Although small apartments have their upsides such as low rent, less maintenance, and a cozy charm, since the space is limited, one finds it hard to decorate. Of course everyone wants a living space that offers a welcoming and fresh vibe as soon as you enter but the truth is that practicality goes hand in hand as well.
Therefore, finding an equilibrium between decorating and keeping your apartment practical is tougher than it seems. Let’s look at some of the key ideas that may help you solve this problem.
Specify Small Spaces
While decorating their apartments, most people think that open concept living is the best way to go about it. However, what they do not realize is that open concept living is not really for small apartments. Over time, the apartment will start looking messy and therefore, you need to specify areas to keep things practical. For instance, you need to specify a particular area for your clothes, shoes, sports kits, etc.
If you are living alone, you would want things to be convenient and within your reach. With that being said, play around with items such as the kitchen table to see what works for you. Plus, if you have a hobby, let it play a key role as well.
Invest in Dual-Purpose Furniture
When you have a small apartment, every inch of the area counts. You should invest in furniture that serves dual-purpose. For instance, you can purchase a closet that includes a drawer for storing your clothes and expensive crockery items. The key is to reduce unnecessary occupation so that you can use the space for other important items.
Moreover, you should also consider a trundle bed that folds into a sofa so that you can watch TV. While purchasing such items, you should ensure that they are of the appropriate size. Anything bigger than the specified area will create a problem for other areas as well. It is better to take measurements and purchase items accordingly so that you are on the safe side while shopping.
Rethink Unused Spaces
After living in your apartment for several months, you will start to feel as if you need a change. That is true for most apartment owners out there. This is why you need to look around and rethink about unused spaces. Maybe you have some drawers or cabinets that are not being used the most effective way.
You can also think about dead spaces such as blank walls and unused spaces. If you have a wall that can be used to install shelves to place important things or you can put fruit baskets on top of the refrigerator. It’s all about brainstorming and bringing in new effective ideas.
Go Vertical with Storage
When it comes to making the best use of space, you should think vertically as well. This is the best way to make the most of your limited space. You can opt for a large entertainment center that reaches the ceiling from the floor and can also be used as a divider between living and sleeping areas. If nothing else, you can use the available wall space for fold-away furniture. On the other hand, if you do not have enough space to place a sofa, opt for cushions or any other items that allow you and your guests to sit comfortably.
Find an Organization System
Apart from specifying the areas and effectively using the available space, you should find an organization system that keeps the clutter away from view. You can find all the storage systems in the world but it will not make any difference if the apartment is not organized. You will have to spend a considerable amount of time searching for what you need. For instance, you can opt for the back of the door shoe hangers that allow you to hold and store things such as cleaning products. Once you find the right organizational system, it is going to take a while to adapt to it. In the meantime, make sure that you develop a habit of returning things to their proper places.
Choose a Light Color Palette
Believe it or not, colors play a huge role in making small spaces look bigger and big spaces look smaller. This is another important factor to keep in mind while decorating your small space. Choose a light color scheme and consider the color scheme of your furniture and the floor. You do not necessarily have to match the exact color, just the overall vibe inside the apartment.
If you go a little too extreme, you will most probably end up mismatching everything. As a result, not only will your apartment look small but decorated by an amateur as well. Plus, if you have antique items in your apartment, you can go ahead and choose relatively darker colors to make them more visually appealing.
Unclutter Your Apartment Regularly
Part of decorating your apartment requires that you clean and unclutter your apartment regularly. You cannot just rely on your storage spaces all the time. You simply need to put the items back to their specified areas. Cluttering is mostly caused by items that you use regularly. For instance, the dining chairs being positioned oddly, or forks and spoons spread throughout the apartment.
The best way to overcome the issue is by creating an organizational schedule. Take out a day from your busy week and tend to your apartment. Since it is a small one, it should not take much time and effort to keep things in order.
Final Word
Always ensure that you use the available space effectively and brainstorm ideas to come up with better storage options and organization skills. At the same time, unclutter your apartment at least once a week so that it does not look like a mess everytime you step inside.