We absolutely love condo living. And really, we’re the kind of people condos are made for! Small family, no need for a yard, and maintenance done for us when we’re on the road for weeks at time. We would totally be those neighbours who neglect to cut their grass for an entire month!
We love our space, but our tiny condo bedroom is 10 x 12 feet (+ closet and ensuite) barely leaving room for much more than a bed. When we moved to BC from Ontario we brought with us our solid wood bedroom set, complete with Queen sized bed, 2 bedside tables and a six drawer dresser. When we set up our new room it was dark, crowded and dysfunctional. We knew we needed a solution! In our efforts to make the space work better we discovered a few things that made a huge difference!
1. REDUCE THE AMOUNT OF FURNITURE
We sold our entire dark wood, 4-piece bedroom set on Craig’s List for $750 and replaced it with 1 item, a white Queen sized bed from IKEA. It actually saved us money to redo our bedroom! Who knew! Ideally choose something light and minimal. In small spaces footboards are not usually a good idea as they add extra bulk that’s not needed.
2. OPT FOR UNDER-THE-BED STORAGE
We never thought in a million years we would be able to live without a dresser, but the truth is the 4 large drawers (2 on each side) that we have beneath our bed fit more than our 6 drawer dresser! They are very large deep drawers that fit tons of clothes. The square footage of your space is already taken up by your bed anyway, so you may as well maximize the footprint!
3. GO WHITE
Dark colours often make things feel closed in. To make your space look bright, fresh and airy add in white! Paint the walls if you want, but even something simple like a crisp white duvet cover will make a huge difference!
4. KEEP EVERYTHING OFF THE FLOOR
When you have such a small amount floor space to begin with, allow as much as possible to be visible! We added storage by hanging hooks on either side of our closet for bags, hats and scarves we use regularly, and we also mounted shelves on the wall to replace our bedside tables. They easily hold our books, a lamp, and other necessities.
These are just a few things that worked for us! I’d love to hear any tips you have for maximize your small spaces!
Hi Kim!
I am loving reading your Lemtrada updates, and I pray for you every time I read one, so keep them coming! We just bought a house, and I’m in decorating mode…which brought me back to this awesome post that I remembered reading. Just wondering…where did you get those awesome lamps? And do you remember what the ikea name for your bed is?
I am really enjoying following your faith-filled story! Believing for great things for your health! Please keep posting and sharing, it is so encouraging and faith-building to see God answer the prayers of many through your health!
Thanks,
Nicky
Hey Nicky!
Thanks so much for following along! I love that so many people are praying and walking with us through this!
The lamps from my bedroom are from homesense… So they may be tough to track down now, and the Malm Queen bed with drawers underneath from ikea! Hope that helps!