While it might not have as much elbow room to boast, an apartment is a smart and charming alternative to a full-size house. But, whether you’re a college student or an empty nester, you’ll still need to be strategic about your organize your space. While the bedroom and bathroom are essential, more extraneous areas, like the living room, can feel cramped in an apartment setting. Use these pointers to make the most out of your square footage.

3 Tips for Organizing an Apartment Living Room

1. Clear Flat Surfaces

In the living room, coffee tables, console tables, and entertainment centers can quickly become hot spots for clutter. While it may start with a small pile of fanned-out magazines, these surfaces can quickly become littered with mail, coupons, matches, and other junk. To maintain a minimalist, organized look, invest in a small file cabinet for your apartment living room. When you don’t have time to go through the mail, insert it into one of the slots, then sort it when you do. All the while, your flat surfaces will remain clear, pleasant to look at, and easy-to-clean.

2. Limit the Toy Area

If you have children, you know just how quickly their collection of playthings can command a space. Instead of letting all those shiny, primary-colored items infiltrate your interior design, designate a small play area in one section of the room. This will allow your children to feel more in control of their special spot, keep the apartment’s gathering place clutter-free, and help prevent painful steps on stray Legos.

3. Use the Sofa for Storage

If possible, find a sofa or sectional with built-in storage compartments, or add an ottoman with a removable top to your living room seating area. This is an excellent place to store throw blankets, board games, and magazines. If not, you also store these items in thin rolling bins beneath the couch, or behind it — especially if it curves around a corner of the room.

If you’re eager to start decorating and organizing an apartment of your own, consider viewing a unit at Executive Estates Apartments. Their affordable living spaces in Fairbanks, AK, were constructed in 1978, and they are sure to make a happy home for you or your family. Since they are an equal opportunity housing and income-based rent complex, low-income tenants are welcomed. For more information on their facilities, including playgrounds and basketball courts, visit the website or call (907) 479-3655 today.