5 Things Making Your Living Space Feel Smaller

By Ashley Paskill on April 2, 2020

This article is brought to you by CORT Furniture Rental. We take the hassle out of furnishing your new place so you can do more important things like read this article. Learn more about why furniture rental is the best way to get a great looking apartment.

For many college students, one of the main problems they experience is having a small living space, even if they are living in an apartment. The goal should be to maximize the space and make it feel more spacious than it is. However, there may be things that you have or are doing that need to be changed to make your space feel bigger.

Furniture: the wrong kind or too much

The furniture that you choose for your space can make a huge difference when it comes to making your space feel too small. If you choose furniture that only has one purpose, you may be missing out on opportunities for storage. Some pieces of furniture can double as a place to store items, which can decrease clutter and help your space seem bigger.

It may be tempting to not put a big piece of furniture, like a couch, in a small space, but doing so can give the illusion that your space is larger than it is. However, do not put too much furniture in as this will actually make you have less room. Be sure to measure your space so you know what can fit in the allotted space.

Using furniture with glass, such as a table, can give the illusion that it is not there, making your space seem bigger. This can also be used in the bathroom. You can use a glass shower door instead of a curtain to help the bathroom feel bigger than it is.

Too many doors

While doors to your bedroom and the bathroom as well as your main door are crucial for privacy, having too many doors can make your space seem small. If possible, take the doors out where your kitchen and common areas are. However, if your landlord will not let you remove these doors, consider using doorstops to prop them open. This will allow your living space to flow more and feel more open.

The wrong things on your walls

Mirrors are crucial when trying to make your space feel bigger. The reflections give the illusion that there is another room or that the room is extended. While you should limit the number of mirrors you have, it is important to have at least one in the common areas of your apartment. Make sure you pick a mirror that matches the color on the walls as well as the other furniture.

Limit the amount of artwork you have on your walls. Artwork is a great way to decorate, but having too much can make your walls seem cluttered. To fix this, do not put too many pieces up, and be sure to space them out. Also, make sure the art you choose to hang fits in with the colors on your walls and the style of your décor.

Use light colors on your walls. Dark colors tend to make rooms feel smaller and more claustrophobic. If you are allowed to paint your walls, choose light, neutral colors to help lighten the mood. Also, paint your ceiling a color other than white to help give the illusion that your ceiling is higher. This will help your space feel like it is bigger.

Using items that are not the right height

Having a low ceiling can add to the feeling that your space is small. While it may be tempting to use furniture pieces that are taller to help change the perspective, this is the opposite of what you should do. Choose furniture pieces that are low to the ground. Using items that are tall only accentuates the fact that your ceiling is low and that you do not have that much space. As mentioned above, having the right art pieces on your wall can make a huge difference. Short and wide pieces only emphasize the fact that you have short walls. However, using tall paintings and artwork can help make your walls seem taller.

Any amount of clutter

Clutter is one of the biggest culprits that adds to the feeling of not having space as it eats up any space you do have. It can be overwhelming to know how to start, but it is crucial for making your space seem bigger than it is. Do it one step at a time so that you do not feel overwhelmed. If you have not used or worn something in the past six months, get rid of it unless it is a seasonal item.

Having a lot of clutter in your entryway also makes your space seem more cramped. Since this is the first thing you and your guests see when they first walk in, this area is crucial. Instead of having a bunch of hooks that you pile coats onto, consider getting a coat tree so that you will not have a bunch of coats and purses cluttering up the space. If you are having guests over, put any shoes that are at the front door in a different space, at least temporarily.

Having a small living space is almost inevitable for students. However, with the proper décor and furniture, which you can easily rent from CORT Furniture Retnal, your space can feel bigger.

Looking for an easy way to furnish your off-campus apartment? Renting furniture from CORT saves you time and money. See how easy it is to get great looking furniture without breaking the bank.

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