Apartment Living: How to Make the Most Out of Your Space

It doesn’t matter whether you’re dealing with a large or small space, having a well-thought-out design plan will ensure that you’re making the most out of your apartment. Whether you're just moving in, or you've been living in your apartment for years, these simple touches can do wonders for helping your home feel a little cosier…

Embrace simplicity

Minimalism as a style is all about clean lines, classic colours and patterns, and practical designs. All of these contribute to a more comfortable small-space dwelling and prevent the rooms and furniture from looking disconnected. Avoid accumulating too much decorative furniture and focus on keeping the space bright and airy.

Create harmony

Interior design works best when you combine elements that naturally work together. Colour plays a key role in your home’s sense of balance, so it’s important to choose shades that complement each other and make sense to the rest of the room. Consider keeping a colour palette for combined rooms to avoid a sense of chaos or clutter. For larger pieces of furniture, opt for a lighter colour scheme which doesn’t dominate the room.

Create a dining room

If you plan on entertaining regularly or if you simply want to dine in style, leave some space in your living room for a dining area. This is a great way to create some division in your room, making it appear larger and serve more function. Creating a harmonious space is all about balance and weighing up what is important to you. If you decide that a dining table is a must-have, then double up on storage space with hollowed pouffes, tables and footstools that provide storage inside for any excess items.

Keep the floor clear

If you are working with a small amount of space, you can make the most out of every square inch by getting creative with your storage options. Squeeze some extra function out of your wardrobe by adding hooks, shelves and plastic storage boxes. For seasonal clothes, shoes you can’t bring yourself to throw away, and spare bedsheets, buy rolling draws or boxes to store under the bed.

Think vertically

Think up rather than out and make the most out of your wall space, especially if your floor space is limited. Choose tall, slim bookshelves and hang paintings high on the wall to draw the eye upward. You can also trick the eye with long, hanging mirrors and curtains that reach the floor, as they will give the illusion of having a larger space and a higher ceiling.

Dividing the room

Sectioning a room into different areas can be as simple as placing down rugs or furniture which can act as a room divider. Choices range from backless bookcases to standing shelves and racks.

Get creative with your layout

Try experimenting with different layouts until you find one that works best for your needs. If you have a lot of stuff, finding a layout that easily works for you and makes the most of your space is important. Don't be afraid to try different ideas until you find a layout that feels comfortable and spacious. A studio apartment doesn't have to feel cramped - with the right layout, you can make it feel like a home.

Multifunctional furniture

From desk beds to fold-out sofas, hybrid and convertible furniture is a great way to use your apartment space to its fullest potential. Other than providing easy storage solutions, furniture with multiple purposes creates a calm flow to the home, as it saves space and reduces the need for cramming the room fully.