Decorating and Storage for Small Vintage Apartments

I live in a small one-bedroom apartment in a "vintage" building (if you consider the 1960's and 1970's vintage) and I know the frustrations of decorating a small space with little storage. One thing I've learned is that furniture must have more than one purpose and have built in storage if possible.

I'm always happy to share ideas about how to work with a limited space, and recently I've had several friends over at different times who have helped me look at some space issues with new eyes.

So in case there's anyone out there that may be looking to discuss some small apartment decorating ideas, brainstorm some ideas with someone with a similar issues, especially in an older vintage building, I just want them to know I'm here.

I know it can be challenging, even for someone with a visual mind who loves architecture.  I'm not an architect or decorator, but I dwell among them during the daylight hours.

Now, talking to someone I feel is a kindred spirit here, I'm sure that searching Google for small apartment ideas is always a fun activity to indulge in.  In order to get the brainstorming discussion going, I offer a few ideas.

Decorating a small apartment office, for instance, you need to think vertical for storage:

The same goes for living rooms - you want to go vertical (something some of us may be more familiar with than others)- and as I said, go for multipurpose usage, especially when storing or archiving things like movie scripts, for example, or sheet music:

Kitchens are always an interesting decorating challenge, because you have appliances to consider. Now, I rent, so I don't have a choice as to the type of appliances I have once I selected this apartment for rent. But, some of us may be lucky enough to have the option of buying new appliances for a small kitchen. Given the vintage nature of some apartments, you may want to stay within that theme:

I know from watching HGTV that lots of of homeowners these days go bonkers if they don't have stainless steel appliances, but I think I might be safe in suggesting (kindred spirits and all) a refurbished or replica 1920's range like the one above:

Or something new, but with a more vintage look like the one pictured above.

What about going black? Something like the very well named Kitchen Range Majestic for the majestic in some of us.

Update 8/24/13: I think I found the perfect stove for the perfect Guy, I mean guy:

Perfect for a vintage 1920's era apartment building

I know I'm still moving furniture around in my new apartment and looking for better ways to use the space in the future. A challenge (especially for those of us financially challenged like me), but a fun challenge. A friend said to me recently she hoped my apartment was my sanctuary, and I hope to make it so, and hope everyone's home is their sanctuary.

Now for some admin and thanks:

Decorating ideas from the following sites if you're curious:

http://st.houzz.com/simgs/f88191c60032b594_4-7571/traditional-kitchen.jpg

http://www.houzz.com/photos/1446168/1920-s-Historic-Kitchen-traditional-kitchen-seattle

http://www.stuartwestmorelandappliances.co.uk/smeg-tr4110p-719.html

http://www.appliancist.com/ranges/ilve-kitchen-range-majestic.html

http://www.lushome.com/modern-furniture-small-spaces-15-great-ideas-decorating-small-apartments-homes/107141

http://homeanddecor.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Small-Living-Room-Storage-Ideas.jpg

Thank you to Servetus for the "what kind of kitchen range?" question.

Thank you Richard Armitage Central for the RA screencaps.

Poll Results Update! Poll: What Kind of Cereal Would Richard Armitage Be?

UPDATE 7/28/13 - Poll Results are in

Richard is Chocolate Malt-O-Meal 

It's hot, and it's chocolate 

Thank you sahraobsessed for her winning cereal entry:

sahraobsessedJuly 14, 2013 at 10:45 PM

Chocolate Malt-o-Meal
1)It's a HOT cereal - Richard is HOT
2)It's a chocolate cereal - Richard loves chocolate
3)It's a nutritious cereal - Richard is fit
4)It's delicious - I eat up everything about him
5)I'd lick the bowl clean -'nough said

Poll is on the right hand sidebar

 Why the poll and why cereal?  Read the post below this one to find out more and also read the comments to see the cereal suggestions and why the commenter selected a particular cereal as being "Richard Armitage"

(There was also one suggestion from a twitter pal)

You can vote until the evening of July 27 (EST)

I'll update this post with the results after July 27

Thank you all who commented and contributed your cereal suggestions and thank you Servetus for encouraging contributions to the poll on your blog.

*Dear Richard, if you're reading this by some miracle of the heavens, don't forget to vote for your favorite.