Living in a big city is great. You can walk everywhere, there’s usually something exciting going on outside your front door, and you’re surrounded by some pretty stellar architecture. Problem is, everyone’s on to the perks of big city life which makes affordable real estate pretty sparse. What little there is, is usually, well, little. If lately you’ve found your pad to be less like a home and a more like a claustrophobic cave, try out these tricks to turn it around. Your apartment will be a homey haven in no time.
Here are View The Vibe‘s 10 tips to improve your tiny apartment.
Get A Diffuser
If your place is on the small side and has minimal windows, you probably don’t have great ventilation. Try picking up a diffuser or nebulizer to get rid of the stuffiness and improve the air quality. You can even get ones that infuse the air with a gentle scent so you always have an air freshener running. These nebulizers from Saje come with a variety of aromatherapy scents to improve your mood, too.
Pick Up Some Plants
This one’s also about air quality. Having plants in your apartment increases oxygen production and is bound to freshen the place up. Plus, it’ll be reassuring to watch something else besides you survive in this tiny space. Just make sure the plant you’re getting can thrive in the conditions you have—focus on cacti and succulents, and try African Violets for a much-needed burst of colour.
Find Yourself A Nice Hamper
There’s nothing worse than having clothes scattered haphazardly all over your floor. Instead of stashing everything on your desk chair or the corner of your bed, get yourself a nice hamper to store all your dirty clothes so they’re out of sight. You can even get one that basically doubles as a furniture accessory.
Artwork, Artwork, Artwork.
The problem with tiny city apartments is that hundreds of people have probably lived there before you, the walls are dull and drab, and the apartment just doesn’t feel like it’s yours. Painting is probably out of the question (unless your landlord is ridiculously cool), so opt for some posters or paintings. Better yet, use large mirrors to create the illusion of space. Just pretend you’re playing Sims – people function better in a nice living space.
Multitask Your Workspace
Don’t have enough room for a desk? Just squeeze in a bookcase beside your bed and work amidst your books. Who knows? Maybe you’ll pick up some inspiration by osmosis. Try this hutch-slash-bookcase-slash-desk from Pottery Barn.
Say Bye To Bugs
If you’re unlucky enough to have some uninvited creepy crawlies in your home, we have the cure. You can make an easy bug spray at home using only 2 ingredients, and it’ll even make your apartment smell fresh. If that doesn’t work, try out some of these easy homemade bug sprays that are free of chemicals.
Get Thrifty
Having your entire shoe collection piled by the front door isn’t a great way to welcome guests into your abode, so get creative. Turn the back of your door into a shoe storage space or stow things under your bed in compact boxes so they’re nicely tucked out of the way. It’s all about saving space.
Barely-There Furniture
Maybe your apartment is clean, bright, and free of bugs, but it’s just so freaking cluttered all the time. Well, what if your furniture was basically not even there? Try the modern trend of see-through furniture, for chairs, tables and even sofas that appear to take up less space (but be careful that you don’t bump into them in the night).
Decorate With Jewelry
Necklaces and bracelets are both fantastic and a total nightmare all at the same time. No matter how nicely you fold them into your jewelry box, they always come out tangled in a hot mess. Try storing them creatively on your walls. This way, they’ll never get tangled, you’ll always be able to see them, and they can double as some very creative artwork.
Let The Light In
Brightening up a room makes all the difference. Opt for sheer curtains in soft colours so that even when they’re closed, you can still get some light in. Sunlight = happiness. I haven’t forgotten about you people who like it dark. On top of those shears, add blockout curtains for those lazy Sunday mornings. 😉
Related Link: 5 interior design ideas on a budget
Did we miss any tips for improving your tiny apartment? Let View The Vibe know in the comments below, or tweet us @ViewtheVibe.
