Make the most of your first home with these tips for every 20-something. Photo: Urban Outfitters There’s no greater buzz kill to the excitement of finally moving out of home, than realising you now live in a house for ants. Sure, you knew what you were in for, but sometimes, the struggles of living in a small dwelling are just too hard to ignore. Make no mistake, the first few stages of adulting is hard for us all.
Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of where you live, regardless how small.
1. Your furniture can multi-task for you
When you’re living in a small space, there’s bound to be limited room for furniture. Luckily, these days, there are plenty of cleverly designed furnitures that serve multiple purposes. Such as a coffee table that’s also a secret place to stash all your stuff, or a bed that converts to a full-sized sofa when folded up.
2. It’s okay to have a bed on the floor
If you don’t have a base frame for your bed, but you don’t have a lot of money to spend for a new one, save yourself a dreaded trip to IKEA by going without. The good news is, this look is actually on trend, you just have to make sure to get it right.
Photo: Urban Outfitters
3. That goes for other things too
We’ve all seen those apartments with magazines stacked to the ceiling and books jauntily toppling off of each other in literary piles. When done right, stacking your favourite printed pages atop each other looks, well, smart.
4. You may have to DIY your own closet
Not having enough storage or closet space can truly feel like the bane of a 20-something’s existence. But luckily, there’s many tips to combat these struggles. Invest in free-standing clothes racks to extend your teeny tiny closet.
Photo: Avenue Lifestyle
5. Prepare to use every nook and cranny
In small spaces, you’ve got to think smart about how to get the most out of every inch in your home. Always think under and over; prop things above cabinets, tuck things under tables and chairs, and also hang things where possible.
6. A wall divider could be your life saver
Designated areas are limited in small homes, however, a great way to feel like you have more rooms to play with is by splitting certain spaces up with room dividers. Use part of the living room for a work desk, or split part of the bedroom for a getting dressed zone.
Photo: Urban Outfitters