Boston condo and apartment prices are on the rise after a record year in 2015.
The price increase hasn't deterred residents from flocking to the highly sought-after urban spaces, but it does mean that in order to stay affordable many of these spaces are decreasing in size.
Small spaces at premium price tags are now common throughout Boston, with NeighborhoodX charting the smallest condos for sale last month. These spaces require a level of creativity and innovation when it comes to layout, design and improving functionality that isn't always the most important factor in larger spaces.
Houzz listed the top 12 tips for making the best use of a small space, perfect for implementing into your new home today!
1. Make furniture multitask- Each furniture piece should have a purpose. Make the most of each square foot and prevent wasted space by finding pieces with maximum storage space built in.
2. Stick to a single color pallet- Especially in a studio it is better to keep things simple. An easy way to split up a space is by varying the tones of a single color, rather than trying to mix together too many different colors.
3. Don't be afraid of big pieces of art- A large painting or picture is an easy way to add something unique to a space and can often add depth to a room.
4. Folding furniture- If you have enough in your budget then adding furniture that can fold away, such as the bed, can really benefit smaller spaces. Sofa beds and other built in pieces can save a lot of valuable floor space.
5. Make use of levels- Despite shrinking square feet, many apartments still have a lot of vertical space. Make use of high ceilings by lifting pieces and making use of the space underneath.
6. Divide with storage- If you're adding a dividing wall, making sure it has storage space built in is a great way to discreetly make use of what would otherwise be wasted space.
7. Pick your furniture wisely- By keeping the walls white and picking distinct furniture pieces you can add character to a room without overwhelming it.
8. Make use of unique features- Many of these spaces are not only small, but sometimes have weird additions, try to incorporate these into the design rather than see them as an obstacle.
9. Seek out salvaged material- Recycled and unique materials usually come in small quantities, perfect when you don't need much of them!
10. Pick out the essentials- Figuring out what you really need and don't need is a crucial step before moving to a small space.
11. Explore angles- If your space has an awkward shape, work with it rather than against it. Layout the space before buying furniture and make sure that it all works together.
12. Incorporate a hardworking headboard- A headboard is usually overlooked as somewhere that can be utilized, but there are easy ways to turn it into extra storage or even a fold-out desk.
To see examples of these tips in real apartments check out the original article on Houzz.
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