There are many good reasons to downsize into a smaller space. When you move from a house to an apartment, though, it can be hard not to miss the more spacious area. If you’re clever, though, you can use a few tricks to make your new apartment feel just as spacious as your old home.
Look at Apartments With Good Layouts
Step one always involves looking at the right apartments. While your goal of going smaller is admirable and it is certainly important to stay within your budget, don’t just go for the cheapest or smallest space you find. Try to make sure that you find an apartment with a layout that actually works for you.
Often, having everything laid out in the right way can make even a small space seem much bigger than it is in reality. For example, a studio apartment likely isn’t going to work for anyone who has kids, but it might be great for a single adult living on their own. If you like to entertain, you need to make sure there’s enough space in the common areas to fit your friends. The right layout can make all the difference in how usable the space is for you.
Pay Attention to Furniture Size
Your next step is to pay attention to the furniture in your space. Simply put, oversized furniture is going to make your apartment seem too small. Make sure to stick with compact or standard-sized furniture, and try to prioritize anything that can do more than one thing at a time. A sofa is great, for example, but a sleep sofa frees up an entire bed’s worth of room and gives you space for the occasional guest without costing any more space in your living areas.
Use Organizers
Organizers are also going to be a huge part of getting the most out of your space. From being able to hang your shoes on the back of a door to ensuring that you can fit all of your hobby supplies neatly into a closet, being able to maximize the storage spaces that you have inside your apartment is a great way to not only make your apartment feel bigger but to ensure that it stays functional.
Think About Storage
Finally, consider getting a garage or a storage unit. Being able to move out all the items that you don’t need during certain seasons is a good way to free up space as is storing those items that you only need a few times a year. You’d be surprised by how much space you can free up with even a small storage unit, and being able to access the things you need without having to take up too much space is always a good idea.
While you’ll never get the square footage you lost back, you can make your apartment feel bigger than it is. Use the space well, pay attention to the functionality of your furniture, and don’t be afraid to rent a storage space. If you’re willing to put in the effort to organize your space well, your apartment will feel more like a home.
