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Posts Tagged ‘small space solutions’

The One Room Lifestyle

Monday, August 15th, 2016

Fine Furniture Design Living Room Chaise 3101-06 offers restful lounging and sitting.

Fine Furniture Design Living Room Chaise 3101-06 offers restful lounging and sitting.

There are various upsides to small apartment living. First, there’s lower rent, also, it is at a closer proximity of many downtown areas. Small is also cozy depending on how you design the space so it’s all a matter of how you would beautify you place.

One of the sad mistakes that apartment owners make when decorating their small apartments is that they focus only on functionality instead of coupling it with design. Don’t go through the same errors – it’s time to learn some small apartment styling tips.

Delineate Different Areas

Living in a tiny space shouldn’t automatically mean embracing the open space layout. In fact, there are so many other designs that you can look into. There’s just one thing that you need to keep in mind – that you must keep yourself from overwhelming the space with unnecessary stuff.

Define the different areas by giving each a function. Shoe and coat racks can be placed by the door and that’ll define your entryway. A simple buffet should divide our dining and kitchen areas. This provides easier food service and ample storage. Backing your sofa right by the foot of your bed can draw the beholder’s eye towards the living area.

Be sure to highlight your hobby or interest as this will cap the look of your home. A bike rack will tell everyone that you are a fitness enthusiast or maybe just a lover of the outdoors. Make who you are become an integral part of your design project.

Use Dual-Purpose Furniture

When you are dealing with a tiny space, know that every inch counts. Maximize the space by buying only the kinds of furniture that have a double purpose. Find pieces that will work with the limited space that you have.

The space where you’ll set up your bedroom can have a foldable sofa. An ottoman can be a seating and storage unit at the same time. A foldable dining table can be hidden from view when no longer in use.

Find dual-purpose pieces that are the appropriate size to your tiny space. Those overstuffed furnishings will only make a small place look a lot smaller.

Look for Unused Spaces

Having moved into your cute space for months, it’s easy to be stuck with the design that you initially came up with. There are many spaces that you can free up and repurpose. If you’ve been storing old magazines in huge boxes for the longest time then this just means that it’s time to unclutter.

Nooks and crannies could also have their purpose. They can be used as a corner library or as a small corner office.

Grow Vertically

It is crucial that you think vertically when you have a small space to work with. The tall, narrow storage units can help solve clutter issues. You can begin by placing two bookshelves of the same height on both sides of the doorway. A single entertainment center can also be used, one that reaches from the floor all the way up to the ceiling.

 Hooker Furniture Living Room Melange Joli Nesting Ottomans offer dual purposes – they can be used as a seating as well as a storage unit.

Hooker Furniture Living Room Melange Joli Nesting Ottomans offer dual purposes – they can be used as a seating as well as a storage unit.

Make Organization Your New Best Friend

Storage is your best pal when you have a small apartment. This is your tool in hiding stuff that you don’t need at the moment. Practically speaking, though, you have to learn to find and keep just the things that you need.

Make good use of back-of-door hangers and hanging organizers. Line your shelves and drawers with extra bins or baskets.

As soon as your organization tools are set, you would soon realize how much space can actually be freed up. Just cap your design project with a light paint palette and you’re done.

 

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Small Living Room Solutions: Tips in Dealing With Tricky Spaces

Thursday, July 28th, 2016

Hooker Furniture Living Room Windward Dart Honey Loveseat can cozily sit two.

Hooker Furniture Living Room Windward Dart Honey Loveseat can cozily sit two.

A small living room can be described in so many ways – teensy, compact, minute, etc. If you have done everything but have already hit a roadblock in terms of making the living room more livable, then you have to know the secret.

But is this really a secret? More than a secret, small living rooms need a smart solution. Here are some of the wisest solutions ever that designers have come up with –

Get Started

Just like any design project which you are going to take on, it would help to look at the task with a fresh set of eyes. Go out, take a walk, breathe deep, then come back refreshed. If you can, you can also bring a design-savvy colleague with you so she can help you determine what to do with the space. Most of the time, hearing ideas can bring out the creativity in anyone.

