Home decor tips for small apartments
The last generation saw a good number of people migrating from the villages to the cities in search of better job opportunities. The effect of that on urbanization is the fact that today our cities have started growing in size. Considering the amount of traffic on the roads, wherever possible, people prefer to stay in the heart of the city. Now with limited land, this has resulted in a lot of people living in high rise flats. The size of the flats is also considerably smaller as compared to conventional ancestral homes.
Now, there is not much we can do about the limited space. However, this does not mean that one has to give up on all their dreams of a beautifully decorated home. Even though you are paying a lower rent for the place, you do not have to give up on style. All you need to do is plan out things well so that you can set up a personalized home that takes into account both functionality and style. Here, we will discuss some tips that will help you set up your home in just the way you want it to be.
1. Declutter
Most people do not realize the fact that when you live in a place for months, you tend to accumulate a good amount of junk. Take a weekend off and declutter your home. You will realize that you do not need that straw hat from your Goa trip or the broken pair of heels from your college days.
It is important to realise that in a small apartment there is lesser space to hide your clutter. So, if you have more of these at home, it will make your apartment appear smaller than what it is.
2. Reconsider used spaces
One needs to take this most seriously if they have been living in the said apartment for quite some time. You have to sit back and think about all the spaces that are going waste in your apartment. In most cases, this starts with the corners. Invest in corner shelves for your books, wine bottles or photo frames and you will be amazed to see the difference it makes.
These days, there are several wall-mounted storage racks available and you may make your pick from there as well.
3. Use organizing boxes
Buy organizing boxes and place your clothes in them before putting them in the cupboard. This will not just ensure that you have more space in the cupboard, but you will also be amazed to see how easy it is to find your clothes.
If you share your cupboard with your partner, the use of organizational boxes will ensure that the clothes do not get mixed. You can use similar boxes for your children’s books, toys, and stationary. The fact that organizing boxes are available in all shapes and sizes is an added advantage.
4. Go for vertical storage
Narrow and tall storage systems not only look classy, but they also help to make the most of the limited living space. Placing two tall identical shelves on either side of a door is a great idea. You can go for the ones where a portion of the shelves are covered and the rest is not. That way, they will hold a variety of items.
A ceiling to roof shelf storage unit for all your gadgets is a good idea if you are looking to separate your living and dining areas. Not only do they make the apartment look classy, but they effectively store a lot of furniture as well.
5. Floating designs
These days, floating designs are in vogue and it is important to realize that they have come into the picture keeping in mind the small-sized apartments. So, do not hesitate to switch your conventional divan for one that sits directly on the floor.
Similarly, floating shelves and floating sinks are a good alternative to their conventional counterparts. The trick here is to try to show as little furniture legs as possible.
6. Colour it well
If you want your apartment to look bigger than what it is, start by choosing a neutral or beige base. Then, add colour with a touch of sophistication. An example of this would be bright cushions on a neutral sofa. The use of bright area rugs is encouraged as they help define different areas in a small house while adding a touch of colour and positivity. However, make sure that you do not overdo it and make your home look like a spilled paint box.
With the walls, it is always wiser to stick to lighter shades. You may want to highlight one wall with a darker texture, but make sure that you do not go beyond that.
7. Go for contemporary lighting
The lighting of the house is just as important as the colour choice. Try to go for a sconce or a new false ceiling lighting instead of the conventional ones. Traditional lighting like that of chandeliers are meant for larger homes and they will make you cute little apartment look clumsy.
8. Invest in dual-purpose furniture
These days you will easily find two seater dining tables that expand to four-seater, an ottoman that has storage in them and L-pattern sofas that can easily become beds. Investing in this multi-purpose furniture will help you save up a lot of space. Do not go overboard and pick up just any dual furniture. Try to go for the ones that are size appropriate for your apartment.
Also, prefer the ones that have a curvy finish. Almost everything about a small apartment has too many edges. In such a situation getting curvy furniture will allow things to get more aesthetic to the eye.
It is important to realize that just because your house is now set the way you would like it to be, it does not ensure that it will remain so. You must make it a practice to declutter your house once every 4 or 5 months to maintain the beauty of your stylish and cosy little home.
