It’s no secret that apartments in New York City are small — sometimes very small. There are some important rules apartments have to follow according to New York City’s building code:
- a minimum of 80 square feet
- a minimum width of 8 feet in any dimension
- a minimum ceiling height of 8 feet
- at least one window opening to a street, yard or other outdoor space (skylights may suffice in certain zoning districts)
- two means of egress, or exit, either a window or door accessible from the inside without using keys or tools
- the room cannot be used as a passage to another room.
No matter how small your room feels, it’s at least 80 square feet of livable space. That, however, is very small.
If you are lucky (or unfortunate) enough to live in space that size, we have a few helpful ways to make the most of that space in NYC:
1. Stack items high
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Similar to the skyline, stack things vertically. You have 8-feet-tall ceilings (in accordance with the building code) to work with. Purchase a tall shelf to hold candles, books, plants, or other things.
Use as much of the space leading to the ceiling as possible. Tennants forget about this space often.
2. Put things under the bed
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If you can tolerate sleeping on a high bed, then put it on stilts and put storage under it. Buy bed risers and place them at the four corners of the bed to give space underneath.
It’s possible to put large, flat Tupperware containers under the bed — depending on the size of the bed.
3. Use double-duty items
In a small apartment, you have to make the most of your space somehow. The most effective way is by having items that offer double duty. Here are a few examples:
- A footrest that is also a storage container for blankets or games
- A couch that is also a bed
- A caddy full of things in the shower/bath. Take it out when you’re ready to bathe
- Over the door shoe organizer for shoes and/or other things
- An over-the-door mirror that doubles as a jewelry storage
- A shower curtain with pockets
4. Divide the room
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Divide the room to make it feel larger than it is. Who doesn’t like more rooms? Separate it with a few of these ideas:
- An entertainment center in the middle of the room
- A divider to block off part of a room
- A curtain to open or close the room
- A bookshelf to divide the room
- A large bed headboard to block part of the room
5. Declutter — less is more
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The best way to save space is by decluttering. Marie Kondo has six rules for tidying. She encourages you to ask, “Does it spark joy?” Living in a small apartment, space is limited, so the few items you own should make you happy.
Here are her six rules:
- Commit Yourself To Tidying Up
- Imagine Your Ideal Lifestyle
- Finish Discarding First
- Tidy By Category, Not By Location
- Follow The Right Order
- Ask Yourself If It Sparks Joy
Contact Moishe’s Self Storage if you’re looking for cheap storage units in New York City to hold wine, art, or other things. Our Manhattan/The Bronx and Queens/Brooklyn Storage Facilities are conveniently located near you. We offer over 20 different storage unit sizes, available to individuals, students, and businesses. Reserve your room, view specials, or contact us.