Small Apartment Hacks: 101 Ingenious DIY Solutions for Living, Organizing, and Entertaining

153 Pages·2013·0.86 MB·English

by  Jenna Mahoney

Text Copyright © 2013 Jenna Mahoney. Design and concept copyright © 2013 Ulysses Press and its
licensors. All rights reserved. Any unauthorized duplication in whole or in part or dissemination of this
edition by any means (including but not limited to photocopying, electronic devices, digital versions, and
the Internet) will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Published by
Ulysses Press
P.O. Box 3440
Berkeley, CA 94703
www.ulyssespress.com
ISBN: 978-1-61243-262-5
Library of Congress Catalog Number 2013938634
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Acquisitions editor: Katherine Furman
Editor: Mary Hern
Proofreader: Elyce Berrigan-Dunlop
Cover illustration: Timothy Collins
Front cover design: Rebecca Lown
Interior design and layout: Lindsay Tamura
Index: Sayre Van Young
Distributed by Publishers Group West
IMPORTANT NOTE TO READERS: This book is independently authored and published and no
sponsorship or endorsement of this book by, and no affiliation with, any trademarked brands or other
products mentioned within is claimed or suggested. All trademarks that appear in this book belong to their
respective owners and are used here for informational purposes only. The author and publishers encourage
readers to patronize the quality brands and products mentioned in this book.
CONTENTS
introduction
PART ONE: ORGANIZING
getting your hands dirty
your better (or worse) half
good practices
toss, store, keep
clothing
furniture
kitchen
bathroom and linens
office and paperwork
bookshelves bonus
where to toss
sentimental items
storage solutions
clean green
room-by-room storage solutions
PART TWO: DÉCOR
more is less—sort of
dos and don’ts: shopping for second-hand furniture
go double duty
make it mobile
lighten up
get on the floor
get reflective
feng shui basics
add interest
accessorize
go natural
room-by-room décor solutions
PART THREE: ENTERTAINING
overnight guests
big party, small everything else
keep it clear
dos and don’ts for being a gracious host or hostess
keeping it cool
decorate
prep the bathroom
feeding the masses (aka party platters)
have signature desserts
do some semi-homemade
set the bar
have a signature scent
occasion-by-occasion solutions
apartment glossary
acknowledgments
about the author
INTRODUCTION
There are nearly 25 million of us that live in apartments in the United States.
And if builders’ reports are true, and the average home sizes are getting smaller
for the first time in decades—including those multi-dwelling spots we’re
crammed into—we’ve got even less living space in our future. Add in the newly
developed big-city micro-apartment concept, and our living experience is
looking a lot like Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland (without the hedgehog
croquet—we hope). But just like age ain’t nothin’ but a number, small square
footage doesn’t need to relegate your space to an overstuffed sausage. It’s all
about taking control of your belongings and finding what layouts work best for
your space. With just a few habit changes, organization fixes, and design
elements you can easily live large in a shoebox. After all, a man’s home is his
castle.
Defining your space. Defining yourself.
Before you start decorating, organizing, and hosting, you’ve got to make room to
know yourself. Define your needs and wishes for your home. Realistically
understand your capabilities. Sure, we’d all love to be as crafty as Martha
Stewart and Erica Domesek of PS I Made This …, but if you don’t have the
time, space or actual interest, you’re only creating more mess—physically and
mentally. And while we’re on the subject, take some time to clear your mind
while you’re getting all this thinking going. A meditative spirit can help you feel
centered and balanced, and in turn create a happy home.
Three-minute meditation Sit quietly. That means
you’ve got to turn off all the technology that’s buzzing
around you. Sit with a straight back, your head
balanced evenly over your shoulders. Feet can be on