Living in a small space is tough, especially when your decorating options are limited by rental rules and landlord laws. Let these ideas inspire you to make the home (and space) you want.
Dress Up Your Windows
You're not limited to the mini blinds that come standard in
most rentals. Dress up you windows with easy DIY curtains. This no-sew project
can be done in a weekend!
Paint Options
If you can't paint the walls in your apartment, paint your
furniture. A new paint job on a bed frame or nightstand can be just as
impactful as new color on the walls.
Personalized Accessories
Embrace Open Storage
Employ an industrial metal shelving unit as extra kitchen
storage if your apartment's kitchen storage options are less than generous. The
cool finish of this unit recalls metal touches that are standard in pro
kitchens. Use baskets to corral kitchen staples, and incorporate a few
decorative touches to keep it fun.
Floor Coverings
Often in a rental situation, you are stuck with whatever
finishes are in place when you sign the lease. If your apartment's carpet is
not so stylish, camouflage the problem with an extra-large area rug that
coordinates with your other decor. If the room is on the small side, you won't
need an oversize rug, which can start to get pricey.
Work with It
Vintage buildings have plenty of charm, but some original
elements can pose a decorating challenge. Rather than cringe at something you
don't like, embrace it and find a work-around. If the bathroom tile is a shade
you can't stand, pick a color you do like to serve as the room's main hue. The
tone of green used in this bathroom has just a twinge of yellow, which helps
the accents to stand out and the yellow tile to recede. Try a blue-green with
powder blue tile or sherbet orange with salmon-color tile.
Furniture Placement
Picture your apartment's living space without any furniture
to help you think beyond your current furniture arrangement. Decide if the room
is large enough to divide up in to zones that will make the space more
functional. Then get creative with how you start to arrange furniture. It might
make the most sense to "float" the sofa in the middle of the room and
place your TV on the wall facing it. You can then use the space on the other
side of the sofa for an office or dining area. Place a console behind the couch
to use for storage to serve both zones.
Apartment Assets
Turn awkward apartment features in your favor. Tap odd
corners or narrow closets for storage or a cozy seating area for one. In this
living room, two narrow nooks provide storage for office and crafts supplies,
and curtains can be drawn to conceal the spaces.
Faux Built-In
Some vintage apartment buildings come with gorgeous
built-ins, ideal for storing modern necessities. If your apartment is lacking,
fake the look by flanking a doorway with identical bookcases that reach almost
to the ceiling and install moldings around the tops of the shelves. As a style
bonus, paint the bookcase before installation, or line the backs with pretty
paper.
Fill It Up
Go all out to fill up boring walls. Hang a grid of favorite
pictures or prints inside frames with large mats. The bigger mats will provide
much-needed white space for an active display. Onlookers will be able to take
in each photo, which makes for an effective display.
Desert Your Dining Room
