pretending to be minimal...I just HIDE everything in my small apartment

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We live in a 269 sq ft apartment and my secret to making it feel minimal and cozy has been to hide pretty much anything and everything extra in as many spots as I can find. But today, as we prep for some apartment changes, I. need to find a new space to store everything since mine is leaving.
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[@nichelebrownlee1471]

I love how Izzy answers you. So cute. And when you live in a climate that has 4 seasons you need more clothes. Just how it works.😊

[@SpaceMakerMethod]

She’s responded to us since she was a baby 🥹😛

[@amandapropes9047]

For the record, you do NOT have too many clothes. You live in a small space with limited storage. Im happy to see you get some external storage to store your seasonal stuff. Thats got to make you feel good! Also, i love how you appreciate your home and dont complain about it. You are a nester like me! I always like to customize my space too. You have a lovely home with a gorgeous veiw! Izzy is adorable. You both always make me smile! ❤

[@SpaceMakerMethod]

I tihnk my approach to homes is to recognize what I don't like about it and fix it. It's kind of a creative challenge or puzzle that I always like solving but it always makes your home... yours! Nesting is essential and always appreciated on a Saturday morning :)

[@juliemell2959]

Wow I would never have thought to take apart the sofa and store it under the bed. You really are the space maker. So clever 👏

[@Beulah5144]

I had a Siamese kitty that would lay on colors that he liked, it was weird. I wonder if Izzy loves light blue? She does have the “pathetic starving kitten” meow down pat. And as usual, Boris, my Eastern European blue kat man, says “ hey!” You don’t have too many clothes…you have a TINY home. My motto…Life is short( seriously) enjoy your space by having comfy things you love around you, be it clothes or a couch!

[@lushawang3445]

I see you’re also using vacuum bags in your suitcases… Me and my family have been moving around internationally a lot the last couple of years, and finding vacuum bags was a complete game changer for us. It made packing suitcases so much easier and less messy!

[@olivemaycards]

Izzy has the most expressive meows. I was laughing right along with you at her long plaintive cry.

[@SpaceMakerMethod]

i couldn't believe i caught that on camera.🤣

[@sharonmakowsky172]

Great job, April! Can’t wait to see the sofa. Izzy just loves to help and be close to mama! She’s so sweet! Hugs to all!🥰👍💜

[@bethbrock7715]

You are the storage Queen!! Was so impressed with the way you thought to disassemble the couch and store it underneath the bed. I've heard it said our brains are more creative or work to find more solutions in smaller spaces - I definitely saw that, here! Loved this video so much.

[@dianech]

How cute is Izzy helping and hanging in her box?!❤️. Our kitties love a good box or paper bag better than toys. They all love to be brushed too! Looki ng forward to seeing the new sofa!

[@josephdaly2015]

You live where they have 4 seasons of course you need that many clothes. In Ireland we can get all 4 seasons in a day so not much gets changed around. It’s a pity about the bed but glad you got nice pillows. Keeping the old bedding and towels for packing is a great idea. Ya cats with boxes and bags is just unbelievable. Izzy is so cute. A bit like kids sometimes they prefer the box instead of the toy 🤣 Have a great week. Mary, Joes wife 🙇‍♀️👏🙏💪👍🙏💐🐈‍⬛

[@CoolInOlympia]

Your kitty is so cute!!!! When I had cats, they loved boxes and bags!

[@SpaceMakerMethod]

😝 I’ll never get it but you know I’ll always leave a bag on the floor door them 💛

[@katieallen3927]

I too have reached the realization that I'm better off not purchasing cheap items as they either don't work well or wear out so quickly. This applies to everything, not just bedding and towels.

[@amandapropes9047]

Agree!!! I'm learning quality over quantity too. You end up saving time and money.

[@MySweetSammy]

Tetris is a life skill! lol! I was AMAZED at how much stuff my hubs and I accumulated when we were at University in our one bedroom apartment! Well done with your organization! Izzy looks so cute in her box! (I say with my Dori cat sleeping on my lap!)

