If Your Home Feels Tight: Ideas for Designing Narrow Spaces

In New York, Boston, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Tokyo — wherever a square meter costs an exorbitant amount, narrow homes, or 'arrow houses,' 'hut-style homes,' are becoming increasingly popular. Originally, these formed part of urban development, but later the trend spread to country homes as well. It's understandable: building a narrow house is cheaper, you don't need to rent a large plot of land, and construction can even be done on a tree. This means more funds can be spent on interior design or, more typical of Western mentality, on investments. It's reverse mortgage: instead of paying outrageous interest rates, you receive it and reinvest the money, saving. Later, you buy a large family home (if needed at that time) or real estate for your children.

Let's see how 'hut-style homes' look from the inside! The main problem with elongated spaces is proportions. This issue can only be solved by proper furniture arrangement and zoning. Let's see how owners of such homes handle this!

Minimalism in Everything

Especially in the kitchen — only the essentials!

Light tones

By the way, if the furniture matches the wall color, it visually expands the space.

Lighting

Point lighting placement always adds special coziness and, importantly, corrects the room's proportions.

Second Level

When a house is tall and narrow, it makes sense to place the sleeping area upstairs. It's convenient if it's just a mattress without a frame, which saves space and simplifies installation of such a bed.

Ergonomic Storage

By placing a sofa or bed on a platform, you can create excellent storage spaces.

Portable Stairs

A portable staircase in a narrow home is necessary not only for climbing to the bedroom but also for comfortable interaction with tall wardrobes.

Idea for a Country House

If the staircase is fixed, it should also be maximally utilized (e.g., as a wardrobe).

Partitions

They are also made narrow and long, and used when you need to fit a kitchen, living room, and bedroom into one room.

Ideas for a Small Kitchen

A dining table is better placed along the wall. By the way, it can be foldable.