Living in a small home or apartment comes with certain pros and cons. On the plus side, less square footage usually translates to a lower mortgage or rent payment. But, it can be tricky to decorate tiny rooms and keep them tidy and organized. Fortunately, you don’t have to sacrifice style for functionality. You can have both. Take advantage of these big ideas for maximizing space and style in your small dwelling.
Focus on Function in Your Kitchen
Small kitchens get cluttered quickly, which can present a challenge when you’re trying to whip up a quick meal. Make your kitchen work for you by focusing on function.
Start by using your wall space. Install vertical shelving to store pots and pans, appliances, and kitchenware like bread machines, mixers, and blenders. To free up valuable drawer space, mount a magnetic strip on the wall for knives, whisks, and other metal utensils.
For more organizational help in the kitchen, make use of the insides and outsides of cabinet doors by hanging things like spice racks and measuring spoons. Utilize the space on top of your refrigerator and kitchen cabinets. These are good spots for storing rarely-used items like holiday linens and fancy liquors. To keep your pots and frying pans out of the way but within easy reach, mount a pot rack on the ceiling above your sink or kitchen island.
Get Creative With Furniture and Accessories in Your Living Room
Your living room is the place where you relax, watch TV and entertain friends, so you want it to be inviting and comfortable. Make the most of this space by getting creative with furniture and accessories.
To reduce clutter in your living room, choose ottomans, benches, and coffee tables with storage capability. These products come in a range of styles and colors, so you can always find something to fit your design aesthetic. Create a home for all your books, plants, and knickknacks by installing floor-to-ceiling shelving. And if you enjoy entertaining or eating in your living room, park a trio of nesting tables next to a sofa or chair. Pull them out to hold food and beverages when you need them, and tuck them neatly away when you don’t.
Do you have an open-concept floor plan in your home or apartment? Define your living room space with a stylish area rug. As a good rule of thumb, choose a rug that fits all the legs of your large furniture pieces—sofa, armchairs and coffee table—or at least the front legs of your sofa and chairs. Just remember to allow eight to 18 inches of floor space between the rug and the wall to frame the layout of the room and leave pathways around your furniture.
If you love the artwork, hang it above eye level in a small living room. Placing paintings, drawings, and photographs high on the wall draws the eye upward and gives the illusion of a taller ceiling, according to Architectural Digest.
Mirrors make the perfect accent pieces for small spaces because they reflect light. When rooms are brighter, they appear larger. To bring more natural light into your living room, place a mirror on the wall directly opposite a window. For a decorative touch, add small framed mirrors to a gallery wall, or install mirrored light fixtures.
Aim for Organization in Your Bedroom
Your bedroom should be your sanctuary, and the best way to instill serenity is through the organization. Keep your closet neat and orderly with organizers for your shoes, sweaters, clothing on hangers, and accessories. Keep off-season apparel in under-bed storage boxes or vacuum-sealed containers. Use nightstands with drawers and cabinets to hold books and other nighttime necessities.
Make More Room in Your Home Office
To turn a small room into a productive home office, make the most of wall space by adding vertical shelving, wall files, wall calendars, bulletin boards, or dry-erase boards. Instead of a floor lamp, opt for wall sconces or track lighting. Conserve space with a corner desk, and look for a file cabinet on casters that tucks under one end. When it comes to electronics, choose products that are lightweight, streamlined, and wireless.
Try Additional Space-Saving Ideas
Looking for more space-saving ideas for cramped quarters? Follow these tips:
- Take regular inventory of your belongings, and decide if you want to keep, sell, donate, recycle, or dispose of them.
- Follow the one-in, one-out rule when it comes to adding new items to any room.
- Embrace minimalism by choosing low-profile furniture, acrylic pieces, and a neutral color palette.
- Create the appearance of height with floor-to-ceiling drapes.
You don’t have to give up on style when decorating small rooms. Try these ideas, and check out CORT Furniture Rental for all your home furnishings. You’ll find fashionable space-savers like loveseats, trunk-style ottomans, bookcases, storage beds, desks, and more. You may be surprised at how much money you can save by renting furniture for your home or apartment instead of buying. And what’s especially beneficial for small spaces is CORT will swap out your furniture for a new style when you decide you want a change or need furniture that’s even more functional.
Photo by Ivan Samkov from Pexels
