We know that when you’re broke and just out of college, finding affordable rent usually means cramming your life into a studio or one-bedroom apartment. But even though you may not have a lot of square footage to work with, a little imagination and a few design tricks can help make your cramped apartment look roomier and more accommodating and give you the illusion of space.
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Give your walls focus. Create visual elements and focal points that add interest, but keep your overall color scheme light and neutral. Make one wall stand out with a splash of bold color or by arranging multiple pieces of artwork for an uncluttered gallery effect.
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Reflect your good taste. Mirrors and furniture that reflects light can create an illusion of depth and open space. Use mirrors behind a bookshelf to highlight your knickknacks or across from a window for an even greater feeling of openness.
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Define your space. Piles of stuff everywhere can quickly make your apartment feel claustrophobic. Kill the clutter, and use effective storage solutions to keep everything organized. Invest in furniture that both looks nice and has hidden storage.
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Trade in your heavy curtains. Keep things light. Sheer curtains let in lots of natural light that will make a room feel larger.
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Simplify your surfaces. Buy furniture that leaves a small footprint. Look for seating options that are narrow, armless, or built low to the ground — all of which give the illusion of high ceilings and more space.
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