There are plenty of upsides to living in an apartment. Renting is affordable, comes with fewer responsibilities, and saves you the trouble of dealing with a mortgage.
But with most good situations come certain drawbacks. Apartments can often feel cramped, and trying to organize all your belongings in a tight space isn’t an easy task.
If you’re looking to take control of your space, read on for some simple tips and tricks on how to organize your small apartment more efficiently!
Storage
Many apartments don’t have adequate closet space. This can prove to be a challenge when you’re looking for a place to store those belongings that just don’t need to be on display all the time.
Try getting creative with your storage. Here are a few suggestions for turning empty spaces into extra organization:
- Under the Bed – Utilize the seemingly bottomless pit that exists under the bed by adding some drawers or bins for added storage. Some bed frames even come with attached drawers underneath for this exact purpose.
- Above the Toilet – If your room lacks closet space, there’s a slim chance you have any in the bathroom. Place a stylish bathroom organizer above the toilet for a place to put the towels and air freshener.
- Behind a Door – Hang shelves over a door for extra storage compartments. These organizers are great for holding items such as shoes, electronics, and accessories. Who needs a closet when you have a door?
Pull Out Couch
Having a small apartment doesn’t mean the end of having people over.
When guests stay at your place, don’t pull out a clunky air mattress that takes up the entire floor. Instead, invest in a compact and comfortable pull out couch. A pull-out couch provides extra sleeping real estate that can easily be hidden away during the daytime.
If you’re limited on bedrooms and floor space, but you still want to have people over, this is the way to go.
Hook It Up
Don’t underestimate the power of hooks. Many items can be hung up on the wall to save space, and doing so also adds a stylish flair to any room.
Using the smallest of sticky hooks, to the sturdiest of wall mounts, here are a few ideas for bringing things off the floor and onto the walls:
- Pots and Pans – Running out of cabinet space? Try the Martha Stewart approach and hang your nicest pots and pans on the wall. This will not only create more room, but it’s also going to have a great aesthetic. That rustic kitchen look will make you feel like the star of your own cooking show.
- Keys – Stop taking up table space by throwing your keys around. Instead, keep things organized and hang them up on hooks by the front door. Not only will this look better and save space, but it will also ensure you’re never running around, frantically trying to remember where you put your car keys.
- Shower Caddy – Most small apartments don’t exactly have room to spare in the bathroom. If your shower is feeling overwhelmed from a bottle of shampoo and a bar of soap, try out a shower caddy. Shower caddies are cheap, lightweight, and can be hung on the wall or over the shower head. Using a shower caddy will give you multiple compartments for all your bathing needs. Now you finally have a place to put that loofa you’ve been wanting!
Place Your Trash Can in a Cabinet
Your trash can take up a lot of needed floor space. Make your kitchen more spacious (and easier on the eyes) by purchasing a smaller trash bin that fits inside a cabinet.
The place to house your trash can is going to be the cabinet under the kitchen sink. This way, it won’t contaminate any dishes or food.
Ditch your big trash can and opt for something sleeker that can be hidden away. That space can be used for something more interesting to look at.
Stack Your Microwave
A lot of apartments don’t come with a built-in microwave. When your kitchen is small, taking up nearly an entire square foot of counter space just for an appliance can be a pain.
Instead, consider placing your microwave on top of the fridge. Apartment fridges tend to lean toward the smaller side, so if you’re able to reach the microwave on top of the fridge, you’ll save a ton of counter space that can be used for actual cooking (because no home chef should feel cramped).
Make it Work
Just because your apartment is 800 square feet, doesn’t mean it can’t feel spacious.
As unbelievable as that sounds, it’s true. Creating space can be done in all sorts of ways. From big to small, finding places where you can compress, compact, and open things up is a necessary skill for anyone living in tight quarters. Remember to think outside the box, and don’t be afraid to try something new. Your space is what you make of it!