Living in a tiny apartment–whether it’s just you, a roommate or two, or a whole family–is a real challenge. Trust me, I know; my spouse and I spent our entire first year of marriage cramped into a studio apartment in Orange County, California.
So, when your space is so obviously limited, how do you how about making the most of what you have? Anyone living in modest conditions in one of our city’s great metropolises needs to know the answers to this question. Let me see if I can provide a few suggestions.
Well, in some areas, the best approach to divide your space–to add an entertaining area, a home office, or whatever else you really need–is to install what are called pressurized walls. As they sound like, these are additional walls placed in your apartment to create new, separate spaces.
They are sturdy fixtures which can still be taken down once you are ready to move out. If you are renting a house and want to do some “renovations,” to add an extra bedroom or, again, and office, without the permanence which would entirely change the residence, these are also a good option.
However, you need to be mindful that some landlords do not allow their tenants to place these in the apartment, even if you agree to take them down before moving out. If this is an option, talk it over with the landlord before making any commitments to a company that is willing to install them.
When it comes to closet and kitchen space, you need to start by de-cluttering. Go through all of your old clothes with a vengeance. Throw away anything that is dated (unless you honestly still wear it frequently), that doesn’t fit anymore (even if you’re hoping to one day squeeze back into it), or that you just haven’t worn in a long time. Trust me, your local charity thrift shop will thank you.
Go into your kitchen and repeat the process. My spouse and I held onto a waffle iron we had received as a wedding gift even though we knew it didn’t work quite right. We kept making excuses like maybe we hadn’t used enough cooking spray–but seriously, just let it go.
Do you have tons of bookshelves all over that completely cramp your space? Consider installing shelves that are situated right below the ceiling. This way, your books can be unobtrusive but still displayed–and you can get back your precious floor space.
These are just a few quick fixes; it’s up to you to decide how to implement the best solutions in your apartment or whatever resident you happen to have. It’s tough, but if I did it, so can you!
All Week Walls (http://www.allweekwalls.com/) provide pressurized wall installation, best pressurized walls in NYC. Art Gib is a freelance writer.
Article Source: Conserving Or Creating Space In A Small Residence
