Getting Accustomed to Your Smaller Living Space

Whether you are moving to a city, moving out of your parent’s house or downsizing for other reasons, moving to a smaller living space can be an adjustment. However, living in a smaller apartment or house has become more popular and common recently. People are becoming more conscious of how much they spend on rent or a mortgage.

Become Neat

A small living space can become a packrat’s worst nightmare. Make an effort to become a more organized person. Before moving to your new place, take the time to sort through all of your belongings. Anything that has not been used in a year should be donated, thrown out or sold at a yard sale. When you are moving your new stuff in, find the perfect place for everything. If your things each have a designated space where they belong, you won’t ever have to wonder where to put it. This makes picking up after yourself a breeze.

Organize and Store

Storage space is essential in a small living space. Keep this in mind when you are choosing a smaller apartment or house. Deep closets are a huge asset in a little house. Invest in some shelving and decorative storage containers that double as benches and ottomans. The key to making a small place look great is to minimize clutter. Opt for cupboards instead of open shelving. They will hide your things, making the room look simpler and more tranquil.

Home Improvements

If you are able to make home improvements to your new place, take advantage of the many space-saving options available to you. Replace regular hinged doors with pocket doors. They slide right into the wall and you won’t have to navigate around open doors that slam into bathroom closets. Install built-in shelving and cabinets. They can give you tons of extra storage without taking up valuable floor space. Another great home improvement option is installing more or larger windows. The extra light will brighten up the space and make it seem incredibly larger.

Smaller Furniture

Choose your furniture wisely. A big, overstuffed couch and huge boxy end tables will not work in a smaller living room. They will take up all the space and make it seem much more cramped. Keep the size of your home in consideration when choosing furniture. Go for light and smaller pieces that will make the room seem airy, not confined. There is also a large variety of furniture available that serves more than one function in a small space. Look for couches that pull out into a spare bed, a kitchen table with dish storage underneath or end tables that nest.

Décor

Take your own personal style and adapt it for a small space. Muted paint colors and lighter shades of wood will make a room seem much larger than dark colors. Avoid an abundance of bright colors and busy patterns; the simpler the better. You can also use mirrors to open up a room and reflect more light.