Small Rental, Big Life: Space Planning Tips That Actually Work

Small Rental, Big Life: Space Planning Tips That Actually Work

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Living in an apartment or small rental comes with challenges – limited space, landlord restrictions, and the need to make every square foot count.

Whether you’re in a studio apartment or a compact townhouse like mine, efficient space planning isn’t just about making do with what you have. It’s about transforming your rental into a functional, stylish home that works for your life.

I’ve spent 10 years in the same rental townhouse with my family of 5. While it’s not technically an apartment, we face many of the same space challenges: no built-in storage, narrow hallways, limited closet space, and the constant need to maximize every inch.

Over the years, I’ve learned what works (and what doesn’t) when it comes to living efficiently in a rental you can’t permanently modify.

In this guide, I’ll share practical space planning strategies for apartment and small rental living – from smart storage solutions to multi-functional furniture – along with real examples from my own rental experience.

Looking for more rental solutions? Check out my entryway storage guide and decluttering tips.

The Benefits of Efficient Space Planning

Why Space Planning Matters in Rentals

Good space planning in your apartment or rental delivers real benefits:

More usable space: You can fit more activities and belongings without feeling cramped. In our townhouse, strategic furniture placement in the living room created distinct zones for TV watching, kids’ play area, and adult seating – all in one 12×15 room.

Reduced stress: Organization creates calm. When everything has a designated spot, you’re not constantly searching for keys, dealing with clutter, or feeling overwhelmed by mess.

Better flow: Thoughtful layouts improve how you move through your home. Our narrow entryway used to be a bottleneck with 5 people coming and going. Adding vertical storage and a traffic flow plan eliminated the daily chaos.

Enhanced style: Eliminating clutter and implementing cohesive design makes even small spaces feel intentional and beautiful. A well-planned room looks bigger and more expensive than a cluttered one.

Easier living: When your space works WITH your lifestyle (not against it), daily tasks become simpler. Cooking, getting ready in the morning, relaxing in the evening – it all flows better.

Understanding Your Space

Assess Your Apartment Before Planning

Before buying furniture or reorganizing, evaluate what you’re working with:

Measure everything:

• Room dimensions (length, width, ceiling height)
• Doorways and hallways (will furniture fit through?)
• Windows (will curtains or furniture block light?)
• Closets and built-in storage (how much do you actually have?)

Pro tip: Use a measuring tape app on your phone (like RoomScan) to create a basic floor plan. This helps when furniture shopping online.

Analyze traffic flow: Walk through your apartment and notice:

• Where do you naturally walk most often?
• Are any areas blocked or cramped?
• Do doors swing into furniture?
• Can two people pass each other comfortably?

In my rental: Our entryway is 6 feet wide with doors on both sides. I had to map traffic patterns to figure out where furniture could go without blocking the powder room door or garage entrance.

Identify problem zones: Every apartment has them:

• The corner where stuff piles up
• The closet that’s always overflowing
• The kitchen with zero counter space
• The bedroom where you can barely walk around the bed

Make a list. These are your priority areas to fix.

Consider how you use each room: Does your current layout support how you actually live?

Example questions:

• Do you eat at the dining table or on the couch? (Maybe you don’t need a dining table)
• Do you work from home? (You need a dedicated desk space)
• Do you host guests often? (You need flexible seating)
• Do you have kids/pets? (You need durable, washable everything)

In my rental: We never used our dining table for meals (kids preferred the breakfast bar). I repurposed the dining area as a homework/craft station instead. Worked way better for our actual lifestyle.

Maximizing Storage for Efficient Apartment Living

Smart Storage Solutions for Small Apartments. Limited space means you need creative storage. Here’s what works:

1. Use vertical space. The strategy: Go UP, not OUT. What this looks like:

• Tall bookshelves instead of wide, short ones
• Wall-mounted cabinets in kitchens and bathrooms
• Hooks on every available wall
• Over-door organizers

In my rental, our entryway has only 6 feet of usable wall space. I installed an 8-hook board (vertical) and a tall IKEA shoe cabinet (105 cm high, only 22 cm deep). This stores 15+ pairs of shoes and holds 10+ coats without taking up floor space.

