5 Space-Saving Solutions for Your Hawaiian Home

The average Hawaiian home is far smaller than the average mainland home -- making space saving solutions all the more necessary. According to Andréana Lefton and Steph Coelho in their article “This Is the Average Home Size in Every State” for Bob Vila, “Hawaii comes in dead last in the nation in terms of house size.” While the typical new construction single family home on the mainland rings in at 2,500 square feet, the average home size in Hawaii is just 1,309 square feet. Furthermore, as both built area and vertical area increase across the US, homes in Hawaii are only getting smaller, with many new buyers opting for spaces under 1,000 square feet. Though a lesser footprint removes budgetary restrictions surrounding luxury appliances and finishes, it does come with a number of complications. Namely those related to storage, hosting and growing families. Thankfully, interior designers in Hawaii can help homeowners short on square footage maximize the potential of their space. Follow below for five incredible space saving solutions for your living room. 

5 Space-Saving Solutions for Your Living Room

#1 Convertible Coffee Tables

Multifunctional furniture is a must-have for small spaces. In her article "THE SECRETS TO A HIGH-FUNCTIONING ‘DOES IT ALL’ ROOM” for Elle Decor, Jessica Dailey writes that “dual-purpose furniture is the secret weapon to making any room more functional.” However, multifunctional furniture is “especially necessary if you’re working with a smaller space.” Dailey recommends everything from sleeper sofas to ottomans with hidden storage for small-space living rooms. One of Dailey’s favorites -- and one of ours as well -- is “a coffee table with a lift top that pops up to function as a desk.” 

The Mid-Century Pop-Up Storage Coffee Table from West Elm -- pictured above -- features a pop-up riser with storage space below as well as a marble slab and additional shelving. This table’s pop-top is ideal for smaller homes that lack a formal office space. Other favorites include Homary’s Round Lift-Top Coffee Table with Storage & 3 Ottoman and YumanMod’s Malibu Lift Top Floor Shelf Coffee Table with Storage. The latter converts into a six-seater dining table. 

#2 Modular Sectionals

As Katherine Owen writes in her article “7 Hidden Storage Spots in Your Home” for Southern Living, “storage, like sleep or butter, is one of those things that everybody could always use more of.” While storage is certainly important, so is flexibility and versatility. Modular sectionals and sofas offer homeowners all three: storage, flexibility and versatility. We love Burrow’s range of customizable modular seating arrangements -- each of which is convertible and reconfigurable. 

Several of their sofas are actually equipped with charging ports, storage units and end tables. One can format their Range 6-Piece Open U Sectional Lounger into a traditional u-shaped sectional, a large sleeper or a sofa with chaise lounge. Individual seats from this six piece set can be unhooked and scattered around the room to create a multitude of arrangements -- from a reading nook with an armchair to a fun tete-a-tete couplet. 

#3 Nesting End Tables

Nesting tables are incredible space-savers no matter which room of the home they occupy. From a series of prep tables in the kitchen to separate spots for your laptop and your coffee mug in a tight home office, nesting tables offer twice -- or three times -- the surface area without taking up much floor space. In her article “20 genius space-saving furniture pieces for your home” for CNN Underscored, Courtney Thompson writes that nesting tables are particularly ideal for entertaining. 

Thompson notes that tripartite sets are the most efficient because if “you’re hosting a party and are in need of side tables galore, [they pull] apart into three separate tables” for horderves and drinks. C-shaped nesting tables are our favorites for small spaces because their feet easily slide under sofas and sectionals. If there is not enough room around your couch or sectional to place end tables, consider mounting floating shelves along opposite walls. 

#4 Wall-Mounted Desks

In her January 2021 article “Remote workers are flocking to Hawaii. But is that good for the islands?” for The Guardian, Brittany Lyte writes that “the newfound freedoms of remote working have prompted a wave of people to flee the US mainland for the Hawaiian islands.” With the Pew Research Center reporting that 54% of workers would prefer to continue working remotely after the COVID-19 pandemic has abated, even the smallest workspace matters. For remote workers lacking a separate home office, wall-mounted desks that fold up in the evenings are a perfect antidote. 

Ladder desks are another great option because they offer additional shelving uncommon of most floating desks. We love the Fantol floating desk set in oak from Article. and the petite two-tone Ladder Shelf Desk from West Elm. Those with an awkward niche or coat closet they never use might consider a custom-built floating desk for their living room like this fold-down secretary’s desk from BitmanWood on Etsy. Shelves mounted at waist or shoulder height are also perfect for entryways without sufficient space for a hall tree or bench. 

#5 Credenzas or Consoles Behind Couches

Make the most of a cramped living room by sharing lines and splitting zones. Rather than placing a desk along a wall or setting it into a corner, place a skinny credenza behind your couch. Opting for a credenza adds only a few inches to the depth of your sofa or sectional while offering a place to work during the day or sort through mail in the evening. Furthermore, a small-space credenza provides visual interest without interrupting the flow of your living room or encroaching on walkways. 

Slide a comfortable stool and storage baskets beneath the console table for use whenever they are needed. Place a task light or table lamp on top to lessen the need for bulky floor lamps. For homes with standard sofas, we suggest West Elm’s Bridge Console in Winterwood -- which measures 62” long. If your living room can only accommodate a loveseat, we suggest the Peekaboo Smoke Acrylic Table from CB2 -- which measures only 38.”

Working with a Hawaiian Interior Designer on Your Small Space

Finding specialty products like the space-saving pieces listed above can be complicated when living in Hawaii. This is because many companies are either unwilling to ship to the islands or uninterested in addressing quality control issues that might arise. When homeware companies like West Elm and Anthropologie are willing to ship to Hawaii, they often charge significant freight fees. Working with a Hawaiian interior design firm like Studio Shaolin can cut down on delays, restrictions and damages related to securing and shipping product. Learn more in our recent blog post “5 Reasons to Hire a Designer in Hawaii.”