Virily Editor
When it comes to decorating your apartment, you’ve probably read all the tricks in the book. The truth is, there’s only so many different ways you can hang mirrors to “open up a room” and multipurpose furniture pieces that you can purchase to “maximize the functionality” of a room. So with that being said, you’re going to need to get creative and think outside the box, right? Yes… if you don’t want the same “design tips to follow.”
Being that you want your apartment decor and space to be “out of the box,” it shouldn’t be a task… it should be fun! To have fun decorating your apartment, you need design tips that go against the grain and beyond the norm.
Step 1: Find an Apartment
Finding an apartment is obvious… obviously, right! If you already have an apartment and just want to give your apartment a makeover, then you can go ahead and skip to step 2. Now, for those who actually need to first find an apartment, this is for you.
There used to be a time, not too long ago, where you had to physically visit apartments in person to apply and tour an apartment but technology today has changed the whole apartment hunting process. Now, you can use online resources to apply and go on a virtual tour to find the apartment of your dreams!
A great and highly recommended source to assist you in your searching efforts is Rent.com! This is a site that’s easy to navigate and because it’s now part of RentPath, potential renters have access to more rental properties in their area! Whether you’re looking for two-bedroom, three-bedroom, and especially one-bedroom apartments, check out Rent.com to point you in the right direction.
Step 2: Time to Purge
You never really realize how much “stuff’ you’ve collected over time until it’s time for you to move. As you start to pack, you notice that your needing more and more boxes. Once you notice that, that’s when it’s time for you to stop what you’re doing and start from scratch and purge through your boxes.
A great way to help you purge is to use the 90/90 minimalist rule. The theory behind this rule is that when going through your personal items, ask yourself if you’ve utilized those items in any way within the past 90 days… if not, then ask yourself if you plan on using those items in the next 90 days… if not, it’s safe to get rid of those items. Taking that approach to moving to your apartment will help tremendously with your decor.
Step3: Make Every Room Pop With a Distinctive Color Scheme
Let’s say you’ve hopped on rent.com, found yourself a one-bedroom apartment, got approved, and have moved in… Now it’s time for the fun to begin! With apartments not being as big as your average home, you have to take extra efforts to make each room stand apart from the rest to make each room feel separate and distinct; from the walls to the intricacies of the decor you choose.
Take your bedroom for example. Your bedroom is your sanctuary for sleep and relaxation, right? Yes, so you want to pick bedroom colors and decor that will positively affect your sleep. According to the National Sleep Foundation, rooms that are painted in the color blue, the inhabitants tend to sleep longer.
Even if you’re not particularly fond of the color blue, it may still be beneficial to your sleep to have blue accessories in your room like throw pillows and blankets. The color blue is connected to feelings of calm so when you see the color blue, your brain processes it, and can overall help you get a good, uninterrupted night of sleep.
Room-By-Room, here are some colors that will work well and pop in your apartment:
- Kitchen- yellow and orange promote hunger
- Living room- yellow, green, and violet promote happiness
- Bathroom- lavender, pale blue, and deep blue promote relaxation and are soothing
Step 4: Buy Furniture Properly-Sized for Your Space
This aspect of apartment decorating can require a lot of measuring and space planning but it’s all totally worth it once you have furniture that actually fits your living space and you’re not having to squeeze through tight spaces. So in your decorating ventures, be sure to pack your measuring tape!
Step 5: Incorporate Multi-Functional Pieces
We’ve heard it time and time again about the furniture pieces that serve multiple purposes, but being that we’ve heard it so many times, that obviously means that there is some truth behind it, right! Well, multi-functional pieces are especially beneficial in apartments.
Taking advantage of vertical and horizontal spaces are key. An ottoman with storage capabilities will hide items that don’t necessarily need to be seen, floating shelves will allow for more space on end tables and coffee tables, and wall lamps will also allow for more space versus table lamps or floor lamp. Wall lamps also add a little more personality and character to your rooms as well.
The basic guidelines needed for a person to start the apartment become more spacious.