The Apartment Space Crunch

(Image courtesy of B.)

Regardless of the size of your apartment we've all run into that age-old issue of having too many things and just not enough space to put them in. But what to do when you love multiple pieces of your furniture and can't bear to part with them?

Though they're not as prevalent as you may think, there are still a few design options available to you that don't involve moving, tearing down walls or filling up the thrift store donation box. This article, courtesy of renters.apartments.com offers a few creative solutions to combat the space issue all apartment-dwellers face from time to time. Keep reading to learn how to design your home in a way you'll love while still optimizing your available space.

Create storage on your walls

When you run out of square feet in your apartment, the only way is up. In other words, you can utilize the walls to keep your home free of claustrophobia-inducing clutter in fun and creative ways. For example, you can hang crown molding on your walls as tiny shelves for shoes and install a pot rack on your ceiling for your cooking ware. Regular shelves can be as close as 21 inches to the ceiling, so don’t hesitate to install them above your furniture. Last but not least, you can hang a repurposed item, such as a window shutter, on your wall to avoid letting the mail pile up on your kitchen counter.

Get multi-purpose furniture

First off, avoid large pieces of furniture as they take up way too much space in a small apartment. Instead, choose pieces that are compact and serve more than one purpose, like a fold-out couch or ottoman with storage capacity inside for blankets or knick knacks. Other great examples of multi-purpose furniture are storage benches, mirror frames with hidden compartments, floor lamps with shelves, book cases that can serve as room dividers and armoires that can be used as home office.

Group items together

The best way to de-clutter your apartment and create a comfy vibe is to group similar items together and store them in containers (which you can then put on your shelves). There is no need to buy pricey tupperware for this as you can easily repurpose stuff you already have. Cups and bowls, for example, are great for organizing your jewelry or pens. Plastic food containers can be used for nails, pins, coins, or any other small items. Organize everything in a way that makes sense to you and put unused things away immediately to avoid wasting space.

Contrary to popular belief, having a certain amount of square feet in your apartment really does not guarantee a sense of comfort. You can make even a small apartment feel very spacious and comfortable if you organize your stuff effectively.

Throwing An Unforgettable Get Together

(Image courtesy of Lachlan Donald)

Once you move into your brand new apartment what could be better than throwing a party to celebrate? Inviting a few friends over to break in your new place will make it feel more like home faster than ever. This article courtesy of apartmenttherapy.com contains all the advice you need to pull off an apartment warming party that your friends will never forget. Keep reading to learn more.

1. Think mismatched, not matchy-match.
Who says everyone's dessert plates need to be the same? From water glasses and dinner plates to napkins and place mats, a lively mix of colors and patterns make for a uniquely eye-catching table.

2. Ditch the tablecloth.
On the right occasion, they look sophisticated; on the wrong one, totally stuffy. Update your table with bright and modern runners instead — especially if you're entertaining al fresco or have a beautiful tabletop to show off.

3. Put the "happy" back in happy hour.
Martini glasses, rocks glasses, highball glasses, red and white wine glasses — for tonight, loosen up the bar with colorful glasses and whimsical finishing touches like paper straws.

4. Let guests get cozy.
Go with us on this one: Rethink the need for chairs. Have a tricked-out back yard? Pull those outdoor loveseats up to the table. Love a low table? Have everyone sit on cushions, picnic-style. Comfy guests are happy guests.

Home Sweet Home

(Image courtesy of Clyde Robinson)

Loving your apartment isn't just about the things that you put into it. To transform your new abode at the Wilson from an apartment to a home you enjoy spending time in you need to add a few things. These tips courtesy of Apartment Therapy will help you learn to love your space even more than you already do!

Letting Go: It's possible to focus so much on decor, design, and picking the perfect furniture to reflect your personality and interests that can turn your house into a place of stress. How about taking a quick breather and switching gears for a sec and not allowing that stress to enter your home? Trust it will all eventually come together and just let it all happen when it does. Try cherishing your home in all its different quirky stages. Your mind and wallet will thank you for it in the end.

Make It a Refuge: Do you have a place you go to in your mind that's a no-stress zone? A place that you sneak away to that just calms you down and clears your mind? For me it's when I step into a yoga studio — the outside world just seems to melt away. Now wouldn't it be incredible if that place was your home? How can you make that happen for you? Maybe try taking a few deep breaths before you open the door, or leaving all the negativity outside on the front steps. What can you do to eliminate stress and worry from your house and make it a peaceful, happy place?

Spend Time There: This seems like a no-brainer, right? But it's not all that easy. How much time do you just spend in your home enjoying it? Do you hang out there and get to know it better? Or do you run out every chance you get? The more time you actually spend in your house, the more you may grow to love it. Even if it's not your ideal space, you can start to appreciate it and make it work for you.

Share It: Do you share your home with others you love? Do you have friends over often for dinner or a movie? Or do you very rarely invite guests over because your house isn't perfect? The more happiness and laughter that enters your house, the more it is going to feel like a home.

Make Memories: This is a direct result of the previous tip. If you fill your home with people and laughter, you will be making memories all along the way. Filling your house with memories will quickly turn it from a mere dwelling into a home. You may not look back and remember this house for its amazing picture windows, or french doors, or balcony to the pool, but you will remember the birthday party where your best friend baked their first three layer cake and then the dog promptly knocked it off the table resulting in impromptu ice cream cookie sandwiches with candles stuck in them.

The Moving Juggle

It’s almost time to start moving in! Though we’re excited to welcome to your beautiful new home at This Wilson, we know that it will be a slightly stressful time for you as well. Between the struggles of moving in, day-to-day obligations and the desire to get out enjoy the beautiful summer sunshine time can get a little tight!

Writer Kim Lucian from apartmenttherapy.com shares in your dismay. Thankfully she’s created the perfect step-by-step guide to getting through hectic times without wanting to rip your hair out. Keep reading to learn more:

1. Get up, get dressed, get to the task at hand. One way to end up walking around with perma-bedhead is to grab the laptop and dig in right away. Pull yourself together before you get started or it probably won't happen.

2. Take a time out to create a clean, organized workspace for yourself. You'll actually save yourself time later when you are looking for a particular top for that job and it's not still shoved in a suitcase. Just don't go overboard — if you're a procrastinator it can be tempting to throw yourself into a deep cleaning session.

3. Make a list, divide it up, and then prioritize. Start out by writing down absolutely everything that comes to mind, then create categories or a timeline and organize your list. Once that is complete, rank your tasks from priority level 1-3: needs to happen, should happen, you would like it to happen.

4. Take a deep breath and start working your way through that list.