Living in a small apartment is an affordable way to have your own space, live closer to work or in a neighborhood that you love, and have a practical living situation for singles and couples without kids. That said, living in a small apartment can feel constraining sometimes, and sometimes there just isn’t enough room for certain amenities.
These tips can help you find room for the things you value the most and amenities that can make everyday life that much easier.
No More Laundromats – Get a Portable Washing Machine
Heading out to the laundromat is easily one of the most tedious chores you can think of. You have to haul your laundry outside and get to the laundromat, and then find something to do with yourself while you wait for the wash cycle to end.
Laundry is one of those things you always have to do, and being able to do it in the comfort of your home makes it so much easier.
If you live in an apartment without a laundry machine or even a hookup where you can put laundry, a portable washing machine can make laundry day that much easier. It will occupy your sink, so don’t plan on cooking dinner while the laundry’s on, but now you’ll be able to sit back and watch TV in your living room instead of lingering at the laundromat.
Portable washing machines hook up to your sink for their water supply and drain into the same. When you’re buying one, make sure the hose will secure in place easily to avoid water damage.
Use Your Rice Cooker as a Slow Cooker
Kitchen equipment is one of those things that there’s never enough room for in a small apartment. If you’re short on space, cutting down on single-task gadgets can free up storage. You can also get away with some things doing double duty.
If you don’t have enough room (or the budget) to buy a slow cooker, you might be able to use your rice cooker for the task.
Rice cookers don’t just cook rice. They can also be used for tons of slow cooker dishes, including:
- Chicken and rice
- Potatoes
- Steamed vegetables
- Jambalaya
- Pork roast
The main difference is that you can’t “set and forget” a rice cooker. You’ll have to keep a closer eye on things and do a bit of mathematics to get the timing right. Rice cookers do use a higher heat and switch off to the “warming” setting once a boiling temperature is reached.
Use Storage for Room Dividers
Small apartments often have one large room that can benefit from a room divider, creating a visual separation where there was none before. It can be a great way to create separation between the living room and kitchen or even create a foyer out of one large living room.
You can free up more space in your apartment if you use storage solutions as your room dividers. Instead of using just a divider, try using a bookshelf to break up the space in your apartment. If you don’t need the storage space, you can replace the stuff with plants and art that can liven up your space.
Wall-Mounted Folding Desks
Small apartments aren’t exactly conducive to working from home, but if you have days where you’re able to work remotely, if you’re a student, or if you just need a space to do your taxes or work on a project once in a while, a wall-mounted folding desk can give you the office furniture you need without taking up the room of a home office.
When you’re done with them, you can fold up a wall-mounted desk and take back that much-needed space in your living room or bedroom. Folding tray desks will also work great, and you can even move them around from one room to another. That’s a great feature if you’re trying to chase down the sunlight in your apartment.
Declutter
You may be sick of hearing it, but decluttering your home is the best way to stop you from feeling suffocated by a small space. Getting rid of things, you don’t need anymore will relieve a lot of the pressure on limited storage space.
If you have boxes full of things lying around on the floor with nowhere else to go, it’s time to get serious about decluttering. Ask yourself if you really need these things, and be merciless.
A small apartment can be a practical, affordable living arrangement. With these tips, you can make living small that much easier.
