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Living in a small, inconvenient, or oddly shaped apartment is simply part of life—even if you're not stuck in one now, there's probably a time you can think back on when you were storing your books under your bed, using your kitchen table as a home office, stacking your pantry items on top of your fridge, and scrounging around for new nooks and crannies for that shoe rack that just didn't seem to fit anywhere. That's normal life in a small apartment, and just about everyone has been there.
The best part about apartment living being so common is that apartments are now being appreciated for all that they can offer—not just in the short-term, but over a lifespan. More and more, young professionals are waiting longer to purchase a home of their own, prolonging their stay in their apartment, sometimes indefinitely. With so many people opting for apartment life, there's plenty of advice floating around for how to optimize your lifestyle and workflow in a small, inconveniently laid out, or oddly shaped space.
Here are 10 great examples of awesome small apartments that will keep you feeling inspired, even when you're standing in a mere 400 square feet of living space -- with these guidelines, a mere 400 square feet can also be mighty!
Perhaps the most common complaint about apartment living is the unimpressive size of the kitchen, or the cramped layout of the bathroom. With smaller flats, utilizing upper storage compartments is the best way to keep the bottom half of your kitchen clear of clutter. So often, a shelf or rack that sits on the ground visually weighs down the room and makes it difficult to move from one spot to another, in addition to failing to take advantage of unused space above. This kitchen design streamlines its storage with an open format shelf that keeps things out for easy use, while also lifting them into space that would otherwise be underutilized.
Also, you can focus on investing in high-end appliances that are made for smaller homes—a two-top stove is a great example of a small kitchen appliance, or a countertop stove like the one in this picture that can be placed anywhere, as it's not connected to an oven.
Looking for ways to do it on the cheap? Have a look at this ideabook with 10 Cheap Ways to Renovate your Kitchen.
There's no doubt about it—microchips and gadgets may be getting smaller and smaller, but home appliances have only gotten bigger and bigger over the years. People are asking for more room and more storage capacity, and appliance companies have delivered. To find smaller appliances that will fit better in your space, search for retro appliances that adhere to a smaller size standard, like the fridge in this picture.
A lot of appliance companies have released time capsule collections where the pieces are beautifully charming—and much smaller than their main line!
It may seem counterintuitive, but a small room calls for big art! This is because a splattering of smaller frames and pictures can make the space seem too cluttered. Stick to large-scale wall art, and keep the number of items you display to a minimum. This large world map is a perfect addition to this dinette area, as it provides visual interest while also taking a step back and allowing you to enjoy the space that this little room offers.
Pesky corner in your living room? Dodging an oddly placed heating vent, plumbing fixture, or air duct? Make use of oddly shaped space by getting sectional furniture that can be molded to the area you're working with. This designer made the most of this smaller living room by placing an L-shaped sectional in the corner, extending the usable, furnished area to the outer limits of the room.
Seeking inspiration? Here's an ideabook with 7 Simple Ideas for Transforming your Living Room.
An interior designer will always tell you: let in the light! You can never go wrong with natural light. If you're looking to still maintain a sense of privacy, opt for translucent blinds like these that are designed to let light pass through while obscuring the view from any wandering eyes.
Large bookshelves are always a welcome addition to every home—there was never a room that didn't look great with a miniature library added to it! A large shelf that stretches from floor to ceiling offers the utmost convenience when it comes to display and storage options, and it also acts as a work of art in and of itself. With this in mind, make sure that your bookshelf isn't overloaded—just like a picture on the wall, your bookshelf is a decorative element that needs to be balanced and clutter-free, with consideration for the importance of negative, empty space as well as filled-up space.
Less is more when it comes to small spaces. Instill a sense of peace of mind in any sized room by keeping distractions to a minimum. A nightstand, light and plants (the three decorative elements of this minimalist bedroom) are sometimes all you need to make a room feel homey, while also creating a layout that's organized, fresh, and clean.
While adults are less willing to spend every night rolling around on a bunk bed, it's often the case that kids can't wait to climb up the ladder into their loft bed! This is a great advantage of living with children in a small space—you can take advantage of the full height of the room and convert it into lived-in space, as this family has done by placing a loft bed above a couch.
If you find that your clothes and shoes are often encroaching onto your bedroom floor, find a way to shut the closet door once and for all! Exposed wardrobes are great for a modern look, but in a smaller flat, an exposed wardrobe or door-less closet can suck in your gaze and overwhelm any other features in the room. To keep you apartment looking clean, make sure you add doors to storage and cabinets. Keeping them a solid color, like these smooth white closet doors, will transform your closet into a quiet backdrop instead of a loud distraction!
