Moving into a small studio apartment can be frustrating-there's no room for your stuff, you don't know what to take, and setting up or decorating the space seems impossible. Like any other move, planning and preparation is the key to stress-free success.
Downsize your belongings
Studio apartments are famous for one thing-being tiny. If you are leaving larger lodgings to relocate to a studio apartment-perhaps you just landed your dream job in the big (but expensive) city- you may need to sort through your belongings. Begin by eliminating excess and unnecessary items-if you haven't used, worn, or looked at it in about a year, chances are you can live without it. Organize your unwanted items into three piles-sell, donate, and throw away.
- What to sell: unopened items, clothes with tags, lightly-used clothing items (and shoes and purses) in good condition, collectibles. Have a yard sale, visit a consignment shop, or go on eBay to unload your goods and make some extra cash for your move!
- What to donate: Older clothes, household appliances, furniture, and other household items. Donate your used goods to the Salvation Army, Goodwill or other charity of your choice to help less fortunate families. You can write off the donations on your taxes, and the organization will often come to your home to pick up larger items like appliances and furniture.
- What to throw away: Everything else! Broken electronics and appliances, ruined and stained clothing, or the armchair your cat turned into a scratching post. Make sure you dispose of items properly and always recycle what you can.
Make plans for the space
Before moving day, create a sketch of your new space to determine the best way to utilize it. Maximizing space in a studio apartment will make it feel less like a closet and more like home! Planning your layout in advance will also help you decide just how much for your belongings will fit and where you should place them. This way, the studio will not become a cluttered and cramped chaos of furniture and boxes when you move in-everything will have a designated spot and moving day will be seamless and well-organized.
Make the most out of the space
Since space is so scarce in your studio, you will want to arrange your furniture and belongings in a way that uses as little room as possible. When you are creating your blueprint for your new pad's set up, keep these things in mind:
- Use vertical space: Shelving is optimal for studio storage because it takes little (or no) floor space. Use hanging shelves or wall shelves, or shelving over doorways to make the most out of your studio's vertical space. Mounting your television on the wall will also eliminate the need for another piece of furniture.
- Use multi-purpose pieces: Nothing in your studio should have only one use. A futon or sleeper sofa that doubles as your sitting area is optimal, since your bedroom and living room are one and the same in a studio. Instead of a coffee table, use a small end table that doubles as a nightstand. Get a dining table that can double as a desk. Stow a few folding chairs and tables for guests that you can stick snugly behind your couch/bed when not in use.
- Decorate the right way: Keep wall art minimal and use light colors to make the space seem larger. Hanging mirrors on the wall is a classic trick to expand the feel of any tight space.
Move a little at a time
If possible, head over to your apartment before moving day with some boxes and begin putting things away. The less you have to haul over when you're moving your furniture and larger items, the better. If your studio isn't cluttered with stacks of boxes, it will be much easier for you to arrange your furniture and organize your space quickly.
Rent a storage unit
Have too much stuff you aren't ready to part with? You can always rent a unit in a storage facility to temporarily stow your belongings until you move to a larger residence. Self-storage options vary in cost depending on the size unit required, the length of your lease agreement and additional features (such as climate-control for clothing, furniture and valuables), but you will usually incur a flat monthly rate for the time period you need the unit. Make sure to always ask questions before renting a storage unit to determine the facility is safe, secure, and well-maintained.
Choose the right moving service
If you are moving a small truckload of belongings into a studio apartment, you may not require full-service movers. However, you should always get some help hauling bulky furniture, valuable antiques, or
fragile glassware. Leaving difficult items up to the professionals will prevent damage or painful injury caused by improperly packing, wrapping, lifting and carrying. Since you are moving into small, tight space, it can be even more difficult to maneuver heavy items without scuffing or damaging them.
Moving labor services are movers that will simply help you with the packing, wrapping and lifting-you are responsible for transporting your goods to your new home. If you rent a truck or borrow a vehicle from a friend, moving laborers will make sure everything is properly protected and carefully carried into your studio.
If you need some help transporting your items as well, small movers are moving companies that ship goods under 2,000 pounds-the typical weight minimum for most commercial moving companies.
Get quotes from moving labor services or small movers at Movers.com today! Just fill out our fast and easy quote form and you will receive up to seven free, no-obligation estimates for your move into a studio apartment.