You might already know that using white paint on the walls can make any room feel larger. However, you'll still have to contend with limited space. While some rooms may feel cozy and inviting, others may simply feel cramped — and a tight kitchen isn't practical for an at-home chef.

Fortunately, freeing up space doesn't require moving to a new house. Consider these eight solutions to transform compact rooms for more excellent livability.

1. Utilize Walls and Doors

Install floating shelves and mount wall cabinets for extra storage and display areas. Homeowners often forget they can utilize walls for their belongings. Likewise, you can hang hooks or caddy organizers on the backs of doors throughout the home.

Utilizing wall space is an effective method of keeping the floor clutter-free. The bathroom, kitchen, laundry room and garage are excellent areas to incorporate vertical organization.

How high are your ceilings? You may have enough room to add shelving above doors for books, extra linens, photo albums, essential files and documents or underutilized cookware.

2. Repurpose Spaces

Between population density and the increasing housing demand, Florida lots are sometimes as small as the homes — meaning you may not have much land to build an addition. Florida's average yard is 11,034 square feet — the sixth smallest in the U.S.

Rather than an addition, homeowners can solve the lack of space by repurposing rooms to meet their household's needs. For example, a guest bedroom might double as a home office to accommodate a remote worker. You could also install a patio window enclosure for another living room with a pull-out couch for visitors.

Some people convert their garages into home gyms. Just be sure to add vents and insulation to regulate the indoor temperature in the Florida heat. Working out in extreme temperatures could lead to heat exhaustion or heat stroke.

3. Invest in Modular Furniture

You can modify modular furniture to fit a small space. For instance, a modular couch is versatile, allowing you to take the pieces apart and create your own combinations. You can also separate the elements to form two smaller couches or a sofa with an accent chair.

Modular side tables enhance your space for functionality and design. These tables are often average-sized, with a smaller table you can store underneath. During a party, the second table delivers another place to put your drink down.

Coffee tables, bookcases and office desks are other furniture pieces you can buy as modular. For example, create an office with a modular desk in an awkwardly-shaped room. Just be sure to avoid purchasing bulky furniture, which will take up more floor space.

4. Purchase Multi-Purpose Furniture

Although you can move modular furniture around to fit a space better, multi-purpose furniture is equally advantageous. Some bedframes come with drawers underneath — an excellent alternative to a bulky dresser. Likewise, you may be interested in a Murphy bed with a sofa, TV or desk on its closed side.

It would help if you also considered an expandable coffee table you can convert into a dinner table or bench seating you can lift for extra storage.

Transformable ottomans and pull-out sofas are other popular options for multi-purpose furniture — proven especially useful when you have guests.

5. Optimize Closet and Drawer Space

If your closet and drawers are overflowing with belongings, it may be time for an organizer. A closet organizer compartmentalizes your objects for better storage and easier access. Consider a hanging pocket shoe holder to remove shoes from the closet floor, hanging tie racks or multi-rung pants hangers.

Honeycomb dividers can also create organization and extra space in your dresser, kitchen and bathroom drawers. Vacuum-sealing clothes is another way to free up space and store more belongings for clutter-free living.

6. Use Under-Bed Storage

When you live in a house with limited room, it's essential to utilize every inch of free space available. Stow seasonal clothing, books, albums and other goods in flat plastic containers under your bed. The best part is you can access the bins whenever you need to or swap items out.

Other ways to utilize free under-bed storage space include:

Under-bed storage boxes with wheels

Flat plastic drawer pins you can pull out like a dresser
Locked safe for precious items, such as jewelry or family heirlooms
Fabric storage bags with zippers
Space-saving vacuum storage bags

Always approach under-bed storage strategically as you would any other storage project by reserving under-bed space for items you use more often.

7. Declutter

Of course, one of the most effective ways to make the most of a home with limited room is to declutter. According to Opendoor, the average American declutters four times annually, with 49% saying they've run out of room for things during the pandemic.

Some people find decluttering challenging, especially if they are emotionally attached to specific objects. An excellent place to start would be determining whether you have multiples of a given item, keeping only one and donating the rest. The next step is to donate gently worn clothes that no longer fit.

A cluttered home is enough to make anyone anxious. Releasing yourself from unused and unnecessary items is an effective way to boost your mental health. Also, it feels good to give back to someone in need.

8. Create Functional Areas From Dead Space

Smaller homes may come with tiny nooks and niches you're unsure what to do with. While some of these characteristics give your home its charm, other times they're dead space.

Dead space doesn't mean impractical, though. Is there an awkward corner on your kitchen counter? It could make the perfect coffee station. Transform unique alcoves in your home for greater functionality in the following ways:

Place your coffee pot, Keurig machine, tea bag jar and condiments neatly in a corner on the kitchen counter.
Add custom storage with shelves and cabinets under a stairwell.
Create a small workspace separated by a different color or bold wallpaper.
Turn a bay window into a reading nook.
Add a corner bench for more seating around a kitchen table.
Place a sleek console in a long foyer or entryway.

Just because there is dead space doesn't mean you should fill the rooms with extra furniture. Sometimes, leaving areas empty is a good thing.

Create More Space in a Smaller Home

Creativity and strategizing are all it takes to maximize limited space. These tips can help you create excellent livability in any small room, whether creating more storage or hoping to make the entire house feel larger.