Cost: IKEA GULLABERG shoe cabinet ($179) + hook board ($29) = $208 total

2. Make use of the backs of doors. The strategy: Doors are wasted space. Use them. What to hang:

• Over-door shoe organizers (holds 20+ pairs)
• Hooks for robes, bags, and towels
• Pocket organizers for cleaning supplies, toiletries
• Full-length mirrors (makes room feel bigger + functional)

Product rec: Simple Houseware Over-Door Organizer (Amazon, ~$15)

3. Furniture with built-in storage. The strategy: Every piece of furniture should serve double-duty.

Examples:

• Ottoman with storage inside (holds blankets, games, magazines)
• Bed frame with drawers underneath (replaces a dresser)
• Coffee table with shelves or lift-top (hides remotes, books, toys)
• Storage bench (seating + hidden storage)

In my rental: Our entryway storage bench (hand-me-down) holds winter gear inside and currently houses 3 school backpacks on top. It’s seating + storage + backpack station all in one.

4. Under-bed storage. The strategy: The space under your bed is prime real estate. What fits:

• Rolling storage bins (sweaters, out-of-season clothes)
• Shoe organizers
• Extra bedding
• Suitcases (store other items inside them)

Pro tip: Bed risers ($15-25 on Amazon) lift your bed 5-6 inches higher, creating even more under-bed storage space.

5. Closet maximizers. The strategy: Most apartment closets are tiny and poorly designed. Fix them. Solutions:

• Double hanging rods (doubles your hanging space)
• Shelf dividers (keeps stacks of clothes neat)
• Hanging sweater organizers (uses vertical closet space)
• Slim velvet hangers (takes up 50% less space than plastic hangers)

Quick win: Swap ALL your hangers to slim velvet ones. I did this and gained 30% more closet space immediately. Cost: $20 for a 50-pack on Amazon.

6. Kitchen-specific storage. Small apartment kitchens need special attention:

• Magnetic knife strip: Frees up 10 inches of counter space (vs. knife block)
• Over-sink cutting board: Creates extra prep space when needed
• Stackable shelf inserts: Doubles cabinet space for dishes, cans
• Lazy Susans: Makes corner cabinets usable
• Drawer dividers: Keep utensils organized, maximize drawer space

In my rental, I use a magnetic knife strip ($12, Amazon) and drawer dividers ($8, Target) in my kitchen. Freed up an entire drawer and 10 inches of counter space.

Multi-functional Furniture

Furniture That Does Double (or Triple) Duty. When space is limited, every piece needs to earn its spot.

1. Sofa beds

When to use: If you host overnight guests more than twice a year.

Best options:

• IKEA FRIHETEN sleeper sofa ($599) has storage under the chaise too
• Burrow Nomad sofa (modular, converts to bed, moves with you)

Skip if: You never have guests. A regular sofa + air mattress is cheaper.

2. Expandable dining tables

When to use: You need a small table daily, but a bigger table for hosting.

Best options:

• Drop-leaf tables (IKEA NORDEN, $149)
• Extendable tables (pull out leaves when needed)

In my rental, we have that IKEA dining table. For hosting, we bring in a folding table from the garage. Sometimes NOT having large furniture is the most space-efficient choice.

3. Storage ottomans

When to use: You need extra seating + storage.

What fits inside: Blankets, toys, games, magazines, and remote controls.

Best option: Seville Classics Foldable Storage Ottoman (Amazon, $35-50)

4. Wall-mounted desks

When to use: You need a workspace but don’t have room for a full desk.

Best options:

• Wall-mounted fold-down desk (folds flat when not in use)
• Floating shelf desk (IKEA LACK shelf as a desk, $10)

Pro tip: Mount above a dresser – the dresser drawers become your desk storage.

5. Nesting tables

When to use: You need occasional side tables, but not all the time.

How it works: 2-3 tables that stack together. Pull them out when hosting, tuck them away when not needed. Cost: $50-100 (Target, IKEA, Amazon)

6. Modular furniture

When to use: Your needs change frequently, or you have an oddly-shaped room.

