Multipurpose Furniture

I stumbled across this apartment on Home-Designing's site today. Check out the photos below.

Talk about efficiency. It's basically efficiency defined. Bonus: an added touch of oo-la-la sleekness. Everything's built-in and every square inch is maximized. The stairs have drawers that double as drawers. The workstation functions as a desk and shelf area without looking like a, well, desk. Basically the whole apartment has functional surfaces that allow its occupant to go basically furniture-free besides adding a bed, desk chair, and couch to the living space.

Is your small apartment designed like this one? Probably not. But you can get some of its efficiency by incorporating the following into your apartment:

Futons

Yes, futons. Not the nasty college dorm one that your sloppy friend spilled Easy Mac on. A chic one. Futons have a nice, geometric symmetry about them that lets them be sleek and stylish yet take up minimal room. Bonus usage: a bed. A futon-turned-bed can be used either as your main sleep spot or a crash option for your friend.

Coffee tables

And by coffee tables, I mean big coffee tables. My boyfriend uses his for anything and everything. Storage, a desk, kitchen table, and, like the piece's namesake, a good cup of Java. Stick one of these items in your living room, and you'll find an array of purposes for it. Guaranteed.

Ottoman cubes

These guys are cheap and cute and double up as storage boxes! My best friends in college used their ottoman cubes in their dorm room to hide items they didn't want male friends who stopped by to see: mainly, ahem, feminine products. Hopefully, your apartment has a bathroom for those necessities (please tell me you opted for a place with a toilet), but you can still stash some items in these cubes. Think books, magazines, or your favorite chocolate!

Photo credits: http://www.apartmenttherapy.com, http://craftydots.blogspot.com, http://woodframefuton.com, http://www.home-designing.com

Top 3 Kitchen Storage Ideas

My kitchen next year is tiny. As in minuscule. It's about 7 feet long and about 3 feet wide. Not a lot of wiggle room to move around in there. Add in some pots, pans, and food - much less my physical body - things are going to get interesting. The kitchen includes a fridge, small stove, and a couple of cupboards above the stove. I was panicking a bit, wondering where I'd put all my stuff so I researched a few creative ways to get the most out of your cooking and eating space. Here are my top 3:

1. Magnetic strips

Magnetic strips can boost the storage power of your wall. Just slap up a strip and start magnetizing stuff. This is a great option for knife storage as well as most anything else metal and fairly lightweight. Personally, I'm a big fan of storing spices via magnets. Transfer your spices into individual mini metal canisters with clear lids and you'll be able to easily see which spices are which the next time you're cooking up something fancy. (See the picture below for an example of a spice magnet strip.

2. Fruit Shelves

I came across this neat fruit shelf on Ikea Hackers (click the link to see the plans for this storage set-up). The main materials for the shelf appear to be wood and clear baking or serving dishes. This is a great way to display your fruit without having apples roll all over (and off) your counter. Win!

3. Pot Hanger

The ceiling is one of the top most wasted spaces in a kitchen in my opinion. It's a tricky location to utilize though. A ceiling's openness makes your apartment feel larger - something important in a small living space. A pot hanger, with its open design, does not have as much flow interruption in a space as you might think. Hangers come in a variety of shapes and sizes so you can pick the best one for your needs. Wall pot hangers are also great options.

Photo credits: www.andrewsoper.com; www.ikeahackers.net; http://www.gayagriya.com

Lighting for a Small Apartment

My mom and I have been discussing my upcoming apartment for months now. We've been working out what I can take from home and what I'll need to buy. She's using the opportunity to hand me off a leather couch, mattress, and bed box. All so she can buy new furniture. She's thrilled. So over spring break she showed me some of the items I'll be able to haul back to the city. Included on the list are a matching pair of retro black and white speckled lamps. They were my grandparents' from decades ago. And they are wicked sweet. The lamps aren't big, but my apartment has large windows and a skylight overhead so plenty of natural light will be flowing most of the waking hours. Planning what you're going to do to shine some light on your space? Excellent. Read on.

1. Space-saving lighting options

Small apartments mean little room for stuff (did you check out my last post on storage?). Now lighting doesn't have to be included in the limited stuff you let in your front door. Put up track lighting or recessed lighting, if your apartment allows it. These types of lighting give off plenty of light - an amount which can usually be controlled via a switch - all the while saving valuable floor space from being taken over by giant floor lamps.

2. Natural light

Natural light. I can't get enough of it. I absolutely cannot wait till I get to my natural-light flooded apartment. Is your space lacking some sun rays? Maximize what you do get. Light colors reflect light well so opt for a lighter shade on the walls. Mirrors, like light-colored walls, reflect light (literally) but they also serve to make the room feel larger. Double win. Also, make sure that nothing is blocking some of the natural light you get now. I know that seems like a "duh" comment but really. Something as virtually unimportant as an extra-dark curtain or an overgrown plant can strip your space of some valuable light.

3. Cozy feel with smaller lights

If cozy is what you're going for, smaller lights are what you want. You may be wondering why I'm including this tip, considering this blog centers on apartments that are already pretty "cozy" in size. But there is a reason. Oh yes. If you happen to have vaulted ceilings, the space can feel larger but also cooler. Small lamps lower the perceived height of your ceiling, creating a more comforting - and romantic - atmosphere, especially for evenings. It's mood lighting, if you will.

If you have any other suggestions, please post a comment. I'd love to hear them!

Photo credits http://www.onhomedesign.com, http://homedesignparadise.com, http://lifestyle.ezinemark.com