Orginazing

Go for a minimalist look. Storage bins can help organize and hide stuff. Don't buy too much furniture or get rental furniture that the rental company will come and get when you get ready to move. Financial issues need to be agreed upon up front, because that can create lots of problems.

Hi Emily, here are some awesome ideas! https://www.lonny.com/30+Small-Space+Hacks+You've+Never+Seen+Before

you can buy containers that roll under your bed to store clothes or items you don't use often- you could either pack up items and put them in storage or leave at a family member's house if you don't have room for it ~ plastic storage bins with lids are your best option to use in your closets as well- good luck in your new apt.

congrats! Moving in together is huge. The first key to organizing is to simply have less stuff. If you both try to bring only the most important things you’ll have won half the battle! :)

Hi Emily, congrats, that is a big step. My recommendation is to use vertical space as much as possible and "containing" items in baskets, pretty boxes or bins. Be sure you get your apt. manager's approval before adding any type of shelving or items that involve nails, screws, etc. that might be considered damaging to your apt. Double hanging clothes rods usually help with closet storage.

If you'll be investing in furniture, buy pieces that provide storage, like a coffee table or bench that opens up for storage.

Hi Emily, and congratulations as well. I would try and use any space you can vertically. Think anything tall. Dressers, buffets, etc...

Emily: maybe these will help

https://www.extraspace.com/blog/home-organization/home-organization-tips/studio-apartment-organization-21-storage-tips-tricks/

https://nymag.com/strategist/article/how-to-organize-a-tiny-apartment.html

I would also make the furniture in smaller scale which will make the rooms look larger, and by using a lighter color pallet in monochromatic shades will make it appear larger.

But the most important thing is to maximize storage like under the bed, and having your closets give you the biggest bang for your buck like adding a second rod to double the hanging space. I also like the coffee tables with drawers.

I have put beds up on dressers or bookcases to make a platform bed with lots of storage underneath. You can also use old drawers under the bed by adding small wheels underneath, and a handle in front. You can add a cloth over the top, staple to the back to keep dust out. You Tube has tons of ideas and DIY videos.

Another website for apartment living ideas is Apartment Therapy....https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/small-cool-experience

If you have any spare bedrooms, use the extra closets for storage. Some apartments will have storage units in the basement and that will help. I'd store long bins under the bed, etc. and try to donate whatever you don't need as you're packaging to move!

Hi Emily. For small apartments, storage is key. If you will be getting furniture, make sure to get pieces that offer storage. Be sure to use spaces like under your bed and behind your sofa. I use Space Bags for seasonal clothing. And they work great. You can pack these bags full of most anything. Hook up your vacuum to a bag and suck all the air out. Then you can stack them like books. Good luck Emily with your new place.

Hello. Using good storage techniques can help for areas with limited spaces.

In my own situation I have limited smaller closets so using some creative ways to get around that.

One of my favorite recent upgrades was getting a new bedframe. There are some steel bedframes now that you can use that eliminate a box spring. With the elimination of a box spring with a 14 inch tall steel frame be helpful?

We did this in our situation to have storage under the bed. It was the perfect solution for us. Using the bed risers in our situation with the box spring and mattress made the bed too tall for many of our guests.

For further details look at the link below it might give you some ideas of what I’m talking about —you can read the reviews and Q&A to see if an option you might be able to consider

Hope you find the perfect organization and storage solutions.

https://www.amazon.com/Zinus-SmartBase-Foundation-Replacement-Noise-Free/dp/B006MIUM20/ref=pd_sbs_196_3/141-3748956-9907015?_encoding=UTF8&pd_rd_i=B006MIUM20&pd_rd_r=3a498313-55a0-413c-84e1-14a948a4f255&pd_rd_w=f8r0i&pd_rd_wg=lNEyG&pf_rd_p=7cd8f929-4345-4bf2-a554-7d7588b3dd5f&pf_rd_r=47RZV94DFQ843TRHKSPF&psc=1&refRID=47RZV94DFQ843TRHKSPF

Hi,

If you already have furniture you wish to use, draw a floor plan of each room to scale, and using the same scale measure and draw on paper the floor area each piece will take up. Write on the drawing what it represents and then cut it out. Then you can use them to fit in to the rooms, which will save all the lugging around of furniture. Enjoy!

Purging is top of the list. Get flocked hangers, they will be a huge space saver in the closet. Utilize under the bed for storage. Don't forget to also utilize areas like above the closet and below your clothes, above the doors you could add a shelf and put baskets for additional storage. In the kitchen get the shelves that "double" your space.

This may help https://www.potterybarn.com/m/tips-and-ideas/how-to-maximize-floor-space-in-a-small-apartment/?Kenshoo=_k_Cj0KCQjw-uH6BRDQARIsAI3I-UeNRVOhRysrbyIzhtaRuu0F4nr-8t7cYx2xoHAgIBVBFmfP56I_cbwaArnTEALw_wcB_k_&cm_ven=NonBrandSearch&cm_cat=Google&cm_pla=NonBrand_Search_DSA_Google&cm_ite=&gclid=Cj0KCQjw-uH6BRDQARIsAI3I-UeNRVOhRysrbyIzhtaRuu0F4nr-8t7cYx2xoHAgIBVBFmfP56I_cbwaArnTEALw_wcB

I write a lot of posts about organizing on my blog that might help - https://chascrazycreations.com/diys/how-tos/organizing/

Check out some of these organization ideas:

https://www.hometalk.com/search/posts?filter=organization

Use as much space for storage as possible. Hook bars over doors, small storage bins & plastic drawer units under cabinets without drawers in Kitchen & Baths. Wire shelves hung high can be used for storage in laundry, pantry & items( laundry/coats) can hang from bottom rim/slots of the wire shelf.

Use small drawer organizers from dollar store in drawers to organize contents. Eliminate wasted space, using space over doors , for shelf or around perimeter of the room, about 14” from the ceiling for storage & display of decorative items (Lighthouse collection, stuffed animals, plates,) or in a closet for purse storage.

Hello Emily,

First: Define each rooms use! Then decide what will be needed in each room to fulfil the purpose. Then go about finding items that meet your requirements. Place them in - the room. If you are wanting to know where to place them into the room, then Take a piece of paper and a pencil and tape measure the room. Draw Plan of the room on the paper using a scale eg: 1" to 1 foot. Then measure the furniture and make scaled size paper templates and mark each one with what it is. Then place each item in the plan of room you have made until you are happy with the layout (Saves a lot of moving furniture.

Hope that helps.