Modern living means small living. In cities more people are living in apartments than ever before – and the trend is simply growing. Yes, you can absolutely move out of dense city centers to new suburbs or even the countryside, but this is only possible if your employer still allows for 100% remote work.
Long commutes are wellness killers. Living centrally means shorter commutes, and greater access to all the amenities and things to do in your city.
The only downside is, of course, the smaller spaces you have to work with. The good news is that there are many ways to maximize your space even if your square footage is modest. All you need is to follow the tips outlined in this guide, and you’ll be ready to get started:
Choose Space-Saving Sitting Options
The largest items in our homes are often the ones we sit on. While sitting comfortably on a space is absolutely essential, that doesn’t mean that’s all it can or should be. To maximize your space, for example, you’ll want to upgrade your home with one of these sofas:
1. Sofa Bed
If you don’t have the space to comfortably hold a guest bedroom, then the best alternative is a sofa bed. High-quality sofa beds are comfortable to lounge on both as a bed, and as a sofa. You can use your sofa bed as the main couch option in your living room, or if you have a second bedroom you’re currently using as an office, you can put it in there.
2. Storage Sofa
Another option is to choose a sofa that lets you store items underneath the seats. This is a great way to keep clutter out of the way, all while keeping those items still within easy access. You can store spare blankets, pillows, and other linens for extra comfort while saving essential space.
3. Modular Sofas
If you move around frequently then a single sofa shape may not universally be the best option for you. Instead, consider a modular sofa. These sofas can be moved around, mixed and matched, separated, and joined as you see fit. This way, you can adapt your sofa so it always works – no matter how often you move.
Pull-Down Furniture
Another great way to save space is to go vertical. Pull-down furniture comes in many shapes, sizes, and designs. The question isn’t whether you should get pull-down furniture, but what type of furniture you invest in.
For example, if you are a single person or a couple, then you may be happy to eat your meals at the kitchen island bar, or on the sofa. In this case, you’d only need a proper dining table for when you have guests over. You can have a shelf that converts into a table or a hatch that contains a pull-down table.
Other pull-down furniture examples include laundry drying racks, storage shelves, or other tabletop surfaces. Note that you may need a custom solution for the best results.
Custom Cabinetry
If you want to ramp up the storage capabilities of your small space (and you own it) then you’ll want to invest in custom cabinetry. Choose a whole wall or nook that can become dedicated shelf space, and hire someone to come in, design it, and install it. This will maximize your storage potential, and can even increase your home value.
Do a Big Declutter
You do not need to be a minimalist with few things in your possession. You are absolutely allowed to have stuff! A declutter isn’t about getting rid of what you love, just making sure that what you have is what you love, or need.
A good way to do this type of declutter is to simply invest in a huge deep clean that includes trying to organize and put away what you own. Not only will you physically see and touch all of your belongings, you’ll be able to consider whether it’s doing anything for you or just taking up space.
Use Dead Space
Another benefit of that big clean is you’ll come across dead space. Dead space is the gap between your stuff and the top of a shelf, or the space between your fridge and the wall. Identify those dead spaces, and brainstorm ways you can put them to work. Many people have created a sliding shelf that goes between that gap between the fridge and the wall, for example. You can also use hanging mug hooks, or other similar hook solutions to make use of dead space (especially if it’s hidden from view).
Hire an External Storage Unit
If you have big, bulky items (like seasonal sports equipment) that you only use occasionally through the year, then you’ll need an external storage unit. Your building may have locker storage you can rent, or you may need to look externally. Lockers can be expensive in cities, so don’t be afraid to look outside of town.
Alternatively, you could consider selling those big bulky items (usually sports items) and then renting when you need them.
