Consider the following dilemma: You've just rented a 250-square-foot studio apartment, and you don't know how you're going to fit all of your stuff in it. There are plenty of ways to make the most of a tiny living space and make it comfortable rather than crowded.
Buy a Divider Screen for the Apartment
A folding divider screen is a good option for you if:
- you don't want to feel like you are in your bedroom all the time
- you want to have both personal space and space to entertain guests
- you want to create a sort of living space for yourself
Divider screens run from relatively reasonable to overpriced: A heavier wooden screen will of course cost more (sometimes upwards of USD 300) but a thinner screen can cost under USD 200. The more panels to the screen, the more expensive it is. Screens usually have anywhere from three to six panels.
Hang Individual Shelves on Empty Wall Space, and/or Use Tall Bookshelves
Buy shelves designed to be bolted into a wall for knickknacks and photos; this will save space for other items (like a computer, printer, or TV) on top of dressers, desks, and wardrobes. Shelves like this are relatively inexpensive, especially at places like IKEA. And if you have a huge collection of books, DVDs, et cetera, consider tall, five-to-six shelf bookshelves (if you have the floor/wall space for it). These shelves are available at Target or Wal-Mart and usually cost only USD 20 to about USD 30.
Buy Storage Bins that Can Fit in Small Spaces and Under the Bed
Don't let stuff pile up on the floor! Small space seems to get messier a lot faster than a larger space. If necessary, use a shoebox for random papers (receipts you want to save, et cetera).
A folding laundry basket is another great option, just so that your laundry doesn't pile up on a chair in the corner of the room. These are very inexpensive and take up virtually no space once folded up and put back in a small, inconspicuous space like between your bed and the wall.
Get a Bulletin Board and Refrigerator Magnets
Buy a small bulletin board or a French-style display board (the ones with crisscrossing ribbons) for important messages. This is another way to avoid clutter and keep papers from piling up all over the floor.
A divider screen, wall shelves, storage bins, and places to put paper are just a few reasonably-priced ways to help keep your tiny studio apartment from getting too cluttered, make it feel homier, and maximize the limited living space available.
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