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Blog

Small Space, Big Ideas

June 11, 2015

The average “urban” apartment is 982 square feet. Legally, some cities require a minimum size. In Paris it’s 29.52 square feet…we aren’t kidding. So, when living in a smaller space than a single family home, how do you get the most out of less space?

Small Spaces

What’s Not Needed in the Apartment?

So, ask yourself this: “Would I want to save it in a fire?” This seems extreme but it’s actually very useful when deciding what to keep and what to dump. All those books on the book shelf? Really? Do you need that bookshelf? Are you dying to read “War and Peace”? What are the five things, other than your pet and wallet and keys, that you would want to quickly grab? Streamline first. This doesn’t mean getting rid of everything and living like a monk. But it does mean thinking hard about shoes you haven’t worn in 5 years.

Let in the Light

Light opens spaces. Not litteraly, but to your perception. Why do you need heavy curtains? You don’t. Or, have them during winter, change during summer. Regardless, having more light in the apartment helps and adding lights or lamps makes the space “seem” bigger.

Clear Pathways

IkeaSmallSpaceConsider your body circulation. If a path is blocked, your body doesn’t do well. If your room is cluttered with furniture, you feel cramped. Think Feng Shui. Clear walk spaces within the apartment. You might have too much furniture! Even if you did have 20 friends over for a party, they all don’t need a place to sit. Make room for Twister! In the bedroom, what if you had a bed that hid your clothes underneath? Bye-Bye dresser!

Be Artsy!

You don’t need to be a Christie’s art buyer but having art on the wall adds dimension and creates space, just like adding light to the apartment. There are plenty of these kitsch stores around that sell prints of fancy art that will have your friends admiring your taste, not knowing you spent $5 on the Van Gogh. (They will, but they won’t say anything).

Make Your Apartment Vertical

Think about the wall space and go up. Yes, we told you to get rid of books you won’t read, but that doesn’t mean not having shelving that can hold plenty of things and keep them off the floor. Vertical storage is an easy way to create space. Again, only keep things you really, really, really want.

Office-area

So…what say you? Do you have ideas or have you made some great hacks to your apartment space than turns it into a larger than life living space?

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Timber Valley
(608) 831-7800
9622 Watts Road
Verona, WI 53593
Whispering Hills
(608) 831-5343
Norman Way
Madison, WI 53705
Waterside
(608) 831-5343
9201 Waterside Street
Middleton, WI 53562
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(608) 497-3400
1290 Lucerne Drive,
Verona, WI 53593
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9317 Glencoe Drive
Verona, WI 53593
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(608) 279-3222
5700 Highland Way
Middleton, WI 53562
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(608) 836-7600
1080 N Pleasant View Rd,
Middleton, WI 53562
Blackhawk Trails
(608) 829-3800
732 Bear Claw Way
Madison, WI 53717

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