When we moved into our new house, we moved from a small apartment. It wasn’t as small as our previous, 400 square foot place, however it was still pretty tiny. We felt like we had too much room in our new house because we did such a good job at organizing our small space.
Whether you’re downshifting or just getting started in the world, an apartment is a great way to maintain your independence without having to worry about the maintenance involved in owning a home. Especially if your apartment is just a stopping place between work, school and activities, opting for less space (and less payment each month!) may be your best option.
Whether your apartment is your first place or your long-time home, follow these simple techniques for making a room seem bigger and getting the most out of your space.
Lighten Up
Light plays an enormous role in the perceived size of a room. Let in as much natural light as possible. Supplement nature with track lighting or other ceiling-mounted lighting. Avoid table-top or floor lamps as these will take up visual space and crowd the room. Another great way to let the light shine is to choose glass-topped or other clear furniture pieces for end tables, coffee tables and even nightstands. This lets the eye look through the furniture and makes your room seem bigger than if you had bulky or dark items.
Clear Floor Space
Nothing quite communicates a cramped feeling like not having enough room to move around in, so always look for opportunities to hang or stack items in order to increase walking space. Taylor Gifts has home organizers like a hanger cascade, the wall mount jewelry organizer and the over door shoe rack that allow you to dangle items that would otherwise take up a significant floor space. Of course, with a little bit of creativity and patience, you can try to make similar items.
Pare Down
Stick to the basics. Avoid having too many accessories out as it will close the room in and make it feel cluttered. Leave your display shelves half full for a streamlined statement. Don’t over-furnish your room, either. Choose multi-functional pieces, such as an ottoman with hidden storage as your coffee table. Add a window seat with open shelving below as your couch. Having items that function in more than one capacity allows you to have less items and open up your small space. Choose smaller, streamlined pieces over bulky or dark furniture.
Color Crazy
Using pastels, neutrals or whites will give the illusion of more space. Because light colors reflect more light, the room seems bigger. Try an icy blue, a light lavender or a cream and white combo. A monochromatic color scheme will help, too. Choose window coverings that are within a shade or two of the wall color to let the eye flow. A white duvet cover paired with white walls and a white area rug will immediately add more visual space to a small bedroom.
Go Vertical
Make a statement with floor-to-ceiling shelving. Forcing the eye up makes all that space above your head an asset and opens up the room. Make use of mirrors, it isn’t as 1980’s as it sounds. A mirrored wall will effectively double your living space by not just reflecting light, but giving depth to your room. To soften the effect, choose to place the mirrors behind your floor to ceiling shelving. Another way to draw attention to the height of your room is to paint a horizontal stripe a foot or two below the ceiling. Use a color one or two shades darker than your wall color for a striking monochromatic statement.
Eschew Tradition
When it comes to furniture placement, try something new. Opt for a couple of armchairs rather than the traditional couch. Place furniture at angles rather than against the wall. Use a floating glass shelf meant for a bathroom as your nightstand. Add hooks to the inside of cabinet doors for more storage. Elevate your bed to create off-season clothing storage. Get creative when it comes to re-purposing and making the most of your small space.
this article would be infinitely more interesting and convincing if it had pictures illustrating each suggestion.
Great points! Just moved into an 800 sq/ft apartment myself. I am trying trying to take advantage of its 12 foot ceilings by clearing floor space and utilizing vertical space.