Getting ready to decorate your new pad and make it your own? Everyone knows there are home improvement blogs and websites available in droves — the only catch being that most of these helpful guides are geared toward houses. So, what’s a dedicated apartment-dweller or small-space devotee to do?
Certainly there are plenty of tips to be had from any home improvement project; however, we know that those who live in more compact arrangements are faced with unique challenges — starting with square footage and expanding all the way to Apartment Community Guidelines.
Given this, shouldn’t there be a guide to apartment and small-space décor, DIY ideas and improvements? Here’s the good news: There are plenty of destinations online to help you with your specific needs. To get you started, we’ve compiled a rundown of some of the best ones available.
The Basics
When you want to start right at the top by checking out what’s going on with the biggest and most popular apartment sites, look here for ideas.
apartmenttherapy.com: Started by Maxwell Ryan, the “apartment therapist,” this comprehensive site grew from a weekly email distribution to a full-scale destination offering not only small-space tips but also ideas on green living, budgeting, family life and technology.
apartment34.com: This site wins rave reviews for its visual beauty. Rather than giving specific instructions, it seeks to inspire with stunning photos of cleverly worked space. Additionally, this destination is dedicated specifically to apartments and small living spaces.
myfirstapartment.com: Just as its title suggests, this site is targeted to young adults just starting out on their own. It offers invaluable advice on budgeting, decorating and entertaining in your very own, new and small space — everything from holiday challenges to the considerations of choosing an apartment or a roommate.
DIY Challenges
Looking for advice on what you can logistically change or improve yourself in a space you technically do not own? Here are a couple of resourceful destinations that can assist.
acmehowto.com: The property manager won’t pay for repairs that you feel you really need? Roll up your sleeves and visit this comprehensive site, which offers DIY tutorials in various home maintenance and improvement areas — everything from pest control to electronics to flooring.
rentaldecorating.com: This digest is geared specifically to the renter, with ideas on how to make a rental space feel like your own. Practical matters, such as moving tips and creating a home inventory, are covered; there’s even a section on decorating dorm rooms for college students about to take their first steps away from their childhood homes.
First-Person Voices
If you enjoy reading about other people’s lives and experiences straight from their own fingertips, there are blogs dedicated to small-space living that will amuse, interest and advise you in a totally one-on-one style.
ourlittleapartment.com: Meet Ashley, an Ohio apartment dweller who blogs about her family, sustainable living and how to make life in a small space beautiful. She is particularly helpful in regard to making an apartment work with children, as well as living the minimalist lifestyle.
readingmytealeaves.com: Brooklyn dweller Erin lives in a tiny one-bedroom with her husband and child. She blogs about a variety of subjects, including family, interior design and fashion. Enjoy her stunning photography as she shows how to make minimal square footage work.
livinginanutshell.com: Janet Lee is a self-described “serial small-space nester” who has lived in more than a dozen “nutshells” over the years — all of them around 800 square feet or so. Her blog provides a “design buddy” to consult when trying to figure out how to live big in a shoebox!
Whatever route you decide to take when embarking on your small-space endeavor, remember to keep the most important vision in mind: yours! You’ll find it is one thing that never proves to be too small!