[@elinor8510]

My first thought was that Izzy probably likes the box because it smells like you and the expensive bed smells foreign 😂

[@WBCRO]

As they say: “A change is as good as a rest.” Upgrading your couch (I’m looking forward to seeing your new one) and switching clothes, etc around will really help you. I enjoyed seeing Izzy - her love and attachment to you is sweet to behold. Speaking of her attachment….she was definitely wary of you messing with her toys and kitty paraphernalia. 🙀. I am confused about where the clothing-filled suitcases will now go; my only guess is you’re hoping they can be stored under the new couch. 💛🇨🇦

[@SpaceMakerMethod]

Ever since she was little she's wanted to know everything going on (unless it's in peak nap hours or during dinner🤪) . I think she'll be happy when she can rediscover her toys later on, I hope at least. And I will show you guys the new storage soon... it was time to seek alternative options and it's made life so much better in the apartment since!

[@karenf8470]

Oh, great, a cliffhanger. Eager to see the new couch but I'll have to wait. Meanwhile, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed watching you hard at it here. What a big project to take on in your small space but in service of more comfort in the end. (Who knew you could store a couch inside a bed! TSD version of Russian dolls.) I truly admire the ambition, vision and imagination you have for your tiny home, April, and the hard work you put in to achieve it. Plus, you're always up for a challenge...again, the new sofa. See you next week! Enjoy.

[@ginagonzalez6547]

Hi, I love the interaction between you and Izzy. She was not happy with her couch put away. Lol. Now she either will love the new one or have to get used to it.

[@KarMa-ws3ll]

As someone who spent the pandamic in a 210sqf apt with my partner (47 (!) inch bed. Cozy lol) I feel your pain regarding furnished apartments. Much less flexibility. It was all fine until lockdown came and so did home office. Making it our own, changing and reorganizing what I could kept me sane. It's hard when you are so restricted that u cannot even change the layout our put a piece of furniture out We live in a much bigger place now, not prefurnished and enjoy having a good night sleep even with different schedules. But kepping it uncluttered as much as possible, making it our own stayed the same.

[@kims914]

April, I’m wondering if you could take Izzy’s toys out of that box/bag and scatter them loosely under the bed in all the nooks and crannies. That might save the room wherever you are putting the suitcases now. Are we going to see where the suitcases are being stored in another video? I sure hope so. I am so curious. Loved this video. I missed Izzy, and no offense to Eunice, but all her belongings and skin care stress me out. 😬

[@nickiesch6860]

You could try to fill out the gap between the window and the bed with foam/pillows/blankets/whatever you have to make the bed bigger. Just being able to stretch there might make it feel way more spacious :)

[@Kate.West.]

Totally understand wanting to make the place feel nice, even if your just there for a short time! I have been known to move all the furniture and decorations round in a rental Property when I’m only on holiday for a week (I take photos so I can put it all back in the same place when I leave)

[@silviathiemann688]

I do that too!! 😂

[@SpaceMakerMethod]

haha I love that! (as long as it gets put back) I always do that in my hotel rooms, not the decor but reorganizing all the many accessories they leave for you.

[@VegasKiki]

Great job getting that sofa put away! 🎉 👍🤩 April you are awesome!

[@nilakshiroy6]

Love this video! It’s not only organisation but foresight which makes a lovable, liveable home! I really enjoyed this one, waiting for the next one or two … I’m sure there will be two!

[@user-zr8xi4pw9v]

Lots of Izzy!!!💗💗💗

[@user-yg2lq6um7i]

After having watched your most recent post where you are decluttering your wardrobe I stumbled upon this. Very relatable how items surface again, and I did spot more than a few that you have since gotten rid of. :) One that I think should probably be donated is that bright yellow vest/jacket (which you said that you'd ever worn or didn't really like?) - if it still in the "bicycle department", perhaps there is another alternative like a yellow nylon vest already with reflex bands (is that what they are called in English?) so that you don't have to sew them on a bulkier item. Btw, I really do get the intention of not being wasteful, and I think you are doing a great job. Also, you are communicating with your cat in an awesome way! Great idea with the box-on-bed.

[@mimishimaineko1173]

Where there's a will, there's a way!🧡

[@lesliedaubert1411]

Such a cute kitty. 😊

[@PugLovah]

getting the uncomfy sofa under the bed was EPIC!

[@SpaceMakerMethod]

If only I'd thought of it sooner🤪

[@katehill7675]

I thought to myself, NO way can you fit that sofa into the bed frame. "I be wrong". Glad it's "gone" and you can look forward to a more comfortable sofa. As far as the clothing situation, it always looks like waaaay more when everything is out and not in its designated space. Izzy (Bun?) was adorable as always. LKMH

[@SpaceMakerMethod]

I was thinking that same thing about clothes.. or just things in general. It always amazes me how much stuff I have when I prepare to move. It never looks like that much when it's stored away.😳

[@emm7528]

But where did you store the suitcases?

[@ellengross1027]

Looking forward to seeing the couch you've chosen! And if you really want a king bed, perhaps you could remove the closet doors and hang a curtain instead.

[@gurubhaikhalsa9337]

You might be able to get a "California King", which is 72"x84". That's 8" less width than a king, but 12" wider than a queen and 4" longer than both.

[@B_is_for_butter]

Good job organizing. Hope you can figure out the living situation soon since the apartment is so small. I can relate as I've lived in smaller apartments.

[@a.joyfulnoise]

so thankful for you realness and practical tips

[@SpaceMakerMethod]

welcome!

[@kate-kate]

I’m confused…where are the suitcases going? Did I miss that, or more to come?

[@Brigitte_Cantin]

Good for you, I have no idea when you did this but I'm surprised it took you this long because you love nesting 😊. I've missed izzy with your Eunice videos😅. I'm not sure if you've said or not but, how much longer are you stuck there before you can move? Soon I hope. 😘💖😘💖😘💖😘💖

[@j.rebekah8605]

Oh, what a cute cat and you two are so bonded. ❤️

[@Shmu22]

cats love boxes or anything they can get into

[@hotflippinmess9178]

Izzy is the real star of this show lol.

[@kathleencarr2622]

I find watching you organize and shuffle stuff around mesmerizing lol I really like the soft sided collapsible storage bins/boxes you have. Do you happen to know the brand?

[@SpaceMakerMethod]

They're from Daiso and they don't have a brand name. Honestly I think they're the same ones that they sell in stores and on Amazon but without a brand name attached.

[@sosummerset]

Clever, you can watch this video, if you want to know where your things are stored.

[@SherryAnnOfTheWest]

Oh, those "New York Taxi" shoes are cute!!!

[@hotflippinmess9178]

I love her!!! Awes!!

[@chris...9497]

Futon. And make a sliding side extension for the futon frame. Bedtime you pull the extension towards the closet and lower the futon mattress flat, then wake time push the mattress against the window wall and push the extension in to make room for movement and closet opening. kzbin.info/www/bejne/mIuQqa2AgNd2Y8U

[@susankay497]

Izzy's the sweetest 😻

[@Aviclex]

Awww... April... I wish you could come help me in Tokyo! The large garbage disposal system is just making me procrastinate decluttering!

[@patriciateague8677]

I love your small apartment. Nice design overall.

[@SpaceMakerMethod]

It's really pretty incredible and would be awesome for a single person without a cat.

[@joanneallion1195]

I bought that bed for my cats but they didn’t use it so I put their toys in it , Issy is so cute ❤❤

[@nata3467]

Izzy is so cute and engaged with your toy clean up.

[@DipityS]

Can't wait to see the new couch - the couch that came with the apartment is a nice looking little thing but absolutely not a good lounging couch and must go! On the topic of the number of clothes you have, how can anyone who watches you not realise your deep respect for allowing others to decide themselves what they need and not pushing them to declutter anything they really don't want to. Also, you live in countries with seasons requiring separate wardrobes - what on earth are you meant to do when winter comes about again if you haven't any winter clothes? I've seen one lady on a documentary who almost had to be wrestled out of decluttering items she would need to buy again because of her overwhelming need to have as few items as possible - it was that awful hoarding disease only opposite - both ways are unbalanced and not best for having a comfortable life.

