Top Ways To Maximise A Small Living Space

Most of us start our real estate journey either renting or buying a small apartment or townhouse. So today I thought I would share my top ways to maximise a small living space.

Photo by Dane Deaner on Unsplash

Maximise A Small Living Space

Whether you are starting out in life or downsizing, trying to find the perfect apartment or townhouse can be a difficult task. My advice, when choosing a property to rent in Cape Town, is to think about one thing – location! Location is especially crucial if you need to commute because there is nothing worse than having to sit in traffic for hours.

Once you have located the ideal place, you are halfway there. The next step is to ensure that it can accommodate all of your belongings, which can be equally daunting. Many first homes can be tiny, but fear not because you can efficiently maximise your space with these functional design tips.

Declutter

My first and extremely crucial tip when you are dealing with smaller living spaces is to declutter. It may seem obvious but taking a more minimalist approach makes a world of difference in a small area. Before you even think of moving in, ensure that you have decluttered your life. Start with your more personal items such as clothing, and work your way up to other more significant things such as furniture.

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The one fundamental issue with an apartment or similar space is the general lack of storage, which is why making sure you only have the essentials is imperative. If you cannot bring yourself to get rid of something you can always consider renting a storage unit.

Create Designated Zones

Creating zones is especially helpful in an open-plan living area. By creating zones, each place will have a unique purpose and no space will be wasted.

The obvious thing to do is to zone areas according to their function, i.e. dining, working and relaxing. Zones can also double up if there is insufficient space. For example, you can use a table for both eating and working/studying.

Get Creative With Furniture

Instead of having a big, bulky coffee table, opt for nesting tables which fit into each other. This way you can have them out only when you need them. There is also the option of dining tables with drop-sides, which can be extended when you need to accommodate more people.

Photo source: Trunk

Wall-mounting your television, instead of having a TV unit, is also a great way to maximise your space. Floating shelves are great for storage and the perfect way to optimise floorspace. Many have drawers which are a great way to avoid cluttered surfaces.

As with zones, it is also great for furniture to be multipurpose. A trunk can be used for storage, as well as doubling up as a coffee table.

Utilise Functional Storage

Photo by Oskar Falck via Ikea

If you are trying to maximise a small living space, then don’t miss out on extra storage possibilities. The areas under staircases and above built-in cupboards are often wasted space. You can, however, turn them into functional storage. By using the space underneath a staircase, you can create the perfect place to store larger appliances or boxes. To better utilise the space above cabinets, I place items not in use into storage bins, for easy access.

Use Mirrors

One of the oldest tricks used in interior decorating is to use mirrors to create the illusion of space. Keep in mind that mirrors also reflect light, which can help make the area brighter. Try to optimise natural light and hang a mirror opposite or near a window.

Paint it White

Photo by Nathalie Jolie on Unsplash

A trick I have found quite useful when trying to make a room “feel” more spacious, is to paint the walls, the ceilings and even the floors white. You might be concerned that the result could be too clinical, but that is easily solved by adding colour and textures when you accessorise the room.

Get the Lighting Right

In a small space, inadequate lighting can make it feel even darker and pokier. Use the right lighting to your advantage but be smart when choosing fittings. Big, bulky chandeliers and table lamps take up too much space, so steer clear. Alternatives such as standing lamps, wall-mounted lights, or hanging pendant bulbs are far more functional.

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