12 Smart Ways to Maximize Tiny House Space

Manfred, The Rich Minimalist

Alright, welcome back to The Rich Minimalist—I'm Manfred, and if you’re tuning in after last week’s deep dive on water management, well, I’m glad you’re not too bored by my love for functional plumbing. I gotta say, this episode is particularly close to my heart because we're tackling space inside the tiny house. Today it’s about the “where the heck do I put my stuff” drama. Space crunch—it’s Challenge #4 from our series, and honestly, if you don’t think of storage before you build, you’re just setting yourself up for frustration. I’ve seen many examples where people move into small spaces (tiny home or camper van), start bringing all gear, food, tools, all their stuff, and—boom!—now their beautiful space is this weird Tetris disaster. Why? They didn’t plan.

Manfred, The Rich Minimalist

Trust me here, the best move is to sketch out your zones—think about food, clothes, your toolbox, whatever sporting gear you’re way too optimistic about fitting in there. What I did with my own viking style tiny house—I’m a compulsive sketcher—was draw up basically a wall-to-wall, floor-to-ceiling storage map. Every shelf, every cubby, got penciled in before a single board was cut. It was humbling. I realized... hang on, I actually own even less than I thought. That was a win! But of course—non-negotiable—the viking axe stays. It hangs right there on the wall next to the entrance, with pride. Built-in storage, like stair drawers or secret compartments in benches, even a headboard with hidden shelves... That stuff is ten times smarter than stacks of boxes or random bins. Built-ins look proper, they’re easier to clean, and nothing ever topples down on your head first thing in the morning. Been there, done that, got the black eye. So yeah, build your storage right into the plan. Your future self will thank you.

Manfred, The Rich Minimalist

The biggest lesson? Plan storage early, waaaay before you get out the saw or start cramming boxes inside. Think zones: food here, gear there, tools and clothes—each gets a home. If something doesn’t fit? Ask yourself, do you actually need it, or has it just been hanging around out of habit? Most of the clutter we keep is stuff we never use.

Manfred, The Rich Minimalist

I get a bit nerdy with this because every centimeter can do something. And yeah, I’m a minimalist but I’m not about deprivation—just making sure everything in my place earns its keep.

Manfred, The Rich Minimalist

Now, let’s talk about clutter. I’m also a little guilty of hanging onto crap I don’t need. Here’s what works for me: regular ‘mini audits.’ Every couple of months I go through everything. If I haven’t touched it, it goes. Donate, sell, whatever. That way clutter never wins...

Manfred, The Rich Minimalist

And here’s where it gets a little geeky, but hear me out: the “art of flow” in your space is an invisible game changer. It’s not about having big rooms or wide corridors. It’s about how you move around, grab your stuff, put it back—and how little stress and friction that causes. So do this: mentally walk through your day. Is your water jug blocking the fridge? Do you smack your knee on shoes every time you sit down? Is your favorite mug (well your only one because we decluttered all the others) too high up in the shelf? Then the design’s off. Good storage is about fewer frictions.

Manfred, The Rich Minimalist

For example, in my tiny house kitchen, I use under-shelf jar storage for all the dry stuff and oats, which I used at least once per day. Super easy, just some screws and recycled jars. Magnetic strips for knives, so I never dig in drawers. And when the countertop gets crowded, I use a fold-down shelf—up for temporary use, down when I just want space to breathe. The comfort doesn’t come from a huge footprint but from this smooth everyday flow. Comfort is all about smooth movement, not square meters.

Manfred, The Rich Minimalist

Okay, now—if you wanna win in the tiny living game, the MVP is modular, multi-use furniture. Anything that can roll, fold, or transform earns a spot. Like, rolling benches that double as storage—and just slide under a table when not in use. Beds with drawers underneath, or tables that fold up for a quick workout or to switch into a desk.

Manfred, The Rich Minimalist

This is the core principle I apply not just in my house but in my camper van builds and rentals too. The more uses one “thing” has, the more valuable it is. I call this the—“the multi-use, multi-purpose anything!”

Manfred, The Rich Minimalist

You don’t have to drop big bucks on custom pieces either. DIY hacks—even just adding wheels to a box—make a world of difference. You can adapt your space for work, play, guests, or those random days when you decide to reorganize everything. What I want to say is: flexibility isn’t a bonus; it’s survival. Especially when your whole house is like, around 20 square meters? So keep things modular. It’s literally the blueprint for a stress-free tiny lifestyle.

Manfred, The Rich Minimalist

Alright, last piece of the puzzle... And this one gets me excited, because a lot of people forget about it. When you’ve maximized inside, it’s time to get creative outside. Most tiny houses aren’t in the middle of London—they’re somewhere out in nature, with a patch of land. So you gotta use it!

Manfred, The Rich Minimalist

Outdoor storage, like weatherproof lockers, or sheds for your big gear—bikes, firewood, even backup water or fuel—totally frees up your inside space. Let me tell you, after a muddy trail run, the last thing I want is to drag all that mess into my kitchen or bedroom. Having a covered deck or a simple outdoor "mudroom" just makes everything easier. I remember setting up outdoor hooks and a simple shelf by the entrance—I could come in, drop my shoes, hang my jacket, and keep all the grime out...

Manfred, The Rich Minimalist

Plus, it’s not like we’re moving off-grid to sit inside all day—right? If your living room is tiny, let the outdoors be titanic! That’s the real beauty: the home is just a hub, the massive living space is all around you. So whenever you’re feeling squeezed inside, look out the window—there’s way more room out there than you ever could squeeze indoors.

Manfred, The Rich Minimalist

Alright, folks, if you stick to these strategies—smart design, regular decluttering, modular gear, and using your outdoor real estate—your tiny house starts to feel less like a compromise and more like a lifestyle upgrade. No need to suffocate surrounded by stuff. Next time, we’ll talk about choosing the best location for your off-grid setup, which is a whole adventure of its own. Until then, stay minimal, stay rich—Catch you outdoors!