For most of the world, we have no choice in the size of the house we live in. Residents in London are no strangers to this living experience. It is no secret that London has a space problem. With millions of residents and limited land, London faces a severe housing crisis, unlike any other.
London’s average house size is about 65.65 square metres making London home to the sixth smallest properties in the country. As the capital of the United Kingdom, it is understandable that competition for space will be tight. London is filled with golden opportunities that can turn someone’s life upside down.
Unfortunately, these golden opportunities come with living in a micro-flat or co-sharing your apartment with others. All living space, save for your bed, becomes communal — the living room, bathroom, and even the closet. However you adjust your stuff, some of it just won’t fit.
Many residents report that this state of living has affected their mental health. Studies have shown that living in a cramped and cluttered space for extended periods can take its toll on you.
One of the hotspots for new Londoners is Camden. Camden is a haven with buzzing nightlife, energetic music, and a variety of different markets. If you’re one of the residents of Camden, London living in a small apartment, then this article is for you. We have listed down storage and design ideas so you can still enjoy your apartment despite its size.
Declutter!
Sadly, there’s really no better way to fit inside your apartment than decluttering. The rise of consumerism encouraged people to buy and keep things that do not hold any significant value in their lives. We are all guilty of going a little bit crazy during sales and Black Friday. There’s just something irresistible about getting discounts that we’ve filled our houses with tons and tons of things that we don’t need.
Look around your room. You’ll easily be able to pinpoint which items are just impulsive buys. When you have a weekend off, divide your stuff into three piles: Keep, Storage, Give away. You’ll be surprised at the number of items that you didn’t know you have. The bonus here is that you get to help charities with the stuff you’ve outgrown.
Rent A Storage Unit in Camden
If you’re new to London, then one thing you probably don’t know yet is the self-storage culture. To make up for the lack of space, most residents in the UK rent storage units. In fact, the SSA UK (Self storage Association in the UK) estimates that there is approximately 49 million sq of self storage space available for rent.
Storage units in Camden are affordable and will allow you to live in micro-flats without having to throw away your items. Most renters store their seasonal clothes, power tools, bicycles, and extra furniture. Some even turn their storage units into a studio or workshop of some sort. Storage units come in different sizes so you can solve your storage needs.
Install Storage Space In Your Kitchen Island
The kitchen is one of the parts of the house with dozens of bits and bobs. You can easily have a mess in your hands just by cooking one dish. Keeping everything organized, even with little space, is key to a clean kitchen.
Once you have filled your cupboards and drawers with pots and pans, you want to install secondary storage space in the form of overhead cabinets. Keep your kitchen appliances, plates, and knives above. This is a dual-purpose method. It keeps dangerous stuff away from the reach of kids while making use of your horizontal space.
Before you start construction, read our article on the seven things you need to know before renovating your kitchen.
Use a Murphy Bed
When you’re living in a studio apartment, there’s no living room, kitchen, and bedroom. They’re all in one space. You want to create clear boundaries to keep your house organized. The most effective way to do this is by installing a murphy bed to create a pseudo-bedroom. Pull the murphy bed up, and you’ve got yourself a living room. You can even add a desk to make a study.
Play With Optical Illusions
Open windows and good lighting give the impression of a more spacious home. The same is true with installing mirrors. They create an optical illusion that tricks your mind into thinking that you’re in a bigger apartment.
Buy Foldable Furniture
Furniture takes a lot of space. It is a waste of square footage, especially when you’re not using them. Invest in foldable furniture so you can tuck it away in some corner when you need to reclaim your space. There are already dozens of companies selling foldable tables, chairs, and beds to help solve a household’s storage problem.
