Rental Guide: Bookshelves, kitchen space worth considering in apartment search

When on the hunt for an apartment, the frantic calls to leasing landlords can blind prospective renters from looking at the aesthetics of the place at hand. Sure, it may have a stellar location, but what if you are a foodie and the kitchen is the size of a small closet? Here are some things to consider so you can find an apartment that can be easily decorated and can be tailored to your needs:

When size doesn’t matter

Don’t nix a place just because it is small. There are ways to accommodate to apartments of all sizes. Consider how a bigger apartment might feel empty if you do not have a lot of furniture or it does not come furnished. Small apartments afford the opportunity to de-clutter what you have accumulated over the years, showcase your style without spending exorbitantly and create a welcoming and cozy environment. 

On the opposite end of the spectrum, if you have a large studio apartment, do not feel regulated by the open, rectangular layout of the space. A large bookcase or even decorative screen can be used to divide the space into small living areas that help to create a cozy, more personal environment. 

Look for unique or useful architecture

Places with built-in bookshelves are a steal. They have a timeless aesthetic and can hold more than books. Feel free to stack storage bins on them, make them your closet space, display your artwork or simply use them for their original purpose — to store your Organic Chemistry or Theories of Architecture textbooks. 

If there is something quirky, such as a random small room or a kitchen with no windows, there are ways to work with it. For small rooms, consider using them as storage space or create a small study area apart from your bedroom. Often, your bedroom is actually the most unproductive space to do homework, as your body naturally associates it with resting and sleep. 

If you are a foodie (e.g. you have a copious amount of kale in your refrigerator, copper pots in your pantry and truffle oil stashed with your private liquor collection), you may want to look for a larger kitchen. While a larger price tag often comes with this, the convenience of having space to prep your mise en place, put the dirty dishes aside as you go and store pots and pans after use is always a plus if you don’t plan on eating Kraft Macaroni and Cheese every night. 

Common issues

If you have a kitchen with no windows or mind-numbing fluorescent lights, consider bringing in a tall lamp to bring a soft warmth to your cooking area.  

Look for a place with accessible plugs. Though extension cords make life easier, plugs located near where you would actually use them are always helpful, even if only so you don’t wind up tripping over wires as you traverse your apartment.

Making your apartment scream “you”

Adding color to your apartment is an easy way to tailor it to suit your tastes, and almost any apartment could benefit from a fresh slap of paint. But before you pick up a paint roller, be sure to ask the landlord if you are allowed to paint the walls. 

If your landlord allows you to do so, look for places with white drywall walls and avoid places with wallpaper, as that in itself is a hassle. 

If painting is a no-go or you don’t want to put that much effort into a place you’re only renting, consider hanging wall tapestries, posters or artwork to add color to white walls.