Examples:

• Modular sectionals (rearrange as needed)
• Cube storage systems (IKEA KALLAX – add or remove cubes)
• Stackable bins and crates (reconfigure for different storage needs)

In my rental, I use a JYSK DINA cube shelf (6 bins, $60) in the entryway. Each kid has their own fabric bin for winter gear. If we needed more bins, I could buy a bigger unit or stack another on top.

Space-Enhancing Decor Tips

Even small changes in decor can make your apartment feel larger and more open. Here’s how to achieve that:

• Use mirrors to reflect light and create the illusion of additional space.
• Choose furniture and decor in light, neutral colours to make rooms feel more airy and open.
• Use area rugs to define separate zones within a room, which can make space appear larger.

Smart Technology Integration

Make Your Apartment Feel Bigger With Decor. Small changes in decor create the illusion of more space:

1. Mirrors

Why they work: Reflect light, make rooms feel 2x larger.

Where to place:

• Opposite windows (reflects natural light)
• In narrow hallways (makes them feel wider)
• Above furniture (draws eye upward, creates height)

Best budget option: IKEA LOTS mirrors (4-pack, $15)

2. Light, neutral colours

Why they work: Dark colours absorb light and make rooms feel smaller. Light colours reflect light and feel airy.

Best neutrals for small spaces:

• White, cream, beige (walls and large furniture)
• Soft greys, light blues (accents)

In my rental, I painted a few accent walls jade/joyoba (with landlord approval), but kept the rest beige. The light walls make our narrow hallway feel more open.

3. Area rugs to define zones

Why they work: Rugs visually separate areas, making a studio or one-bedroom feel like it has multiple “rooms.”

How to use:

• Living area: Rug under the sofa and coffee table
• Dining area: Rug under the table
• Bedroom: Rug beside/under bed

In my rental, I use three statement rugs (living room, dining room, entryway) to define each zone in our open-concept main floor. Makes the space feel organized, not chaotic.

4. Vertical lines

Why they work: Draw the eye up, make ceilings feel higher.

How to create vertical lines:

• Floor-to-ceiling curtains (not short curtains)
• Tall bookshelves
• Vertical wall art or mirrors
• Striped wallpaper or paint (vertical stripes)

5. Furniture with legs (not skirted)

Why it works: Seeing floor space underneath furniture makes rooms feel more open.

Choose:

• Sofas with visible legs
• Beds on frames (not platform beds that sit on the floor)
• Tables with legs (not solid bases)

Avoid: Furniture that touches the floor on all sides (looks heavy)

6. Minimize clutter

The reality: Even the best decor tricks won’t work if your apartment is cluttered.

Quick declutter rule: If you haven’t used it in 6 months, donate/trash it.

In my rental, I reorganize our entryway bins every 2-3 weeks. Purge broken stuff, outgrown items, things we don’t need. Keeps clutter from accumulating.

Smart Technology Integration

Use Tech to Save Space. Modern technology can replace bulky furniture and equipment:

1. Projector instead of TV

Space saved: Eliminates the need for a large TV stand.

How it works: Mount the projector on the ceiling or a shelf, and project onto a blank wall.

Cost: $100-$300 for a decent projector (We bought ours on Amazon, and it came with the sheet)

Best for: Studios or small living rooms

2. Smart home devices

Space saved: Reduces the need for multiple remotes, switches, and control panels.

Examples:

• Smart lights (control from phone, no lamp needed)
• Smart thermostat (no bulky control panel)
• Voice assistant (replaces alarm clock, radio, speaker)

Cost: $30-200 depending on device

3. Multi-purpose kitchen gadgets

Space saved: One device replaces 5+ single-use tools.

Examples:

• Instant Pot (replaces slow cooker, rice cooker, pressure cooker, steamer)
• Immersion blender (replaces full-size blender for small tasks)

In my rental, I purged my bread maker, fondue set, and popcorn machine (all taking up space, rarely used). Kept only appliances I use 3x/week: coffee maker, air fryer.

4. Digital storage

Space saved: Eliminates filing cabinets, bookshelves for manuals, and paper clutter.

How:

• Scan documents, store in the cloud
• Use e-books instead of physical books (if you’re okay with that)
• Digital photo frames (replace the wall of framed photos)

5. Design apps

Space saved: Virtually test furniture layouts before moving heavy items.

