Moving out of an apartment you shared with roommates and into your own studio apartment is exciting. You now have the freedom to decorate, arrange your furniture, and design the space the way you want to. Before you go out and buy a sectional couch that takes up half of your studio, here are some tips and tricks to help you organize and maximize the space in your new apartment.
Vertical space is everything
If the square footage of your home is a little on the smaller side, chances are you have a lot of unused vertical space. Most studio apartments have high ceilings, so make use of them by installing shelving units to organize and store your belongings. Here’s a little tip: store your lesser used items on the top shelves to keep them out of the way, and keep your frequently used things within arms reach on lower shelves.
Design separate spaces
If your kitchen, living room, and bedroom happens to be one in the same–which is not uncommon if you’re living in a studio apartment or micro-unit–use area rugs to create distinct, separate spaces. Your shelves can even double as make-shift walls to divide the different spaces in your home.
Invest in foldable furniture
Having a smaller space doesn’t mean you can’t host guests. Buying an expanding table and keeping a set of folding chairs allows you to accommodate guests when they’re over, but still have space to stretch out when you’re enjoying some alone time. Studio apartments are meant to be multi-functional, so buying furniture that allows for that is key.
Create the illusion of space
Mirrors are your best friend and can make your home feel a lot larger than it really is. Try placing a full-length mirror in your entryway to open up the narrow space (and you can even use it before you head out the door).
Dual purpose furniture
Like we said, your furniture can serve more than one purpose. There are plenty of couches and ottomans with hidden storage compartments, making them functional in more ways than one. Look for a bed frame with built-in drawers for additional space for your clothes, too.
Wall space is valuable, too
From utilizing hooks in your entryway for your coats to magnetic strips in your kitchen for your knives, using wall space frees up valuable counter and floor space. If you’re a biker or own sports equipment, mounting them on the walls saves a ton of space while making for a cool decoration of sorts in your studio apartment.
Get creative with your storage options
Make use of every nook and cranny by utilizing the empty spaces. Over the door shoe organizers are a great alternative for a standing shoe rack, but those pockets can also be used to store cleaning supplies, toiletries, and clothing accessories. Hanging small baskets and hooks on your kitchen walls makes use of otherwise empty space and can keep smaller items from getting lost.
Opening up your studio apartment isn’t hard, it just takes some creativity.If you’re getting ready to move to a new spot, get in the spring cleaning mood and try some of these new strategies out on your new place. Welcome home!
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