These days, it feels like nobody has enough space, does it? Many Americans are living in smaller ‘starter’ homes or even apartments, which means every square inch really has to be maximised and taken advantage of. However, too many times do people mistake ‘make the most of your space’ for ‘cram a bunch of shelves and cabinets everywhere’, and that can just cause more problems! Instead of trying to fill your spaces with every container you can find, here’s a few steps you can take to streamline things without sacrificing any storage space! Open Up The Space The first thing to look into when trying to streamline a smaller room is to figure out what you can get rid of to open up a space. Too much stuff can start to make any room feel crowded, even if it’s something you feel like you need. Anything that doesn’t absolutely need to be in there - extra end tables, excessive chairs nobody sits in, half-filled bookcases - should be moved to another room or donated to someone who needs it more to create a little more ‘breathing room’ and bring a fresh, airier feel to the room. Use Your Walls Instead of taking up floor space with cabinets and cases, using vertical and wall space is the best way to make the most of your room. Bring in some decorative shelving to both give you extra room for your books and shelves, and to enhance the look of your room without sacrificing valuable floor space. Downsize Everything Sure, there’s some things that any commonly-used room will need like tables and chairs, but that doesn’t mean they need to be space hogs. If you can replace a bulky couch with a sleeker futon, or trade in one big coffee table for two smaller end tables placed strategically to open up the floor a little bit, you’ll be surprised at how much more open your rooms will feel. Remember: Make Everything Comfortable The most important thing when decorating in general (but particularly when it comes to smaller rooms!) is that, above any sort of practical concerns, your rooms should be comfortable and pleasant. All the perfectly-arranged organization in the world won’t help make your rooms feel more comfortable and lived-in, so remember to give some concessions to creature comforts. Let the sunlight in, decorate according to your own tastes, hang on to that favorite old ratty armchair, do whatever you have to in order to make even the smallest rooms feel like your home. With a few personal touches, even the littlest studio apartments can go from feeling cramped to feeling cozy.