If you have ever lived in a small apartment, then you know what a challenge it can be to keep that space from feeling cramped and claustrophobic at times. When you’re living in an apartment or small home, it is important to make every square foot count! With a little layout design and creativity, you can make it feel spacious and open in no time. Whether you are living in the city with three roommates or starting your forever home, these ideas will be sure to help you create the vibe you want in your living area, no matter the size. Here are our top three tips on how to maximize space in your new apartment.
1) Eliminate Clutter
The absolute best way to start maximizing space in your apartment is to eliminate clutter. Getting rid of the nonessentials helps you to stay clean and keep things off the ground. This helps you to utilize as much floor space as possible. Once you eliminate unnecessary items from your home, you can begin to strategize where to store the things you use daily. This is where storage furniture comes into play. You can find storage furniture that is cute, versatile, and very affordable at most furniture stores. Having bed frames with built in drawers can help prevent the accumulation of unorganized mess under your bed. Buy baskets and containers for around your house that can be functional and decorative. Eliminating and concealing clutter is the first step in making your apartment look bigger and more organized.
2) Remember, Less is More
When you buy a small apartment, the first thing you might think is that you’re limited to buying small furniture too. This is a huge misconception! In reality, having lots of little pieces around the house can actually take up much more floor space than having a few pieces of larger furniture. Let’s take the living room as an example. You might think having lots of smaller chairs in a room would add more space, but it actually creates less by taking up more floor space. Opt for a large statement couch instead and see how the room can double in size suddenly. Not only does having one large piece of furniture provide you with more space, but it also forces perspective. This goes strategy applies to decor as well. Creating a single focal point creates the illusion that the space is larger than it actually is. This is the perfect excuse to splurge out on that retro bed or sophisticated furniture piece of your dreams when you do not have to worry about buying multiples of everything.
3) Trick Your Eye
There are lots of small design hacks that can trick your eyes into believing a space has more depth and height. One of the oldest tricks in the book is to hang mirrors around your home. Any reflective surface is going to make your walls appear that they go further back than they really do. Another easy trick is to use natural light as much as possible. Open up blinds and show off as much window as possible to give your home a light and airy feeling. If privacy is a problem, then we would suggest investing in some thin, white curtains to create a similar effect. Lastly, use a light palette for your furniture and wall colors. This has a similar effect to using mirrors and natural light. It creates an environment that doesn’t feel closed off or restricting.
With these tips, you will maximize every square foot of your small space living quarters.
*Blog written by Lisa Smalls
If you have any questions about the local area,
or if you're thinking about buying or selling a home in the North of Boston area:
Contact Christopher J. Barrett Realtors
