Small apartment

Camille Yap-Sam
by Camille Yap-Sam
My apartment is so small I moved my small appliances into the dining area. I also sold my huge dining table and wanted to put something up against the wall to the left under the picture of the horse. Any suggestions? I was thinking of a black counter height shelf and a pair of stools.
  15 answers
  • Mellodeeroz Mellodeeroz on Sep 06, 2015
    You could put a hinged wall-mounted drop-leaf table. It can be folded down flat on the wall when not in use.
  • Z Z on Sep 06, 2015
    I think both you idea and Mellodeeroz's idea would work well. This time of year you might be able to find an outdoor bar height table and stools on clearance if you are on a budget.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Sep 06, 2015
    I would look into purchasing a drop leaf table to mount to the wall.
  • John Kenney John Kenney on Sep 06, 2015
    Harbour freight has a narrow table with a butcher block top about 30" by 48" that comes with two sets of legs.Depending on which legs you use it can be used as a coffee or dinette table and you can use bar style chairs for dining.If you use a stack-able style they are easy to store out of the way.
  • Darla Darla on Sep 06, 2015
    If you need chairs, too, I would look for either a shelf attached to the wall or a narrow table that you can fit a couple of stools under when not in use. The table might actually be more practical since you can easily move it to change the room around.
  • Susanpoole1711 Susanpoole1711 on Sep 06, 2015
    I would move the bike directly flat against the wall under the shelf, then create vertical shelving for shoes on one side. Ideally, the vertical shelves could be used again for appliances and thus you would have more wall space to do more things. Always go up when space is limited. Look for ways to double purpose, like cabinets used as shelves, storage ottomans, etc
  • KatieJoe Koshinski KatieJoe Koshinski on Sep 07, 2015
    Look at pinterest's small apartment ideas. they have some good built in ideas for your small appliances and the you could use a buffet table and saddle stools in your dining area. still leaving room for your bike.
  • Debbie Debbie on Sep 07, 2015
    The other ideas are great! Mine is a different take on your question. Hang your bike on the left wall at a comfortable height with the bike art above it. Hang the horse picture above your existing shelf. Add a similar dining shelf onto the counter on the right of the photo.
  • Fran Fran on Sep 07, 2015
    Check out apartment therapy.com for great ideas.
  • Leena Leena on Sep 07, 2015
    Look into engineeryourspace on youtube. Great ideas!!
  • 861650 861650 on Sep 07, 2015
    All the answers above are great but I do have one idea...for your shoes. You could purchase several square baskets the same size. Measure your shelf's depth before you go shopping. Or, if on a budget or not, go to a grocery store, a Dollar Store, etc., and get several boxes all the same size. Paint them or cover with wallpaper, gift wrap, or buy a shower curtain as they are durable. Further, you may consider covering just the front of the boxes. Last, take your time and find a pattern that appeals to you.
  • Tegma Tegma on Sep 07, 2015
    One of the best helps for small apt. ideas and DIY's is at Youtube.com under Engineer Your Space with Isabelle LaRue. You will love her ideas and she has videos giving exact measurements for the things she does. You can't beat it! All her construction ideas can be taken down and taken with you when you move. Nothing is permanent, so there would be no problems if you rent. If you own, you can make them permanent if you desire. I have my own home and find her ideas wonderful, even for larger homes. Check it out and see what you think.
  • LD LD on Sep 07, 2015
    The Container Store has a sale on their shelving (http://www.containerstore.com/welcome.htm?utm_source=Google&utm_medium=Search&utm_campaign=TM|Brand|Exact|Desktop&gclid=CjwKEAjw67SvBRC1m5zPv4GboAUSJAB6MJlk362sbGs9hYE5kehFp3_QSGCA0cL1SVwrefX8gt4gpBoC3SPw_wcB) and they also have a new service with interior designers. They have a free standing shelving systems which could be a great option, for when you move it goes with you. I would recommend hanging the bike vertically, add stone storage and create a drop leaf table on the wall with the countertop. If you don't want to see the items on the shelves you can hang curtains with curtain rings on a a spring tension rod.
  • Lisa Carlton Lisa Carlton on Sep 07, 2015
    For setting you could use bar stools since you got rid of the table and if you need bigger shelf for table room buy a wider shelf and lay on topmof other shelf and use nails or glue. You can paint or tile for personal touch.
  • Sherry Fram Sherry Fram on Sep 07, 2015
    I agree with Debbie on hanging the bike. I would put a high console table next to the counter on the right and slide some stools under it to keep them out of the way or I would take out the shelf and put some cabinets there for storage and put a counter top on it for a dining area and put shoe cubbies under where you hang the bike. Put the stools there by the counter on the right for extra seating when not use for dining.