Downsized living spaces are becoming more and more popular over time with more and more people embracing the thought of living in much smaller apartments to either save on rent, be within minute’s reach of the bustling downtown areas or enjoy the cozy charm that only comes with living in a pint-sized apartment. However, with a tiny apartment comes the misconception that decoration should focus more on functionality rather than the design which isn’t entirely true as it involves striking a balance between filling your home with items that fit your needs whilst highlighting your personal aesthetic. Below are a number of tips that will help you make the most out of the space you have at your disposal whilst still letting your personality come through.
1. Invest in dual purpose furniture
When dealing with a tiny space every little inch counts. Therefore, instead of working your space around furniture it is best to invest in furniture pieces that will do double duty. For instance, you can consider purchasing a trundle bed that can be folded into a sofa when watching TV or a hollow ottoman that can double up as a storage space as and when needed.
2. Lighten up
Adding a light rug in the apartment could be exactly what’s standing between you and the feel of having a larger room. You can, therefore, cover up your apartment with a rug in a light hue that will open up your room and make it look and feel a lot larger than it is.
3. Invest in curtains
Just because the apartment has standard issue apartment blinds it doesn’t mean that you have to settle for that. Certainly not! You can decide to add a touch of drama with curtains and think of tricks that will be applicable to make space appear larger.
4. Embrace the floating design trends
Large, bulky pieces of furniture can make your tiny apartment look a little bit too cramped up considering there isn’t too much space to spare in the first place hence the need to incorporate floating elements into the design. You can either use them in lieu of a bookshelf or as part of a comprehensively cohesive look.
5. Choose a light color palette when painting
The age-old adage that small spaces should be painted with light colors still stands till date. This is because among many things light walls tend to keep things looking fresh and spacious whereas dark colors tend to close in and make the room look even smaller. If it is any consolation, however, it doesn’t have to be a white color palette at all. It can be just about any bright shade with a touch of dark accent to ensure that things stay visually interesting.
6. Add curves to furniture and décor
Since most pint sized condos tend to be boxy, you can use your furniture to add some curves and further accentuate the look of the condo unit. For instance, you can add roundtables and chairs with a curve or rugs that are shaped and adorned with spirals and dots. This will help keep things from looking a little bit too monotone and add to the rooms aesthetics.
7. Layer the apartment to add depth
One of the things that’s completely absent in small apartments is depth. There is only so much space for the eye to take in. Fortunately, you can make up that depth easily by simply layering in your design. For instance, you can throw in a few rugs to help cover up the less than luxurious carpeting, use shadow boxes as wall hangings or simply layer your bedding with multiple blankets and pillows.
8. Use smaller furnishings on your couch
Not unless you are trying to make a statement with a somewhat overstuffed couch, your pint-sized apartment will actually look a whole lot better and larger with moderately sized furnishings.
9. Add mirrors
Although it’s just but an optical illusion, mirrors will help extend your space to almost double its size. Plus it gives a feel good effect when you can suddenly turn to the side and see a reflection of your beautiful self staring right back at you.
10. Delineate separate areas
At first glance, the open concept living might look like the way to go when decorating a tiny apartment. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth especially because it can be overwhelming to the eye and lead to things looking a little too messy. It is, therefore, best to separate areas and assign each area a specific purpose.
Just because you live in a small apartment it doesn’t mean that you have to let go of interior design for functionality sake. Certainly not! Instead, you should try to strike a balance between functionality and design so as to accentuate your apartment’s aesthetics.
