15 Hacks for Small Apartments: How to Maximize Your Living Space
- Dec 28, 2022
- 4 min read
Small apartments are often underestimated because of their space. With the right furniture and decorative accessories, you can achieve a visual enlargement.
July 22, 2022
We often don't consider buying larger pieces of furniture, vases or art prints because of the small living space. This doesn't need to be. With a few tips and tricks, we'll show you how to make the most of the size of your home.
1. Integrate Reflective Materials
The first rule of thumb in small living spaces is to use mirrors. A large mirror placed opposite a window will help spread the light around the room and make it appear more spacious. You can also use a mirror to create the illusion of an extra door or window. Make sure the proportions are right - less is more.
2. Incorporate Wall Decorations
Another solution is to mount a picture gallery on a blank wall. This creates the illusion of more space. It's an easy and inexpensive way to add some personality to your home. Our tip: hang the pictures higher up right away to make your walls seem even longer.
3. Reduce the Size of Your Dining Area
If you want to create more space in your home, downsizing your dining area is a good start. A smaller dining table takes up less space and gives the room a more open feel. For example, a round table takes up less space than a traditional rectangular table.
4. Multiple Shelves for More Space
If you're short on space, putting up multiple shelves is a great way to make the most of the space you have. By stacking items vertically, you can free up floor space and store a lot of items to boot.
5. Multipurpose Furniture for Optimal Enlargement
With a little creativity, you can find ways to expand your home. One way to do this is to use multipurpose furniture. A folding table is a good example of this. You can also gain more living space with a sofa that turns into a bed at night.
6. Set Up Separate Zones
By creating multiple areas, you can make your living area feel larger and more inviting. For example, if you have an open living room and kitchen, you can create a cozy reading nook near the window. Or you can border the dining area with a rug or sofa. The latter, for example, can serve as a wall between the living room and the entrance area.
7. Hide Your TV
If you're looking for a way to make your apartment look even bigger, hide your TV in a sideboard. They're usually narrower than a traditional TV, so they don't take up extra space. You can also store the remote control and other accessories in the often integrated drawers.
8. Use Sliding or Glass Doors
Sliding doors are a great way to divide a large space without blocking the light. They slide into the wall when not in use, so they don't take up extra space, and their glass panels let the light through even when they're closed. Such doors are also a good choice if you have limited space to open a door, such as in a small apartment.
9. Larger, but Less
One of the easiest ways to make your apartment look bigger is to use fewer, but larger pieces of furniture and decorative accessories. Instead of smaller couch and end tables, go for a large coffee table in the center of your living room. A large painting or two art prints hanging side by side can sometimes have more impact than a gallery wall of smaller murals.
10. Think Practically
If you have limited space, you should be strategic in choosing your furniture. For example, instead of a traditional side table, you can use a chair. This way you can free up space.
11. Good Lighting Is Half the Battle
In a small space, good lighting can make all the difference. By carefully selecting and positioning light sources, you can create the impression of a larger space. For example, placing a lamp in a corner makes the entire room seem more open. You can also use mirrors to reflect the light and make the room seem larger.
12. Paint Your Walls White
If you're looking for a way to visually expand your apartment, painting your walls white is a good place to start. White paint reflects light, giving the impression of more space. It also makes the rooms look brighter and friendlier. If you're worried that it will make your walls look too sterile, you need to remember that not all white is the same. Among white wall paint there are different nuances.
13. Think Vertically, Not Horizontally
By placing sconces vertically, you can give a small room a taller, sleeker look. Oval or rectangular mirrors or pendant lights are also suitable for this trick. With the latter, make sure they don't hang too low. This will make the room look smaller and more oppressive.
14. Build Upwards
One of the best ways to make a room look bigger and taller is to take advantage of the often underutilized space between the tops of furniture and the ceiling. Hanging or attaching items high up on the walls can help draw the eye upward and make the room feel more spacious. For example, bookshelves and cabinets that reach the ceiling can give the impression of additional height.
15. Use Neutral Colors
Using a neutral color palette can help give the impression of more space, and it can also make your rooms feel calmer and more inviting. If you don't know where to start, paint your walls a warm beige or light gray. Add colorful accents at the end to breathe some life into your decor.
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