Tips for Living Well in a Small Space

When I first moved into my apartment, my dad asked how I was going to make it work in such a small space. I knew that it was just the right amount of space for me to live well, work and create a home for myself in the city.

What my place lacks in space it makes up for in price and location. Everything that I need from grocery stores to coffee shops are in walking distance. I call my place The Little Penthouse, since it’s on the top floor of a walkup!

Still, even though I love living in a small studio, I know that it comes with its fair share of challenges. Things like making the furniture you need fit without sacrificing your style, making up for a lack of storage space and finding a layout that works for you can be frustrating to figure out.

Now that I’ve been making my space work for almost two years (it feels like I just moved in yesterday), I feel like I can share some practical tips on making your small space work for you.

Make sure everything has a place

Avoiding clutter is key for living well in a small space. It only takes a few things out of place to cause your entire space to seem disorganized. Take stock of what you have, and then make sure there’s a place for it to be put away. I have a space saver in my bathroom that can hold makeup, skin and haircare products, and some cleaning supplies, which is a lifesaver. Those baskets under the bookshelf in my living room hold stationary and products I use to shoot for the blog! I always know where they are and they’re out of the way when I’m not using them.

Look for Multipurpose Furniture 

A bookshelf that also doubles as living room storage. A coffee table that can fit small items underneath. These are little things that have made living in my space so much better and easier! Try to find pieces that can serve at least two functions. This is something I wish I would have taken into consideration when I first started buying furniture! You’d be amazed at how many pieces you can find that are multipurpose.

Organize and tidy every day

This tip is can seem like the most time consuming, but it’s definitely the most important. Take 15-20 minutes everyday to clean up your space. Again, the smallest amount of mess and clutter will make your space seem completely disorganized.

Try different layouts

There is no one way to lay out your apartment. Don’t be afraid to move things around and try new spots for your furniture. You’d be surprised about how changing up the placement of things can have a huge impact on how you live and move around your space. Think about functionality first and style second and get a don’t stray from the unordinary.

Less is more

A small space is just that, small. So try not to overwhelm it with too much decor or furniture. Focusing on multipurpose items and the functionality of everything you own is key. Simplify where you can and make sure everything you add to your space is intentional and purposeful.

Lease renewal time is right around the corner for me, and I’m not sure if I’ll stay in this space another year. But I do know that even if my space gets larger, I’ll keep these same principles.