How to Create Space in Your Condo

I love living in the city and the lifestyle it gives me - proximity to downtown Toronto, easy access to public transport, local shops, entertainment and much more. It’s why I love buying and selling condos with my clients - helping them find their place in the city to suit their lifestyle. Condos can have challenges, like storage space.

Living comfortably in a smaller space requires a bit of compromise. And this compromise usually comes in the form of storage.

Here are some of my favourite tips for getting the most out of smaller spaces.

An oldie but a goodie. Mirrors help create the illusion of a larger space.

Place mirrors strategically where they will reflect light coming in through windows. Mirrors that bounce light into a room make the room appear larger.

The right paint colour will also create the illusion of space. Light colours, such as white, reflect more light and make a room feel more open and spacious. Since darker colours absorb light, they can make rooms feel smaller so use them sparingly or as accents.

Mess and clutter can clog up your living space and make it feel cramped. The more items you can keep off the floor, the more roomy your space will feel. Keep larger items tucked away in closets or storage bins.

California closets are a great option for the bedroom to keep all your clothes and shoes in one place, eliminating the need for dressers and other bedroom storage that take up valuable living space.

In the kitchen - another place that can get crowded quickly - minimize the number of items, such as small appliances, on your counters to keep them as clear as possible. Use drawer organizers to maximize the space within cabinets, while ensuring items are easily accessible.

Channel your inner neat freak!

Another way to stay tidy is to get clever with storage. Choose furniture that doubles as storage space such as ottomans, tables with drawers or lift-tops, beds with storage underneath or in headboards.

You can also choose furniture that serves more than one purpose, such as banquets for seating and storage or deep sofas that double as a guest bed.

This tip applies to those buying pre-construction. All condos come with some form of storage space, typically in the form of closets. But closet space is not always well thought out.

Closets typically create walls and door frames that take space away from your square footage. In these cases I often recommend making adjustments to your floor plan to remove these closets, opening up much needed square footage and allowing you to create your own storage space.

For example, by removing the closet door and wall framing, you could create a floor to ceiling storage solution, providing you with both improved storage and more living space.

Got a tip of your own to share? Add it in the comments below.