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| #2, April 4, 2001 |
| · Making Room |
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 Q:
I've just moved into my first apartment. It looked huge when it was empty, but
now that I have all of my stuff inside it, it feels very crowded. What can I do
to stop feeling like the walls are closing in on me? Do I have to move?
Jeni
A: The great thing about apartments is that you can
move, you aren't as tied down when you don't own it. However, this could mean
breaking a lease and having to pay extra fees and other expenses tied to early
termination. Therefore, I would suggest trying something a bit less rash---perhaps
a bit of creativity and organization. You may be able to create a little magic
with smoke and mirrors. This means that you will need to smoke out the unnecessary
and superfluous stuff, and create space illusions with reflective mirrors.
Too much stuff? Get ruthless, donate, recycle with friends, store with mom.
Hold a yard sale and make some extra money, or get a storage unit. All of these
tips will help you to weed through all of the clutter in order to make your small
apartment more tolerable.
Feeling confined in a small space? Mirror, mirror, mirror...on the wall, on the
door, one hung opposite your windows reflecting the light---all will help with
that feeling of claustrophobia. Create the illusion of infinity by hanging mirrors
opposite one another. A great way you can add style and space is by leaning the
top of the mirror away from the wall (use a long length of heavy picture wire
and an extra strong bracket) to reflect things in the room that bare repeating.
Hang a full-length mirror horizontally for a headboard, or use it in the kitchen
on the backsplash between your cabinets and counter. Mirrors are great design
accessories, and they can be purchased rather inexpensively at garage sales and
flea markets!
You can free up visual space by painting the walls in adjoining rooms different
tones of the same color. Paint every baseboard, molding or door in only one of
the shades. You get more space for the eye when you avoid stark contrasts such
as white walls with a black leather couch. No, you don't have to buy a white couch,
but how about painting the wall in a deep jewel tone or floating the couch away
from the wall in the center of the room with a table behind it.
It's easier to transform your apartment than to find a new one. |
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