But never fear, there are ways to make the most of a small space. You just have to be a little creative with the space you have. Here a few tips to help you make the most of a small space:

1. Buy storage-friendly furniture. There are many items you can buy that have hidden storage in them. Coffee tables that open up into a trunk, beds with drawers underneath, end-tables with drawers and shelves, TV consoles with DVD storage underneath. These types of furniture will provide a home for your things while keeping them hidden from view so you don’t have to look at a lot of clutter.

2. Make use of the space under your bed. If you don’t have built in drawers under your bed, you can pick up some cheap plastic containers that are made to fit under beds. You can store out of season clothing here to make room in your closets, or store other things that you don’t use every day.

3. Use your closet space. Closet space may seem limited, but you can optimize your closets. Make good use of the space above and below your clothes by adding a shelf for your shoes. Fold your sweaters and put them on the top shelf or simply use it as storage. The floor of your closet can also be used to store boxes.

4. Think small. Many stores sell storage units that are made to go in small spaces. You can buy narrow shelves that are meant to go in tight spaces in kitchens. These are good for storing canned or dried foods.

5. Use the walls. One place that many people don’t think of to use as storage is the wall space. You can easily mount a spice rack to the wall in the kitchen. You can also mount shelves to the wall to store books or family photos.

6. Feng Shui. It might sound cheesy, but this ancient Chinese practice can really make a huge difference in the way a small space feels. By using feng shui principles to arrange the furniture in each room, you can make a small space seem larger and more homey.

Keep in mind that in order to make your new home feel spacious and clean, it’s important not to have a lot of clutter around. Using these ideas will help improve the amount of storage space you have and help make your new home be a pleasant place to live. With a little creativity you can easily make your new home a clutter-free place and organized place to be.

One of the more recent developments in the Austin real estate market are the multitude of loft condominiums springing up smack-right in the middle of downtown. This new push towards urban living reflects an interest in a pedestrian-oriented community, optimal for those who work in Austin’s business center, but also attractive to others who appreciate an abundance of amenities offered within walking distance. Downtown Austin has much to offer Austin residents, whether they work, live, or visit this area which truly represents the cultural heartbeat of the city.

Austin’s downtown is bursting with shops, cafes, galleries and nightlife. Whether looking for antiques at the beloved Whit Hanks, seeking esoteric ethnic treasures at Tesoros, or shopping for home furnishings at Bella Home or Zanzibar, the shops are local, and the wares are unique. In addition to Starbucks, there are plenty of cafes around, including Little City, and Drogo’s Cafe do Brazil. Art galleries, including Art on Fifth and Artworks, are scattered throughout the area, and the nightlife – well, it can’t be beat.

Most of the new lofts are far enough away from the entertainment districts to provide relative quiet, but are close enough to make a night out on the town just a short walk or cab ride away. The bars, music venues and restaurants of the famed Sixth Street district now have competition from the bustling young crowds of the Red River scene. The Warehouse District continues to be one of the most vibrant entertainment areas in the city, although the new 2nd Street shopping and dining area is thriving as well.

Downtown Austin is home to some of the finest restaurants in the city. Louie’s 106 has enticed downtowners with its Mediterranean tapas and steaks for years, and the Driskill Grill offers another close fine dining experience. Eddie V’s and McCormick & Schmick offer superlative seafood, and Sullivans, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Fleming’s are top-notch steak houses. The varieties of food run the gamut as well – from Spanish food at Malaga, to Italian at La Traviata, from sushi at Kenichi or Kyoto to Southwestern cuisine at Z-Tejas.

One the most attractive parts about Austin’s downtown is its proximity to the nature and beauty found at Lady Bird Lake, as well as the Town Lake parks and trails. The plentiful outdoor activities provide the urban dweller with opportunities to walk, run, bike, and boat – all within walking distance of the sleek and sophisticated apartment buildings springing up. Waterloo Park, Republic Square, and other smaller patches of green add to the options for outdoor activity.

Downtowners will find their grocery needs admirably met by the flagship store of the Whole Foods Market chain. This Austin-based business launched their enormous new store in 2005, making fresh and organic produce, dairy, meats and seafood available. In addition to staples, an on-site bakery and international groceries, Whole Foods offers an abundance of prepared foods, from soups, salads and sandwiches, to pizza, seafood and a raw foods stand.

With all of life’s necessities within walking distance, it is no wonder that Downtown Austin real estate is thriving as a residential community.

Ki is an Austin real estate agent. He runs a site with information about Austin real estate and a search of the Austin MLS. He also talks about current events on Austin real estate blog.

Urban living

Sea views, wide-open spaces spread over 8,000 sq. ft, a private lift connecting first and second floors: life in the city doesn’t get much better than this

The wall, in a sense, sets the design dictum that has been followed throughout the house—visual connectivity.The double-height (22ft.) central hall has two wings, one on each side. There are no doors between the family entertainment space, the dining and breakfast corner and the kitchen. Sliding glass doors separate the balcony from this central space. Only the grandparents’ room on the ground floor and the guest bedroom have have doors

Bedrooms for the children are luxurious too, and there is also a pantry area for that impromptu midnight party.

Even though the first level functions as a separate entity, the architects have ensured that it isn’t completely cut off from the main house. Both the master suite and the children’s suite look into the central hall. This ensures both visual connectivity and cross ventilation.