Big Design for Small Spaces
I’ve lived in New York City for almost nine years now and I’m not sure that I will ever get used to the size of the apartments here. Sure there are some really spacious ones available, but let’s come back down to earth a minute: I’m a burgeoning writer here, not Edith Wharton. So, with that said, I’ve come to learn a lot about living a full life in a small space – and when I say small space, I mean less than 500 square feet. But more importantly, how do you do so without spending a fortune or living in a cluttered mess?
The first step in the process is determining your style. If this is your first time on your own or if you want a whole new look, you need to decide how you want your space to look. Do you enjoy a casual or formal atmosphere? Do you spend most of your time alone or do you want to be able to entertain guests? Can you paint the walls and if so, do you prefer muted tones (which will make your space seem bigger) or bold splashes of color (which should be limited to one wall in a small space so that it doesn’t give the illusion of being an even smaller space)?
The next step is to determine your budget. Decorating doesn’t need to be expensive, but you need to decide exactly how much you can spend so that you’re not wasting the money on non-essential items. Keep in mind that if you’re just starting out, you will need to allot more money towards furniture. If you’ve already established yourself, you can save money by giving old pieces a new look – applying a new paint or stain, adding decorative touches with stencils or buying new hardware are a few easy and inexpensive ways to accomplish this.
Next, make a plan. Can you afford to make over your entire apartment at once or will you need to take it room by room? If you are going to redecorate the entire thing at one time, block similar chores together – such as painting – so that you waste less time by needing to switch gears.
Think vertically. One of the best ways to utilize any small space is to think vertically. Try to choose furniture that is tall and narrow. Consider adding a few rows of shelves along the ceiling for books (the ones you don’t reference very often, but still want to keep) or other small items. For small kitchens, store your pots and pans on a rack that can be hung over the stove (if you don’t have a range hood that would block it).
Hide as much as you can behind closed doors (or drawers). If buying some new furniture, opt for pieces that have more than one function – ottomans that can be used for storage – are a good example. Always look for furniture with drawers or doors as they will help keep your space looking uncluttered. For instance, choose a desk that has a closed cabinet on top rather than a simple shelf, or choose an armoire with doors for your living room television rather than a television stand.
Be creative! Consider using furniture in new and different ways. I have two pieces of furniture in my kitchen that were intended to be used as bedroom furniture – a narrow dresser with five drawers and a tall cabinet with five shelves (it has a door). Originally these pieces held clothing, but now they’ve been given new life where they hold tupperware and kitchen linens and the tall cabinet is used as a freestanding pantry.
Above all, have fun with the experience! Your space should reflect your own unique style without breaking the bank.
