Maximizing Your Use of Space in a Rental Apartment

When you live in a small 1-bedroom or bachelor apartment, it doesn't take much for the space to feel cluttered. Clear off surfaces and stuff stacked up on the floor by using decorative storage boxes (you can get some at the dollar store), bins, wicker baskets and organizing trays. These items can go on shelves or inside drawers to make it easier to find things while keeping everything neat and put away.

Compared to the price of a TV stand, wall-mounting brackets are pretty affordable. A basic fixed bracket usually costs less than a stand, which is a small price to pay for saving space! Some wall mounts allow you to swivel the TV, so that you can watch it from different angles.

You can then use a smaller, more compact sideboard or table to put the streaming box or game console on.

Basically, wall-mounting anything will save you space in a small apartment. Bicycles can also be wall-mounted to get them up and off the floor. Just check your lease or ask your landlord before drilling into walls, and plan to patch and paint the holes before you move out.

When it comes to creating storage in a small rental apartment, you need to get creative. Use bins with lids that can slide under your bed to store extra bed linens or keepsakes. You can also hide things in plain sight by using storage ottomans.

A storage ottoman works as an extra seat or table in your living space, but pop the lid off, and it's a place to store extra blankets and pillows. You can also hide stuff behind doors by hanging a plastic shoe rack. Place items in the pockets so that you can see everything clearly without taking up a lot of space.

If drilling is off the table, there's still plenty you can do. Removable adhesive hooks hold keys, bags, hats and even lightweight shelves without leaving a mark. Over-the-door organizers turn the back of the bedroom, bathroom and closet doors into storage for shoes, cleaning supplies or toiletries. A leaning blanket ladder holds throws and towels and takes up almost no floor space.

If you work or study from home, carve out a nook instead of a whole room: a narrow desk or a fold-down table in a corner, with a shelf above it for supplies, keeps your workspace from spreading across the kitchen table.

If your apartment is too small, you could always look for a larger rental. You can find rental apartments of all shapes, sizes and prices using apartment rental agencies like Gottarent.com!