How to make your apartment look and feel more spacious – Easy tips and trends!

Apartments offer so many advantages, from their central location and lock-up-and-go lifestyle to their affordability – but that does come at the cost of square footage. It can be a struggle to make your apartment feel more spacious, so we’re sharing some designer tips to help you out!

Storage – The smart way

Along with limited square footage, apartments often suffer from lack of storage. Luckily, there are some creative and flexible options out there to solve your storage problem and reduce clutter.

• Wall storage: This doesn’t just mean shelving – the wall is a great spot for your bicycle too. Make sure that the shelves you do install reach as high up as possible. You may need a step ladder to reach their contents, but it’s an ideal spot for items you don’t need on a regular basis. You can enclose them with fabric or cupboard doors to hide away any clutter.
• Kitchen storage: Make your cooking area more flexible by adding a roll-away island or pantry, hanging your spice rack and wine glasses from the underside of your cabinets, and utilizing the back of cupboard doors with caddies for cleaning supplies. This gives you more prep space and more storage in one go.

Say no to single function furniture

Choosing furniture that does double duty is a fantastic way of freeing up space in your home. When looking at furniture, look at pieces that offer storage, like coffee tables with space for books and blankets or beds that have pull-out storage space beneath them for your linen. An ottoman can be used as extra seating, or a coffee table and you can even get fold out or extendable dining room tables, so you don’t have to struggle with entertaining!

Also, before you purchase any furniture, take the time to measure out your space and decide where to put different pieces. This will give you a great framework to use when you’re at the store and you’re unsure if an item is too big or not.

Additionally, try to choose items that are more delicate rather than solid, heavy pieces. Couches and armchairs that are raised off the ground, structured rather than solid shelving and lightweight coffee tables all create a feeling of lightness and space. They also allow natural light to travel more easily through your apartment.

Consider your colors

There are all sorts of rules about using color when you paint or decorate, but it’s really all about knowing the effect certain colors will have on your space. For example, traditional neutrals are great for making a space feel light and airy, and many designers recommend that you use these colors for your drapes and window treatments as well as your walls and floor to make your space feel as big and light as possible. Pops of color will then add character and personal flair.

But that doesn’t mean that you can’t use other colors! Darker, rich colors will create a cozier atmosphere, adding depth and drama. They are much more difficult to paint over though, so if you do want to add color, try to gauge the effect first by painting a smaller feature wall rather than the entire room.

Add focus pieces

Instead of having lots of smaller décor items, choose a few, large pieces that really make a statement. These will draw the eye and distract from the smaller space rather than making the room feel cluttered and cramped. A vibrant painting, a brightly upholstered couch, a striking area rug or even a large indoor plant are just some ideas to consider. Mirrors also add depth and spaciousness to a room and are great for boosting the natural light. For a small bathroom, consider adding an out-sized mirror on the wall – or even cladding a whole wall in mirror – for this effect.

Make decluttering a habit

When you live in a smaller space, it’s more important than ever that you only keep the stuff you really want and need. Take the time to consider every purchase to make sure it’s something that will add to your apartment, go through your wardrobe regularly to get rid of unwanted or unnecessary clothing, and don’t let daily clutter pile up on tables and couches. Your wallet will thank you, your home will look it’s best, and charities will love your unwanted goods – it’s even great for reliving stress and anxiety!

We hope these tips were helpful and wish you all the best for your home improvement project!