How to maximise space in a small apartment

Neutral Bay is so convenient because of its proximity to the city, but locals often trade space for the time they save getting to and from work.

A small apartment will prevent you from getting overly excited about ordering an abundance of ornaments and other furnishings online, but even if you keep life to a minimum, it will feel cluttered if you don’t have a good system.

Here are some suggestions for staying organised and making the most of a smaller space:

Only have what you need

There’s no point keeping things like ski gear and the giant bear you won at Luna Park when you only have a small apartment. Before you buy something, think about where you will keep it or what you can get rid of in order to make room.

Regular decluttering is important when you live in a small space as it’s easy for things to build up. As you declutter and organise, add labels for what goes where. You’ll find it easier to stay tidy and a tidy home is always more comfortable, particularly if you don’t have a lot of space.

If you’re lucky enough to have family elsewhere in the city, they may be ok with you keeping a few boxes of belongings in their garage. A storage unit is another option if you want to stay where you are but have a surplus of stuff.

Use vertical space and walls

High-level shelving or storage units with good height will give you extra places to keep your belongings.

Stores like Howards Storage World have hooks that allow you to hang bikes on the walls, either inside or on your balcony. You can also mount a surfboard rack on the wall. When you keep it off the floor, it will be less likely to get damaged.

Mount your TV on the wall and you’ll gain even more space. The cables can be covered with some D-Line covers from Bunnings.

If you do have an empty wall, a mirror will create the illusion of a larger space.

Choose the right furniture & accessories

Less is more in a small apartment so don’t be tempted to fill the entire space with furniture. To make the space look bigger, choose a small floor rug and a couch with legs. If you have room for a coffee table, find one that has drawers or room for storage.

Stackable chairs will come in handy and you can look for a table that folds down or can be extended, like this one from IKEA.

Measure your furniture before you bring it home so you don’t end up having to squeeze around it all the time. Keep in mind though, that less is more: one good-sized table and a generous couch are more space-efficient than lots of smaller pieces.

Think about colour

White walls and a reduced colour palette will make a space look larger and less busy. Avoid bright or dark shades and stay neutral on the walls. If you do want a pop of personality, add it through art and throw pillows.

Create different moods with lighting

If you only have a few rooms, you will want to make the difference more significant. Have lamps to create a peaceful night time atmosphere and task lighting if you are using your living room as a workspace, for example. Wall-mounted bedside lights will free up space on tables.

Invest in some drawers or storage containers for underneath your bed. You can store your winter gear here during summer and vice versa. If you’re in the market for a new bed, you could consider a storage bed with a mechanism that lifts the mattress, like this example from Snooze.

If you keep your smaller apartment clean and well organised, you can enjoy living in it for many years.

Looking for an apartment to lease or buy in Neutral Bay? Contact HPA today.