My Apartment is 350 Square Feet and I Use Every Inch of It

If you had told me that one day I would live in an area where my rent was nearly $1100 a month and my apartment was the size of a Taco Bell kitchen, I would’ve rolled my eyes and laughed in your face. But here I am living as a millennial in an era where the rent is still too damn high and the spaces are so damn small. To help keep your claustrophobia at bay, try these sensible tips to help you make the most out of your tiny nook.

Invisible Lines

When your apartment is small it can be difficult to feel like you have spaces. For me, this manifests itself in my Foyer-Dining-Kitchen-Living-Office-Storage-Space. 90% of my daily apartment functions happen in this one many named, multipurpose area. So how can you create division when there are no walls or doors in sight? By arranging my furniture in a functional way, I divided my living space that makes my it feel more organized.

My office space is my latest project in making many rooms out of one. What used to be an awkwardly shaped corner by my window, has now turned into a living breathing space for me to get my work done. Facing my desk out towards my window means I have great natural light, and it gives my plants a fighting chance at growing in an otherwise dark apartment. This is currently my favorite “place” in my apartment simply because of how well everything ties together. I got my desk from Ikea years ago and added some patterned contact paper around the edges. When I came across this nearly identical print chair at TJ Maxx years later, I knew it was meant for me.

Keep it small.

I find that the best way to make a small space feel big is to get smaller items. The only compromises I refused to make were in with my bed and my couch. First of all, I love my couch and it’s the best investment I’ve made as an adult. Secondly, it works perfectly for creating division in between my living room and dining space.

Because of my oversized couch, I had to compromise in other areas. After moving into my first apartment, my parents found a cute wicker dining table with chairs that tuck in when not in use.  Its compact size makes it the ultimate space saver but it’s still cute enough to make me feel like I’m dining like an adult.

I snagged this copper table from Home Goods.  I came across it in the children’s furniture section and I think it was designed to be a Play table? Mini kitchen table? A totally nonpractical piece of furniture for a child? Instead, I repurposed it as an end table tucked next to my couch.

Tack it, tape it, nail it, hang it.

Whatever you do, don’t leave your walls bare. Nothing says, I’m just renting this place and have no personality or creativity like bare walls do. Different landlords have different opinions on what’s fair game in the world of wall décor. Fortunately, my landlord had no problems with me using nails. For my own safety, I’ve stuck to the tried and true tacky tape and Velcro strips to keep my many decorations hung.

To bring some life into my living room I have a portrait of myself that I commissioned a while back that serves as a vain but important reminder that even if I am renting, my space is my own. Bonus: it makes a great conversational piece when I have guests over.

I’m most proud of my bedroom design. Based on my estimates, the décor I have in my room cost about $3.50 total. I use a table runner I found at a thrift store for $2 to cover all the dings and scratches on my dresser. I also spent 15 cents for some kitschy postcards at a vintage store for wall decor.

For unique home decor that costs the price of a trip, I’ve taken to collecting subway maps from cities I’ve traveled to and use them as a visual reminder of all the places I’ve been, and inspiration for places to visit in the future.

Hide in Plain Sight

I have an obsession with storage. Not the idea of keeping things tucked away never to be seen, but rather, the ability to have multifunctional pieces that allow you to keep your clutter to a minimum while still serving a practical purpose.

My favorite piece is my Hairpin Desk. Originally intended to be a desk, I found it was just the right size to fit my TV but also give me some much-needed storage space for things I frequently use but have no place to put.

I’m also starting to amass a large and assorted collection of storage bins. My latest addition is a large wooden and wire bin that I have defined as my official “junk drawer bin”. I use it as such so I can clearly see all the crap I should probably just throw away.

Keep your bedroom sacred.

Whether you live in a studio, a loft, or an apartment with a door to your bedroom like me #SmallBlessings, no matter how you sleep, keep your bedroom sacred.

Even when I lived in a studio, I never ate, did work, or watched TV in my bed. When your bedroom becomes a one-stop shop for daily life activities, it can be hard to create a mood of peace and rest. Nothing says I’m never going to get to bed like unpaid bills sitting next to your nightstand or Cheeto dust covering your duvet.

Now that I have a physical door to separate my bedroom from the rest of my space, I created a rule for myself. I only go into my bedroom if I’m starting or ending my day. After a long day at work, I’ll take off my work clothes, occasionally hang them back up, and then I won’t go back into my room until I’m ready for bed. If I’m trying to take a post-work, pre-dinner nap (which I have been known to do quite frequently) I always nap on my couch.

BONUS TIPS: What to look for when you’re on the hunt.

When I first viewed my apartment, it took me exactly 7.68 seconds to decide it was the right fit for me because I already knew what I wanted. As a result, I’ve developed a list of must-haves for rental space. Here are some things to consider next time you’re looking at apartments.

• The lightings on the wall. Floor lamps and other mobile light fixtures can take up unnecessary space in an already small area. My apartment has lights mounted on the walls so walking in and getting lit is as simple as a flick of the wrist on a switch. I do use a floor lamp for some muted lighting in the evenings, but otherwise, the wall mounted lights get the job done.
• Off-white makes it bright. All the walls in my apartment are a faint yellow color. Initially, I thought it was a poor paint choice, but my apartment feels a lot calmer and makes the lighting pop. Bright white walls make a space feel sterile but a nice off-white or soft yellow really brings a different energy into the room.
• Get hardwood floors because carpeting is gross. You have no idea how long the carpet has been down, what’s been on it, or worse, what’s in it. If I visit an apartment with carpets, it’s an automatic no for me. It may sound bougie, but you know what’s worse than coming off as stuffy? Actually, being stuffy because the nasty carpeting air you’re inhaling is making your throat scratchy and allergies flare. To make sure my hardwood floors stay clean and pristine, I use Bona once a week.

I don’t have a single M in my bank account to fund my dreams of living in a penthouse loft. So for now, I’ll continue to maximize living in minimal spaces. No matter how you’re living, your space is never too small to make it your own.