When it comes to living spaces, many of us want to go as big as possible. Not only do large residences indicate financial success, they also ensure that we have plenty of space to store possessions and stretch our legs. However, if you live in an area with prohibitively expensive rents or are just getting your start, you may need to temper your expectations a bit on the housing front. For example, when moving to a large city with high rental rates, a studio apartment may initially be the only option available to you. If you’re used to a larger living space, you’re likely to undergo a period of adjustment. Luckily, with the following tips at your disposal, making the most of your new apartment shouldn’t be a challenge.
Find Outside Storage Solutions
If you own a sizable number of possessions, you stand to make your compact living space even more compact by trying to house them all. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with acquiring things, studio apartments are ill-suited to this type of lifestyle. Of course, this isn’t to say that moving into a studio apartment will require you to part ways with items you treasure. If there are any furnishings, keepsakes or personal items that your new residence is unable to comfortably accommodate, it may be worth considering outside storage solutions. Renting a clean, secure storage unit can be a great way to free up space in your apartment and protect items you wish to keep but have no immediate need for. Fortunately for Angelinos, there are a bevy of affordable options for storage Los Angeles.
Invest in Furnishings That Serve Multiple Purposes
Multipurpose furnishings are practically a must for studio apartment life. The more purposes a piece of furniture serves, the fewer individual furnishings you’ll need to invest in. So, when furnishings your new living space, keep an eye out for items that fulfill multiple needs. A bed that doubles as a sofa, for example, is sure to prove useful to someone whose living room is also their bedroom. Additionally, a work desk that doubles as a shelving unit or a dining table that doubles as a work desk constitutes a wise purchase for anyone who regularly works from home.
Keep Clutter Under Control
As you’ll quickly discover, it doesn’t take long for studio apartments to fall victim to clutter buildup. Having your kitchen, bedroom and bathroom fused into a single space can produce a fair amount of clutter, and if left unchecked, cluttered conditions can give your new apartment a cramped and uncomfortable feel. Just remember that a mess in one area of your apartment constitutes a mess in every area of your apartment. With this in mind, make a point of picking up after yourself on a daily basis and never allowing messes to linger for very long. While this approach to cleaning up may take some getting used to, staying on top of clutter will soon seem like second nature.
Give Extra Thought to New Purchases
For some people, acquiring new things comes as naturally as breathing. Without so much as a second thought, they make new purchases left and right. Provided they have the space to comfortably house these items (as well as the financial resources to comfortably afford them), this isn’t much of an issue.
However, if your living space doesn’t allow for this approach to acquiring new items, you’ll need to put extra thought into nearly every purchase you make. Whenever you come across something you’d like to buy, make sure to ask yourself how much you want this item, whether you truly need this item and how the acquisition of this item will impact the space situation. In addition to helping you preserve what little leg room you have, this approach to shopping can be a boon to your personal finances.
If you’ve never occupied a compact living space, studio apartment life will be a bit of an adjustment. Unsurprisingly, if you refuse to make any alterations to your lifestyle, you’re liable to have trouble becoming acclimated to your new residence. Fortunately, a willingness to work with the space you have and make small changes to your behavior can help pave the way for a comfortable life in a studio apartment.
