Living in the heart of a city can mean living small, but that doesn’t mean you have to live cramped or cluttered. Often, moving into a small space simply means that you have to make every possession count once, and sometimes twice, or it has to go. Get exactly what you want and nothing extra.
Divide and Conquer: Storage and Clutter
If you have collectibles that you want to display, do so with storage pieces that let the light shine through. Open storage, splitting up a small living space, means that you can both see the items you love and have a visual break between spaces that serve different purposes.
Ottomans and Trunks
There are many storage ottomans that provide space for off-season clothing and household extras. Also, consider
- a trunk inside the front door where you can sit down, take off your shoes, and put away your gear
- an ottoman bed, which can store all your linens and sweaters
- small trunks as end tables to store household overstock, like cleaning supplies and even toilet paper
Set Up A Detox Station
Make sure you have a spot to hang some garments near the front door so things don’t get put away wet. Consider also putting down a rubber tray or mat where you can settle running shoes and other workout gear. Finally, hang a key organizer and set up a charging/ detox station. Hand sanitizer and wipes can be right there as soon as you get in to protect your home.
Hang With Care
The minimalist look is soothing and calm. However, many dwellers of small luxury condos are encouraged to hang their possessions. This can make a beautiful home look jumbled and cluttered, no matter how clear you keep the floors.
Instead, hang things undercover. If you have a photo you really love, get it transferred over to the canvas. Once it’s on the canvas, you’ll have a sizable wooden frame on the back of it, and there will be a large void inside the frame. Hang Command hooks on the wall, hang your everyday jewelry on the hooks and cover these with your canvas piece of art. The art will be lightweight, easy to move on and off the wall, and keep your jewelry tangle-free.
Get a Rolling Storage Island
On the busiest days, you may not need your whole kitchen. Invest in a small rolling island where you can store your coffeemaker and toaster. Look for one with drawers, or add bins to the shelves. In a small kitchen, your rolling island can go from dry goods storage to tea cart with just a few swaps. You can even set it up as a martini cart! With the right rolling bar carts, such as one with a fold-out or expandable top, you can set up a brunch buffet or even use one end of it as your table when it’s just one or two people.
Create Pools of Light
One open living space with one central light is a cell, not a home. Put in a motion light at the front door so it comes on as soon as you get home. Hang a reading light over a favorite chair. If you’re working to build good sleep hygiene by creating a cozy, dark sleeping area, invest in a small bedside lamp that you can turn off, the last thing, before nodding off. Pools of light will draw you through your home and make the space feel more interesting.
Get Creative with Cabinets
A high cupboard is useful, but a low-mounted cupboard can be
- a television stand
- a bookshelf
- used for clothing
- expanded to serve as a desk with the right hardware
By keeping things off the floor, you create a sense of open space. If you’ve got a robot vac, it can zip around your home in record time if it doesn’t have to work around furniture legs.
Small spaces don’t have to be cramped spaces. Avoid overloading the visual field of your condo. Hang with care. Use storage pieces that serve multiple purposes, and don’t be afraid to get creative. There’s no reason you can’t store sheets and body wash in your bedroom nightstand. It will be your secret.