5 Amazing and Unexpected Benefits of Living in a Small Apartment
© Arno Smit
They say that the best things come in small packages, and this is certainly the case when it comes to a small apartment. They are more functional, easy to maintain, and they cost significantly less compared to other living arrangements. In addition to these, there are also some other, unexpected benefits.
It’s better for your mental health
According to psychologists, smaller dwellings involve less visual complexity, which, in turn, provides a greater sense of comfort and makes us feel calmer, thus increasing our brain function. Moreover, because smaller living spaces are easier to keep organized, you’re more likely to feel in control of your environment.
Small space living also translates to a greater feeling of privacy and personal space, which is another way you get to be in control. You get to decide when it is time to entertain and socialize and when it is time to be alone, allowing yourself to recollect your thoughts and take a mental break from the hectic outside world, thus achieving emotional balance.
It lets you be creative
Living in a small apartment also means you have to stretch your creative muscles to make everything work. Whether it means figuring out how to maintain privacy when you’re living with a roommate or looking for ways to store your belongings in a practical and functional way, smaller spaces can really get those creative juices flowing.
You’ll also have to learn how to decorate more sparingly, which will force you to be more selective about the items you want to surround yourself with. Moreover, you’ll have to be creative about making your small apartment seem bigger and brighter, so you’ll also get to boost your interior design skills while browsing the web for small space solutions.
It’s perfect for those with a busy lifestyle
The hectic pace of the modern lifestyle leaves little room for taking proper care of our homes. This means that busy individuals who tend to focus on their careers have less time for all the cleaning and maintenance that comes with living in a larger home, so they’re in need of a practical housing solution.
Renting a smaller and fully furnished studio apartment to live in is perfect for someone with a busy lifestyle, regardless of whether you’re working or studying. It gives you the privacy and comfort you need without you having to spend too much money on the high costs of living.
That way, you can focus on the things that matter to you and pursue your goals, whether they’re academic, business, or personal.
It makes decluttering so much easier
Unlike larger homes that only encourage you to buy more items, smaller apartments discourage this. This makes decluttering so much easier, and if it is something you were planning on doing but never felt motivated enough to do it, now is the right time. When deciding which items to keep, ask yourself whether the item is bringing you joy. Unused or unnecessary items can either be sold, donated or recycled.
Have in mind that decluttering is more of a psychological process than it is about tidying up – it’s about learning how to let go. Creating a relaxing space to live in is very much like decluttering your mind and clearing your headspace, thus setting the stage for productivity, mindfulness, and well-being.
It makes it easier to adopt a more minimalist lifestyle
In a world and time when there is a constant need for more, it’s easy to fall into the trap of materialism. Before you know it, you’re caught in a rat-race and trying to keep up with the Joneses. The truth is, you are only going to end up feeling like you don’t have enough, and this is a negative mindset that will only lead to excessive spending and insecurities.
Adopting a minimalist lifestyle can be much better for your mental health, and it often goes hand in hand with a small apartment. It teaches humbleness, gratefulness, and self-control. Moreover, fewer possessions means less cleaning up to do and more free time for the things you actually enjoy doing. Becoming a minimalist will also allow you to step out of the rat-race, realize what really matters to you, and finally start feeling like you have enough.
Final thoughts
While living in a large home can be beneficial and more convenient in certain cases (when you have a big family), for those who are focusing on careers or pursuing academic goals, small living arrangements may be a much better option.
They can be equally as cozy and comfortable as large homes (minus the large expenses) and the fact that they require less cleaning and maintenance means you have more time to focus on what’s truly important to you.