7 downsides of small apartments and how to deal with them

There are no perfect apartments: but you can try to bring the interior closer to perfection. If you're unlucky with living space, our tips will help fix the main drawbacks.

1. No place for makeup

While a luxurious vanity table adorns almost every wish list, in reality there's rarely enough space for it.

Solution: we propose a compromise – turn a narrow console table (only 35 cm deep) into a vanity. All you need is to hang a framed mirror above it and place a lamp. It can also be used as a workspace when needed. Can be made in any color.

Buy for 27,500 rubles

2. No space on the desk

In a small apartment, there's nowhere for a compact workspace. But where to hide stationery and other small items – that's the million-dollar question!

Solution: hang a shallow shelf with several compartments above the desk. This space is enough to store books, magazines, pen holders, and decor.

Buy for 15,730 rubles

3. Bulky bookcases

Where to store your collection of fiction if electronic reading is not your thing? First thought – old-fashioned bookcases. Second thought – where to put them?

Solution: an open shelving unit is an excellent choice for book lovers living in small apartments. It's much narrower than a traditional cabinet but holds just as much.

Buy for 13,780 rubles

4. No dining area

If your apartment is too small to fit a full-size dining table, you might have to give up family dinners or eat almost on the go. Or maybe not?

Solution: designers have created a transforming dining table for tiny spaces. With a simple hand movement, it transforms from a compact coffee table into a dining table – and we're all happy about that.

Buy for 21,971 rublesBuy for 21,971 rubles

5. Cluttered dresser in the hallway

You can find a lot of «interesting» things on the dresser in the hallway: bills, promotional leaflets, several key rings, important and not-so-important notes. In cold weather, gloves and scarves are added.

Solution: a shelf organizer will help tidy things up. Now small items will be neatly arranged and concentrated in one place. There's also a hook on the shelf – perfect for bags and scarves.

Buy for 2,990 rubles

6. Uncomfortable lighting

Concrete lamps with just a couple of bare bulbs are currently in vogue. But sometimes you want something more traditional to create a cozy atmosphere, like in the bedroom.

Solution: choose lampshades – better yet, lace ones. Then the walls of the room will be adorned with elegant light patterns in the evening: no candles needed to create a romantic mood.

Buy for 4,690 rubles

7. Lack of greenery

Desire to use windowsills as efficiently as possible (e.g., as additional storage space) can end up with no living plants in the apartment.

Solution: leave the windowsill alone and place an original planter in the center of the dining table, next to the bed, or on a work desk. Pay attention to floating plants – they won't go unnoticed by guests.

Buy for 5,990 rubles

* Prices are current as of the article release.