Bobby Berk Explains His Favorite Small Space Design Trend

Bobby Berk, the resident design star of Netflix's "Queer Eye," is no stranger to small-space living. In addition to helping the heroes of the "Queer Eye" series accomplish their dream design, Berk has had plenty of personal experience squeezing into notoriously tiny New York apartments. Still, no matter how small the floorplan is, he always manages to make a home feel welcoming, bright, and uplifting. What's Berk's favorite trick for styling small residences? "Double-duty furniture is a small-space must-have," the "Queer Eye" star told Elle Decor. 

But what exactly is double-duty furniture? It can be anything that serves more than one purpose in your home, whether it was intended to perform that way or not. Some examples might include a storage ottoman, a floor mirror that's also a jewelry cabinet, a dresser that doubles as a TV stand, or a coffee table that raises into a working desk. Designing a small space is all about choosing furniture that will work with you rather than against you.

When purchasing pieces to furnish a new place, it's worthwhile to invest a little more in stylish double-duty pieces you actually like, instead of cheap plastic storage tubs that you'll want to hide. In fact, Bobby Berk says you don't always have to buy pre-built, double-duty items. Get creative and make your furniture work for you! For example, storage cubes can be pushed together to create a table-like surface. This way, you can maximize storage in your living area and have a spot to set down a drink.

Berk also recommends using furniture that can neatly tuck away and maximize space, such as chairs that slide under the table, per Bobby Berk. Whenever possible, shop for pieces that will have a minimal footprint on your floorplan — think of thin and vertical options to increase storage space in your small home. Slide a thin storage shelf between the refrigerator and kitchen counter, place a tall bookshelf in the corner of the room, or choose a shallow desk with a built-in hutch for books and décor. Berk explains that slim, vertical furniture pieces help draw the eye upward, providing ample storage and making the room feel larger (via his website).

If you can't buy new furniture right now, there are still clever ways to store belongings and free up space. You can update your essential furniture pieces, like beds and cabinetry, by thinking of creative ways to adapt them. "Make sure you're maximizing that space because there are so many spaces in our homes that can really do double duty," Bobby Berk told Homes & Gardens. "Utilize your space from top to bottom, not just side to side." 

A set of simple bed risers will lift your bed several inches off the floor, creating enough space to stack tote bins or even slide a short dresser underneath. This space is great for storing most of your bedroom essentials. Berk also recommends re-examining your built-in storage and adding more shelves inside your cabinets and closets. Keeping your cabinets clutter-free will give you more peace of mind in your home, even if you can't always see what's hiding inside.