3 Design Tips That Will Make You Forget How Small Your Apartment Is

As someone who has lived in both New York City and Los Angeles, I’m no stranger to residing in teeny, tiny apartments. But I stand by my belief that limited closet space is a small price to pay to live in some of the greatest cities in the world!

Yet after the last six months of so. much. time at home, it’s become all too clear just how crucial it is to maximize the space you live in — no matter how small it may be. Case in point? Recently, my living room has served as a rotating office, a grad school classroom, a personal gym, and and a festive backdrop for virtual happy hours.

To help everyone make the most of the space they have, Bustle partnered with LAY'S® Poppables™ to consult with Anh Luu, CEO and founder of minimalist home decor brand The Hooga Shop. Below, Luu shares her three best design tips to make you forget how small your apartment is.

1. Maximize Storage Space By Getting Organized

Luu finds that people often underutilize storage space by focusing their efforts solely on “seen” spaces, like kitchen counters and coffee tables — and neglecting hidden corners like kitchen cabinets and closet space. To really maximize small spaces, Luu recommends paying just as much attention to detail when it comes to organizing your kitchen pantry as you would your counter space.

“I keep my kitchen organized and streamlined by putting in just as much effort into designing the unseen spaces as the seen spaces,” Luu says. “This means investing in organization racks and drawers — anything to make my life easier in the kitchen.”

Organizing your pantry is also a great way to keep tabs on when to restock your favorite snack — for example, Luu uses clear glass containers for snack storage so she can always tell when she’s running low on her coveted LAY'S® Poppables™.

2. Remember That Less Isn’t Always More

When it comes to small spaces, people tend to think that less is more — but that’s not necessarily true. Luu warns us that when a small room looks too empty, our eyes are drawn toward the space's enclosed walls, emphasizing its smallness.

She recommends investing in statement-making multi-functional furniture and utilizing vertical space with floating shelves to create the optical illusion of a more expansive room. And if you're not in a place to take on a big expense or tackle a home project, you can never go wrong by switching up easy-to-replace design elements:

“The three greatest decor strategies to changing up a space are lighting, rugs, and wallpaper,” Luu says. “If you're on a budget and you want to quickly change up your space without putting too much effort into it, try changing up any of those three key pieces!”

3. When In Doubt, Just Add Plants

To make any room or outdoor space come alive and feel bigger, just add some greenery. There are no real rules when plants are involved — but Luu tends to gravitate towards unique, structural houseplants, and recommends investing in bamboo shelving to house multiple plants without sacrificing your aesthetic.

“Plants aren't only great for the atmosphere, they usually make for the best finishing touches for any space — especially outdoor,” Luu says. “While you're at it, incorporate some cozy lighting that can highlight the beauty of the plants and outdoor furniture at night!”

Watch for more of Anh Luu's small space tips!

This post is sponsored by LAY'S® Poppables™.