Whether you’re upgrading to more square footage or you’ve decided to downsize, maximizing your apartment space can be a challenge. Each blueprint is unique, and the furniture and storage that once fit perfectly in your last space could now overwhelm your new layout, or leave you realizing you are significantly under furnished.
From storage and decorating tricks to helpful apps and tools, there are a few ways you can maximize your space to its fullest and design an apartment that fosters all the homey vibes you’re seeking.
5 simple steps to maximize your apartment space
1. Take inventory
Perhaps one of the most important steps in the moving process is deciding what you’re going to take with you. Use this as an opportunity to get rid of items you no longer need or use often. Consider your new apartment as a blank canvas and decide what furniture you want to bring or what can be sold or donated.
If you’re moving into a smaller space, this is a great time to go through clothes and accessories and get rid of things that no longer bring you joy. This will also help you realize what new items you can purchase, which can be the best part of designing your new apartment aesthetic.
2. Measure everything
One staple any apartment dweller should own is measuring tape. Take measurements of all the furniture you’ll be bringing with you and keep the measurements handy for when you’re moved in and ready to feng shui.
Most apartment listings will have basic blueprints of your floorplan, so you also can get an idea of the space you’ll be working with while touring units. Use this as an opportunity to see what is going to fit in each room and what adjustments you’ll need to make before the movers arrive.
3. Invest in storage
Purchasing chic storage units or shelves can help utilize every inch of available space in your new pad.
Under the bed storage is a great way to conceal seasonal clothing and extra bedding, without taking from space in plain sight. Room dividers with shelving units are a great way to break up a studio apartment or larger room into separate spaces, while providing a focal point for your pieces of glass, books, or other “tchotchkes”. If you have a tight kitchen with little countertop space, incorporating wall shelving can be a great way to store appliances and other kitchen gadgets. Consider closet organizers to maximize space for all your shoes and accessories.
Incorporating these storage elements can help you organize your belongings and maximize the space in your unit when you start to unpack.
4. Incorporate design tricks to create the illusion of space
Any interior design literature will tell you to optimize your space through well-planned decor. Mirrors are a great way to create the illusion of depth in a smaller apartment. Lighting is also important, especially if you are moving to a building with little natural light. Incorporating plants and other greenery into your space will create harmonious vibes and bring light to dark spaces. There are many options for plants that require little to no sunlight—or you can opt for a realistic faux plant so you never have to worry about forgetting to water it.
If your new apartment is larger and features taller ceilings, you might want to consider incorporating a gallery wall of art you can curate from local vendors or online stores to bring a touch of color into your home.
5. Make the most of your budget
In general, moving is an expensive process. After you pay the movers and submit your first month’s rent, you may be looking for ways to fill your apartment without putting a strain on your wallet. Thrift stores are a great place to start.
Most cities have great options for thrifting, from local antique shops to estate sales. After you’ve measured your space and identified what items you need, shop second hand retailers to find unique pieces that fit your aesthetic. You can also check out neighborhood groups on social media apps to find items your neighbors may be trying to clear out for their own upcoming move or spring cleaning.
If you are moving into your first apartment, you likely won’t have many furnishings already acquired. Designing a room from scratch requires thoughtful planning and budgeting. The Novogratz “Room in Box” collection may be a good option for you to purchase affordable and cohesive pieces that compliment the space you’re looking to fill. Living room, kitchen, and home office collections come with multiple furnishing and decor elements that can complete your room design in one single purchase.
Tools that can help you use your space wisely
In today’s world with technology readily available at your fingertips, take advantage of digital tools that can help you map out your space prior to your move-in date. Many online retailers have a “view in your room” option that allows you to see how a potential new purchase will accommodate your desired area. You can even take this idea one step further by utilizing a new tool Zumper has created in Figma.
Design your apartment layout with Figma
A listing may catch your eye and have the ideal price point, location and amenities, but you’re still left wondering if your current furnishings will fit the dimensions of your new space.
Utilizing Figma’s design space, Zumper’s Apartment Layout toolkit allows you to import your unit’s floor plan and arrange your furniture to scale.
Once you’ve found your apartment on Zumper, save the floorplan image directly from the listing to your computer, then upload to Figma and release your inner interior designer. Zumper has built a large number (350+) of furniture components in various sizes and shapes so that you can easily select the sizes that closely match your own furniture. There will be no questioning if your couch will fit along a certain wall, or if you need to get rid of the chair you’ve been contemplating selling.
Better yet, you can revisit this floor plan whenever you want to rearrange your space or add a new furnishing or design element into your home. When you’re all packed and ready for the movers to unload your belongings into your new unit, you can direct them to where each item should be placed with confidence, and with the stress off of you and your back when you won’t need to shuffle around your layout to make things fit. Get a step-by-step tutorial for using this tool here.
Moving into a new apartment is an extensive and often stressful process. Figuring out how to maximize your space so it fits your aesthetic and needs can take time, but there are many tips and tools that make the process much easier—and fun. Whether you use an upcoming move as a fresh start and opportunity to declutter and redesign, or if you just love the space you’ve created and want to transport and arrange everything into your new blueprint, maximizing your space can help you achieve all of your design goals.
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