Keep in mind moving into a condo often means that you will have to let go of a few things—and purge a little. While that comes as a given, condo dwellers can take some comfort in knowing you don’t really have to get rid of all your things in order to live in a small space. Through these tips and tricks you will be able to become a storage guru and hide everything that needs to be hidden while maximizing the use of your space to its full potential.

Put disorganization to bed: clever chamber changeups
When buying furniture, storage should always be on your mind. Think of beds that also incorporate storage. For example, there are beds that allow for storage when the mattress is lifted up, revealing ample space to store blankets, sheets and other small items, Utilize the space under your bed as well, with boxes and storage containers. A good rule of thumb is to be sure to label them so you know what boxes contain which items. Side tables should be key storage pieces in a small bedroom. Make sure there are drawers or shelves incorporated into them to accommodate books and other handy bedside items. Unconventional items such as suitcases or books stacked are perfect for side tables with the benefit of looking unique.

Quite often those are the only items that can be utilized in a small bedroom, but if you can, a chest of drawers is always a good idea for extra clothes, especially if shopping is a regular hobby! Think about using a low dresser as well, this way you can add a mirror on top to visually expand your space and give you a place to get ready.

Everyone loves a walk-in closet, but this is also a luxury often not available. Most closets just come with one rod and a shelf. Installing a second rod will allow you to use the space at the bottom of your closet. As for the shelf, again, storage containers or boxes to store seasonal clothes are just right! Closet organizers are de rigueur at the moment. A trip to the hardware store will reveal many different options to customize your closet and allow you to organize but also store so much more.

Look up, way up: shelving kitchen woes
When it comes to kitchens, storage is a huge issue. There are plenty of storage solutions available to maximize your drawer and cupboard space. Organizers that can be placed in drawers to divide the space for smaller items are fantastic. When thinking about cupboards, think of incorporating pullout shelving, this will let you utilize the whole height of your lower cupboards by having two to three pullout shelves. Definitely a good thing!
If you are renovating, full-height upper cabinets are the way to go. This way you are maximizing the use of space. There is no use for keeping the space above the cabinets, it’s just a place for dust to collect, and no one should be collecting that! Make use of every inch of space you do have.

Hidden potential: living rooms with a double lifeLarge-scale sofas and furniture definitely need to be eliminated. You can’t go with anything bulky, as it will take up a lot of room visually and spatially. You can now get condo-sized furniture made to suit small-scale living and includes storage.

Think again of end tables as storage areas. Getting a piece that has doors, shelves, or drawers will be perfect.

Coffee tables also provide the ideal place to store items. An ottoman that opens up is excellent to hold extra books, toys, blankets, pillows etc. Also, try to think outside the box, if you have a lot of great books, think about displaying them out on your coffee table, instead of putting them away in a bookshelf where you can display other objects.

When living in a small space, every inch of space is coveted and should be thought out in a way that makes it look fabulous but also accommodates storage. Think about different ways of displaying items and unique ways to store them. Just remember that storage doesn’t have to equal utilitarian. There are a plethora of options available now that help you achieve utility and beauty.

Potty talk: keeping the clutter down in the bath
Bathrooms definitely get neglected as far as space is concerned. It is easy to clutter up a small bathroom so think of great solutions such as baskets and containers to hold your toiletry needs. Also think of using storage containers that you wouldn’t ordinarily think of to store toilet paper, soaps, towels, etc. Organize the space under your sink to its maximum storage capability. Utilizing the wall space above a toilet by installing glass shelving is perfect for extra storage.

Soiled again: taking the wrinkle out of laundry spaces
If you have a bit of space to work with in your laundry area, think about visiting a place like IKEA. They have amazing storage solutions and have pre-fab units that fit around your washer/dryer to maximize storage and also accommodate spots to iron and hang clothes. When living in a small space, every inch of space is coveted—and should be thought out in a way to make it look fabulous, but also accommodates storage. Think about different ways of displaying items and unique ways to store them. Just remember storage doesn’t have to equal utilitarian. There are a plethora of options available now that help you achieve utility and beauty.
Happy Decorating! 


Alykhan Velji
Having a successful design career for the last four years, Alykhan Velji has definitely made a name for himself on the Alberta design scene. Coming in as on of the top three finalists for HGTV’s Designer Superstar Challenge in 2006 and then getting a role as a Stylist/Design Assistant on The Style Dept. also was a great boost to his career.
As well as having his own design business, Alykhan Velji Design, he has been featured in many local and national publications, offering his expertise on design and trends. Finding inspiration in his travels and keeping abreast with the design industry’s new and innovative trends ensures his design esthetic is always fresh, all the while remaining original and timeless. In its fourth year as a design firm, Alykhan Velji Design specializes in both residential and commercial projects. http://www.alyveljidesigns.com