Tips For Living in A Small Space
There are many situations out there that can lead us into choosing a lifestyle of tiny living! Sometimes, you may just be on a tight budget and looking to save some money. Other times, you may be looking to live a more minimalist lifestyle. Whatever the reason may be, and no matter your square footage, you can maximize your living space. Whether you live in a shared house, a college dorm, a studio apartment, a van or a tiny home, you can take small steps to make yourself more comfortable.
Though living in a small space can be challenging at times, it can also be an opportunity to reconsider what items bring you meaning. Regardless of your tiny living motivations, here are some tips and tricks to enhance your space and improve your quality of life!
Ideas for living in a small space
As a professional moving company we are used to seeing all kinds of living spaces and have picked up a thing or two about how to live well in a small space. Many of these ideas come from the ancient Chinese practice of Feng Shui.
Declutter & Downsize!
When living in a small space, you should only keep your critical belongings. Quoting Marie Kondo, keep only what “brings you joy.” This can mean getting rid of any additional clothing, shoes, kitchenware, decor, bric-a-brac, and other knick knacks that you don’t need on a daily basis. While it can feel challenging to let go of stuff, once you get used to living with minimal items, it will be hard to go back to the clutter.
You don’t have to donate or throw anything out! Consider selling some belongings online to get some extra cash! Hold a yard sale or try selling items on Facebook Marketplace or craigslist to make some of your money back.
Build cabinets or shelves on walls
Tiny living means getting creative with your space! Wall space can be your best bet for additional and functional storage. Instead of hanging a painting on your wall, consider installing floating shelves or cabinets. An excellent place for storage can be above your front door. This can be a great place to put suitcases or other bags that you don’t reach for often.
Moreover, open shelves can also help the room look more airy and spacious. They are also a quite chic way to decorate a space!
Consider renting a storage unit
If you feel that you can’t part with many of your belongings, consider renting a storage unit. Often, you can find a small self-storage unit for under $80 a month. This can be worth it if living in this small space is saving you some money on rent, or on your mortgage. Movers can come help bring your extra stuff to a storage unit and you can have access to your belongings as you please. There are long and short term storage options available for all kinds of budgets. Moreover, there are tons of different sizes of storage depending on your needs.
If you need some tips with your storage unit, be sure to read our guide here!
Opt for seating options with built in storage space.
Instead of getting a typical armchair, consider getting a bench with a built-in storage compartment. There are plenty of stylish options that allow for both comfortable lounging, and additional space-saving storage! You can also use an ottoman as a coffee table, an extra seat and as extra storage.
Paint your walls a lighter color!
This can obviously depend on your preference, however, if you have smaller space you may want to choose a lighter paint color. Darker colors can make a room feel smaller than it actually is. This is also true when selecting furniture.
Get more mirrors!
Mirrors create the illusion of additional space and can help add extra light to your place. With smaller living, you typically have fewer windows. However, mirrors can refract sunlight to make your space brighter and feel larger. Consider mirrors that help elongate the space (taller and thinner).
Prioritize under bed storage
While you can always opt for a lofted bed for some additional storage, there are other ways to increase your storage space without having to climb ladders to go to sleep. Consider a vaulted bed or raised bed frame, where you can keep plenty of belongings under your bed! You can also consider an ottoman bed frame that allows for sleek storage space under your mattress.
Make a window seat!
If you have any form of a window sill, you can add some cushion and use this space as extra seating. You can also use it as a shelf to store books, plants and picture frames!
Utilize all hallway space!
Hallways can be a huge waste of square footage if you don’t use them properly. Not only can hallways be an excellent place to store shoes, coats, umbrellas and books, but you can also use a hallway for a bar cart or for plates and glasses. You can also line your hallways with floating shelves so that you can still comfortably walk through the hall.
Clean and organize regularly
Perhaps the most important key to tiny living is to organize and clean your space. When it comes to tiny living, your space tends to get messy and cluttered really fast. And a cluttered space will feel even smaller.
Make sure that everything has a designated place so that it is easy to tidy up. Moreover, try to put everything back after you are done using it.
Hang your curtains higher!
One of the best ways to give off the illusion of high ceilings is to hang your curtains from the top of your walls. If you have larger windows, try to hang your curtains a few inches higher than the tops of the windows. Also, try to get longer curtains to help elongate the space.
Invest in room dividers
When it comes to tiny living, you may want to have the illusion of separate rooms. There are plenty of creative ways you can divide the space up. You can use Shoji screens or bookshelves so that you have separate areas. In studios, this technique can help you have a separate bedroom from your living room.
Less is more!
When it comes to decoration, sometimes it is better to leave your space emptier. With tiny living, your walls can feel cluttered quite quickly. Depending on your tastes and sense of style, you may prefer having fewer decorations.
NEED STORAGE SOLUTIONS?
If you need some extra space, consider our storage solutions! We are USA Preferred Movers, a professional moving & storage company with tons of options to help you maximize your space. From self-storage to full-service storage, we can find a solution that works for your needs and budget.