7 ways to furnish your small apartment

Once you've cleared out all the unnecessary clutter in your apartment, it’s time to consider your storage options for the things you decided to keep. When the rooms in your apartment are small, filling the space you do have with storage materials like shelves and boxes can seem like a waste of precious space. This is why we at homify suggest adding storage to your hallway. Even a shelving unit with a relatively small width can make a large difference in expanding your apartment’s capacity for storage. This corridor by Och_Ach_Concept depicts many wonderful hallway storage techniques. For starters, floor to ceiling shelving is perfect for maximising storage space. Next, including canvas boxes like these can make the storage shelving more versatile. You can easily consolidate smaller items and keep them in boxes by category. Lastly, a wardrobe or armoire can be a good alternative to shelving if you’re looking to stow extra clothing.

It’s probably a good idea to embrace the small spaces in your apartment in order to make the most of them. With the right furniture arrangement, a cramped living room can become a cosy one. It can be a place to share intimate moments with those you love or to curl up with a cup of tea and a good book. We recommend two different options for maximising space. Going modular with a corner sofa is the best way to create ample seating area. Alternatively, you can arrange your room with smaller, carefully selected pieces as we see in this living room. Doing so can make the room feel curated and carefully planned. With the addition of some framed images and plants, the living room really comes together in a way that naturally fits the small room. Well done!

The bedroom in any home ought to be a place of tranquillity no matter the space constraints. Keeping things minimalistic by including on the necessities will make it a place of peace and conveniently make the best of the dimensions of space you’re working with. Prioritize a comfy bed, even if it becomes the main statement piece in the room. You don’t have to sacrifice comfort just because you’ve downsized in space. Leaving the walls and bedding white will help to give the room a more expansive feel. Harnessing as much natural light in the bedroom will only compound the perceived sense of space in the bedroom. This bedroom is a great example of both. The white walls and bedspread are illuminated by the sunlight that radiates in through the sheer white curtains. Also, be sure to use the space under your bed for additional storage if need be!

Small apartments often mean tiny kitchens with scarce counter space. If this is the case in your kitchen, no need to fret! Keeping what counter space you do have clear from utensils, spices and other supplies will make a world of difference. There are so many different organisational aids for the kitchen available on the market. A lazy Susan or an additional shelving unit are great for adding functionality to your existing cupboards. We also love the mug racks installed under the cupboards in this kitchen. Making use of vertical space with floating shelves is a quick and easy way to enhance your kitchen’s spatial potential. As for seating, choose a small, round table or add some stools to a raised counter in an open plan to create a more multipurpose kitchen. The same rules for lighting and colour choice in your bedroom apply to the kitchen.

There are entire companies and even television shows dedicated to creating optimal storage in the closet or dressing room. Let us share a few of our favourite tips with you. Adding knobs or hooks to the wall creates instant space for hanging bulky coats or bathrobes. Install some floor to ceiling shelves along with a shoe rack, and presto! You now have a walk in closet. There is certainly no shame in converting existing areas into a multipurpose dressing space as we can see in this example. The laundry room can double as a dressing area and a place to store off-season shoes and clothing. In fact, the laundry room is quite often an underutilised space. It also makes sense intuitively to use the laundry room as the dressing room because the bulk of your clothes make it in and out of this area on a regular basis already. So why not just store them there?

Much like the bedroom, the bathroom should be a space with only the essentials. Hanging shelves with small compartments are ideal for making use of vertical space in the bathroom. Include mirrors to create the illusion of more space while keeping things practical. Not only are small washbasins are modern and trendy, using one is also an easy way to take up less space. This bathroom might be small but it sure is trendy. Putting some floating shelves below the sink is a clever way to add practical storage. Also be sure to utilise your medicine cabinet, a clever, timeless spot of housing make-up, toothbrushes, and other toiletries. Accessorise with details like colour accented hand towels or with the addition of a small plant.

An apartment with space for a balcony or small garden is a luxury no matter its size. There are infinite possibilities for using this area, but a common thread in any balcony or garden design should be in its aim towards serenity. This spot can become a natural oasis away from the hustle and bustle of daily life with just a few mindful decorative choices. For one, it’s best to keep the area private so as to remove it from noise and distraction. You should feel at ease on your balcony or in your small garden. A non-obtrusive way to make this happen is by using large plants to create a natural barrier from public view as we can see in this example. The plants will also bring the benefit of beauty. A small table and chairs complete the space.

If you found this Ideabook helpful, check out Make the most of your little courtyard. Happy decorating!