Posted in Bathrooms, Kitchens, Repurposing, Apartments, Storage |
My first apartment -its a studio!
November 14th, 2006
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Full question:
So I’m 21 and I am moving into my first apartment. It’s a studio and I’m lost. So any ideas would help.
My answer:
Ahhh….a studio apartment… That brings back memories! I loved mine when I had it. The thing I found in that place was a need to multi- purpose furniture and increase my storage options. So, here are a few ideas for doing both of those:
1. Consider using whatever you sleep on as your sofa, too. Daybeds work great for this. So do sofa beds (I bought a twin sized one for my library that is love-seat size when closed up. It’s remarkably comfortable. That room now doubles as a second guest room. You can also get a full-sized sofa with a full sized bed). Various sized cushions can also double as both a bed and sofa/seating.
2. Blanket chests, crates, boxes covered with fabric or wallpaper, suitcases - all of these can double as end tables/coffee tables AND storage.
3. Some studios have built-ins - sometimes built-in shelving and/or bookcases, an eating bar/table in the kitchen and/or lighting. If yours comes with any of these, use them too your advantage as much as possible.
Can the bookcases or shelving also store food? Using tins, canisters and/or more covered boxes, you could hide the fact you are using shelving to expand your pantry space.
Can the table/bar also be used as a computer desk?
Is the lighting positioned so you don’t have to have lamps? If not, will floor lamps take up less space than table lamps?
4. Consider hanging things from the ceiling to expand your storage options. A small ladder, gate or even a length of chain can be hung from the ceiling for pot storage. Just hang the pots off of “S” hooks found at hardware stores. You can also hang other “kitchen” items this way - colanders, baskets, griddles- anything with handles that you can get an “S” hook through.
5. Use some of your clothes for decorating with. Take a peek at here for ideas on this.
6. Add a piece of chicken wire to a wall or the back of a door. Using the “S” hooks again, store your measuring cups and spoons, mugs, glasses with handles, baking tins, cooking utensils - lots more kitchen stuff.
7. Bathroom storage is important, too. More on that here.
Still more small space storage and multipurposing here.
Your Frugal Decorating Diva,
Nancy
P.S. Want to ask Your Frugal Decorating Diva a question? Or maybe you’d like more info on this topic? Visit here.
Florian on 28 Jan 2007 at 9:54 pm: 1
Hi,
I found your blog via google by accident and have to admit that youve a really interesting blog
Just saved your feed in my reader, have a nice day
answers on 29 Jan 2007 at 6:45 pm: 2
Well, THANK YOU! It’s always nice to hear that others find what I share valuable!
Gooood on 17 Sep 2008 at 10:22 am: 3
I am moving into my studio apartment on Oct. 10, 2008 and this is helpful.