If you’re living in a small apartment, don’t let the lack of square footage get you down! You can organize, furnish, and
decorate a small apartment to make it look more spacious than ever. It’s easier to do this room by room (or one conjoined room if you have a studio) to get a better of idea of what should go where.
Small Bedroom Ideas
Though you may think that a small bedroom calls for smaller pieces of furniture, that’s not necessarily the case. It’s actually better to have a few statement pieces in your room than trying to place numerous smaller, decorative pieces in the space. Rather than a bed, two nightstands, a dresser, a chest, and maybe a decorative storage bench at the foot of your bed, try furnishing your small bedroom with just a decorative bed frame (maybe one with storage below), one night stand, and a tall chest to put your folded clothes in.
This will give you more floor space, while still giving you plenty of drawer space. The goal here is to maximize the space of your small apartment, so less furniture equals more space. Even if your furniture pieces are smaller in size, they’ll make the room appear cluttered rather than furnished.
Tiny Bathroom Ideas
If your bathroom is relatively tiny like mine, then there are a few decorating tricks that can help you maximize your space. Why put
decorations on your bathroom counter when you could just place your toiletries on it? Why not do both? In fact, how about using your toiletries for decoration! Mason jars are great items for holding Q-tips, cotton balls,
makeup brushes, and things like flossers, toothpaste, and toothbrushes. Not only are your necessary items now organized, but they’re cute bathroom décor as well!
If you have more than a handful of products for your hair, skin, nails, etc. in your bathroom, consider getting a decorative bathroom tray to place on your bathroom counter. Simply stand your toiletries (hairspray, face wash, moisturizer, hand lotion) on the tray. Now you won’t have to make everything fit under the sink, and the things that you use on a daily basis will appear organized and decorative – not to mention easily accessible. And if you want to make your bathroom appear bigger, try adding in a decorative mirror wherever you have wall space!
Adding in an over-the-toilet storage rack is also a great solution for a small bathroom that lacks storage space. You can use this rack for folded towels, a makeup mirror, a few toiletries, and an extra roll or two of toilet paper! This is a great option for those of us who don’t have a ton of storage under the bathroom counter.
Small Living Room Décor
Small living areas are no big deal – there’s plenty you can do to maximize the space in your living room. For instance, it’s a good idea to use furniture that is multi-use – whether you’re interested in an L-shaped couch with hidden storage space underneath the cushions, a pull-out couch, or a trendy daybed that doubles as both a couch and a comfy place for guests to sleep. Your living room will be similar to your bedroom in that it’s better to have a few statement pieces in the space rather than over-clutter it with small, decorative pieces of furniture.
Rather than a bulky coffee table in front of your couch, try using a smaller, lighter table – maybe one with drawers or other
storage solutions within the table – that won’t take up too much space in the room. And if you want the room to appear larger than it is, remember – mirrors, mirrors, and more mirrors! Rather than putting a few side tables on either end of your couches with a desk lamp on top, trade them in for tall, skinny lamps that can fit in a corner. This way your lamps won’t be in the way and they’ll take up much less space.
Decorating a Small Kitchen
So you don’t have anywhere to put your six-person dining table anymore – don’t fret! Trade in that large dining room table for a cute, round high-top table with matching bar stools – it’s trendier anyway! Decorating a small kitchen and dining space can seem like a hard obstacle to overcome, but all you need are a few tips and tricks, and your kitchen will seem as spacious as the one in Joanna Gaines’ farm house (Fixer Upper, anyone?).
A trick I enjoy in my own kitchen is using glass vases to place my kitchen utensils (spatulas, ladles, whisks, tongs, and more) in. It keeps your drawer space available for smaller or sharper items such as pizza cutters, potato peelers, measuring spoons, can openers, and knives. Not only will the vase of utensils be organized and easy to grab, they’ll be cute too! If you lack
storage space in your kitchen, try consolidating your Tupperware, pots and pans, plates and bowls, and water glasses onto their own shelves. The best way to maximize the space in your kitchen is by keeping everything nice and tidy.
And if you don’t have anywhere to store your decorative kitchen towels and oven mitts, get a small basket to hold them in, and place it either on the counter (perhaps on top of the microwave or toaster) or on top of the fridge if there is space above it! It keeps them out of the way while still remaining decorative and accessible.
How to Organize a Small Closet
There’s nothing quite as frustrating as having to dive through clothing and shoes to find the outfit you’re looking for in a
cramped closet. Similar to the kitchen, the best way to maximize the space in your small closet is to stay organized. Shoe racks (whether on the floor or hanging on the door) are a great way to keep all of your shoes in one place rather than scattered beneath your hanging clothes. Over-the-door organizers are a simple solution to making more room in your closet for all of your hanging clothes. Hang scarves, belts, and jewelry on the wall or on the door of your closet as well– cute and organized!
See there? Living in a small space doesn’t have to feel cramped, cluttered, or… small! With a few decorating tips, a few furnishing tricks, and some serious organization, your small apartment will be feeling roomier than ever in a flash.
