Saving Space in a Small Apartment

Before I became a mom by choice, I lived alone in a small apartment. You can say I learned home management on my own by learning how to live in a pitifully small place. How small? Think of the smallest room in your house, attach a tiny bathroom, a space for a sink (kitchen!) and a small veranda. That’s it. The focal point of the whole room is the computer, because it’s the only thing that needs its own corner. Everything else is on top of another furniture or appliance. Yep, it’s that small.

The thing with apartments is that you can’t put a lot in it. You have to buy the miniature versions of appliances and furnitures. You can’t get a huge sofa if you only have space for your bed. Well, maybe a sofa bed is great, if you’re into folding and re-folding the bed several times a day (siesta and cat naps).

A friend told me that I should install a mirror to create the illusion of space, so that I won’t feel too claustrophobic. However, because of a childhood belief that lightning could strike the mirror and still hit me, I never got one.

You’re going to have to pay extra for smaller versions of appliances. I thought I could save some cash by buying the smallest refrigerator around, but I was mistaken. Smaller appliances are more expensive because they let you have more free space to work with. Because I didn’t have much space inside my ref, I took to eating miniaturized versions of full meals. I would cook something, serve a portion, freeze the rest and reheat as needed.

Saving space takes more effort, but an urban area won’t provide more options. If you get a place in the metropolis that’s large enough to fit two rooms, you’re lucky.