Are you feeling a little cramped? Has being able to cook and sit on the toilet at the same time lost its charm? Moving not an option? If you are forced to live in a small space due to the high cost of living or scarcity of accommodations, then this article is for you. We will offer you ten tips that will help to maximize your space, and turn the cramped apartment you hate into the cozy nest you want. Your friends might be laughing at you now, but they will be the first to praise the cool new shack you will create and then envy you for all the money you save each month in rent. So read on and learn how to de-crampify your home.
#1 – Buy Some Graph Paper!
As simple as this step sounds, it is a crucial one. There are lots of expensive software programs that engineers and interior decorators use, but for most of us the $1.00 pack of graph paper and a tape measure are all we will ever need. Once you have them, use a tape measure to map out the exact width and length of each room, closet, and the furniture in your tiny pad. Then you can use the graph paper to chart out your floor plan. This plan is your new bible. Now you can move objects around on the paper, rather than dragging them around physically.
#2 – Identify The Problem Spots
Problem spots can be divided into two categories – the kind you recognize and the kind you don’t. For example, if you have a massive CD collection that dominates your space, you might not realize that this is not normal. A recognizable problem might be something like the lack of an eating area, or when you are using an area for more than one function – like kitchen & storage. In order to maximize your small space, you need to ascertain these problem sites. Think of balance – how can you maximize the space and best incorporate the important elements of a home? This will require some decisions on your part; mainly, what do you want out in the open and what do you want stored away.
#3 – Make The Hard Choices
Hard choices are required once you have completed step #2. It I at this stage that you must decide what to keep and what to vanquish. If you are an avid cook, then your kitchen and eating area are priorities. If you love to entertain, then your focus needs to be on the living area. This might mean you have to eliminate bulky furniture or move those CDs to MP3s, and then move a lot of stuff into basement or off-site storage. Just make sure you keep the things you are using a lot, and store the things you use infrequently.
#4 – Mirrors
Mirrors are a quick, cheap way to add the perception of extra space into any room. They are very effective in small washrooms and entrance areas. You can pick-up some cheap mirror tiles and create a fast mirror wall.
#5 – Windows
If you have a larger space and want to add light, then windows are the way to go. Basement windows can make a ‘rec room’ into an amazing new space, adding both light and a feeling of openness. Depending on your budget, there are full-length basement windows on the market now, which double as fire escapes or second entrances.
#6 – Minimalism
Another complete change is the move toward a minimalism. This is where you strip everything own to the bare essentials, emphasizing the space or specific objects. This is a great idea for those that have a tiny space with great attributes: view, hardwoods, open-beam ceilings, etc. Removing bulky furniture can open up and highlight these marquee features in a way that over crowding will not.
#7 – Choose The Right Furniture
It doesn’t matter if you got free furniture or bought something you thought would look great. Now you need to analyze your space and choose the furniture that suits it best. Things like switching to a standing bath or removing bathtubs in small washrooms can double your space. Avoid bulky sectionals, and use bar stools by a counter to replace large dining room tables. A lot of people have dining room tables that hog a lot of space and then they only use them once or twice a year. Try to imagine ways that you can utilize the space best, and then choose the furniture that makes the most sense.
#8 – Walls & Ceilings
Clearing off the clutter, and then choosing lighter tones and well-placed pictures to help expand the perception of openness can use walls to open up a room. The same goes for the ceiling, particularly if it is lower than normal.
#9 – Flooring
Even the floor can help to add to the illusion of space. Avoid heavy rugs, particularly if you have hardwoods. If the hardwoods or the flooring need to be redone, choose lighter tones to enhance the new walls.
#10 - Lights vs. Darkness
You can play around with light and dark to maximize the feel of openness in a small space. For example, indirect lighting can enhance a wall or a picture without illuminating an entire corner and give away the cramped nature of a particular area. If you have large windows with a great view, opening them up at night will add the city skyline as one of your walls, creating the illusion of vast space.
Final Thoughts
The key to maximizing any space is preparation and planning, so make sure you have some patience to go along with that graph paper. Come up with a design and then shop until you find the right pieces that will help you de-crampify your cozy little pad. Remember – good things come in small packages, and women love men that actually display a little style in their home. So take the time to do it right, and you may never want to leave your tiny home.
