4 Storage Tips

When you're confined to a small living space finding room for your stuff can be a challenge. Achieving that delicate balance, that I-have-a-lot-of-stuff-but-my-apartment-still-looks-fabulous-and-not-cluttered ratio, takes some creativity. Here are 4 tips for storage:

1. Tall and skinny shelving

To optimize wall space, select shelves that have a taller frame. Also look for shelving pieces that are lightweight-looking with skinny frames. A more streamlined piece will fit just right in your small living quarters; get too bulky of a shelf and it will become the elephant in the room - literally. The room will become overwhelmed it its size and the space will feel smaller.

2. Cubes

I love my cube shelving. You have the option of having fun-colored drawers or going sans drawers to display items or store books. The shelves are easy to carry, and by grouping cubes together, you can create a custom-sized shelf unit. They are especially handy if you have a studio apartment; a half-wall of cubes is a great way to set off a private spot for your bed while still giving the space an open feel.

3. Under-bed storage

Were you one of those kids that just shoved your mess under your bed and called your room clean? You may have been on to something ... Check out beds that substitute storage drawers for a box spring. If you don't mind having your bed higher than normal, you could also find a frame that allows lofting and place shelving underneath. Another never-fail idea is to buy long and shallow plastic storage containers that can just slide under your bed frame. With a duster or extra-long comforter, you're guests will never know they're there!

4. Utilize all your closet space

Let's face it: women have a lot of clothes. And shoes. And handbags. Store them right with a few closet add-ons. Add an extra bar, which will be perfect for shirts, halfway between the floor and the top bar. Add shoe or purse shelving on the closet floor to keep your accessories organized. A closet door shoe organizer is also a great piece - whether it's for shoes or other items like hairbrushes.

Photo credits: http://www.closet-shelf.com, http://www.bookcaseshelving.co.uk, http://modernfurnitureset.com, http://www.endtables.com, http://www.homeimprovementplace.com/

7 tips for decorating walls without paint

While spicing up apartment walls with paint is a great way to add color, many young apartment residents are renting - myself included - and aren't allowed to apply Dutch Boy to the walls. Don't fear! There are other ways of snazzing up otherwise drab surfaces. Here's my top 7:

1. Try sticking up a couple of interesting mirrors on the wall. They add visual interest as well as reflect the interior of the room, making the space appear larger.

2. Create a photo wall. Print out some of your favorite photos and place them in different sized (yet complementary) frames. Then attach the frames to the wall, varying spacing and orientation. Instead of photos, you could also frame dried flowers, posters, or patterned paper or fabric.

3. Attach a piece of fabric or a curtain to the wall. This option allows you to add fun patterns to your apartment and can be easily switched out with other pieces of fabric or curtains.

4. Get natural. Adding varying heights and colors of plants and flowers to your apartment will give it a more nature-like feel and add instant color. Also, play up your windows. Arrange your furniture so your natural light source is the focal point. With plenty of sunlight and foliage, you'll hardly notice a couple of bare walls.

5. Put up stick-on wall art. You can find various shapes and patterns of stick-ons that let you personalize a wall while you're living there - and let you remove it hassle-free when you move.

6. Buy a screen. Screens come in a variety of colors and patterns and can add interest to any room. They're functional too. If you live in a studio apartment, they can be used section off a private area for your bed.

7. Add some interesting shelves. No one ever said you can't hammer some nails into the wall. Pick up funky shelving that will add appeal to your walls and will allow you to store items too.

Photo credits: http://blog.styleestate.com, http://www.furniturehomedesign.com, http://www.ahwatukeecarpets.com, http://kidswallstickers.net/, http://www.apartmenttherapy.com, http://thegoodsdesign.blogspot.com,

Paint: Finding the perfect color for your small space

When you have a small space, paint color choice is key. Pick 1 or 2 colors to play around with: any more and your studio apartment will be overwhelmed. Additional colors can come through via fabulous accent pieces instead, such as pillows and artwork.

If you want the space to feel larger, opt for lighter paint shades; the hues will reflect natural light, making your apartment appear bright and airy. Darker colors enhance the feeling of coziness, but if they are if overused, they will also make the room seem much smaller than it actually is.

My room growing up had a light, kelly green accent wall behind my bed. It was attention-catching and played up the black and white photos I had on it. I loved that wall. Accent walls are great for defining a focal point in the room. Use either one of your main colors or a different shade of one of them to paint that special wall. Having an accent wall in a dark color, with the other walls a lighter color, can help you get that perfect spacious yet cozy feel.

Don't forget about your ceilings. If you have lofted ceilings like mine will have, your apartment will automatically have a more open feel. But don’t bum out if you have low ceilings. A light shade of paint with a hint of metallic will help heighten the apartment whereas a darker ceiling shade will compact the space.

Before you start dolloping paint on the wall, visit a paint store and ask for color chips. Take them back to your apartment and make sure to evaluate the color during the daytime and evening. If it looks great during both times of day, paint away!

For inspiration, take a look at HGTV’s studio apartment slideshow!

Image courtesy of HGTV