How to Make the Most of Small Living Spaces
The cost of living is extremely high in modern times, meaning that people must make do with smaller living spaces. Especially in cities, studio apartments are the new norm, where there is one room for the kitchen, lounge and bedroom; with the only separate room being a small bathroom. If you want to change the layout of your house or one of those three bedroom apartments, you can start with something simple like the home decoration. Here is a very good site to buy abstract art online, great way to start. If you still want to live an apartment but need a bit more space, then consider checking out some luxury apartments for rent.
Having a small home doesn’t have to be a bad thing – it forces you to assess what you really need and double-down on clutter. It also saves a lot of money compared to furnishing a large home.
With these tips, you can make the most of your small space without compromising functionality, lifestyle or having guests round.
Storage
Efficient storage is key. Shelving units that span a whole wall are perfect for storing clothes, books, kitchen equipment and basically anything else while looking stylish and removing need for large chests and wardrobes. Wall shelving also enlarges the room by freeing up the floor, which creates the illusion of more space. Basically, the less stuff that touches the floor, the better.
Mirrors
A large mirror gives the illusion of extra space and is a chic addition to any room. Just one big mirror is all you need and will do for getting ready in the morning as well as making your space look bigger.
Air Conditioning Unit
Some apartments can become extremely stuffy and hot, especially with only small windows. Investing in an air conditioning unit will help solve air flow woes in small apartments. Check out this useful guide to find the best AC.
Light/Neutral Walls
Dark paint colors on your walls will make the area look cramped and boxed-in. Exercise your DIY skills and paint your walls in light or neutral colors to open up the space and make everything look bright and airy. Getting automatic blinds are best for controlling the amount of light that would enter your home.
Plants
Improve the air quality and atmosphere inside your living space by getting some houseplants. Hanging spider plants and flower baskets mean you can enjoy plants without having them take up tables or desks.
Leave Open Space Around Windows
Windows are your source of natural light and are the room’s lookout to the outside world – obscuring them will reduce both brightness and view. Don’t clutter up your windowsill or hang heavy curtains. Ideally, don’t place anything directly underneath your windows, which will provide further illusion of space.
Sofa Bed
To maximize your space in a studio apartment, you might choose to invest in a high-quality sofa bed. This way, you can unfold the bed at night as your sleeping arrangement and easily slide it away during the day to open up the room. Make sure you get one that comes with a proper mattress, so you can sleep comfortably.
See-Through Furniture
A Perspex or glass coffee table will make your room look larger. They function just the same as solid furniture without blocking out anything from view. You can also get see-through side tables, which look modern and stylish while helping to create an illusion of space.
Good Lighting
Poorly lit rooms look smaller and dimmer. To avoid feeling like you live in a cupboard, you can improve your lighting by getting brighter bulbs, placing some lamps around, or changing your light fixtures to types that hold multiple bulbs. Especially if the room doesn’t get much natural light, better lighting will improve the look and mood substantially. You could also spruce up your lighting for night time too! A unique moon lamp would definitely give your room a more cozy feeling.
Space-Saving Tips
- Get pull-out furniture, like tables, that stow away inside cupboards until you need them. These can be used as desks and for dining.
- Use hooks to hang up kitchen utensils and free up storage space for other things.
Mount wall sconces for ambient lighting that won’t take up space on the floor or tables like lamps would. - Maximize storage inside your wardrobe by installing a shoe rack at the bottom and getting some hanging shelving inside.
- Look at getting mini appliances. These work fine for one or two people, like under-the-counter fridge freezers, one-shelf ovens, two-ring stoves and half-size washing machines.