Filed under Decorating on March 6th, 2008:
Create Open Space For A More Roomy Feel
Is your Phoenix apartment making you feel a bit claustrophobic? If so, there are some great steps you can take to increase your usable space and make even the smallest of apartments feel roomier.
How To Open Up Your Rooms
Before you dive in and start throwing out all of your possessions to make a walkway, plan out how much extra “space” you think you need. Maybe you just want some extra space in the living room for the kids to play? Perhaps you want some extra space in the bedroom for moving around? Whatever the case, there are things that can be done that won’t have you living like a Spartan.
To get started, take a look at what you have and what you really need to use and then:
Get rid of unused furniture
Some people insist on having a couch, loveseat and chair when there’s only one or two people living in an apartment. If space is tight, get rid of some of it. Maybe you only need a couch and two chairs for the living room. In the bedroom, you might find two nightstands aren’t really necessary or that an extra dresser can go. If you don’t use your dining room – ever – make this an open space or use it for an office or playroom. Many people do not use more than their kitchen or coffee tables. If space is at a premium, compromise and improvise to make some more. Really size up what you use and lose the rest. Chances are you’ll buy a fair amount of space in the process.
Clean out drawers, cabinets and closets
You can free up a great deal of space by getting rid of items you don’t need, don’t use and simply don’t want. Cramming your closet full of clothes you wore in high school, for example, can prove to be a huge waste of space. It’s even possible you can clean out enough room to move a dresser into the closet to open up a bedroom floor plan a bit more. Declutter your kitchen and bathroom cabinets for better storage and to free up counters for the items that really matter. Going for a more minimalistic feel can really open up the space in an apartment.
Think walls
Bookshelves can add a tremendous amount of storage space to an apartment while freeing up some of the floor in the process. Use shelving creatively to get rid of unnecessary furniture. In some cases, it’s even possible to mount a television on the wall to rid a room of an entertainment center or television stand.
Explore different designs
Everything from feng shui to Scandinavian design can have an impact on an apartment. Go through some design magazines to explore what design principles are likely to help you maximize your space attractively.
Even the smallest of Phoenix apartments can benefit from a major de-cluttering effort. Rid yourself of unwanted things and chances are you’ll find more room than you thought you had.
Quick tips for a more spacious feel:
- Choose furniture with open arms and legs.
- Downsize your area rug and expose more of the floor.
- Reduce your furniture needs by using multi-functional pieces.
- Using glass on substantial items like a coffee table, is less obtrusive and allows light to pass through.
- Let the light shine in by flooding your space with natural light, in particular.
- Find the power to purge and donate unused extras to charity.
- Hang mirrors to reflect light around the room.