How to Maximize Space in a Small Apartment: 6 Tips for Renters

Don’t know how to maximize space in a small apartment? Whether you’re moving into the city or have a studio floorplan, there are many landlord-friendly ways to expand all areas without feeling constricted. 

Learn the top space-saving tips for small apartments that increase functionality without taking up much-needed room below.

How to Maximize Space in a Small Apartment: 6 Landlord-Friendly Tips for Renters

Here’s how to maximize space in a small apartment in six landlord-friendly ways to make the most of your new home.

1. Use Wall Space for Decorations & Storage

Wall decorations and storage are among the top space savers for small apartments. It not only makes it feel more homey, but it’s also practical because it’s another place to store your belongings while freeing up the floor area.

For example, using indoor apartment-friendly plants is a great way to add some greenery, purify the air, and style it to your liking. Small viney plants, like Golden Pothos, are perfect for kitchen windows or on top of bathroom cabinets because they hang vertically and need minimal maintenance. Small succulents are compact for bookshelves and desks, and easy for beginners if you don’t have a green thumb.

Hanging a few larger paintings over multiple small ones can also help avoid a cluttered look, while creating more visual appeal. 

For wall storage, floating open shelves that are narrow and light-colored are key. They maximize vertical space, add more height, and create more spaces to store your belongings, like candles, books, and small plants. The neutral color palette also makes it feel more airy. And if you don’t want to nail into your walls as a renter, there are adhesive wall hooks that are strong enough to hold open floating shelves with items on them. That way, you can clear your walkways as much as possible without damaging the walls.

2. Fill All Dead Space

If you aren’t familiar with the term “dead space,” it’s an area of your home that often goes unnoticed or unused. The most common dead zones are under staircases, above kitchen cabinets, closet doors, and awkwardly shaped room corners—which are essential to fill when maximizing space in a small apartment or studio.

Dead space can be used not only to add more storage or decoration, but it can even transform your home with the following tips:

•Use over-the-door organizers on doors for shoes, jewelry, pantry items for the kitchen, and toiletries for the bathroom

•Store small items and less-used cookware above kitchen cabinets, like holiday trays, cookbooks, and succulents

•Add a small cabinet or ottoman beneath the stairwell for more storage that doesn’t block the walkways

•Hang frequently used cookware on your kitchen backsplash with an open wall-mounted rack for easy access and more cabinet space for other cooking items

•Put clear storage containers in kitchen pantries and on top of closet shelves to better organize various-sized items while making the area look more airy

Even with smaller apartments, there are many ways to get creative that add functionality to dead space.

3. Measure All Rooms Before Investing in Furniture

Before moving into a new apartment, look up your unit’s floorplan online or ask your landlord for these documents. This information will provide you with each room’s measurements to ensure you buy the right-sized furniture. If a couch or sectional is too large, it can create awkward walkways and constricted space, making your apartment feel smaller. 

Depending on your floorplan, the best practice is to preserve as much square footage as possible with the two-thirds rule. For example, your sofa should be around two-thirds the length of your wall, even if it’s not pushed against it. This ratio helps you create a balanced space when furnishing your home.

4. Buy Minimal Large-Sized Furniture

With your apartment’s square footage in mind, think about how all rooms should function when buying larger furniture. We recommend a minimalist approach by getting a few key pieces that are absolutely necessary for each room.

Some large-sized furniture must-haves for small apartments include:
•Living room couch with legs to create more open space or built-in storage for additional items
•Bedroom mattress with underneath storage for clothes, shoes, and accessories
•Clear dining room table or wooden with built-in drawers to take up less visual space and add more room for silverware
•Foldable desks and tables that can be stored away when not in use

Remember, this applies to big statement furniture that’s needed for daily use.

5. Shop for Essential Multi-Functional Furniture

Any furniture you buy should be multi-functional to maximize space in a small apartment or studio. This step is crucial, so you don’t have to purchase multiple pieces and keep the home as open as possible with limited room.

Some essential multi-purpose furniture for small apartments includes:

•Wall beds that store the mattress and frame into the wall when not in use

•Bedroom futons or daybeds that transform from a mattress to a couch-like style for guests or yourself when sleeping 

•Coffee tables that open and close for living room necessities with built-in storage

These are key to keeping your space organized and clutter-free.

6. Style the Apartment That Expands Space & Natural Light

The next step is the fun part–decorating. However, there are key styling tips to know when decorating a small apartment, as they can make it feel more open or constrained. 

Some small apartment styling tips include:

•Hang floor-to-ceiling curtains over small to mid-sized ones to draw the eye up

•Place vertical wall-mounted mirrors to create the illusion of a larger space

•Use small chandeliers instead of floor lamps to free up the floor

•Aim for a neutral color palette to make the room feel more expansive

•Try to place large-sized furniture against the wall to open up the room center

Decorating small apartments strategically can make them feel larger than they are, which is the ultimate goal.

Maximize Space & Functionality In Your New Chicagoland Apartment Home

Now that you know how to maximize space in a small apartment, find your new Chicagoland home with TLC Management. We have over 30 apartment properties within the city and surrounding suburbs, offering you the local expertise to find the perfect place to live.

Our apartments have unique and convenient amenities for various lifestyles, including:

•Walk-in closets with organizer shelving and oversized windows for plenty of natural sunlight

•Open loft-style floorplans with exposed 16 to 18-foot timber ceilings with new custom cabinetry

•Bicycles and storage lockers available with pet-friendly policies

Browse our Chicago or suburban apartments or contact us at info@chicagorentals.com to schedule a tour today!

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