If you’ve just moved into a studio or a might-as-well-be-a-studio size apartment or if you’ve already been living “mini” for a while, this blog post is for you! Small living space doesn’t need to feel claustrophobic; there are ways to make even the tiniest home be the epitome of comfort and style. Eye-catching tricks and cleverly designed furniture can help create space when there felt like there was none. We’ve synthesized 4 key elements to keep in mind when trying to up-size your down-sized space.
1. Less is More
When first moving into a new space, it’s always great to shed some of the past home’s unnecessary extras before moving in, but it’s even more important when you’re downsizing. “You don’t have to display everything. After all, nothing makes a room feel smaller than clutter.” – a wise article writer for HouseBeautiful.com once said. Time to ask yourself the age-old question, “Does this bring me joy?” Keeping surfaces as excess-free as possible will always help make a room feel more open.
This doesn’t just apply to decor and household items; it stands to reason that being very wise about the furniture pieces is important in creating a home that feels inviting and comfortable rather than stuffy and suffocating. Do you need two end tables? How often do you dine at a table with guests? Is a desk necessary or do you prefer working at the office or coffee shop? Once you’ve answered the question of which items are essential, then the fun comes of choosing how to display, store and improve functionality in your home!
2. But Wait, More (functions) is Better
Convertible and streamlined furniture will help keep a studio apartment or small home functional as well as fashionable. With so much of the population choosing to rent rather than buy and the growing trend of “tiny home living,” there are boundless possibilities when it comes to space-saving multi-function furniture:
- Couches with built-in storage and/or convert into beds
- Coffee tables with built-in storage and/or rise to become a dining table/desk space
- Loft beds with space underneath for a desk, couch, or dining table
- Murphy Beds, yes, they still exist!
- Collapsible or hanging desks
- Transformable dining tables
Not only will utilizing these ingenious designs help you save space, but they will also wow your future guests with how clever you are to have found them! Decorating with multi-use, sleeker, designed, and functionality-focused furniture will make your home more enjoyable to be in every day.
3. Don’t Just Hang Up Your Hat
Remember to take advantage of your wall space in your apartment or home. Rather than hauling that floor-to-ceiling bookcase up 5 flights of stairs (unless it is a must-have, then 606 Movers can help with that!), why not invest in hanging shelves to display your keepsakes and books? And as we mentioned before, hanging desks and even tables are great space-saving inventions.
Large mirrors or light-reflecting art and decor will also make great additions to your most likely limited wall space. Home and Gardens recommends mirrors for a small space because “Mirrors reflect both natural and artificial light to make a room brighter during the day and night, and they bounce light deep into the room, making it appear larger.” In addition, drawing the eye vertically by hanging long curtains or placing art/decorative objects high on the walls create an illusion of space that helps make any tiny home feel larger.
4. Let Your Creative Colors Shine
Creating spatial separations with colors and decor is a creative and efficient way to differentiate between areas in a smaller space. Only have one room for your living room, dining room, office, and bedroom? Painting a wall, adding an eye-catching rug, or strategically placed furniture will make these areas feel like they have unique uses. For a visual design muse, check out Spruce.com’s article, “12 Perfect Studio Apartment Layouts to Inspire”
Don’t be afraid of color, bold patterns, and interesting art within your space; stimulating visuals will keep you and your guests interested in the aesthetic of your home rather than the square footage. Embrace creative placement of your items; who says a washer/dryer can’t go in your living room? Your living space needs to be functional for you and your needs rather than be boxed into the traditional home layout. Every apartment or house has the potential to become the perfect home. Let us know when you need our help moving into or out of that special place!