Apartment Decorating Rules to Live By
Every space poses its own challenges when it comes to decorating, but few spaces are as challenging as an apartment space. Without the ability to remodel, and in many cases even paint, your options are very limited.
However, just because you live in an apartment doesn’t mean you’re doomed to live in a cramped, ugly, uncomfortable space. You just have to know how to decorate it!
If you live in an apartment, you can make the most of your space by living by these rules.
Don’t Overcrowd the Space with Oversized Furniture
It’s easy to overwhelm a small space with too much furniture. That’s especially the case if you choose overstuffed furniture. Although it’s comfortable, it takes up a lot of space in a small apartment.
The best apartment furniture includes couches and chairs with clean, modern lines. That doesn’t mean you have to choose small pieces or uncomfortable items either! There are many modern couches and chairs that feature footrests and fluffy pillows that will ensure even a couch with the smallest footprint is still comfortable.
There is also no reason to get rid of large furniture items. Instead, choose one or two large items that you really love, and place them around the perimeter of the room.
Look for Items That Serve a Dual Purpose
When you live in a small space, you may not have enough room to have furniture and other items that serve just one purpose. You can save a lot of space by looking for items that serve a dual purpose.
There are many choices when it comes to choosing items for your home that do double duty. A few examples include:
- Desks that fold up and turn into cabinets on the wall
- Coffee tables with tops that extend into desks
- Ottomans that transforms into spare beds
- Small dining tables that extend into larger tables
If you’re still struggling to open up your space, consider furniture items that easily fold away and can be stored. Folding chairs are always a good idea, while folding end tables can be tucked away when not in use.
Take Advantage of Wall Space
Apartments are notorious for not having a lot of square footage. Unfortunately, that often means many items and accessories end up on the floor. Reclaim what little floor space you have and take advantage of your walls with shelves.
What types of shelves you choose, and how you install those shelves, will depend on your landlord’s rules. Large shelves that require anchors may not be allowed, but smaller temporary shelves may be okay. Make sure you check your lease or call into the office before you get started.
Shelves are perfect for knickknacks, but they can also be the perfect place to store books, boxes of photos, baskets with small electronics, and more.
Don’t just focus on the living room either! Shower rods are an easy way to add an extra shelf in the closet without damaging the walls.
Get Creative with Storage
Storage is important in every space, but it is especially important in a small space. Fortunately, there are some creative storage ideas for small apartments.
Just a few ideas include:
- Hang organizers behind closet doors
- Stack storage boxes and use them as an end table
- Hang peg board in the kitchen for pots and pans
- Hang storage baskets on the wall
- Use under-the-bed boxes to store items out of sight
- Use stacking boxes to take advantage of vertical closet space
Keep the Clutter at Bay
Clutter can ruin the comfort of any space, no matter how big or small. It just affects smaller spaces faster. That’s why it’s important to get rid of the clutter in your home, then keep the clutter at bay.
Always have a small box in the closet for items that can be given away or donated. As soon as you find an item that needs to go, place it in the box. When the box is full, it can be dropped off.
When you’re out shopping, refrain from buying anything unless you can first figure out exactly where you’re going to put it. That ensures it has a place before it even enters your home.
Feel free to break the rules when it comes to colors, patterns, and textures, but, if you live in an apartment, there are some decorating rules you need to live by. Follow these tips and you can create a cozy, comfortable, and stylish interior space, no matter how much square footage you have.
