Decorating an apartment can be a challenge when you can’t make permanent changes. Although the walls may have to remain white, you can still find plenty of ways to add personality and style to your rental. Take a look a few ways you can ensure that your new apartment is as unique as you are.
Concentrate on Accents
Colorful curtains, rugs, throws and upholstered furniture add flair to your apartment, as long as you remember to use color judiciously. If everything in the apartment is bright red, nothing will stand out. