Decorating your Manhattan studio apartment can be hard: it can easily feel over-stuffed, claustrophobic and downright too small. But it doesn’t have to! Here are six simple ways to help turn your cramped New York City quarters into big city livin’:

Get more bang for your buck

Look for multifunctional couches, chairs or beds with hidden compartments for out-of-sight-out-of-mind storage. Decorative pieces, such as trunks, baskets and boxes, are great for storing items in small spaces, plus they add personality to the room. Still short on storage space? Move what you don’t need to a storage unit in Manhattan.

Makeshift walls are your new best friend

Just because your kitchen table is next to your TV, which is next to your dresser, which is next to your bed, doesn’t mean you can’t divide your space for a more intimate feel. Curtains or repurposed windows are chic ways to divide an area. DIY enthusiast? Build a wall in front of your bed out of plywood; you can also turn this into shelving for extra storage. For a quick fix, strategically place your TV to show where your bedroom ends and your living room begins.

Fake it ’til you make it

Higher ceilings make spaces feel larger. Create this illusion by hanging curtains from the ceiling to the floor. Another easy trick? Add mirrors. This creates depth in your apartment, making it feel bigger.

Let there be light

Dark rooms feel smaller, so allow whatever natural light you get brighten the space by opting for light-colored curtains made out of airy materials like cotton, gauze or linen. When looking for wall décor, choose open-shelving units that can display your knickknacks and keep your apartment feeling light and bright.

Get rid of stuff you don’t need

Use this time as an excuse to declutter your life by getting rid of or donating things that you no longer need or want. If you can’t part with certain items, like that signed Yankees poster your ex got you, store it in a safe, climate-controlled unit that will keep it in mint condition, but out of your way!

For more help on how to maximize space in your small Manhattan studio apartment, contact the team at Gotham Mini Storage, the leader in Manhattan mini storage.