Are you looking for ways to make your small apartment feel bigger? If so, you’re not alone. A lot of people are curious about how to make their small apartments feel bigger. You don’t have to sacrifice style or comfort for the sake of space. You can make the most of your small apartment and turn it into a relaxing sanctuary. Even the smallest of spaces can be transformed into a palace with the right layout, furnishings and organisation tricks.
Here are some ideas on how to make the most out of your small apartment storage.
Declutter
Eliminating excess clutter is the first rule of living comfortably in a small space. Get through the usual steps, get rid of it, donate it, and even put it in a self-storage facility. The smaller your space is, the more room you’re going to need to use small apartment storage tricks. If you haven’t been using anything for six months to one year, chances are you don’t need it!
Have a look at our tips on how to organise your wardrobe, which will definitely help with decluttering your place.
TIP: If you haven’t used something in 6 months to a year, chances are you don’t need it!
Have a place for everything
When you’re living in small spaces, it’s important to keep everything neat and tidy. This will make your home feel bigger and more spacious because it won’t be cluttered. It’s easy to fill every room with personal items such as photos, but if you can, try not to do this in a tiny space. You’ll just leave it looking cluttered. Instead, hang art on your walls and store products on the surface in drawers.
Create zones
If you have an open-plan space, you can use zoning to create separate areas for different purposes. You can achieve this by using furniture, textured rugs, or even art or painted walls. Moving the sofa away from the wall, or adding an armchair towards the middle of the room can make a big difference.
Consider multifunctional furniture to keep organised
When designing a space, it’s important to consider both the function and form of the room and furniture. They should work hard to keep things organised and serve a purpose. Storage is especially important when space is limited, so opt for multi-functional pieces like a TV unit with extra storage or an ottoman with built-in storage. This way, you can relax with your feet up while keeping your apartment clutter-free. You should also look into pieces like a bed with underneath storage for your bedroom or a nesting coffee table which is also a great option for small living rooms, as it can double in size when you have friends over for a game night or book club.
But before you start buying all new furniture, consider what you already have. And if you really need to get something, consider looking into second-hand furniture.
Utilise underused spots
Make use of underutilised areas in your small space, such as under your bed or over a door. Grab some under-bed storage drawers to stash away extra linens or clothes that are out of season. You can also use over-the-door hook racks to hang towels, bathrobes, or coats in your bathroom, bedroom, or living room.
It can be quite challenging to make use of awkward spaces and empty corners in a small apartment. One solution is to place a small dresser in the corner and decorate it with plants and artwork. Another idea is to utilise windowsills by using them as bookshelves or displaying decorative objects and plants. These simple tricks not only make the most of the corner but also provide additional storage space.
TIP: Finding the right balance between too much and too little can be quite challenging. Nobody wants a messy apartment, but at the same time, you don’t want your home to feel dull and lifeless.
Let the light in
When choosing how to decorate your apartment, remember to prioritise natural light. It can make your small space feel larger and brighter without any additional expenses. During the day, open your blinds or curtains to let in sunlight and visually expand your living area. Additionally, make sure you have sufficient artificial lighting in your living room, kitchen, and bedroom.
Lighting not only illuminates the space but also enhances design elements and can even alter the perceived temperature. So, don’t hesitate to try out various wall lights, floor lamps, and other lighting fixtures.
Use the walls for storage and display
Walls can sometimes be underutilised, but that blank canvas might come in handy when you need a little extra room for storage. Make use of the walls for décor, wall desks, shelving, and mirrors. Utilise unused space in the living room by adding some shelves to the ceiling or to corners.
Additionally, gallery walls or statement paintings are simple ways to enhance apartment decor without taking up a lot of room if you have wall space. Find artwork with a variety of prints and patterns, and choose a colour scheme that complements the rest of the space.
Paint the walls
There are a few ways to make the room look bigger with paint:
Paint the room top to bottom with one colour
While colour drenching is all the rage in interior design right now, living in a small apartment doesn’t mean you have to miss out. A clever trick for the living room is to paint the skirting boards and window frames the same colour as the walls. It’s a simple yet stylish touch that creates a contemporary, monochromatic look. Plus, it gives the illusion of larger walls, making the room feel more spacious. In a small space, a bright white ceiling is key. It draws attention to where the walls meet the ceiling, highlighting the size of your space. By eliminating colour contrasts that distract the eye, you can make your space look and feel bigger.
Choose light or dark colours
Although it’s true that lighter colours can make a space feel bigger, don’t underestimate the power of darker colours as a small apartment idea.
Dark colours have a clever way of absorbing light, which blurs the edges between walls. This creates a sense of depth and dimension, making the space appear larger instead of cramped.
However, if you’re torn between a dark or light shade of paint, it’s best to opt for a white or light hue for your small apartment’s walls. You can still bring colour into the space through other means, such as a stunning velvet tufted sofa, a trendy woven vintage rug, or vibrant artwork on the walls.
No matter what you decide, it’s important to stick to a cohesive colour scheme.
Add mirrors to your décor
Mirrors have the ability to create depth, reflect light, and brighten up a room, ultimately giving the illusion of more space. In a small apartment, strategically placed mirrors can do more than just provide a spot to check your appearance. They can help maximise the living area and make a smaller space appear larger. By reflecting light, mirrors can open up even the tiniest of areas and create a faux window effect, making it seem like you’re peering into another room or apartment. When deciding where to hang a mirror, it’s important to consider what it will reflect. For instance, hanging a mirror over your sofa and between your lamps in the living room will reflect the light from the lamps, making the room appear more spacious. In the bedroom or kitchen, hanging a mirror opposite a window will reflect natural light, making the room feel bigger and more airy.
TIP: Remember that less is more in a small space, and a single large mirror is more effective than a group of small mirrors.
Get a large area rug
Use a huge rug to create the perfect atmosphere for a room. The bigger the rug, the more spacious and inviting the area becomes. Adding layered rugs can also bring extra charm to a compact space. Placing a large sisal rug can define the boundaries of the room, while strategically positioning a focal point rug can introduce patterns or colours to enhance the overall look.
Keep the space alive with plants
Adding plants to your decor can create the illusion of a larger and taller space. By hanging them from the ceiling, the eyes are directed upwards. Additionally, incorporating plants into your home decor introduces a refreshing touch of green, enhancing the inviting ambience of your living space. There are a lot more benefits of having houseplants too.
Try out different furniture arrangements and have fun experimenting with your decor. It might take a bit of trial and error before you discover the perfect layout for your small space. Another idea is to visit stores like IKEA, where you can find plenty of inspiration for setting up your apartment. They have some awesome room setups that can give you ideas on how to style your living room in a small apartment.