20 hacks for small apartment living

This tried-and-true tip is an easy way to make your space feel more expansive and bright! Adding mirrors as decor — on the floor, on a shelf, and/or mounted to the wall — will help bounce light around your space (which your plants will love) and make your home seem bigger than it is. 

When it comes to small apartment living, more shelves are always a good idea. Elevate your dishware, trinkets, plants, and knick-knacks off the floor and clear up the minimal counter space you may have by using floating shelves. There are plenty of affordable options available that fit every style and need! Floating shelves are a great way to decorate and store items without taking up more floor or counter space.

In a small apartment, storage is everything. Unfortunately, many small spaces come without proper closets or cabinets to stow away your items. When buying furniture, try to find pieces that come with this secret double function. From beds with hidden drawers to couches and ottomans that open up, the more you can utilize your furniture as storage, the better.

Lamps can take up much-needed floor and counter space. Instead, try to hang your lighting fixtures from the ceiling and walls! Not only does this instantly elevate the look of your space, but it will help your space feel airier and roomier. You can use pendant lighting to hang your lights from above or a wall sconce to add decor and light to your walls.

Bulkier items like coffee tables, kitchen tables, chairs, and side tables take up room and make your space feel more cluttered. That’s why nesting furniture is a no-brainer for small spaces. By choosing items that fold into one another and “nest” together, you’ll be able to maximize the little square footage you have and create a space that feels less busy.

Simple, cheap, and aesthetically pleasing! Having baskets around is an easy way to keep items like blankets, pillows, and toys out of sight. Plus, woven baskets add a charming boho feel that blends form and function.

From towels and jackets to shoes and hats, using over-the-door hanging storage is essential for any small space. This cheap hack keeps your floors and cabinets clear and your most-used items ready to go. 

Have a plant collection that you love but takes up a bit too much floor and tabletop space? Elevate your plants (literally) by hanging them from the ceiling and windows or on the wall. Not only will this add an unexpected element to your home design, but you’ll save on precious floor real estate and keep your green friends away from curious pets and children.

This might seem counterintuitive to the small apartment dweller who wants to cram as much furniture as possible into their home, but interior designers recommend moving larger furniture — like your couch or bed — a few inches away from the wall. This creates a sense of breathing room and airiness and can help your home appear bigger than it is.

This ingenious hack is a great way to keep your workspace out of sight. Floating desks are mounted from the wall like a floating shelf, and some can even fold up when not used. Pull it down just when you need it, and stow it away until the next time you’re ready to get to work.

Sorry, maximalists. Using a more neutral, lighter color scheme for your small apartment may be a good idea. Lighter colors can make a space feel more open and airy and even give the illusion of less clutter. Try using lighter colors for your paint, furniture, and decor to make your space seem roomier.

If you’re living in a studio or loft apartment, it can be difficult to differentiate your “living” from “bedroom” spaces. Being conscious of where you place your sofa can create the illusion of a divider. Place the back of your sofa toward your bed or whatever area you want to designate as its own space.

Under your bed is prime storage space! Use rolling storage bins for easy access to stow away items like seasonal clothing, extra towels, and photo albums. If your bed is too low to the ground, you can use risers to give you a few extra inches.

Small apartments usually have small bathrooms. And any extra room is appreciated when dealing with a tiny shower. Use a hanging shower caddy to store all your toiletries by the shower head instead of along standing caddies or shelves. Pro tip: Add some eucalyptus to the caddy to make your shower smell amazing and give you an at-home spa feeling.

Pens, headphones, glasses, oh my! For all of life’s knick-knacks, try adding more small storage containers and caddies around your home. Not sure where to start? You can find wall-mounted organizers for your office, attach small storage bags to the sides of your couch, or stick a magnetic container to the side of your fridge. 

This often-forgotten space is great for storing your toiletries and bathroom essentials. And as we know, in a small apartment, you’re usually not getting much room to store your bathroom items! You can hang shelves or find a storage rack specifically for fitting above the toilet to instantly create more space and storage.

A magnetic strip can be cheap, easy-to-store magnetic items like knives and utensils. Simply hang a strip above your kitchen counter to keep these items off your counter but still within reach.

While choosing a smaller rug may seem like a good idea for a small space, upping your rug size can make your room appear larger. Try finding an area rug that covers most of the floor (almost wall-to-wall). This will give the illusion of a more expansive living space.

While we love the bulky, modular furniture look, it may not be the best fit for small apartment dwellers. Bulkier items not only take up more room but can make your home feel smaller than it is. Try choosing sofas, coffee tables, and other furniture with legs more elevated off the floor. This will create more negative space around your furniture and make the room seem more spacious.

Coffee tables are a great way to showcase larger books and decor while also giving you a place to put down, well, your cup of coffee! But in a small apartment, they can unnecessarily take up precious floor space. Instead of choosing a bigger, bulkier table, try using a more narrow surface like a bench or opting for a nesting table. If you tend to forget about using your coffee table, maybe think about eliminating this piece of furniture.