How to Tackle Space Challenges in Small Apartments
Facing the challenge of space crunch in a modest-sized apartment? Here are tips to overcome them
As urban dwellers, there’s no doubt that living in a spatially-challenged apartment means storage and building restrictions. But with simple, space-enhancing tricks, you can live large in a small apartment too.
…or storage
Sweet spots in the house, such as the window, can be converted into cosy seating zones with storage underneath. An ideal place to stock away miscellaneous things such as extra quilts, cushions and so on, and to sit back with a cuppa, enjoying the view outside.
Find a designer to fit clever storage into your home
Sweet spots in the house, such as the window, can be converted into cosy seating zones with storage underneath. An ideal place to stock away miscellaneous things such as extra quilts, cushions and so on, and to sit back with a cuppa, enjoying the view outside.
Find a designer to fit clever storage into your home
2. Challenge: Visual cluttering
Even a few furniture pieces might seem too much in small living rooms. Sheer or transparent materials, for instance glass or clear acrylic, are an ideal solution in such cases. They offer functionality without adding visual clutter, plus they exude a very contemporary appeal.
Even a few furniture pieces might seem too much in small living rooms. Sheer or transparent materials, for instance glass or clear acrylic, are an ideal solution in such cases. They offer functionality without adding visual clutter, plus they exude a very contemporary appeal.
3. Challenge: Feeling too enclosed
In compact and small bedrooms the walls seem to close in – giving an almost claustrophobic feeling. Floor-to-ceiling windows help to visually connect the inside and outside, and give an illusion of a bigger area. They also let in natural light and allow ventilation, which adds to the sense of openness.
Tip: Go for dual curtaining, especially a sheer curtain, which is a sensible option to permit some light without invading on your privacy.
Take a look at more bedrooms from around the world
In compact and small bedrooms the walls seem to close in – giving an almost claustrophobic feeling. Floor-to-ceiling windows help to visually connect the inside and outside, and give an illusion of a bigger area. They also let in natural light and allow ventilation, which adds to the sense of openness.
Tip: Go for dual curtaining, especially a sheer curtain, which is a sensible option to permit some light without invading on your privacy.
Take a look at more bedrooms from around the world
4. Challenge: No space to move around
For smaller living rooms, arrange furniture in a way that leaves just enough space to walk comfortably. For example, as seen here, an L-shaped sofa reduces the corridor effect of a long living room. Also, an ottoman instead of a sharp-edged coffee table reduces risks of injury.
5 Efficient Layout Ideas for Small Living Rooms
For smaller living rooms, arrange furniture in a way that leaves just enough space to walk comfortably. For example, as seen here, an L-shaped sofa reduces the corridor effect of a long living room. Also, an ottoman instead of a sharp-edged coffee table reduces risks of injury.
5 Efficient Layout Ideas for Small Living Rooms
You can also align furniture against walls to help save precious floor space. See how in the displayed image the curved sofa embraces the corner in this image. An intimate nook with a chair for when there’s company.
Look for living room furniture on Houzz products
Look for living room furniture on Houzz products
5. Challenge: Lack of a window
A strategically placed mirror on the wall can create a sense of expanse by reflecting light and can compensate for the lack of a window. In this living room, a long, large mirror on the wall creates the illusion of more space and reflects the view too.
A strategically placed mirror on the wall can create a sense of expanse by reflecting light and can compensate for the lack of a window. In this living room, a long, large mirror on the wall creates the illusion of more space and reflects the view too.
6. Challenge: What to do with dead zones
Convert dead spaces such as corners into a bay window area, a small reading nook or a gallery for all your art. See how shelves and a chair transform this recessed and, till recently, unused area into a perfect spot for guitar practice!
Convert dead spaces such as corners into a bay window area, a small reading nook or a gallery for all your art. See how shelves and a chair transform this recessed and, till recently, unused area into a perfect spot for guitar practice!
7. Challenge: How to get more function out of less space
The answer lies in segregating zones without creating walls. Demarcating zones in small apartments can be challenging – especially as usually we can’t break walls. Some easy ways to add privacy barriers could be glass screens, curtains or even sliding doors. Closing them can provide the much needed auditory and visual seclusion you seek.
How to Partition Spaces Without Using Walls
The answer lies in segregating zones without creating walls. Demarcating zones in small apartments can be challenging – especially as usually we can’t break walls. Some easy ways to add privacy barriers could be glass screens, curtains or even sliding doors. Closing them can provide the much needed auditory and visual seclusion you seek.
How to Partition Spaces Without Using Walls
8. Challenge: Kitchen is overflowing
Don’t have room for a dedicated pantry? Consider using a section of the wall to host a full-length cluster of shelves.
16 Hard-Working, Small Apartment Kitchens
Don’t have room for a dedicated pantry? Consider using a section of the wall to host a full-length cluster of shelves.
16 Hard-Working, Small Apartment Kitchens
9. Challenge: Need to free up floor space
Hanging wall-mounted racks in the bathroom and kitchen prevents cluttering. Think floating vanities, cabinets.
Read more:
12 Tiny Flats Offer Lessons in Clever, Small-Space Living
11 Ingenious Ways to Maximise Space in a Studio Apartment
Tell us:
Have you maximised space in your home? How? Show us with photos in Comments below.
Hanging wall-mounted racks in the bathroom and kitchen prevents cluttering. Think floating vanities, cabinets.
Read more:
12 Tiny Flats Offer Lessons in Clever, Small-Space Living
11 Ingenious Ways to Maximise Space in a Studio Apartment
Tell us:
Have you maximised space in your home? How? Show us with photos in Comments below.
Being short on square meterage is a BIG problem in small apartments. Opting for multi-functional (and foldable) furniture pieces is an efficient way to maximise the available space. Take a cue from this compact living room where the white box benches nest under the coffee table, which nests under the small sofa, when not required.
Tip: Add-ons like built-in secretary or foldable desks help merge functional zones and pack a punch in limited square feet.
Are These the Best Multipurpose Furniture Pieces You’ve Seen?