the house at some point. Over the couch as TV tray, as a mini side table or night stand, or even as a mini work desk in a pinch, these 12-inch narrow tables fit everywhere. They've held up durably over the years in my experience, easily wiping clean even in the most toddler-friendly homes - like mine.
Wherever attractive seating is needed, this stylish sofa may be squeezed in anywhere. Just over 5 feet wide, it's much shorter than standard couches (which are typically 7 feet). It works at the foot of the bed, in the living room as a statement piece, or in your home office for guests a.k.a. your spouse who likes to drink her coffee in there... or maybe that's just what I do when my husband is trying to work.
I don't have this one myself but when I saw it pop up on Amazon, it actually inspired me to write this article! Clocking in at only 12 inches wide, this one-drawer nightstand would also work as a sofa end table or entry table; there just enough room for a lamp, key dish or glass of water, and cell phone charger. Plus with the space underneath, you could store a stack of books or basket of dog toys. The possibilities are endless with this minute piece.
At 7 inches wide, perhaps where don't they fit is an easier question to answer than where they do. Even the tiniest table is no match for this petite piece! While it may be a bit small proportionately for some tables, it would work well on a small work desk or in a simple, minimalistic design scheme. Bonus, they're available in three color combos and are extremely affordable, to boot!
Just because you're short on closet space doesn't mean you have to be short on style! Store your linens, extra blankets or kids' toys in this nailhead-trimmed velvet storage bench. It looks great at the foot of a bed, tuck into your living room for extra seating, or use it like a footstool or ottoman. 22" diameter means it's smaller than the average coffee table, but it's certainly just as fashionable.
Personal Favorite: It fit in my under-the-stairs office.
Speaking of small work desks, this is another item I have myself. I used to keep it in my under-the-stairs office. Now, it's tucked into corner of the living room and it fits a laptop, cup of coffee, and pot of flowers. In the new house, I plan to put it in our daughter's playroom for homework. It fits anywhere! Plus, it easily folds down if needed, no tools required.
Personal Favorite: Folding to only 2 inches wide, it fits anywhere.
Rounding out my mini-office area is this simple stool. It worked perfectly in my under-the-stairs office mentioned above. It's lightweight and surprisingly comfortable. Bonus, if you needed to do so, you could fold it up and tuck it away.
The cart that just keeps on giving, this perfectly-portable prep area includes a drawer, wine bottle rack, produce basket, and shelf for miscellaneous storage. The top is real granite which means you can safely prepare food on it! Just add a cutting board and you're ready to go, then wheel it to the side when the kitchen gets crowded with friends, or use it as a bar cart and serve in style!
Finally, a small table with stools for four. I say "finally" because personally I'm not a fan of bench seating; it's just so hard to crawl into if you're on the far end, plus some of us prefer to sit back further than our bench partner. This one comes in two color options and can truly be called tiny as it's less than 40" long and 24" wide. However, at 34" it's higher than standard table height, which works out great: even though the table is small, you won't feel like you're sitting at the kids' table.
Even the smallest room can fit a few live plants if you use these 8-inch beauties. Technically only 7.6" wide, this set of two stands comes in multiple finishes to match any color scheme. While I don't have this particular set, I have bought other items from the mDesign store and those have been great quality, so I trust these are equally good.
Personal Favorite: Maximize storage space from floor-to-ceiling.
It may be small in width but it's tall in height and huge in storage possibilities! Yes, I have this, too. At only 24 inches wide and 12 inches deep, the highest shelf stacks 6 feet high, enabling me to use all the space available in our small rental house's laundry room, from floor to ceiling. So go ahead, shop at Costco, you can store those bulk--priced boxes right here.
Personal favorite: I had a similar set for many years.
If there's one thing I love that came out of the industrial design mania a few years ago, it's these lightweight metal chairs. Use them for dining or side chairs. Spray them with a coat of waterproofing and use them outside (mine lasted surprisingly long out there after I retired them from the dining room.) They're stackable and they work with almost any style, especially since they're available in 10 colors!
Originally named such as it was modeled after monastic furniture, this traditional-style piece offers flip-top storage plus seating. This particular piece is crafted by Amish woodworkers in Pennsylvania - woot woot, shout out to my home land! It's a taste of home, classic and beautifully made, and a multi-purpose piece that measures only 27" wide and 13" deep. Enjoy in your foyer, the playroom, a closet, or anywhere you could use a bit of handmade charm.
Personal Favorite: We had a similar rack in our old apartment.
What's that you say? You don't have a climate-controlled wine vault in your basement? Most people don't; try this counter-top wine rack instead. It stores up to 12 bottles and fits under standard cabinet heights. I couldn't find the link for the exact one we had, but yes it was from Amazon, and yes, it worked out great! Tip: Also stores bottles of liquor or large water bottles.
Available in 10 colors, this patio set is foldable and has shining reviews as being "sturdy" and "comfortable." I used to have a similar bistro set and absolutely loved it. There's nothing like a pop of cheerful color on the porch, or keep it monotone as this set is also available in black and there's a cushioned version.
Never experience the nightmare of a pile of pot lids again. The one you need just never seems to be on top, am I right? We had a similar product in our last home, but this one is even smaller-space friendly than the one we had; it can actually attach to the inside of your cabinet doors! Alternatively, hang it from the wall. It's designed to fit at less than 11" wide.
No need to make any room in the cupboards when this lovely tea set doubles as beautiful counter decor. Less than 8 inches wide, sneak it into even the narrowest spots. Use for your morning coffee, too! Granted, the current trend is to use oversized coffee mugs, but back in the day, our ancestors drank out of much smaller vessels. There's no reason we can't do the same, especially when saving so much space!
Who says umbrella holders need to be round? This one clocks in at under 4 inches wide so you can slide it practically anywhere! Made in Japan, this stand is tiny, trendy and does the trick. Though tiny, the stand holds up to 6 umbrellas. Note: Due to the "open" design, this may not be best on floors that need protection from water such as hardwood, and the metal stand needs sprayed with anti-rust protectant. Still, the size make this design worth consideration!
The ultimate solution for small bathrooms. If you are a victim of the pedestal sink (which was undoubtedly invented by a man who didn't have any hair or make-up supplies) then suffer no longer. Or perhaps you have a tiny vanity where all the space underneath is taken up by the plumbing, as was the case in my old apartment. Employ baskets to hide away toiletries, stack towels on the ample shelf space, and add a tray for perfumes and flowers; you'll forget you ever wished for a cabinet!
Personal Favorite: I've used these in many a bathroom!
Not every shower has a built-in shelf for storing shampoo. And random, half-full bottles just look so messy teetering precariously on the side of the tub, not to mention it seems they always tip over and fall, startling anyone in the house! (Or maybe that just happens to me?) Keep the soap off the floor with this clever contraption!
Hotel rooms are an average of 330 square feet and that size is trending down, yet it seems they always feature a gigantic headboard. Why? Because headboards don't actually take up any space in the room while giving a luxurious feeling. So go ahead - try this oversized statement piece. Seeing as this listing is for an 8-pack of removable panels, you can position as needed to fit any wall!
It's true! Although I love shopping, I don't love clutter, so I suggest only bringing home new things that will support your lifestyle. In my personal experience, sometimes having the right-sized solutions actually helps keep my space neater and cleaner in the long run!
So that's my list of 19 Perfectly Petite Solutions for Small Spaces! Do you have anything to add to the list? If so, please comment below!
With Love,
Molly
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