This post has been updated current information for 2022
Yeah, there are some apartments in Athens Ohio that are so small they give those in New York City a run for their money. The benefit is the rent is cheap, but you’re living out of a bedroom practically the size of a lunchbox. This can be true of studio apartments, but it’s also true of 2, 3 or 4 bedroom apartments.
Some rooms are great, but odds are there will be at least one that’s a glorified walk-in closet. Never fear. These 5 tips will help you make a small space not only livable but downright comfortable and homey.
Go Big on the Curtains
One way to make yourself feel like you’ve got more space is to invest in sizable curtains. Even if your window is small, get curtains for it as big as possible, ideally ceiling to floor. A strategic use of vertical space creates an illusion of height, so the room will feel bigger and more spacious. Plus, getting these custom-made or just going with an artistic set of curtains can complement the view outside the window, too. If your apartment doesn’t have the greatest view, at least you can have a nice window to look out of!
Use a Minimalistic Approach to Furniture
When it comes to decorating a small space, less is better. Go minimal. Reduce clutter as much as possible. Keep posters and art you choose for the walls light but well chosen. Cut down on your furniture. You want to live comfortably, but too much stuff will just make your apartment crowded, especially if you’re tight on space to begin with.
If you live in a rental close to campus, one easy way to get quick décor is to head over to Baker at the start of the semester for their poster sale. You can quickly stock up on material that will turn your bland studio apartment into a cozy pad!
Design Layout Around Natural Light
Lighting is critical to implying a roomy impression, especially natural light. Arrange furniture and decorate your living room around the space that gets the most sunlight. You should also use indoor lighting well. Always choose lamps over overhead lighting. It creates more shadows which gives your space dimension and character. Sunlight is very important to the setup and design of your entire Athens Ohio apartment.
Also, studies have shown that natural light improves productivity, so all the more reason to get as much of it as you can!
Add Additional Lights for Nighttime
During the winter months, it often feels like all of the light and life has been sucked out of the world. Luckily, there’s an easy fix for your small studio or one bedroom apartment – artificial light! Just like it is important to maximize natural light for days and summer months, artificial light can vastly improve your quality of living, especially when living in a small student rental.
Try installing strip lights behind the television in the kitchen along the cabinets to add a nice under glow to your appliances and fixtures. Hang bulb lights on the walls behind your couch and bed to give the places where you often sit or sleep a nice halo surrounding them.
And if you’re fortunate to have a porch and a yard at your apartment, hang bulb lights outside there to keep the vibes rolling all night long.
Build a Mini Library
Adding a bookcase to your apartment is a cheap way to maximize space and productivity – especially if you live further from campus and don’t have parking at your rental, making traveling to Alden an arduous task.
Go to a local thrift store (there’s plenty Uptown on Court Street), pick up a cheap bookcase and fill it with your favorites and with materials for class to make it a one-stop-shop for all your reading needs! If you live with a roommate in a two-bedroom apartment, they can add some of their classics as well, expanding your mini–Alden Library.