When life, work, and play cohabitate in a small apartment, it's sure to create chaos. Unless you stage an organization intervention, that is. Try a storage trick such as skirting a table. It can triple-task as a television stand, dining table, and work surface. Plus, you can hide old records or DVDs beneath the table.

A glass topper turns a pair of ottomans into a coffee table or a place to spread food when entertaining. Stylish touches make a rental a home, so don't overlook the power of accessories. Here, a simple white birch branch in the corner stands as an unusual, but surprisingly modern accessory.

 

For a soothing, flexible environment, start with a neutral palette. Khaki walls, camel sisal carpet, and an off-white sofa mingle with accessories in soft blue-greens and punches of red, creating a calm environment with subtle bursts of color. Plus, if painting your walls isn't an option, you can say the white walls were part of your neutral design scheme.

 

A small space requires you to get serious about organizing. Dig out all the boxes of paperwork and piles of bills (both paid and unpaid) you've been hoarding and start to purge. Separate items into three categories: "toss," "keep," and "maybe." Then think about storage. A simple Parsons table leaves plenty of room for storage boxes underneath and office supplies up top.

 

The storage boxes are the perfect size for file folders. Organize the boxes by item (Car, Home, Medical Records), or by year, so you don't have to frantically search for those end-of-the-year tax documents.

Functional shelves can be decorative; just try these tips:

 

• Group books and dishes by size and color for artful impact.
• Coral thin, busy-looking items, such as papers, magazines, and CDs, inside stylish boxes.
• Start filling shelves at eye level, a natural focal point. Add punch with colorful accessories.
• Don't cram shelves full -- it's not attractive. Leave some breathing room between objects.
• Mementos add your personal style. Tuck in photos, shells, souvenirs, and other trinkets you adore.

 

Take advantage of any extra kitchen wall space and mount open shelving. It adds storage space and a place to display your dishes. While you're putting dishes on the shelves, think of how you can repurpose some of them. Have an ice bucket gathering dust between parties? Place some flowers in it and call it a vase. Those giant tumblers someone gave you at your apartment-warming party? Fill them with nuts or dried fruit and set them out for a healthy snack.

 

Even if your kitchen comes with little counter space, you can create more by introducing a wire cart. This is especially handy for appliance storage and for items you use daily.