10 Tips for Maximizing Space in Your Apartment
Studio apartments and other small living spaces are attractive because they’re affordable. If you’re living by yourself, or if you’re trying to make the most of a limited budget, they can be highly advantageous. That said, they also come with several downsides – including feeling cramped and dealing with an overall lack of space.
Fortunately, there are some useful, accessible strategies you can use to maximize the space (and perceived space) in your apartment.
How to Maximize Space in Your Apartment
These are some of the best ways to make your apartment look and feel bigger:
1. Get a convertible sofa bed. First, invest in a convertible sofa bed. This piece of furniture will serve two purposes simultaneously, giving you access to a sofa-like place to sit and relax and a bed at the same time. Essentially, you’ll be cutting your furniture needs in half, giving you more space that you can use to walk around (or to place other important pieces of furniture).
2. Use other multipurpose furniture. Convertible sofa beds are just the beginning. You can create more space by buying other types of furniture that serve multiple needs at once. For example, you could use your work desk as a table when you’re not actively working.
3. Get furniture with exposed legs. Exposed legs aren’t just aesthetically pleasing – they’re also functional. If your furniture has ample space underneath it, you can utilize that space. Your chairs, sofas, loveseats, and tables should all provide you with spaces where you can put baskets, tubs, and other storage items. If you don’t maximize storage this way, the exposed legs will at least make your environment feel more open and welcoming.
4. Pin furniture to the wall. If you had unlimited space, it would be nice to use your furniture as centerpieces in each room. But since you’re working with a limited amount of space, you should pin it to the wall instead. This will open up your room, maximizing maneuverability and giving you greater access to your surroundings.
5. Declutter. This should go without saying, but many people don’t go through the effort: declutter. Spend some time sorting through your possessions and get rid of whatever you’re not actively using. As a general rule, you can safely get rid of anything you haven’t used in the past year.
6. Invest in vertical storage. One of the best ways to take advantage of limited space is to invest in vertical storage. For example, you can use a hanging shoe organizer on the back of your closet door to keep your shoes organized without taking up unnecessary space. You can also use tall shelves, wall mounts, and other tricks to work your way up.
7. Utilize other unique storage solutions. There are other storage tricks you can learn as well. Segment drawers with dividers, buy some small baskets and containers to stay organized, and be smart about how you arrange things in your cupboards and closets. Chances are, a handful of upgrades and tasteful arrangements can free up several square feet of space in the rest of your apartment.
8. Set up partitions. If you live in a studio apartment, you might feel cramped just because there’s only one main living space. But if you use a partition (or a curtain, or something similar), you can segment off an area and make it feel like a different room. This is especially important if you work from home and you want to feel like you have a designated “work space” that’s separate from your relaxation space. Just don’t go overboard with your partitions, or you’ll end up crowding yourself.
9. Rely on neutral tones. Certain colors can make your apartment feel bigger or smaller, just because of how they look. For the most part, you’ll want to rely on neutral tones to maximize your perception of your living space. A few colorful highlights can also help certain areas of your place stand out.
10. Make use of mirrors. Reflective mirrors, if placed correctly, can make a living space seem twice as big. Place a large mirror on a far wall of your apartment, and you’ll almost instantly feel like you have more space. It’s an illusion, but an effective one.
Finding Solutions of Your Own
These tips should get you started in maximizing your living space, even if you’re in a tiny apartment. But there are many more strategies to explore. Consider looking at other apartments for inspiration on how to decorate and lay out your own – and feel free to experiment. You can always move things around later. The more you experiment, the better your sense of space will be – and the closer you’ll get to maximizing your living space.