Best apps:

• RoomScan (measures rooms with your phone)
• Floorplanner (create floor plans, test layouts)
• IKEA Place (AR app – see how IKEA furniture looks in your space). All are free or low-cost.

Maintenance and Regular Decluttering

Keep Your Apartment Organized Long-Term

Space planning isn’t one-and-done. It requires ongoing maintenance.

1. Schedule regular decluttering

My system:

• Every 2-3 weeks: Quick entryway/high-traffic zone reset
• Every 3 months: Seasonal closet swap (donate outgrown clothes, store off-season items)
• Once a year: Full apartment audit (every room, every drawer)

Quick rule: One in, one out. Buy a new coat? Donate an old one.

2. Create systems that work for YOU

• The trap: Trying to follow someone else’s organizing system.
• The reality: If it doesn’t fit your lifestyle, you won’t maintain it.

In my rental, I tried keeping backpacks in kids’ rooms (Pinterest-perfect).

Reality: Kids dumped them in the entryway anyway.

Solution: Made the entryway storage bench the official backpack zone.

Now it’s organized because it matches our actual behaviour.

3. Address maintenance issues immediately

Why: Small problems become big space-eaters.

Examples:

• Broken drawer = can’t use that storage
• Leaky faucet = towels/buckets take up space
• Wobbly shelf = can’t store heavy items safely

Fix it fast or report to the landlord.

4. Use the “touch it once” rule

How it works: When you bring something into your apartment, put it away immediately (don’t set it down “for now”).

Examples:

• Mail goes straight to the mail organizer (or trash)
• Groceries put away immediately (not left on the counter)
• Coat hung up when you walk in (not thrown on the bench)

Does this work 100% of the time in my house? No. But aiming for it keeps clutter from accumulating.

Sustainability in Space Planning

Make Eco-Friendly Choices in Small Spaces

Sustainable decisions benefit your apartment AND the planet:

1. Buy furniture built to last

Why: Cheap furniture falls apart, ends up in landfills, and costs more long-term.

Where to invest:

• Sofa/bed (use daily, should last 7-10 years)
• Dining table/chairs (use daily, should last 10+ years)

Where to save:

• Accent tables, decor (can be replaced easily)

In my rental: My IKEA shoe cabinet ($179) has lasted 5+ years and is still functional. Worth the investment.

2. Choose energy-efficient appliances

Why: Saves money on utilities + reduces energy use.

What to look for:

• ENERGY STAR label
• LED light bulbs (use 75% less energy than incandescent)
• Smart power strips (cut phantom power drain)

3. Incorporate plants

Why: Improve air quality, add life to small spaces, low-cost decor.

Best plants for small apartments:

• Pothos (low light, hard to kill)
• Snake plant (needs almost no care)
• Spider plant (tolerates neglect)

Where to place: Shelves, windowsills, hanging planters (uses vertical space)

4. Buy secondhand when possible

Why: Saves money + keeps furniture out of landfills.

What to buy used:

• Dressers, tables, chairs (easy to clean/refinish)
• Mirrors, decor
• Bookshelves

What NOT to buy used:

• Mattresses, upholstered furniture (hygiene concerns)

Where to shop: Facebook Marketplace, Craigslist, thrift stores, estate sales

More Rental Living Solutions:

• Small Entryway Storage for 5 People
• How I Decluttered Before Moving
• Statement Rugs for Small Spaces
• Tech Clutter Organization

Make Your Apartment Work for You

Efficient apartment living isn’t about following strict rules or making your space look like a magazine. It’s about finding what works for YOUR life. Some of these strategies will fit your situation. Others won’t. That’s okay.

My advice from 10 years in a rental: Start with your biggest pain point (for me, it was entryway chaos). Fix that first. Build momentum. Invest in furniture that multitasks. Everything should serve at least two purposes. Declutter regularly. Systems fall apart without maintenance.

And remember: efficient living doesn’t mean minimalist living. It means intentional living – keeping what you use, love, and need, and letting go of the rest.

Questions about apartment space planning? Drop them in the comments! Ready to maximize your rental? Join other renters →