If you’re renting in a major city or moving out on your own, you may be considering smaller apartments than you’re used to, but tiny apartments are fantastic. The typical studio apartment in the United States is 500 square feet, and the average one-bedroom apartment is 750 square feet; however, keep in mind that these are average measurements, so you may be surprised by what you may discover.
Small apartments allow you to save money on utilities and rent, as well as having less to clean and maintain. However, you may be wondering, “How can I make my little apartment appear larger?” It’s enjoyable to look for tiny apartment décor and decorating ideas, but be careful not to overspend. You don’t want your room to feel claustrophobic. Here are some suggestions and methods to make your small apartment feel bigger whether you’re ready to move or want to reorganize your present space.
GET YOUR SMALL APARTMENT ORGANIZED
It’s never a bad idea to organize and tidy your apartment whether you’re moving or redecorating. Use this time to look over your possessions and give whatever you don’t need. Decluttering will relieve you of a burden and provide you with a lot of potential space. When renting smaller Houston apartments, a minimalist approach is ideal for creating a feeling of openness and airiness.
Shelves are your best friend when it comes to organizing. Floating shelves, also known as wall shelves, are an excellent way to add flair to a room while also displaying your decor. Ask your landlord whether your bookcases are renter friendly to prevent any deductions from your security deposit. After you’ve received your landlord’s approval, you can experiment with the placement of the floating shelves. Because the eye is pulled upward when they are placed higher, the walls will appear longer. Leave a few shelves vacant if you can to make your area feel more airy and less congested.
You’ll also want to come up with inventive storage solutions. Look for furniture with storage built in. Multi-purpose products will come in handy. A bed with storage below, for example, may save you money on a dresser. Blankets and linens might be stored in an ottoman or couch with storage under the cushions. Hanging storage devices for shoes, jackets, and other accessories can also be added to fixtures like doors. Online merchants have a variety of multi-purpose storage products. Read this Apartment Square Footage Guide for additional help.
FURNITURE FOR SMALL APARTMENTS
While having furniture that serves as storage is convenient, you’ll want to make sure it’s still low-profile. Instead of a traditional, oversized floral-print loveseat or sectional, choose a slender couch that sits a bit higher. Choose a sofa with legs if you don’t have storage beneath. It will look less bulky and taller as a result of this.
This applies to all other types of furniture as well. When looking for tiny apartment furniture, seek for light-colored pieces that appear to be light in weight and sit higher. Exposed legs on couches and chairs provide visual height to a space if you like the look. When it comes to compact apartment furniture, multi-purpose items are the way to go.
A futon, for example, is ideal for a living room since it can double as a guest bed. It doesn’t have to be your dorm futon from college. There are a plethora of stylish alternatives available.
When it comes to opening up a space, natural light is essential. Everyone’s apartment will have varying levels of natural light, but by hanging mirrors, you can make the most of what you have. Mirrors not only make a space appear larger, but they also reflect natural light, making it brighter. In general, overhead illumination is insufficient, but this is especially true in a tiny flat. Table lamps, sconces, and standing lights may create a warm ambiance by illuminating your room with less harsh light.
It is also possible to conserve space by avoiding superfluous furnishings. Nightstands and coffee tables can overcrowd a space and should be replaced with additional storage items or something smaller. The area rug may also be removed. Area rugs and drapes may be classic, but they can weigh a space down and make it seem crowded.
Allowing natural light to pour in via the windows and leaving your floor open makes the space appear larger. If you live in a studio, smaller rugs might be used to divide your space into “rooms.” To create the illusion of different places, place a small rug beneath your desk and another under your bed. If you must have curtains or drapes, use a light-colored fabric with a breezy feel and place the curtain rod above the windowsill to lengthen the space.
CREATING SPACE IN EVERY ROOM
Living Room Ideas
A tiny living room isn’t always a bad thing. You have the opportunity to make your home’s core space warm and inviting, but not cluttered. You may do this after you’ve chosen your furniture and arranged it in a specific style, but before you buy anything, take measurements to determine what will fit in your area.
Make sure there’s enough room around your furnishings. Nothing should come into contact with each other. If you chose end tables instead of a coffee table, leave a gap between the table and the sofa. Another tip is to keep the furniture away from the wall. Adjust your furniture and make sure it’s never as long or as long as the wall in front of it.
The good news is that most rentals are painted in light hues, which helps to open up the space. You could wish to change the color of your apartment’s paint if it’s darker. Consult your landlord to determine if this is possible. If you can’t afford to renovate your rental, there are several removable wallpaper options that can give some color and depth.
You may add a pattern on the ceiling, depending on your lease and ceilings, to give the space more depth. Stripes can provide the impression of a larger space. As an accent wall, you might use striped removable wallpaper if you’re feeling daring. If wallpaper isn’t your style, try a striped rug or drapes instead. Stick to the guidelines above for carpets and curtains, and make sure the stripes are vertical.
Follow the cantaloupe rule while decorating a tiny flat. Because tiny items of décor can overwhelm a room, no object should be smaller than a cantaloupe. Choose a few major statement items and attempt to keep your room’s look consistent. You might choose a color scheme or multiple tones of the same hue. This will also keep you from buying things you don’t need!
Bedroom Design Ideas
Everyone’s bedroom is unique, and studio flats don’t have a distinct sleeping area. However, there are several ways to decorate a tiny bedroom.
To begin, if you live in a studio apartment, you may provide the impression of having a distinct area by separating your bed from the rest of your flat. You may use curtains, bookshelves, or room dividers to create a border around your bed. You may experiment with all three choices and even mix them to create a bedroom that is distinct from the rest of your home.
If you just have one bedroom or don’t want to divide your bed, there are lots of ways to make a tiny bedroom appear larger. Here, simplicity is important. Purchase a low-profile bed and bedding set. The same rule applies to your bed as it does to couches. The higher it is off the ground, as well as having visible legs, the larger the room appears.
Simple is best when it comes to bedding. Instead of choosing anything with a lot of designs, go for a solid hue. This will make the space feel less cluttered.
Make sure your space is devoid of any unneeded furniture. If you don’t need a nightstand, you’ll have more room to add things like floor lights. Make sure you’re getting the most out of your closet. See whether a set of drawers will fit in your closet instead of a lot of apparent storage.
Shoes, jewelry, and other accessories can be hung behind doors. You can get a garment rack to accommodate your clothes if you don’t have a closet. It may be used as both storage and decoration.
Kitchen Design Ideas
It’s crucial to have a place where you can cook meals. Even though your apartment kitchen is small, there are a few small apartment kitchen ideas that may make the space feel more open. The most common method is to leave the counters open. Keep the number of appliances on the countertop to a bare minimum. To clear up room, put away items you don’t use on a regular basis.
Hanging extra hooks for things like cups and small pans may help you save room in the cupboard, and a lazy Suzan is ideal for spices or tiny goods you need to access frequently. You may be as inventive as you want and make use of areas that aren’t immediately apparent.
Magnetic strips can be used to hang spices or other lightweight objects on the fridge. To save counter space, some cutting boards or colanders may be hung over the sink.
If you arrange your kitchen, it will feel more spacious, similar to having uncluttered worktops. Baskets, boxes, and containers will aid in the organization of cooking utensils and other objects. You may acquire tiny containers to place in the cabinets or buy attractive jars to set out.
You’ll fall in love with your little flat after decluttering, rearranging, and making it feel bigger. Remember, it’s all about what you enjoy, so use these suggestions to personalize your area!