Design Influence: A Houseboat

Think your home is too small? Try living on a houseboat.

In this video, our ShelterPop designers go nautical and take a tour of a gorgeous houseboat -- complete with a not-so-gorgeous floor plan. How can anyone manage to live in such tight quarters? Find out:



Just like on a boat, you can create a place for everything in your own home, making use of wasted space by following a few simple steps.

1. Built-ins, bookcases and window seats are all useful space-savers that offer form and function.

2. Try creating a closet under the stairs for additional hidden storage in your home.

3. To bring efficiency to your kitchen, maximize space that's often wasted deep in the corners or high on shelves with the use of pull-out shelving, dividers, mountable spice racks, drawer organizers or lazy susans.

Ready to tackle your own space-saving solutions? Check out The Container Store for stylish and affordable ideas.

Our experts Maria Greenlaw and Suzanne Caldwell are partners in Design House, a personalized design service that's been a feature in Southampton, New York for over 23 years. Maria is a Cornell University graduate with a BS in Interior and Product Design, and Suzanne, an Allied Member of ASID, has a design degree from Harrington Institute in Chicago.