As I write this from my 700-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment, at the desk that I chose in lieu of a dining table, I can confirm that living in a small space means being extra choosy about the things that go inside it. Especially if, like me, a minimalist lifestyle doesn’t come naturally to you (just ask my absurd collection of tapered candles), small spaces can go from modern and stylish to mildly suffocating in no time at all. To counter this, I need my furniture and home decor to be master multitaskers and work double duty in my space. Multifunctional designs are a god-send for small space dwellers, allowing you to save on space and cash in on convenience for easy, clutter-free living. Read on for the modern and multifunctional home objects that’ll help make the most of smaller spaces. For more space-saving design, visit the Design Milk Shop.
16″ Merkled Shook Shelf by Merkled Studio
A trusty wall hook is a smart way to work around minimal floor space and help small spaces feel more open. Merkled Studio’s best-selling Shook is an elevation on conventional wall hooks, combining the utility of a hook with the functionality of a wall shelf. Use a Shook in your kitchen to hang dish towels and store spices and other cooking essentials, in your bathroom to store products and hang towels, or at your entryway for keys, mail, and other essentials.
$101
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Shelf Risers (Set of 2) by Open Spaces
Short on cabinets? These Shelf Risers by Open Spaces will double your storage space. Made with crisp, white-washed wood and modern steel legs, the risers feature an adjustable level that allows them to fit right into most spaces. And they do more than beautify your cabinets too, use one on your desktop as a laptop riser, on your bathroom vanity, or kitchen countertop to double dip on storage (and modern design!).
$72
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Nest Wall Hook by Northern
A catch-all dish, wall hook, and decor accessory in one modern Nordic package, this Nest Wall Hook is a winner for small spaces. Perfectly sized to hold your car keys, wallet, and other before-you-leave-the-house accessories, the Nest’s catch-all dish keeps small items from cluttering surfaces while the hook keeps coats, dog leashes, and umbrellas off the floor for a seamless and open entryway, big or small.
$59
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Smart Vase Light by Gingko
Far from your prototypical glass vase, Gingko’s Smart Vase Light doubles as a modern decorative light source. We love the soft, Japandi-esque look of the paper lantern design, and the warm ambient glow it projects throughout a room. The heat-safe and waterproof tube at the lamp’s center can safely accommodate a few of your favorite floral stems for a minimal pop of color and freshness, and even better – the light has a rechargeable battery, which means no cords and no clutter!
$118
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Platform Planters Minimalist Set by Tortuga
Tortuga’s modern home accessories are flexibly designed to work with you and your space, and their Platform Planters are no exception. Ingeniously designed to connect with each other to form a modern serpentine shape – the Platform Planters allow users to organize their houseplant collection and save space in the process. This Minimalist Set includes 3 natural stone planters, each with their own recessed drainage area and speckled blue and gray detailing that’s sure to enhance any space in the house.
$191
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Componibili Storage Unit by Kartell
Designed by Kartell co-founder Anna Castelli Ferrieri in 1969, the iconic Componibili (“modular” in Italian) Storage Unit’s stackable modules help users maximize space while the unit’s chic, sliding doors help minimize the clutter. Whether you use it in the bedroom, bathroom, playroom, home office, or living space, the Componibili’s fun and flexible design adapts with you – simply add another module for additional modern storage.
$200 for 3 modules
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Single Bucket Stool by Yvonne Mouser
This handmade Bucket Stool by Yvonne Mouser pulls its weight in small spaces as a modern nightstand or side table, and as an additional seating solution. The stool’s thoughtfully designed handle makes it easy to tote from one space to another, and it’s dining table height – making it a fast and ergonomic fix for accommodating unexpected dinner guests without a second thought.
$470
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Xlibris Wall Desk by Sibast Furniture
A sleek and compact solution to your work from home woes, the Xlibris Wall Desk is a self-supporting wall shelf and an ultra-modern table in one. Informed by the idea that each piece of the Xlibris can function independently and adapt with your needs by combining additional Sibast shelves, this Denmark-made Wall Desk is a multifunctional wonder that makes working from a small space easy. It even has a concealed cable outlet for discreet charging!
$1,145
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Twist 2-in-1 Shelf + Magnetic Board by Lawa Design
Lawa Design’s Twist Shelf + Magnetic Board is a sculptural and space-saving addition to your kitchen. Made of solid oakwood, the shelf is defined by its modern namesake twist that separates a spice shelf from a magnetic knife strip. We love that it eliminates the need for a chopping block that’ll eat up valuable counter space, and the fact that it easily accommodates your most used spices, keeping them within arm’s reach. The Twist even works in your home office for storing supplies and keeping important documents and to-do’s in sight.
$345
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Basin Table by Hollis + Morris
This spun aluminum Basin Table by Hollis + Morris features a solid wood top (available in oak or walnut) that houses a roomy storage unit underneath. Meticulously made to order, the Basin Table is full of smart, practical details like the hidden brackets that allow for easy lifting of the tabletop, and the dip in the metal basin that offers easy access to the storage below. Factor in the ample storage possibilities, conscious craftsmanship, and the modern aesthetic, and we think this one’s totally worth the splurge.
$1,150+
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Shopping any of our multifunctional faves? Share your haul and tag us @designmilk to be reposted on our Instagram!
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