As a recent college graduate just starting my career and
life as an ‘adult’ I do not exactly have the luxury of the 6500sf home I grew
up in anymore. These days home is
more like a 800sf apartment that
live in with my fiancé, dog and that whole wardrobe that I never exactly
realized was so big! Needless to
say, I have had to learn how to maximize the space that I have, it did take
some getting use to and compromise.
Here are a few of the most important things I learned
and some tips you could use to make your condo/apartment look and feel like you
have much more space.
DOUBLE
DUTY: Choose your furniture wisely, think
versatility. Don’t purchase
anything that you can’t use multiple ways or that will add storage space to
your home.
Find and highlight furniture that does more than one
thing: an ottoman that also provides storage, a bench to sit on, put your tv on
or store baskets underneath, etc
One of my absolute favorites if the ‘Premium Cube
Center’ from The Container Store – you can use it in SO many ways/places – by
double stacking the cubes, it is high enough to use as counter space. The cubes themselves come in 5
different styles, the Premium Quartered, 2-Drawer, Divided, Open, and Cabinet
Door Cube (each is sold separately, so you can choose which work best for you)
Another way to maximize your storage capability
is finding furniture that incorporates storage bins. With the Pottery Barn ‘Samantha Entryway Collection; you can
easily bring order to busy entryways (can be used anywhere not just in
entryways) with a well-designed system that's expertly constructed for years of
everyday use. This two piece system has a bench which provides cubbies for shoes,
sports gear and more. Hung above
the bench is a shelf which has three different capabilities. Like the bench, the shelf has three
cubbies for storage, hooks which provide easy, convenient storage and even the
top of the shelf which is a flat surface which you can use to stack boxes, etc.
Bookcases are no longer just for books…The
Container Store has an amazing option that works as shelving/media center, from
the ‘Linea Collection’. Space-saving
and stylish, you'll love our Linea Narrow Leaning Bookcase! It features five
fixed shelves that start shallow at the top and get deeper as you go down -
each shelf features a gallery edge to keep items in place. To maximize use, put
one Linea Leaning bookcases on either side of the Linea Media Center!
THINK UP: To
use all available wall space and height, Kaihoi built this floor-to-ceiling
bookcase. There are storage cabinets on the bottom, a spot for the television,
and plenty of room for books.
Mirrors can do wonders for a small space, not
only do mirrors make spaces look larger, but they are stylish and are fabulous
central décor pieces
Wall shelves, like the Crown Moulding Ledges from
Pottery Barn, which are architecturally contoured ledges that allow you to stage a series of
changing displays . Available in three different sizes, you can use the ledges
singly to display a special piece or hang in multiples for an eclectic
look. Use to display a gallery of
prints, vacation photos or your favorite collection of images.
Organization,
Organization, Organization: By far one of
the most critical things when it comes to maintaining a home (small or large),
but it is especially important when your space is limited. If you have stuff out of order, all
over the place, you will feel more cramped than ever – to avoid this stay
organized at all times.
Organization and Consolidation
go hand and hand. It is important,
go thru your stuff and realistically ask yourself what to keep and what to let
go of. This is important when it
comes to clothing- as a general rule, if you haven’t worn it in over a year,
let it go. No, that is not code
for trash… it just means a fresh start, letting go of the clutter… and with
this you have TONS of options; donation, consignment/resale *think, Lulu BellaBoutique , swap party (get together with friends and trade), etc. Think of it as making room for the
future!
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