12 ideas for living in a small apartment: life hacks from New York

In this studio in New York, a family couple named Renata and Roman lives. The couple decided to show their home to the world to demonstrate how they managed to live comfortably in a small area.

Do not do a full renovation

To increase the space, Roman demolished the wall between the kitchen and living room. The couple also updated the floor covering and whitewashed the walls. They didn't change the kitchen cabinets, just replaced the doors with new ones. Fast, simple and budget-friendly.

Make the space multifunctional

"Our kitchen-dining room is a place for work, rest and entertainment," says Roman. And indeed: when there are few rooms in the apartment, you have to adapt the dining table for work and plan everything down to the smallest detail.

Create your own storage system on the kitchen

You can take an existing system as a basis, but still customize the space to your needs. For example, Renata finds it convenient to store cups and plates by stacking them inside each other. All spices are kept in small tin cans.

Buy a round dining table

A round table won't take up much space and will be less noticeable in the interior visually. In addition, more guests can be seated around it: compact stools were prepared in a corner of the room.

Add art objects

This is the easiest way to liven up the interior and not clutter the small space. Imagine how boring it would be without paintings in this apartment.

By the way, they don't have to be expensive. Most of the canvases were created by the owners themselves.

Use empty walls

Hang everything you can on the walls. For example, this foldable chair takes up no space and also serves as a mirror for Renata.

And the space under the bed

Under a queen-size bed, there is enough room for storage. To keep items dust-free, they packed them in boxes with handles — easy to take out.

Another life hack: a stack of books next to the bed replaces the bedside table for the couple.

Find additional storage spaces

Since the apartment has high ceilings, the couple decided to use the space under the ceiling. A spacious shelf was set up there for storing bedding and off-season clothes. The shelf is not noticeable in the interior: it was covered with a roller curtain.

Keep a small step ladder at home

When you need to climb up to the attic or reach books from a high shelf, a small wheeled step ladder comes in handy.

Organize open storage systems

There was no room for cabinets in the small bathroom, so Roman and Renata used the door: they hung hooks for towels on it. Many shelves appeared on the wall.

Plan storage under the sink

The couple found this cabinet in a vintage store and adapted it to the sink. But you can simply buy an ordinary sideboard and store household chemicals in it.

Use glass boxes

Renata works in a store, so the role of glass boxes at home is played by display cases. She stores her jewelry in them. Convenient: everything is visible, but also protected from dust.

Photographer: Kate Siers