Apartment Organizing Small Spaces

Individuals and families who are working on apartment organizing small spaces may think they have to sell off all of their furniture in order to have living space in their new abode. With a little ingenuity, some practical solutions and yes, maybe selling or trading in a few items, a small apartment can become a home.

Make the most of a small apartment with proper organization.

Every inch of an apartment counts when the floor space is limited. When an entire apartment or even just a few rooms are smaller than the last living space, it can feel cramped and cluttered. Get organized with simple room-by-room solutions.

The living room is a place where the majority of family time is spent. It is often a communal gathering place and the hub of the home’s activities. Get organized by doing the following:

• Buy small furniture or trading in overstuffed chairs and couches for sleek, minimalist designs.
• Purchase furniture that offers hidden built-in storage compartments.
• Set a flat panel television above a fireplace or on the largest wall. Mount it with written permission from the landlord.
• People with traditional televisions can buy corner stands, which helps to free up wall space.
• Hang lightweight brackets and use shelves on the wall to store DVDs, CDs and even small stereo systems.
• Get a coffee table that has a bottom shelf and store items like magazines, books and children’s toys in baskets.
• Buy an end table that features a built-in lamp and magazine rack.

A rolling cart with various sized baskets is a great solution for items that may move from room to room. For example, keep art supplies, sewing materials, laptop and organized financial paperwork, and daily mail on this rack. It easily rolls from the living room to the kitchen table and hides away in a bedroom when company visits.

Tall bookshelves serve the same purpose but are not mobile. Use them to display some small space decorations, like family photographs and memorabilia.

Small kitchens make it difficult to cook meals at home. Utilize the space by hanging pots and pans on the wall or from the ceiling, with permission. Get rid of appliances that are rarely used or are not multi-purpose.

Because small apartments rarely have separate dining rooms, the table is usually in the kitchen. Get one that has collapsible leaves, allowing it to shrink when the family is not using it. In fact, a nice folding card table and chairs can be used in extremely small spaces, as they can be stored anywhere there is some wall space, such as the back of a closet or underneath a bed. Dress them up with a nice tablecloth and chair covers.

Make the most of a small shower in the bathroom by using a basket that hangs over the showerhead for storing shampoo, body wash and washcloths. Tall wire racks that stand above the toilet provide shelving for towels, toiletries and other necessities. Increase sink space by getting a small shelf that sits on the back of the counter, going over the faucet.

Small bedrooms can work for families. Two bedroom apartment dwellers with more than one child can purchase bunk beds for their children to sleep in. Lofted beds are another solution, which allow desks beneath them. Purchase risers for current beds so flat plastic store containers can be slipped below them. When buying a new bed, look for one that includes built-in drawers and a headboard with shelving and lighting.

Apartment organizing small spaces in regards to closets is often difficult for anyone. Switch out seasonal clothing, storing it in vacuum-seal bags below the bed. Use ways to organize clothing that maximizes space, such as hanging shoe racks, stackable drawers and hanging cubbies for t-shirts and socks.

Solutions for organizing a small apartment are in the home interior section of many big box retailers and home improvement stores. However, a couple stores cater specifically to people who need storage solutions for any sized space.

The Container Store not only offers unique storage and shelving solutions for kitchens, living rooms, offices and more, but also includes expert tips and space planning hints. ClosetMaid has solutions for not only closets, but basements, laundry rooms, living rooms, and utility rooms. Download the interactive visual storage planner for additional help making the most of a small apartment space.

Getting the right furniture, shelving and storage units is essential to organizing a small space. However, maintaining that organization requires constant attention. Follow these tips to stay organized in a small apartment:

• Upon entering, immediately put shoes and coats in their rightful place.
• Discard any junk mail immediately, filing the rest in their appropriate spot.
• Have children pick up their toys before bedtime every night.
• Think twice before purchasing a knickknack or other decorative item.
• For every decoration purchased, get rid of a current décor piece.
• Follow a weekly checklist for house cleaning that helps keep things looking neat and tidy.
• Hold a yard sale a month after moving in, to help fund storage solutions and get rid of items that do not fit in the apartment.

Staying organized in a small apartment is a process. Purchasing solutions can get expensive, so tackle one room at a time. Keep it organized by doing weekly room maintenance and cleaning.

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