Today’s modern apartment designs are no longer limited to the standard, dull arrangement. With a few clever touches and strategic styling, it is now possible to create an inviting and stylish home with minimal clutter. Apartment design has become an art form – one that provides the perfect balance of simplicity, functionality, and style. This article will explore the various elements of apartment design, providing tips and advice on how to transform your space into an oasis of calm and sophistication.
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HOW TO FURNISH A NEW APARTMENT FOR THE FIRST TIME
Furnishing a new apartment can be an exciting process! Whether you are starting from scratch or refurbishing your existing space, it is important to get the design of your apartment just right. With the right furniture, accessories, and decor, you can transform a blank canvas into a cozy and stylish home. Here are some useful tips to consider;
1. PLAN YOUR LAYOUT AROUND YOUR UNIQUE NEEDS
Make a list of your needs as regards each room. With your list in mind -create zones with the most important/daily activities taking up the biggest percentage of the space.
While the secondary activities can be made to fit within what is left of the space. This will help you create a highly functional home that is tailored to serve your unique lifestyle needs. As well as save you time and money when it comes to furniture shopping.
2. FURNISH YOUR ZONES
Write down the furniture you need for each of the zones; for example for a home office /library- you might need a desk, chair, and shelving unit. Make sure to go through every detail of what each activity entails so as to come up with a more practical furniture plan.
3. SET REALISTIC GOALS/VISION FOR YOUR HOME
Now that you have clearly defined exactly what you need. It’s important to have a picture or vision of what you want your home to look like. And how exactly you want your space to serve you. Which will all come together into a unique apartment design.
This is best done with pictorials. On a visual platform like Pinterest Save or Pin images of moods and styles, you would like to create in your own home; These could be images of furniture, artwork, or even feelings you would like to evoke.
The key here is not to limit yourself to just furniture pieces because the goal of a mood board is to find your personal style and create a visual story. Which will eventually become a foundational guide when styling your apartment.
4. PLAN YOUR HOME DECORATING BUDGET
This might not be as fun as the previous steps but it is absolutely necessary because you do not want to get into debt just trying to furnish your new apartment.
Experts recommend 10%-50% of your purchase price be allocated to furniture; This means a $250,000 apartment would give you a furniture budget of about $25,000-$125,000( that’s if you have actually bought the apartment)
For a rental; the average person spends just over $8000 to furnish an apartment. You can use this as your baseline.
Another rule of thumb you can use to set a furniture budget is to figure out your baseline monthly spending needs and multiply that figure by three. for example, if your regular budget after buying the home will total to $4000 a month, you would multiply by three to get $12000.
This is the amount you should aim to have in savings to cover any unexpected expenses when you move in.
Whatever you have above this amount is what you should spend on furniture for the first round. Then whenever your savings get above that three-month mark again- allow yourself to buy that next round of furniture for the next room.
5. OPTIMISE WHAT YOU ALREADY HAVE
Before you create your new furniture shopping list, go through the items you already have. Chances are you have some of the pieces you need from your previous home.
This will save you some money and you can use that money to invest in quality essential items that are missing
6. PRIORITISE THE STAPLE PIECES
Start with your investment pieces; A good quality Bed, Sofa, and Dining Table will provide comfort for you and your family for years to come. Spend more of your budget on thes foundational pieces, if you can afford them.
Investment pieces will be the furniture you use the most and keep the longest so you will want to get something that will last.
7. INVEST IN MULTI-FUNCTIONAL FURNITURE
Investing in fewer larger pieces of furniture that serve multiple purposes is an excellent way to maximize space and improve the overall apartment design. Because these pieces are both stylish and help keep the home organized.
For example, ottomans provide extra seating when needed and can be used as coffee tables when not in use. Or even serve as storage; Making them a versatile and great option for a living room design plan.
However, It should be noted that opting for lighter colors when it comes to your furniture will create the feeling of more space.
Even though darker shades will add drama and definition to a room’s interior design.
8. PAY ATTENTION TO PROPORTIONS AND SCALE.
The key to designing an aesthetically pleasing apartment is all about balance and scale.
