Big ideas for small places: How to maximize tight urban living spaces

6.13.12---Live in the big city? Then you know the deep irony: that huge metropolitan areas are notorious for small, crammed living spaces. Priced exorbitantly high, urban living can be a frustrating proposition where one has to be an olympic gymnast to maneuver those tight, tiny apartments, condos and even houses.

Suburbia doesn't have this problem, for it is planned differently. Large open spaces abound for the population is considerably less than an over-crowded metropolis. In urban areas, every square inch counts but in the country, land is plentiful.

But what the city lacks in space, it more than makes up for in a vibrant lifestyle. It teems with pulsing life, like easy access to diverse cultures, ethnicity, religions, dining, shopping, social events, night life, transportation and sophistication. There is always something to do and see in the city.

But alas, the living space problem is not going away any time soon so to maximize our homes, we have to be very creative. If you're an HGTV junkie like me, then you already know how to make your square footage stretch to feel like a luxurious palace. OK, well maybe I exaggerate a wee bit and "palace" is pushing it, but comfortably chic is certainly attainable. I promise.

Shelves and storage stacking bins must be your best friend if you live in the city. Dual functioning pieces are also a must have. Color is extremely important; very dark, heavy colors tend to shrink small spaces and light airy colors open up as well as brighten.

A bed can double as storage underneath if you have those drawers attached. So if closet space is lacking, those drawers can be a space saver. Do not go for heavy, clunky furniture, they tend to overwhelm the room. Instead go for glass tables for they provide the illusion of more space.

Try to avoid clutter, so don't hoard. Whatever you don't use or need, throw or give away. Order should become your first, middle and last name: Chaos and messy do not go hand-in-hand with tiny rooms. Pack things neatly in clear storage bins, labelled to remember where and what you have. Shelves are a lifesaver, a great way to free up your floor area. leaving more room for you, your family and guests to move around.

For example, mount your televisons on walls instead of having several TV stands. Store your shoes in bags on your closet wall as opposed to taking up all your closet floor space. Then you can create more storage with containers neatly stacked. on floor or on shelves above your clothes rack.

For great additional tips from the experts at HGTV, click on the link below.

10 Smart Design Ideas for Small Spaces 9 Tiny yet Beautiful Bedrooms 10 Small Kitchens