Space comes at an absolute premium in many of Australia's most populous cities, and its inhabitants are always looking for ways to squeeze an extra bit of room out of their homes. For those in apartments, this can be a tricky proposition as you likely are renting and can't structurally alter too much without express consent. However, there are a few things you can do to maximise your space and minimise wasted 'dead zones' which, when added up, can mean substantially more room for you to repurpose. 

Sliding Wardrobes

Sliding wardrobes free up the space that would normally need to be used by the wardrobe doors swinging outwards. When you actually measure the distance that these doors swing out, it can add up to over a metre in some cases. That is a lot of space for storage that sliding wardrobes free up without actually sacrificing any quality in use. A small cupboard, shoe compartment, television, bookshelf and more could all easily fit in front of sliding wardrobes with little extra effort. Many sliding wardrobes also have mirrored front panels which means you don't have to have a mirror elsewhere in your apartment. All in all, sliding wardrobes are an easy choice for the space-conscious apartment dweller.

The Wall Is Your Best Friend

Walls might seem like little more than places to hang paintings and decorations, but they can be a useful place for storage if used correctly. Floating shelves and corner stands can both look great if matched well with the colour of your wall. Using the kitchen wall to hang spice racks, pots and pans and even large utensils like cooking spoons can save precious space in the cramped kitchens. The most important thing to remember when it comes to using the wall is to make sure what you are installing doesn't need a loadbearing wall and, if it does, that you correctly match it to a safe position. 

Repurpose

Sometimes, you get especially pressed for space and have to consider using spaces for things they are not originally designed for. If your pantry is full and you don't use your dishwasher, why not keep some packaged food inside it? If you have recently got rid of some shoes, why not store some files on your shoe rack? Think about what you don't use and what you need to be packed away because you keep tripping over it or are scared of losing it. Then it is a simple matter of matching one need to one opportunity, even if the two don't initially seem like they should go together.