That Long, Narrow Hall

If you have a long, narrow hall to deal with, think of an art gallery. White walls are the classic choice although a fresh coat of rich color or grass cloth can also work well. Go basic and sleek with black and white stuff.

Create a unique gallery with an eclectic appeal using your most colorful, large artwork. You can also hang a series of photo frames with the left side of the wall intentionally left empty. Top your design scheme by adding proper lighting. Use overhead track lighting or wall-mounted lighting in illuminating artwork.

For a smaller yet still long hall, it is wise to make good use of every nook and cranny. Now how is this achieved? You can use floating shelves and cabinets. These floating pieces keep the floor free from clutter.

Measure with care, pick the cabinets that are also narrow so that you will have enough room to walk around in. Make sure to keep the floor area clean and clutter-free as these don’t have a room in any tight space.

The Eat-In Kitchen

This kind of kitchen with a lot of openings and doors will make the room less functional. A door that opens inwards will occupy space as do the cabinet openings.

A solution to this dilemma is to use round-edge tables instead of the square or rectangular types. Curved edges fit better in awkward spaces more than hard-edged furniture pieces. Pull the table near a wall even if it is just a small section. Placing the table dead-center will leave an unnatural look.

Multiple Windows and Doors

The living room has many elements – the door, fireplace, windows, radiator, walls ,etc. All these prevent you from placing furniture near the living room walls. If you are faced with this dilemma, then try to pull the arrangement to the center of the living room. A matching pair of sofas could serve as the anchor to this whole design. It will also counteract the confusion that exits and entries bring about.

Add a cozy rug to set up a conversation area.

Make wise use of vertical space with this 1586-75906-BLK1 Twin Peak Display Cabinet

Make wise use of vertical space with this 1586-75906-BLK1 Twin Peak Display Cabinet

Limited Wall Space

There are also living rooms with limited wall space. If you can swap the living room with the dining room (provided that the latter is more spacious), then do so. Various doors and windows don’t matter that much inside a dining room, in fact, they can even add to the drama and romance that dinners could bring.

A Studio-Type Apartment

Small-scale furniture pieces are your best friends when you have limited living room space. Again, furnishings with rounded edges work better than those with sharp edges.

Install also ample storage units so that your life would become a lot easier.

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Posted in Apartment Living, Condo Living, Interior Design 101, Tiny Homes | No Comments »

Furnishing Tiny Apartments

Friday, June 24th, 2016

1586-90014-BLK1 Belle Semainier Chest is petite and vertically superb for any small apartment.

1586-90014-BLK1 Belle Semainier Chest is petite and vertically superb for any small apartment.

Small apartments may have their upside but they also come with some furnishing concerns. Sure, you love paying the lower rent and being close to your work, add the coziness and all, and what you get is a warm, easy-to-decorate place. But is it really that easy to furnish a tiny apartment?

One of the greatest misconceptions about decorating smaller apartments is that functionality should always come before design. While function is important, it is also just as crucial to create a design that describes who you are. An apartment might have limited space but this does not mean that you have to be short on style, too. You have to find the right balance between style and function or you won’t be comfortable in your apartment, eventually.

You Can Still Define Separate Areas

One advice that homeowners often get when it comes to style is to use an open space layout. This lack of definition on space could look cluttered if not given much attention.

As much as you can, try to define separate areas by giving each area a purpose. For instance, you can place a coat and shoe racks right by the entryway. Place the buffet between the kitchen and dining areas so serving and storage become easier. Back the sofa up to the foot of the bed so the beholder’s eyes are drawn to the living area.

If you have a hobby, go ahead and experiment in separating the area where you would display your collections and other living areas. Don’t be afraid to show who you are. If your hobby is biking, then install an indoor rack that will make your bike look like it’s been intentionally made into a décor. Plants may also be used to signify changes in space use.

Make Use of Dual-Purpose Furniture

Every inch counts when it comes to dealing with small space. Invest in smaller furniture that, preferably, can double into something else. Focus your energies on buying furniture pieces that work with your chosen theme.

Bedrooms are often the perfect rooms for dual-purpose furniture. It is best to buy furniture that has a dual purpose than to work the space around the furniture that you purchase.