- First, consider the size of the room – what pieces will fit comfortably without overcrowding?
- Then draw out a basic floor plan on graph paper or use online tools such as Homestyler to plan out the layout before moving any furniture around.
- Next, take measurements of each piece so that nothing looks disproportionate when it’s placed in its new home.
Ensure that all furniture is to scale by using the 60/40 rule- So as to achieve visual balance when furnishing a room.
Fill 60% of your floor space with furniture and leave 40% open for circulation to make the room feel complete without appearing overcrowded.
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ART AND ACCESSORIES PHOTO CREDIT: STYLE ME PRETTY.COM
VINTAGE RUG
APARTMENT DESIGN: QUICK FURNITURE SCALE AND PROPORTION GUIDE
SOFA
A sofa is one of the main features of a living room. Aim for a sofa that is roughly two-thirds of the wall length it is positioned in front of.
But bear in mind that most sofas are around 72, 84, or 96 inches ( 175,210-240).
Two-thirds might fall between two standard sizes; if that’s the case opt for the one that is a little above two-thirds of the wall length so you can fit more people.
COFFEE TABLE
It’s absolutely important that you relate the size of your coffee table to your sofa. Your coffee table should be two-thirds the width of your sofa.
RUG SIZE AND PLACEMENT
Choosing the right size of rug will bring balance and warmth to any apartment design.
Thus creating a good foundation for your layout. Ensure that the rug you buy is at least six to eight inches wider than your sofa on both sides.
For your rug placement; run the rug the length of the biggest sofa seat. While living between 30-36 inches of walkway between the larger furniture pieces if your room allows for it.
In the case of a small living room, you can leave at least 18-24 inches.
DINING SET
You want to have about 3 feet of space on all four sides of your table. For easy maneuvering and circulation.
The general rule of thumb is to allow 24 inches of space for every person gathered around your table.
ART
The scale of artwork can have a major impact on the look and feel of a room, particularly if it’s in an apartment. Knowing how to choose art pieces that are properly proportioned is key for any homeowner or renter who wants to make the most of their space.
When selecting art for your apartment, take into consideration the size of the wall and furniture in the area you’re looking to decorate.
For example, if you have an empty wall above a bookshelf, it’s important to choose something that won’t overwhelm anything else in view. Art proportions should be thoughtfully considered and balanced with other elements in order to create unity within your home design vision.
When selecting artwork for an apartment, there are a few strategic steps you can take to make sure your home feels more spacious and properly showcases your art.
- First, temperature and lighting should be considered when selecting pieces of art. Avoid large-scale, dark artwork that will overpower the space and make it appear smaller than it actually is.
- Second, focus on pieces that reflect the overall feel of the room – such as softer colors or abstract shapes – to create a harmonious atmosphere.
- Thirdly, consider multiples of small prints rather than one large piece. This can bring color and interest into a room without feeling too cluttered or overbearing.
- Lastly, use strategically placed mirrors for an instant visual lift in any area of your home where there is limited wall space for artwork.
Decorating your apartment with artwork can be a great way to add some personality and flair to your living space.-If done well.
Hanging Artwork
While putting up artwork, It’s important that you measure the dimensions of the art piece.
And determine where it will look best in your home. If possible, hang your artwork so that its center is at eye level when standing up.
This helps create balance and adds a professional touch to any room.
Once you have chosen a spot for the artwork, consider using an adhesive picture hanging kit or if necessary, nails or screws for heavier items.
Make sure these items stay secure by carefully measuring out the distance between each one; this may require an extra pair of hands!
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FIREPLACE PHOTO CREDIT: dv1h on BEHANCE
FURNITURE ARRANGEMENT IDEAS FOR AN APARTMENT
Coming up with the right furniture arrangement can be challenging. It takes time, skill, and some know-how to perfect the art of furniture layout. But fear not! With these tried tips for arranging furniture like a pro, you’ll have your apartment looking magazine ready in no time.
When it comes to arranging furniture in an apartment, there are a lot of creative possibilities. It doesn’t matter if you live in a studio or a three-bedroom loft
The right furniture arrangement should make your small space look and feel larger than life.
