Modern apartments have a tendency to be on the small side, and this makes it difficult to decorate them. Fortunately, with some creative decorating and careful furniture choices, even the smallest of apartments can be turned into a cosy and comfortable home.
One of the most important considerations for creating a cosy living area is to minimise the amount of space wasted. This means making use of made to measure blinds instead of heavy and imposing curtains, and using floor-to-ceiling cupboards and concealed storage rather than free-standing space.
The Beauty of Modular Design
Modular designs are a great way to maximise the amount of space you have in a cramped apartment. Some modern designers have created “room-in-a-box” furniture suites, and there are some amazing loft-style bedroom packs which offer beds, storage, and desks all in one convenient pack.
If you make use of one of those modular furniture suites, combined with a set of blackout roller blinds to ensure that you get a good night’s sleep; even the most inconveniently situated, cramped apartment can become cosy and comfortable.
Lighting is Everything
When space is at a premium, effective use of lighting can make all the difference. Instead of relying on just one light, consider dotting free-standing lighting around key areas of the room. Lighting should be functional as well as cosmetic.
Dark walls and carpets tend to absorb light, and make rooms feel smaller than they are. In a small apartment, it’s best to opt for light wooden floors, and bright and airy paint or wallpaper on the walls. If you are allowed to, consider putting a mirror on one wall to give the illusion of having more space. If you have one large room, and would prefer to separate your furnishings to create a sense of privacy, then consider a faux glass dividing wall, or a compact “loft” style bed.
Avoid clutter
Clutter can make even a large room feel small, so whenever possible try to avoid it. Make good use of storage, and throw out anything that you don’t really need. Excessive ornamentation counts as clutter too – in a small room, it’s best to keep accessories to a minimum, and only put things on display if they will add to the appearance of the room.
Don’t hang up too many paintings on the wall, and use made to measure blinds rather than ones that are oversized and eat into the amount of wall space left over.
It can be difficult to find the right balance between Spartan and comfortable, but over time you will get there. Spend a little time looking around for design ideas and you’ll soon get an idea of what people like to do with smaller apartments. The futuristic look is in at the moment, and this is good news for apartment dwellers, as it means that there are a lot of interesting and creative space-saving solutions on the market today, making it easy to conceal everything from bathroom fixtures to storage space in an attractive and fashionable way.
This article was written by Amy Fowler on behalf of Moonshadow Blinds, who offer made to measure blinds in a wide variety of styles, materials and colours.