This week I heard about a decluttering challenge that’s on this month. Then I spoke to a woman who recently moved into the East Brunswick Village. She confirmed the importance of a minimal approach in an apartment. This is why I think decluttering is important in an apartment.
Smaller living in apartment
Generally speaking, other than penthouse type apartments, apartments in inner city suburban areas are small. On average a one bedroom apartment is 55 sqm. In real terms that’s about 7 metres by 7 metres.
The bedroom is about 3m x 3m. The bathroom about 1m x 900mm. Which leaves the rest for an open plan living, dining, kitchen, laundry area.
Imagine that limited space filled with stuff you don’t need. It really comprises your ability to live successfully in an apartment.
It means you can’t use the space as intended. When functionality is compromised, your lifestyle is also compromised.
Apartment living is ‘sold’ as being a lifestyle choice. Clutter means you limit your choice in how you use your apartment.
I spoke to a woman about apartment living in the East Brunswick Village. She said that she loves collecting old and eclectic furniture. But that she understood that due to the smaller space she needed to be discerning.
That’s why quality over quantity is really important when selecting furniture for your apartment. And how my furniture sets are designed to be minimal but interesting. Most of my furniture sets have a minimal 6 pieces.
Flow of movement in apartments
Clutter also compromises flow of movement. Whatever size your home is flow of movement is important.
Flow of movement is about how you move around each space in your apartment. Clutter can sometimes literally stop you in your tracks.
Clutter in your apartment can block your movement from one space or room to another. It can also hinder movement in and around furniture.
You want to be able to pull out the dining chair without hitting something. Walk to your room without side stepping something in the hallway.
Open kitchen cupboard doors without moving something out of the way first. For example a free standing bin.
You want to be able to access your sofa without stuff in between the coffee table and the sofa. Pathways around furniture and between spaces or rooms need to be free. This freedom allows you to realise the lifestyle choice of living in an apartment.
Living in an apartment isn’t for everyone. If you find yourself living in an apartment, you can enjoy this style of living. Make sure your home is clutter-free.
The decluttering challenge mentioned above is interesting. This challenge has you removing a certain number of items from your apartment each day of the month. For example, one item on the first of March. Two items on the second of March. Culminating with thirty one items on the last day of March.
I like this challenge and encourage you to undertake this activity for the first week of March as a tester. And continue if you’re starting to understand why decluttering your apartment is important. It could change your life.
Photo by Onur Bahçıvancılar on Unsplash