Consider having a trundle bed that folds into a sofa when you want to watch the television. A hollow ottoman can also double as a storage case, or a dining table with built-in leaf to make guest entertainment a lot easier.

Whatever kind of dual-purpose piece you buy, just make sure that you buy the sizes that are appropriate to your available space. Overstuffed pieces will only make your space look a lot smaller than it already is. Now don’t worry too much about searching for sofas, there are many designs that will fit your micro-living space.

Assess Unused Spaces

Living in a small space means you also have to rethink unused areas now and then. If there are extra pots that lay around or candles that have not been used for so long, then what’s the point in keeping them around?

Now look around your apartment and find out if you have any dead spaces that serve very little to zero purpose. Find blank walls and unused corners then discover how you can make these spaces more useful. Use them to your advantage, create storage where there was none before.

Extend Vertically

Planning the best way to use space means you have to know how to use vertical storage. Narrow, tall storage systems work best in smaller spaces so shop for those kinds. An entertainment center that is narrower yet reaches from floor to ceiling is your perfect divider between the living and sleeping areas.

Decorating tiny apartments doesn’t need to be taxing. All you need is a little creativity and a tad of patience and you should be fine.

Flexsteel Living Room Love Seat 1139-20 is the right solution for small apartment seating needs.

Flexsteel Living Room Love Seat 1139-20 is the right solution for small apartment seating needs.

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A Plethora of Choices for Condo Living

Tuesday, February 16th, 2016

 

Accessorize limited space with this lovely Maitland-Smith Accessories Box Of Young Penshelll 1100-437.

Accessorize limited space with this lovely Maitland-Smith Accessories Box Of Young Penshelll 1100-437.

Condo living has become quite popular in the past decade. This isn’t surprising because living in a condominium is an efficient way to maintain a city lifestyle while having accessibility to different metropolitan areas. Condo allows families or individuals to live conveniently. In a condo, you are always near schools, workplaces, malls, and everything that you require for your daily needs. With these benefits come limited space, though. These are the only issues that a condo renter needs to deal with.

Thou Shalt Not Fear Condo Living

Even the smallest condominium spaces can bring out your creative side. This is also an opportunity to come up with an energy efficient home, one that will cut down your usual expenses. Your place, no matter how small, can be a relaxing haven after a whole day of stressful work. It becomes a peaceful place only if you know what elements to bring in.

Now keep in mind that the small space of a condo should not limit your artistic style. If you are fond of travelling, then you can display framed photos of the places that you already visited. You can also showcase maps, cultural emblems, tickets and all of your travel finds.

Frame these travel elements with rare earth hues like gray, brown or black. Find wallpaper that looks similar to a map. It will then be easy to find stones that you can place on your work desk. Throws and pillows with country design will also look great in a travel-inspired condo.

Huntington House Living Room Loveseat 2031-40 is perfect for those cuddly evenings with your loved one.

Huntington House Living Room Loveseat 2031-40 is perfect for those cuddly evenings with your loved one.

Another timeless design that you can use in your condominium is chic elegance. You will definitely stand out from among other condo dwellers once you bring in some sophistication to your cozy dwelling.

Chic elegance need not be expensive. All you need is a sharp eye for class and detail. Center your attention on neutral colors such as gray, beige or dark brown. Find lighting fixtures that can illuminate interesting decor or artwork.

Chic elegance also means choosing furniture that is polished. ‘Want glass furniture? Go ahead and invest in such.

Condo living can also take you back to the past. Retro and vintage also are timeless designs and concepts that are being embraced all over the world today. These styles can be seen in fashion also in interior designs of restaurants and other establishments. Retro style offers a distinctive feeling though you also get excited over disco embellishments in red and orange.

Display your collections of old catalogs, typography, unique cookware, and old books. Say no to bulky room furniture as they tend to occupy a lot of space. You may invest in an earth-colored couch and a wooden dining table complete with tea set.

Condo Living in Plains and Prints

The fashion map can point to two different directions – plains and prints.  Visitors will surely love fresh zebra prints, polka dots or the classic fusion of black and white.

Plains and prints are the easiest pairing that you can grab. Just remember one thing, though – do not overdo this combination or you’d have a messy and loud condo space.

