If you are living in an off-campus bedroom or a dorm room, chances are you’re feeling cramped in your small living space. Although it can be challenging to make your room feel cozy, there are solutions to help you feel like you’ve expanded your room - or at least help you store more items. Here are five ways to make the most of your limited space.
1. Utilize Vertical Space
Maximize storage in your room by installing shelves, hooks and racks. By doing this, you can save valuable space in other parts of your room. Instead of placing decor, such as plants or pictures, on your desk, place them on a shelf. As an alternative to placing your jacket, bag or robe in your closet, use wall-mounted hooks to hang them up. Additionally, you can use double hangers in your closet to store more clothes. If there is one storage hack you can always use more of, it’s maximizing vertical space.
2. Use Under-Bed Storage
Do you have out-of-season clothes in your closet? Or extra bedding in your drawers? Use containers or bins to store items that you don’t use on a regular basis under your bed. This way, you have them nearby for when they are needed, but you can keep your necessary clothes and items within reach. This helps organize and declutter the parts of your space that you use every day.
3. Invest in Multi-Purpose Furniture
One of the most effective ways to maximize your space is to choose furniture with multiple functions. For example, if you are going to buy a couch and know that you will be having guests over often, choose one that doubles as a bed. Next to the couch, place a coffee table with extra drawers for storage. A common option is to buy a storage ottoman, which not only provides seating, but gives you a place to store extra items, such as blankets and pillows. Furniture generally takes up the most of your space, so you might as well take full advantage of every piece.
4. Use Light Colors
Choosing light-colored furniture and decor in your room is one of the best ways to make a small space feel larger and brighter. If you have the option to paint your walls, choose white, beige or light gray. The reason this works is because light colors reflect light to create the illusion of more space, while dark colors absorb light and make a space feel smaller. You may not notice the value of light colors right away, but you will be thankful for the airy atmosphere when you make the change.
5. Clean and Declutter Regularly
When you live in a small space, it is best to keep items, such as decor and clothing, to a minimum. Every few weeks, go through your drawers, shelves and closet to remove items that you no longer use or that are seasonal. If you have no place for certain items, opt to donate or sell them. This will help keep your space tidy and organized so you don’t feel crowded in your room.
Making the most of your small living space is always possible with a little creativity and a few smart solutions. We hope these tips help you transform your room into a cozy and functional home away from home.