Small apartments have their advantages: lower rent, often close to bustling city centers, and a certain cozy charm that is irreplaceable.

A misconception people often fall victim to when decorating small apartments is that the emphasis should be on functionality rather than design. This sentiment couldn't be further from the truth. If your apartment lacks space, that doesn't mean it has to lack style, but rather that you need to find the right balance between the two to create a space in which you feel comfortable.

You should focus on outfitting your home with items that meet your needs while showcasing your personal aesthetic. Follow these decorating tips to help you make the most of the space you have while letting your personality shine through. You may think that decorating a small apartment is difficult, but here you will also find tips for living large in a small apartment!

1. Carefully demarcate clearly distinct areas

At first glance, it may seem that the concept of open space is the solution for decorating a small apartment. However, it can be confusing to look at, and over time a lack of spatial definition can make your home look messy.

• Place a coat rack and shoe rack near the door to complete your entryway.
• Place a sideboard between the kitchen and dining room to facilitate serving and increase storage.
• Pull your sofa back to the foot of your bed to instantly draw the eye into your living room.

If you have a particular interest or hobby, don't be afraid to let it play a key role in breaking up the space while still showing who you are.

You can also use plants from an indoor garden to demonstrate changes in space usage.

2. Dual-use furniture is your friend

In a small space, every centimeter counts. Make the most of the space you have by investing in furniture that will do double duty. Rather than trying to design your space around furniture, focus on buying pieces that will work for you.

Bedrooms are the perfect rooms to have versatile furniture. A trundle bed that can be folded into a sofa for watching TV, a hollow ottoman that can be used for storage or a dining table with a built-in leaf that will make entertaining guests much easier.

Whatever multi-use furniture you choose, be sure to choose furniture that is the right size for your space. Overstuffed models will only serve to make your living space even smaller. Don't worry too much about finding custom-made sofas either, many companies like specialize in creating furniture suitable for small spaces.

3. Rethink unused spaces

After living in the same place for a while, it can be easy to become confused about how to maximize the space.

You know you store extra baking dishes in the oven when it's not on, extra canned goods in one of the kitchen drawers, and clean laundry in a storage box under your bed. But have you ever considered the possibility that you're not using your space in the most efficient way possible?

Challenge yourself to look around your apartment and identify any "dead spaces" or spaces that aren't currently serving a useful purpose. Think about unused corners and empty walls. Then try to think of ways to use these spaces to your advantage.

• Transform a large windowsill into a workspace for when you need to bring work home to finish in the evening.
• Buy a corner shelf to give yourself a place to store your happy hour items.
• Place a few baskets on top of your refrigerator and use them to hide your less-used dinnerware.

4. Use vertical storage

When planning how to best use a space, it's essential to think both vertically and horizontally.

Tall and narrow storage systems are the best solution for getting the most storage in the least amount of space.

If you really want to take the next step, consider using available wall space to hide foldable furniture.

5. Find your own organization

Everyone knows that storage is a headache when it comes to living in a small apartment. You need items to help hide the inevitable clutter. But, when it comes to practical use and being able to find what you need, all the storage in the world won't do you any good if the interior is so messy that you can't tell what's what. is stored.

Invest in organizers that will help you stay on track: Back-of-the-door shoe racks offer pockets that can be used to store cleaning supplies or extra snacks.

Once you have a few organizational tools, the key is to use them. According to a study by Phillippa Lally, a health psychology researcher at University College London, it takes an average of 66 days to form a habit. Make it a goal to return items to their proper place immediately after using them during these 66 days. After the adaptation period, organizing your apartment will be child's play.

Here are the first 5 tips to apply to know how to structure and organize your home, however small it may be. In the next article, we will see 5 other tips to apply to optimize your home and make you feel great there.