The first step is to figure out the purpose of each room. Ask yourself what activities will take place in each area and how much furniture is needed to accommodate them. From there, it’s time to be strategic when selecting furniture pieces that maximize space while providing comfort and convenience.
Tried-and-true tips for arranging furniture like a pro!
Here are some tried-and-true tips for arranging furniture in an apartment like a pro!
- For starters, try grouping similar pieces together like couches and armchairs for a cohesive look.
- Place area rugs strategically around the room for added texture, color, and style.
- Hang wall art at eye level for visual interest or create mini-galleries with collections of framed prints or photographs hung salon-style along one wall.
- Don’t forget about the lighting!
LIGHTING FOR THE PERFECT AMBIANCE
Creating the perfect ambiance is essential when it comes to apartment design.
Because it enhances the overall aesthetics and comfort of a space.
Lighting plays a huge role in the atmosphere of any room, but especially so in smaller apartments.
Understanding how to use lighting to create a cozy living space can go a long way in achieving that perfect ambiance.
Lighting can be used both functionally and decoratively; it’s important to consider both when setting up your apartment design. For example, task lighting such as desk lamps or under-cabinet lights helps you focus on specific tasks while providing some extra decoration.
On the other hand, ambient lighting fixtures like wall sconces and pendant lights help fill out the room with soft light for an inviting atmosphere.
INCORPORATING PERSONAL STYLE
When decorating a home, there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Every space should reflect the personality and style of the individual who lives there.
For apartment dwellers, the challenge of making the most of their limited spaces can feel even greater. However, with some creative use of wall art or mirrors, shelves, or plants – anything goes! From minimalist décor ideas to maximalist designs that fill every corner – there’s something out there for everyone.
The key is finding interior design solutions that fit your personal style and highlight your prized possessions without overstuffing the room.
Start by thinking about what type of atmosphere you want to create in the apartment: cozy and inviting or modern and edgy.
Take cues from your favorite home décor magazines for inspiration, or look online for ideas about how to make use of color, furniture placement, accessories, artwork, and other elements to bring out your own distinct style.
Select items that combine functionality with aesthetics—find furniture pieces that will not only help create a beautiful living area but also provide storage solutions for all those odds and ends.
In conclusion,
it’s possible to create a stylish, comfortable home without sacrificing either space or beauty. With a few strategic design decisions and clever storage solutions, cluttered apartments can be transformed into beautiful, organized spaces. It’s time to say goodbye to mess and hello to style! Start your apartment renovation today. By making the most of the vertical space in each room and investing in multi-functional furniture pieces. With these tips in mind, you will have the home of your dreams in no time!
Become your own interior designer!
If you find yourself feeling stuck and do not know where to start with decorating your new apartment – you’re not alone! Decorating can be overwhelming and it’s easy to feel like you’re in over your head. That’s where an interior design coach can help.
Why You Need An Interior Designer
As an interior design coach, my focus is on helping you discover your personal style. And creating a space that truly feels like home. I provide one-on-one guidance and support throughout the decorating process, from creating a floor plan to choosing the perfect color scheme and selecting furniture and accessories that fit your style and budget.
My goal is not to sell you on a particular design or product. But rather to empower you with the knowledge and skills to confidently make decorating decisions on your own. I believe that everyone deserves a space that reflects their unique personality and I’m here to help you achieve that.
Whether you’re a first-time apartment renter or a seasoned homeowner, my interior design coaching service is tailored to your individual needs and preferences. Let’s work together to avoid those common decorating mistakes and create a space that you’ll love coming home to.
If you’re ready to begin your journey, learn how you can schedule an exclusive free consultation by clicking the button below.
P.S. There are limited spots available because I can only work with a few clients at a time, if you are interested I suggest you click on the link. When all spots are taken this offer will no longer be valid.
Psst… If you found this article helpful, do check out the 9 common apartment decorating mistakes-As you might find some useful information there. Don’t forget to subscribe for the latest interior design information and inspiration on the blog.
With Love,
DOLORESE M. MAKHOLO