Hooker Furniture Home Office Viewpoint Room Divider 5328-10445. Dividers can create a division of sorts inside a small condo unit.

Hooker Furniture Home Office Viewpoint Room Divider 5328-10445. Dividers can create a division of sorts inside a small condo unit.

Nature and Condo Living

Natural scenes such as mountains and trees are great views inside a condo space – even when they just come from a framed photograph. You are one of the lucky individuals if you are given a nice view of the city skyline. To balance the modernity offered by this view, you can bring in some potted plants. You can also have a lavish view of the morning sunlight if you draw the curtains to the side.  This is also an effective way to save on electricity.

Summer loving colors like red, yellow, orange or blue can effectively illuminate your condo space.

One Shade of Condo Living

Simplicity will always be beautiful. If you are not a huge fan of lively colors, then you can go ahead and go monochrome. White may be stark but finding the right shade will make a home appear more expansive.

Black, gray, dark brown and other dark colors should be used minimally since shadowy colors tend to make a small space appear much smaller.

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Apartment Living – Making the Most Out of That Cozy Space

Tuesday, February 2nd, 2016

 

Apartment living doesn't have to be a drab. The Hancock and Moore Living Room Member Apartment Size Sofa 4106 will make your cozy place an elegant one.

Apartment living doesn’t have to be a drab. The Hancock and Moore Living Room Member Apartment Size Sofa 4106 will make your cozy place an elegant one.

There are a lot of benefits to living in an apartment. If you are still undecided on whether to choose an apartment or that spacious, single family home, consider this list –

Amazing Benefits of Living in an Apartment

First, just think of the amenities such as tennis court, pet sitting services, gyms, and swimming pools – these are all available when you live in an apartment complex.

Apartment living also means flexibility. If you are not in for the long run, then this short-term sort of arrangement is just the thing for you and your family. Regular houses require at least a year for leasing; apartments have options ranging from three to nine months.

Homeowners can be in constant worry of house repairs. If you live in an apartment, this is one less thing that you would worry about. Minor repairs will be your landlord’s concern from now on.

You might think that having limited storage is more of a disadvantage than a benefit, but think again. Over the years, how much stuff have you accumulated that are not really needful? Living in a place with limited storage will make you more conscientious regarding the acquisition of new items. You will also learn to value the furniture and decor that you have used for a long time.

Living in a cozy setting will also make heating or cooling a lot easier. Say hello to lower utility bills! You will also say hello more often to your family members since there are only a few places where you can bump into each other. Also, get ready to meet new neighbors.

There are also some apartments that already include the utilities as part of the rent. This means you will have pooled bills. Add to these benefits the increased security in your home and you would surely consider living in a smaller complex.

FFDM's Boulevard Collection features this streamlined bench, a great piece to add to your new apartment.

FFDM’s Boulevard Collection features this streamlined bench, a great piece to add to your new apartment.

Interior Design for Small Spaces

Begin your apartment interior design by choosing your color palette. Make sure that you stick with a solid array of hues that balance and complement the rest of the decor and furnishings. Color cohesiveness is your goal and since you have a smaller space to work on, make sure that you do not cram all the colors that you want in one room. Spread the different shades of blue, for instance, in different rooms.

Make use of lighter colors such as shades of white, pastels, or just about any pale shade. If you really have to use a darker shade of paint, then just use it on your accent wall.

Next, find furniture items that are suitable to apartment living. Bookshelves can double as dividers and can even create an illusion of having two rooms when you actually just have one. Speaking of optical illusion, you can also create more space if you install mirrors all over your place. A large mirror that is installed horizontally on one wall will make a huge difference.

Another way to divide the place and also to have some privacy is to use a screen panel. This is an effective way to close off the bedroom area. This is not just a functional addition to your home – it is also aesthetically pleasing.

Taller shelves are also ideal for this kind of dwelling. They take up just a portion of the floor and make good use of the apartment’s height. Going vertically is the way to go now that you have chosen to live in a smaller place.

Apartment living is not a bed of roses, of course. You will have to learn how to deal with that neighbor who will do her laundry at 2:00 A.M. or those party animals who live next door. Depending on your circumstance, apartment living can still be ideal for you and your family as long as you make a home out of it.

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