Expanding the Boundaries of Your Apartment

So, if your apartment is small in size and you constantly bump into furniture placed everywhere – then this article is for you. What to do if you're tired of living in a small apartment? And you don't have money for new housing? This article is written to help you expand your living space.

The Optimal Solution

It's obvious that the most radical method in the fight for extra square meters is apartment reconfiguration. However, at the same time it is also the most complex method. Each of your actions will have to be coordinated with the authorities, and you probably won't find time to stand in long queues.

Only the least intrusive changes can be made without special permission: installing or removing built-in furniture and cosmetic renovations. But reconfiguration solves the problem of lack of space, so this game is worth it.

The most common way to expand space is to combine two rooms into one large room. Apartments remodeled in this way are called studios. However, such housing is not suitable for everyone. For example, if you have small children, you will find it hard to live in such conditions.

In studio apartments, the boundaries between zones are completely erased.

There is no division into a bedroom, living room, study or play zone. You can make this division conditional, for example by color or floor covering. For instance, lay carpet where you sleep and laminate in other zones. Many recommend dividing the space with screens. We strongly advise against using screens in a small apartment, as they will clutter the space.

If your problem is a small bathroom, then combine it with the toilet. Instead of a wide bathtub, install a shower cabin, which will save a lot of space.

If you're a devoted fan of baths, place it along the shortest wall. A large washing machine can be moved to the kitchen and built into the furniture.

Get Rid of Everything Unnecessary

Don't hoard everything you don’t need, that might come in handy in ten years or when Aunt Zoya visits. Ruthlessly get rid of clutter and unnecessary furniture. Buy only lightweight and multifunctional furniture.

Choose sofa-beds, armchairs with built-in drawers for clothes, place the TV not on a console but on a suspended shelf, and corner furniture also saves space.

Use foldable chairs and extendable countertops on the kitchen. Replacing regular interior doors with sliding doors will make a big difference.

Regarding color, it's a well-known rule – the lighter the room, the more spacious it seems. Make the wall opposite the window lighter than the others; this will 'stretch' the room (hanging a mirror on it will improve the effect).

You can completely do away with curtains and choose blinds instead. Instead of one bulky chandelier in the center of the ceiling, install several wall sconces around the perimeter.

And remember, changing your living space changes your life! Good luck to you!