Maximize Your Mini-Mansion: Making Apartments Feel Spacious

(photo credit: Microsoft Images)

Guest Author:  Ben Creamer

Living in a vibrant downtown area often means embracing a smaller living space. But a compact apartment doesn’t have to feel cramped. By incorporating a few clever design tricks, you can transform your cozy abode into a haven that feels surprisingly spacious.

Light is key in creating an illusion of openness. Opt for light-colored paint for your walls and flooring. This reflects natural light more effectively, making the room feel airy and expansive. You can even consider painting your ceiling a darker shade to draw the eye upwards, visually adding height.

Decluttering is another essential step. Strive for clean surfaces and organized storage. Utilize floor-to-ceiling shelves to maximize vertical space and create an illusion of height. Opt for furniture with slender legs to allow you to see more of the floor beneath, contributing to a feeling of spaciousness.

Strategic use of patterns can also enhance the perceived size of your apartment. Consider incorporating vertical stripes in your rugs or carpeting, as this elongates the floor space visually. Alternatively, for narrow living areas, horizontal shiplaps on the walls can create a sense of width.

Mirrors are your secret weapon in creating a feeling of depth and additional space. Place them strategically to reflect light and create the illusion of an extended room. Keep decorative accents small, as oversized pieces can easily overwhelm a compact space.

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By embracing these design principles, you can transform your apartment in the Loop, the Bay, or wherever, feel like a surprisingly spacious haven. After all, living large doesn’t have to require a large footprint – it’s all about maximizing the potential of your space.

To learn more, the infographic below provides a visual guide on using these elements to make your small space feel larger.

About the Author:  Business leader Ben Creamer received his B.A. from Saint Norbert College and graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School. After law school, he worked as an attorney and counseled sophisticated real estate clients with law firm Mayer Brown LLP. Creamer’s passion is real estate business, as his father was a real estate developer and broker for more than 50 years. In 2009, this family tradition sparked Creamer to co-found Downtown Apartment Company (DAC) — a provider of Chicago rental apartments. DAC’s mission is to help clients find downtown Chicago apartments in the Loop and surrounding neighborhoods.