Making the most of small spaces

 
As urban centres across Canada (and the world) become more populated - and developers try to find more ways to squeeze more money out of their projects - you've probably noticed that condo units have gradually decreased in size. Whether you're looking to downsize and take advantage of the benefits of city living, or you're a first-time buyer looking for an affordable way to get into the market, chances are you'll have to find ways to adapt to these smaller living quarters.

The first thing to look for when purchasing a small condo? An accompanying locker. This blog post from truecondos.com highlights the disconcerting trend of the disappearing locker space. As developers look for new ways to make more money from their condo projects, they're cutting back on locker and parking spaces in favour of more units. Learning to live in less than 1000 square feet can be difficult enough - doing it without a place to store those winter coats and sporting equipment can lead to a very cluttered, and uncomfortable, existence.

Another way to avoid clutter in a small space is to invest a bit of time and money into establishing an effective organizational system. Multi-functional furniture, that either fills more than one purpose or features hidden storage compartments, can go a long way. Investing in racks and organizational systems to declutter those out-of-sight areas - such as closets and kitchen cupboards - can also greatly increase the space of your apartment. This video, from unclutter.com, showcases how implementing some boat-inspired storage techniques can make a sub-300 square foot space livable.

And lastly, if you're looking to save a bit of a cash but city living isn't for you, why not build one of these hobbit-like low-impact woodland homes? Not only are they cozy, but they're easy on the environment as well!