Small apartment renovation or decorating (apartments, for rent, condo)

[Henna]

I'm assuming we all live in pretty small apartments, as compared to the national average. Does anyone have any little tips on what they have done to make their apartment more liveable - whether it was something small like taking a door off the hinges so that the space looks larger or painting a room a different color- to something big like renovating?

Any stories you can share? Dos, don'ts, warnings, happy endings? Before and after pics?

[page3000]

I put as many things as possible out of sight. Everything is in a cabinet or on a shelf with doors. The plain/solid look makes it look spacier. I don't know how I manage it..but my 2 bedroom 500 sq ft apartment looks spacy. Believe it or not. Obviously lots of neutral colors and whites help as well. Mirrors...oh yeah...mirrors.

[SeventhFloor]

a lot of space-saving furniture helps, like the shoebags you can hang on the inside of your closet door, an arm that attaches to the wall for your tv/dvd/vcr, etc...

[page3000]

Yes, I have organizers that hang in the closet and over the door. I use lots of shoe-box size plastic containers to sort what is within my cabinets and shelves...so that I can put more stuff in there. I also don't leave anything laying around. Shoes always go on bottom shelves or in closets. Window sills are not for laying keys or anything else on ( I freak on my bf when he puts his du-rag and bandana there..along with his keys and work stuff)...I only have one or two candles in the window sills. If I think of anything else I will let ya know.

[NYCwoman]

Dual purpose furniture! There are coffee tables that lift up to become dining tables, stools or ottomans that become as extra storage, daybeds that act as sofas, etc. I have also covered walls with mirror tiles (makes a huge difference in a small space, bringing in an illusion of extra space and tons more light) - but, since you have to glue them onto the wall, this is not always an option for renters. Murphy beds and convertible sofas are great ideas, as well.

In my current condo, I took the 1940's kitchen door off the hinges (who needs a door to the kitchen, anyway) and converted it into a long, streamlined desk using two tall simple bar stools as the base. I velcroed a great fabric around the edges and - voila! - instant storage underneath. A great unique look! And since I am a firm believer in the green philosophy of Reuse, Recyle, Repurpose - this was so much better than buying a new, boring ole desk.

New product - pockets in shower curtain liners that are hidden (and protected from water) because they are placed facing the shower decorative curtain and not into the shower. Brilliant!

[Moderate Guy]

Go as much vertical as possible and hug the wall like it's your best friend. lots of multi-shelf wall units, stacked plastic drawers, utilize both floor and top shelves.

[Viralmd]

I also like having windows professionally cleaned from the outside (it doesn't cost much) and it makes a HUGE difference in the light you get into the apartment.

[page3000]

Well I just clean my windows myself, so I don't know about that. Windex/Washcloths should do. Yes, sunshine does make a big difference though. I would invest in MANY wall units that make your walls into storage spaces..with flare..and mirrors...they make it look twice as big!

[Viralmd]

In NYC it's illegal to clean the outside of your windows yourself in apartment buildings. And there are LOTS of professional window washers around.

[Henna]

Fortunately or maybe unfortunately I have the kind of windows that pop in so you can clean them from inside. This means I have no excuse to have to hire anyone. . .