Doesn’t it seem like rent prices are increasing and square footage is decreasing? Especially in a place like California you’re probably no stranger to living in small spaces. When I moved to California I had to figure out how to fit my stuff and live in a much smaller apartment than I had previously. While it was a challenge at first, I figured out a few tips and tricks that made the small space feel bigger and more spacious than it really was. Read on to learn more 😊
Small space furniture is key for living in a small space. If you are in a studio apartment or your bedrooms don’t have a lot of space, consider a Murphy bed that folds right up into the wall or a bed that folds into a couch. It doubles as two things and saves you significant space. There are plenty of really cute and affordable small space furniture out there for rooms both inside and outside of your home. When it comes to living room and dining room, consider a smaller table that will fit nicely in a corner and not take up a lot of square footage by being bulky and large. Finding small space furniture that has built in storage is key. It fits nicely in a corner and allows you to store other items that might take up more space in your home or apartment.
Light paint colors is a really easy way to make a space seem bigger than it is. Light paint colors makes a room feel airy and bright where as a darker paint color can make a space feel smaller and stuffy. If you live in an apartment, you might be limited a little more limited with this but it is still possible. For example, my apartment complex gives you the option of painting an accent wall on one wall in the unit. You have the option of choosing the color if you decide you want to do it. Adding an accent color makes a space feel bigger, especially if you choose a light paint color. If you own your home, then you have a lot more freedom and flexibility with this. Paint the walls a nice light and airy color that will make the space feel open and welcoming. Try and avoid darker colors that will make the space seem even smaller than it actually is.
We talked about hidden storage a little earlier on when we were talking about small space furniture, but it really is key in maximizing and making the most of a small living space. Like we talked about earlier, finding furniture that has built in storage is a really easy way to maximize space. You can also utilize your closet and underneath your bed with drawers that can easily be hidden. Floating shelves are a really cool design factor that are really popular right now. Not only do they add a design factor, they give you added storage without taking up any square footage at all. You can install floating shelves in the kitchen and put your spices or cookbooks on there which will free up drawers and cabinets in the kitchen for other kitchen supplies.
Ahh decluttering. You had to know this was going to be on the list. I know for me decluttering is really difficult. It might seem daunting and really challenging, but it doesn’t have to be. Don’t overwhelm yourself and feel like you have to get rid of all your stuff. Start with one space and sit down and really think about what you need and what you use. Then think realistically about what you haven’t touched in years and what you could potentially get rid of to free up some space. You can also donate your things to charity instead of throwing them away! You would be amazed at how decluttering even a little bit will make such a drastic difference in the amount of space you have in your home or apartment.
Zillow actually wrote an article on how to make the most out of 500 square feet and it was really interesting. In their blog they talked about evolving your space, which essentially means be patient. Shopping on a budget takes time. You might not find everything you are looking for on your first trip and that’s okay. Be patient and it will all come together. The Zillow article also talks about “free piles," which is where you make a pile of things you no longer want and other people in the community are able to take it. I can personally attest to how great this is. People in my apartment complex leave out free piles and I do have some really cool stuff from them. It might seem gross at first, but I just wash or clean whatever the item is and it’s good to go. This is a great way to save money and collect really cool and different items. Not to mention, when I want to declutter (hint hint paragraph above) I can leave stuff in the free piles for my neighbors to enjoy. It really all is a big circle when you think about it
So there you have it. I know living in a small space might not be ideal, but there are a few really easy ways you can maximize your space. I hope I have shed light on a few of those ways and have given you some ideas you can incorporate into your own home. If you have any questions or comments regarding this topic, feel free to reach out to Solar Art! We would love to hear from you 😊
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