When it comes to apartment living, it can be the most incredible dwelling experience you may ever have. Even though the space is limited, you cannot beat the amenities and benefits of community residence. And the fact that apartment rents are often affordable makes them an option you wouldn’t want to skip. No wonder, renters who try apartment living once do not want to switch to any other type of living option again. Needless to say, you only get smarter with time and learn to manage the limited space with some good thinking and creative ideas. And you probably get better with time, considering that your family will grow eventually and you will need more storage area in your living space. The best part is that maximizing the storage space is easier than you think. Here are some smart hacks you can try for making more from less.
Use trunks for tables
The first tip to get more storage in your apartment is to use trunks in the place of tables. Apart from providing additional storage space, an old trunk adds a vintage appearance to the decor. It takes the same area that a table would and serves the same purpose as well. Trunks make good substitutes for end tables, bedside tables and coffee tables, though they may not be apt for a center table. And you can fill these makeshift tables with items like books, games, toys and even cutlery. A separate one for each set of items is a great idea because they let you sort out stuff and find it easily later.
Opt for foldable furniture
Buying foldable furniture is another space saving trick that apartment dwellers have been using for ages. Rather than devoting space to an extra guest bed, get a couch that doubles up as a foldable bed. It functions perfectly as a couch everyday but you can have a comfortable bed ready in minutes when overnight guests drop in suddenly. Another smart move is to install a wall-mounted dining table that you can open up at meal times and fold during the rest of the day. If you are really short of space but often have guests, but an inflatable air mattress.
Think vertical for storage
When you think of your floor plan, it is always in the form of square footage. Why not just change your mindset and think vertical for storage? Count the square footage from the floor to the ceiling and pick tall shelves rather than broad ones. If you plan to buy a cabinet, pick one that measures less in terms of square footage on the floor, rather extends to the ceiling. Consider stacking shelving units one over the other rather than side by side. Not only will you get more storage over a smaller floor area but vertical pieces will give a spacious appearance to your apartment.
Clear away the clutter
One of the biggest challenges for homeowners is clutter. Over the years, you end up accumulating stuff that probably never comes to use and occupies storage space that could be of great utility. Apartment renters, in particular, need to take decluttering more seriously and do it once every few months. Check your stuff periodically and get rid of things you don’t use, be it clothes, books, shoes or appliances. If you are moving to a new place, discard stuff rather than take it along. This is a real good opportunity to declutter and you must absolutely use it!
Look for a thoughtfully designed apartment
Another smart hack for apartment renters who want to maximize their storage space is to opt for a place that actually matches their needs. Have a look at https://www.daroapartments.com/properties/1900-lamont/ to find options that are thoughtfully designed. There are even oversized balconies in select units that you can use for storing the knick knacks. There is much you can do with the extra space in the balcony. Just pack the extra stuff in boxes and place these in the balcony area to make more space in the interior. The best thing about well-designed spaces is that they aspire to give you maximum space possible.
Keep your stuff organized
Apart from choosing your apartment smartly, you need to organize your stuff properly as well. Designate areas for each of the things you own and ensure that everything is in place after use. Avoid buying duplicate items, particularly kitchen appliances as one of the two will end up never being used. Organizing your living space should not be confined only to the visible areas but all around the place. Whether it is the clothing in the closets, supplies in kitchen cabinets or food in the refrigerator, everything should be where it is supposed to be. Follow it as a routine and you will gradually be able to make it a habit.
Hang hampers behind the doors
Keeping stuff strewn around makes the place look dirty and cluttered. And small items like socks, underwear and hankies are perhaps the trickiest ones to manage. Hanging hampers behind the doors of the rooms is a good way to store small things and find them when you need to. Moreover, an average hamper gives as much space as a side table does, but is not visible. Just have a hook nailed in the door and hang a hamper on it. You may even hang one inside the closet door for keeping small items separate.
Use hooks in the kitchen and bathroom
Apartments often have small kitchens and bathrooms, which makes them problem areas from the storage perspective. Hanging lots of hooks lets you organize small stuff and give the area cleaner and decluttered appearance. Invest in magnetic storage to hold spoons and spatulas in the kitchen. Wall hooks serve as a great way to hang coffee mugs. You may also hang up pots and pans on the walls. By leveraging these ideas, you can actually empty a lot of space that can be used for storing other stuff. The same way, you can use wall fixtures in the bathroom to store toothbrushes, toothpaste and combs.
Use plenty of baskets
Using colorful baskets for storing knick knacks around the apartment is another helpful hack. You can place them in the rooms, kitchen and bathroom, over the tables, in the corners and on the counter tops. It is easy to place small items in them when you need to. This makes it easier to organize small items and find them easily when you need to. Explore the market and you can buy some decorative baskets in trendy colors to give a vibrant look and feel to the place while keeping it organized. And you can play with the shapes and sizes too, while creating loads of extra space for your stuff.
Store and decor!
Even while you decorate your apartment, storage should be on top of your mind. Try cool ideas like hanging up bigger items like your guitar or bicycle on the wall. Try creating wall storage with colorful racks that look good and provide ample space for keeping small stuff like books and gaming CDs. If you love gardening and want to make it a part of your home decor, you may even create a small vertical garden in the balcony wall by hanging pot holders in wall racks. Even when you step out to buy new furniture pieces for your apartment, pick only the ones that double up for smart storage. You may even consider renting stuff when you need it (like an extra couch during the holidays) rather than buying one and blocking space in your home.
Make good use of natural lighting
Creating an impression of space in your small apartment is as important as having more storage space therein. A place will look a lot bigger if natural lighting is used whenever possible. Rather than turning on indoor lights, throw open the curtains during the day and allow the apartment to be lit with natural light. Using thin or light-colored curtains is also a good idea if you want the place to be lit up and look spacious. However, there may be privacy concerns. So you can have two sets of curtains, lighter ones on the exterior and heavier, darker ones on the interior. While natural light also brings freshness and positivity for your living space, it also helps you cut down on energy bills. And you can reduce your environmental footprint as well.
When it comes to apartment living, the real trick is to have smarter space rather than just add more space. Create storage space in the most unexpected places and make efficient use of shelving. Have a look at your living space and create a well-planned strategy that combines decluttering and space optimization. The challenge with rental apartments is that you cannot create space by implementing major changes for the home. So you will probably have to think of hacks that focus on creating more with less and make your small place appear large rather than actually increase the storage physically.
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