How to Make Your Tiny Apartment Feel Twice As Big
Why do some small apartments feel cozy, while others feel like you just walked into a war zone? A messy desk or an unorganized closet isn’t a good look for anybody—but when you’re living in cramped quarters, the clutter is magnified. The good news: The right organization techniques can give you that cozy feeling—no moving required. Here’s how to maximize what you have.
Find Out What’s Essential
Before you do anything to get organized, filter out the junk. “If you keep too much, you can’t find what’s really important,” says Monica Friel, CEO and founder of Chicago-based professional organization company Chaos to Order. Go through each room one by one, and adopt the mindset that author Marie Kondo describes in her book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying. Individually pick up everything that you own. Hold it. Look at it. Ask yourself: Does this thing bring me joy?
Thinking happy thoughts? Keeper. Lukewarm? Toss.
Opt for Multipurpose Products
Stay away from bulky furniture, which instantly cramps a room—they also take up more space than they offer. In a small area, you have to get creative. Get an ottoman that doubles as storage ($53, amazon.com), a dresser that doubles as an entertainment center ($100, ikea.com), and a desk that doubles as a coffee table ($180, amazon.com). If your living room doubles as an eating space, invest in a kitchen cart that stores two stools, gives you extra counter space, and unfolds into a table ($120, amazon.com). Need help organizing your closet, too? Here’s the smartest way to do it.
Look Under Your Bed
The area under your bed might be the most underutilized spaces in a home. Maximizing it can have a huge impact on the clutter—we like it best for storing out-of-season clothes and luggage.
Invest in two main organization tools here: vacuum-sealed storage bags and rolling storage containers. Get a jumbo pack of bags to use for clothes, sheets, and towels ($21, amazon.com). One you put your clothes in the bags, seal them up, and toss them in the rolling storage containers. The wheels are a small but significant detail—it makes it so much easier to grab things like those extra sheets and towels when guests come by.
Make the Most of Your Walls
A big piece of art makes a room appear much larger than a bunch of smaller pieces; it brings focus to the wall without cluttering it. You can also be functional here—install wall mounts to put your bike on display when you’re not riding.
Be conscious of your TV, too. A big, bulky TV is distracting, and exposed wires make a room instantly cluttered. Try keeping it in an armoire, and concealing the wires. (That TV might be hurting your sperm. Here’s why.)
Think About The Lighting
Light colors open up a space, while dark colors close it. Lighter walls and furniture will reflect natural, opening up the area—that’s especially important around the floor and ceiling. Windows can especially create the illusion of space. During the day, make sure you’re getting as much natural light as you can. At night, stay away from harsh overhead lighting. Softer lights—like table and standing lamps—will give the small space a cozy look.