How To Make the Most of Your Small Spaces

Apartment living can be really difficult, especially if you are used to living in a slightly larger space. Sharing a space can be even more difficult when you are used to having your own. Moving from house to apartment, a room of your own to having a roommate, or going from single living to married living can be very stressful. However, if you follow these tips to make the most of your small spaces, you will be well on your way to harmonious living.

Let There Be Light

If you have the option to paint your space, do so. Lighter colors can not only brighten up a room, but also make it feel larger. Dark walls create an enclosed, box-like space. Bright walls create a more open space. Even if you don’t have all the room you would like to have, lighter colored walls can make your room seem bigger.

This principle applies with actual light, too. Light up any dark corners with pretty lamps. The more space you can see, the more space it looks like you have. Keep any blinds or window treatments open, too. Letting light in from the windows, and being able to see the great outdoors, tricks your mind into thinking your room is bigger than it actually is. Be careful with this, though, as letting light in to south- or west-facing windows can dramatically increase your heating bills in the summer.

Incorporating mirrors into your living space can also create an illusion of a grander place. By placing a few select decorative mirrors, you can get the effect of a larger room without actually having a larger room. Be careful not to go overboard, though. Just a few mirrors in tasteful locations can make all the difference.

Organization is Key

If you’re a messy person, you had better clean up your act. Clutter just takes up space, and when you don’t have much to spare, this could be a problem. Do you have books in a pile in the corner? Get some bookshelves. Do you have clothes in a pile on the floor? Hang up the clean ones and get a hamper for the dirty ones. You can also think about having a trunk in a closet for your off-season clothes that don’t fit in your drawers and closet when they’re not needed. For example, you can put your sweaters in the trunk in the summer, and trade them out for the tank tops and shorts in the winter. Try not to spread out papers or kitchen appliances, either. When minimal space is taken up by general disarray, there is simply less space to enjoy. To organize your clutter, take a visit to your local office supply store. They have some great ideas for organizing spaces, from containers that fit under your bed to free-standing cabinets that don’t take up much space and can go with you when you move.

Think Vertically

Horizontal options are for people who have sprawling spaces. Since you are working with a smaller space, you need to start thinking vertically rather than horizontally. Build up. Taller, narrower bookshelves take up less wall space and, therefore, look smaller. A taller wardrobe will not only hold more items than a short and stout dresser, it will look nicer in your smaller bedroom. Storing items under a bed or in stackable containers clears up quite a bit of floor space. You can also move smaller items like television sets, books, and decorative items to the tops of dressers and shelves to create a taller, more refined apartment look.