Maximizing Small Spaces

You have to be a certain type of person to want to live in New York City forever. That’s what I have come to believe. As I entered my 30’s, I was surprised by how many people asked me and my husband whether we planned to live in the city forever. Our answer is always yes- as long as we can.

I moved to Brooklyn right after I graduated college, growing up with quite a few family moves up and down the East Coast. Despite a brief move to San Francisco, Brooklyn is the only adult home I have known. But living in the city comes at a cost, and I am not only talking about the rent.

Last spring, we found the perfect three-bedroom apartment in the southern part of Park Slope, just a few blocks away from Prospect Park. We could not be happier to have more space, but maximizing small spaces has become a speciality of mine, especially as we build a home in our new apartment.

When we moved into this apartment, this extra bedroom became my closet. Since we don’t have any kids yet, we wanted to create a guest room that I could also use as a space to get ready in so I don’t wake up my husband with my early teacher hours.

How did we fit that all in an 8’x11′ space? Storage is key. Knowing which peices to invest in and where to save made furnishing a whole new space possible. Don’t be afraid to mix high-end and lower-budget finds to create the perfect cozy space for your needs.

Smart storage

The one request I had when we started this space was to have a vanity. I love the idea of having a seated space where I could get ready and take my time in the morning. But with the day bed, we did’t have the space for a table in this room, which was a heart-breaker.

Without fail, my mom rescued our space and found a solution for my vanity that maximized the space with creative wall storage. We found our shelves at CB2. With gold metal siding on each end, these shelves really upgrade the space. Their doors fold out like little tables, which give me the surface area I was looking for. I even bought this gold stool so I can take my time putting myself together in the morning without putting pressure on my back.

Instead of having my makeup covering the surface of these shelves collecting dust, everything gets stored in plastic containers I found at Homegoods for cheap, keeping everything neat and organized. The top shelf holds my belts, sunglasses, and medicines, and the bottom set holds all of my makeup and hair products. All of my hair styling tools are hidden in the woven toy basket I found for cheap at Target.

Another way to make a small space feel bigger? Adding a mirror opens up your space and allows the room to feel bigger with the reflection. Not only do I use this as part of my makeshift vanity, but it creates a focal point in the room with the more modern and fresh rose gold circular shape. In my opinion, it’s okay to mix metals. I love the way the rose gold plays off the other metals, but still ties in the warm tones of the blanket, rug and artwork throughout the room.

Simple upgrades

While we had originally wanted a sleeper sofa for this room, I am so glad that we ended up going with our plan b, and selecting this daybed for the room. Not only were we able to customize with our own mattress, but it is the perfect area to lounge during the day while reading a book. It’s also great for guests, and has built-in storage drawers.

One of the simplest ways to upgrade your space to a more modern and luxe feel is by changing hardware, like the pull handles on this bed. I wanted something gold to sync with the accents on our wall storage shelves, but affordable. I found these gold pulls that were super simple to install (trust me- we are not handy people). All you need is a screw-driver. They upgrade the space and pull the furniture together despite the different woods.

Do I have a shoe and handbag problem? Clearly, yes. Personally, I love accessories; I always have and will. And if I am going to invest in these peices, then I don’t want them hidden away in a closet. While it may seem cluttered to some, I want to see my options and investments every day as a reminder of what I have, instead of thinking I need more.

One simple way of upgrading your space is by finding affordable peices that allow you to maximize space. No matter what, my shoes will always be out and around the house; I wish I was more dilligent about putting them away. But this rack lets me find a way to upgrade the space without taking up too much space. It is screwed securely into the wall, and keeps the space clear of clutter.

Another quick tip to freshen up any space is to change up the pillows. I love throw pillows, and this is an affordable way to bring more color and texture into the space. I love to mix and match shapes, colors and fabrics. Always work in odd numbers for accents like pillows, and balance height on either end to keep a focal center. These pillows are from various retailers, most under $20.

And the best way to upgrade any space? Find a great area rug. A rug instantly warms up and centers any space. It will take a small space, and make it feel larger. You don’t have to break the bank to find a good rug these days; scour your local Homegoods (when they finally open back up), scoop up steals like this rug from Target, or check out another new favorite rug retailer that features affordable, machine-washable rugs.

Lastly- layer, layer, layer. Layering textures and colors makes the bedding look expensive, when each of these finds were budget-friendly. Look for a simple white duvet for your base, and bring color and volume in through folded quilts and airy woven blankets to really establish the style of the space.