If you move to a large city like LA or New York, sadly you’ll have to sacrifice space if you want to live centrally. After all, the average apartment in Manhattan retails for $916,000 and will only measure 10m2. When you look at statistics like this, you realize a 30m2 apartment actually gives you a lot of space as long as you utilize it effectively. To help you create a practical and functional apartment, here’s a guide to how you can make the most of the space available.
Entrance hallway
Although you may think of your entrance as a place to dump your things and take off your muddy boots, it’s actually a space you need to utilize properly so that the rest of your apartment isn’t cluttered. By adding an entryway bench with plenty of storage, you’ll create a clean and crisp entrance to your apartment that makes the most of the space you have. This means no coat racks to squeeze past and no muddy boots on the floor.
Lounge
In the lounge, consider going big and bold. Adding lots of pieces of furniture to this room will crowd the space, but a large sofa in a statement color will draw the eye and create a homely feel. If you can, it’s best to mount items like the TV on the wall, as this maximizes the width of the space even further.
To make the lounge a real chill-out space, it’s also worth segregating the lounge area from the kitchen area using a breakfast bar or dining table. By segregating rooms up to hip height, you’ll create definition and both rooms will feel like clearly defined spaces with their own vibe and purpose.
Kitchen
In your kitchen area, the emphasis should be on smart storage solutions and integrated appliances. Although matte finishes and black cupboards are in vogue at the moment, they’re not conducive to small spaces as they can darken the whole apartment. As a result, you should opt for lighter colors and gloss materials. Where possible, you should also maximize down lighting with neat, clean LED lights that rebound off the bright surfaces you’ve added.
By combining these ideas, light will reflect around your apartment and the space will feel much larger as a result.
Bedroom
If you’re really looking to maximize your apartment’s footprint, then you can opt for a pulldown bed that really opens up your floor space.
As an added bonus, in these Covid-dominated times, the creation of this additional space allows you to add a desk to the bedroom area, so you can have a dedicated workspace that makes working from home much easier.
Bathroom
In the bathroom, a corner shower is a must as it really makes the most of the limited space you have available. By taking this approach, you’ll still have plenty of space for a basin and a WC without the room feeling cramped or like you’re constantly working around the door.
Like with the kitchen, you should opt for light colors here, such as white or beige tiles. However, the best way to get light into the room is to add spotlights into the ceiling and then place a statement mirror above the basin.
Finally, although all of these ideas can help you maximize the space in your apartment, you should also remember the golden rule: make your apartment a home. Don’t be afraid to add style and personality to your apartment by channeling your inner Marie Kondo, otherwise everything will feel cold and expressionless. A zebra-print rug, some photo canvases and the odd scatter cushion may not necessarily enhance the space you have, but they will help you create a unique home that you’ll fall in love with.