[@SpaceMakerMethod]

I completely agree! I think most of those comments come from extreme minimalists, but it's just not realistic for most people. I do think there's a balance because you can't deny the environmental effect fashion has on the earth, but it's a balance.

[@Jen39x]

Obviously Izzy is rating you out for never feeding her!

[@SpaceMakerMethod]

poor bun🤣

[@spicychickenstew]

Izzy 😍😍so cuteee😭

[@SpaceMakerMethod]

💛

[@mistyp71]

Could you take off your closet door and replace w/curtain , so you could get that king bed♥️

[@SpaceMakerMethod]

I could, but there's an LG Styler on the other side of the closet that we use regularly which would also be blocked so it wouldn't be ideal unfortunately .

[@Cecily-Pimprenelle]

Storing the sofa under the bed... great idea, I’m glad it fits! Was the new sofa chosen with ”suitcases can be stored under it” in mind, or will you have to store them in a unit somewhere else? Random and unrelated question about your flats with the checkered black and white pattern: do you have them since long, how do they hold up wear after wear after wear? Do you ferl they’d good for thin feet? (I’ve been looking at that brand for a time, but they’re an Investment... and they do stress that they’re adapted to wide fit but I have the opposite problem). Thanks for the video!

[@janetboette7013]

Was curious if apartment complex had a place they store furniture and such?

[@SpaceMakerMethod]

Some do offer spaces!

[@karenalfke6081]

Quick question: what brand are your suitcases? Love the fact that they nest together so well - genius for storage, but I’m also thinking that set would be genius for my trips to see family over in Europe - I tend to bring so many things back from my trips that I’ve dreamed of taking a bag-in-a-bag on the way over, and two separate bags on the way back.

[@Kris-pw4gp]

Your apartment is cute but small. I know that we have to be able to live in the space that we have. I'm sure that once you get your next apartment, you will revisit the things you keep. I'm sure you are adapting as the timeline changes. When a space is temporary, it works a little different and you try to make things work the best you can for the time you're there. I know how that goes. I try to make the most of the space I have now but also know that once I get to my next place, I will be looking at my stuff a little different and will be decluttering another layer. Way to think outside the box...

[@n8sterling727]

Great video, Ive been trying to find that accordion type table. where its hidden away and you pull it out. What is this and where did you get it? # genius

[@Ripplesinthewaters]

I suppose it’s just the size of your apartment that makes it seem like you have too many clothes. I know that Korea has weather, so switching out clothing makes sense. I live in SoCal, so we don’t need to do that. :)

[@ThamarThamar]

Were the owners of the apartment not able to remove the couch from the apartment? Or did they not want to?

[@SpaceMakerMethod]

I asked them when we first moved in and they weren't interested.🤪 I think it was because we only expected to be there 4 months at first, so I can understand their position.

[@vruth23]

It has been scientifically proven that cats prefer Squares. And they prefer the center of a space.

[@amychen2504]

Is this your only job? And what about your husband? I'm so fascinated by how you guys do the international life. Love your stuff!

[@SpaceMakerMethod]

Yes! He works for himself and does freelance writing as well, but it hasn't always been this way. We first moved overseas and found work as English teachers for many, many years. And we did odd jobs in Australia when we lived there. Only this past year have we been able to transition to other jobs that allows us more flexibility.

[@fianorian]

Tetris...on steroids.

[@SpaceMakerMethod]

Absolutely 😵‍💫 it takes some wine 🍷 to make it through

[@fianorian]

@@SpaceMakerMethod I had never considered alcohol as an organisation tool before. I'll bear it in mind for my next foray. 😆

[@denisecarter5117]

Boy that is a tiny space. We live in 320 and yours looks like it would be unlivable.

[@carriebelcher8644]

My cat will not play with any toys. What is wrong with her🤪.

[@SpaceMakerMethod]

Is that even possible!?