If you’ve never lived in a studio apartment before, you probably don’t realize just how small a living space can get. Sure, some are fortunate enough to find a studio with adequate space for a reasonable price, at a reasonable location. But let’s face it, sometimes you have to deal with small spaces and it can be tricky. So with the help of Apartment Therapy, this guide goes out to all those who can give a tour of their apartment from the doorway. Trust me, you can make it work.

Stick to a color palette.

Some apartments don’t let you paint. Others will charge you a fee upon moveout. But regardless of whether your colors are going to be splashed across the walls or across your bedding set, make sure you stick to a cohesive color palette. One of the easiest ways to make a tiny space feel more cluttered is by going overboard with the colors.

Think through your design ahead of time. Chances are your bedroom will have to mesh with your kitchen, which will have to mesh with your living room; all this means is to keep in mind that if you’re doing leopard print on your bed, you’ll have to match it with your sofa and that could get…tricky.

Clearly separate your areas.

When you move in to your broom closet of a living space, it’ll be easy to shove your bathroom supplies by  your desk. After all, when they’re so close together what does it really matter if your bathroom necessities spill out to your pseudo-study. However, when you’re up late preparing your presentation for the next day at work, you’re going to be wishing you had an area uncluttered and reserved for work purposes. Invest in some shelves for your bathroom to keep your areas separate and you’ll feel like you have a full house.

Personalize it.

Put your own personality into your living space. Your apartment won’t feel so tiny when you enjoy coming home to it. Throw in some of your favorite colors or designs and add some wall art, maybe a picture that you love or some photos of your family. Silly accessories make your apartment worth coming home to, even if it is a bit small.

Evaluate your furnishings.

It’s easy to get swept up in the idea that more is better, especially when you see that beautiful dining table or that fancy desk you’ve always dreamt of. But be realistic when it comes to furnishings. Is a king size bed necessary for a bachelor pad? And if you’re just going to do your work at the kitchen table, do you really need that desk? Use areas where you would have put them for more practical items, such as book shelves or a dresser for your extra clothes.

Don’t try to make it all fit.

If you’re like me, you’re probably standing at your doorway looking at your 500 square foot apartment and your 700 square foot moving van and thinking, “I can make it fit.” But the best solution is to just not go down that path. It won’t all fit, and even if you somehow could make it, you wouldn’t want to. All it means is that you’ll end up in what feels like a shoebox because you just had to have your end table. There’s no more surefire way to make a space feel cramped than to stuff it full of junk. And let’s face it, you’ve been needing to do some donating anyway.

Though you wouldn’t guess it with all the snow on the ground, summer is right around the corner. And that means now is the time to start looking for your new apartment. Whether you’re a student graduating in the next few months and looking to get out of the dorms and into a space of your own, or you’ve been hanging around your parents’ house for a bit too long and need to find your own space, now’s the time. But navigating your first space is tricky, so we’ve got a few sure-fire tips to keep in mind.

1. Do the math. When you’re trying to find the right place, don’t get yourself in over your head. According to Apartments.com, your rent should only be about 25-30% of your annual income, so if you’re only making $1500 a month, it’s best not to find something worth $1200. Remember your other living expenses: phone bill, car payments, insurance and credit cards. But don’t draw the line there. You’ve still got groceries, gas, clothing, and Internet. Not to mention if you prefer not to live like a recluse and want to get out of the house every now and again. What this means? Don’t talk yourself into a high rise condo that you won’t be able to afford in a few months. You don’t want late payments and eviction notices on your credit report. Otherwise you’ll never be able to get that high rise condo, regardless of whether or not you can afford it.

2. Moving is expensive. You may have found something that you can afford on a monthly basis, with all that careful budgeting you’ve done. But don’t forget about the costs of move-in. While you may be able to bribe your friends into doing the heavy lifting with beer and pizza, the landlord you sign the lease with is much less accommodating, and will probably prefer your security deposit in money. Many places, such as your electric, phone, and Internet companies, charge fees for hooking you up and starting services. So before you decide to take the leap and sign a lease, make sure you’ve got a bit saved up so you don’t start your new life in your new apartment in debt.

3. Beware of credit cards. While credit cards are great for boosting your credit score and maybe aiding you in getting a loan down the line, many people find themselves in hot water because of them. Sure, it’s easy to say, ‘If you don’t have the money, don’t spend the money.’ But truthfully, sometimes you need one. Don’t feel bad about using it when it comes down to it, but don’t be careless. Your credit card is great for paying your electric bill one month when your paychecks were a bit smaller than you had hoped. But they’re not so great when you’re using it to pay for that new Coach bag. When it comes down to it, you know the difference.

4. Beware of roommates. So you and your gal pal have been planning out your bachelorette pad since you were high school freshmen. What’s better than a friend to split the costs of rent? While it’s great to have someone to live with, be careful of who you choose and how you do it. Too many roommates have ended their friendships because let’s face it, living with someone is a whole new ball game. You might find her messy dorm room endearing now, but when your forced to live in it, it may be a whole other story. Choose someone that’s similar in living style to you. If you’re a neat freak, choose a friend who’s okay with cleaning up the dishes when she makes food or takes out the trash every now and again. Similarly, if you’re okay with leaving your laundry in organized piles, don’t find a friend who’s borderline OCD. Also be sure your roommate is trustworthy. Remember that you’re both responsible for the apartment so whether it’s you or her that spills wine on the carpet, you’ll both be facing the charges when it comes time to move out.

If you think you’re ready, let Renter’s Refuge make the move easier. Shoot us an email or give us a call!