So, I finally did it. I took the plunge and decided to do something about my 950 square foot space. It wasn’t huge, but boy, was it feeling cramped. I wanted to make it feel bigger, more open, and just… better. So I started brainstorming, you know, like we all do.
First thing I did was look around my place and think, “Okay, what absolutely needs to go?” I had some old furniture that was just taking up space and not really serving a purpose. I got rid of that stuff right away. Sold some, donated some, just got it out of there. That alone made a huge difference. The place felt a little more breathable already.
Then, I thought about the layout. My place had this awkward flow, you know? Lots of walls making it feel choppy and small. I decided to embrace the “open concept” idea I’d been reading about. I talked to a contractor friend – thank goodness for handy friends! – and we figured out a way to knock down a wall between my kitchen and living room. It was a bit of a messy process, I won’t lie, dust everywhere, but so worth it.
- Demolition Day: We covered everything in plastic, put on our masks, and went to town on that wall. Felt pretty good to swing a hammer, not gonna lie.
- Cleanup Crew: After the wall came down, it was time to clean up. So much dust! But seeing the space open up was exciting.
- Patch and Paint: We patched up the ceiling and the floor where the wall used to be. Then came the fun part – choosing paint colors! I went with a light, airy color to make the space feel even bigger.
With the wall gone, it was like a whole new apartment. I could finally breathe! But I didn’t stop there. I had always dreamed of having lots of storage, but in a small space, that’s tough. Then the idea of built-in storage popped into my head, and I thought, “Why not?”
So, I got to work on that next. I found some great plans online for built-in shelves and cabinets and got to work building a few things that would help me with that. The process was a bit messy with sawdust getting everywhere, but I eventually got it all together. Putting those shelves up was a game-changer. Suddenly, I had a place for all my books, knick-knacks, and everything else that had been cluttering up the place.
I also decided to make the most of every room. My bedroom was pretty small, so I turned it into a multi-purpose space. I got a Murphy bed, you know, one of those beds that folds up into the wall? Genius! During the day, it’s a guest room/office/yoga studio. At night, it’s a cozy bedroom. Problem solved.
Finally, I added some finishing touches. Mirrors to make the place look bigger, some plants to bring in a little life, and some colorful rugs to add personality. And you know what? My 950 square foot space now feels huge! It’s amazing what a little planning and elbow grease can do.
It wasn’t easy, and it definitely took some time and effort, but it was totally worth it. Now I have a place that I truly love, a place that feels spacious, comfortable, and stylish. And the best part? I did it all myself! Well, with a little help from my contractor friend, of course. But still, I’m pretty darn proud of how it all turned out. It was a rough time, but I got through it and now I am happier for it!
