One of the most effective strategies is reducing the amount of space dedicated solely to circulation. Rather than designing long hallways that serve only as passageways, Impact Architecture looks for opportunities to give those areas a secondary purpose. A hallway might double as storage, a mudroom, a laundry area, or even an art gallery.

At North Hill House, a 1,900-square-foot home in Stillwater, the firm managed to pack both an art gallery and mudroom into the circulation around the stair without making the space feel too cramped. The open stair treads also allow light to filter into the rooms above and below at each end.

The firm also prioritizes efficiency in private areas, keeping bedrooms, closets, and bathrooms appropriately sized to allow more room for shared spaces. This approach is especially evident at Jewel Box Cabin, a 900-square-foot modern retreat on Minnesota’s Caribou Lake.

On the home’s upper floor, two bedrooms, a family bathroom, and a flexible reading area fit into just 385 square feet. Plywood closets provide storage without taking up unnecessary space, while a large plywood door on the main floor allows the homeowners to close off the upper level when additional privacy is needed.

"We intentionally reduce circulation spaces and when needed, they typically perform a function such as storage space, mud/laundry room or art gallery/message board," says Imhoff. "We keep bedrooms, closets, and bathroom spaces efficient to allow for more room in the main living spaces."

When working with a compact footprint, decisions about windows and ceiling heights can also have a major impact on how a home lives and feels. At Jewel Box Cabin, tall windows and the prioritization of vertical space helps establish volume and bring light deeper into the home.

While the cabin’s living room measures just 13 feet, 6 inches wide, floor-to-ceiling windows and a 12-foot ceiling make it feel considerably larger. Exposed fir beams add warmth and emphasize the room's vertical dimension, while an adjoining screened porch extends the living area outdoors.

“Windows, ceiling heights, and circulation space are common design elements that must work hard for the house,” says Imhoff.

The firm’s Driftless Bluff residence in Decorah, Iowa, takes a similar approach to its main living area, using windows on three sides and a vaulted ceiling to create an open, light-filled space.

While spanning just 1,400 square feet, the home is situated on 25 acres, allowing for expansive views from almost every location and making the one-bedroom, one-bath home feel closely tied to the outdoors rather than constrained by its footprint.

At the firm's North Hill House, vertical space and light are also central to the design. Built on a narrow lot in historic Stillwater, the home uses 9-foot ceilings, 7-foot-tall windows, and 8-foot doors throughout the main floor to establish a sense of openness. The windows extend toward the ceiling, drawing the eye upward, while the vaulted upper floor helps its smaller bedrooms feel more generous. Transom windows above the bedroom doors provide additional opportunities for daylight to move throughout the home.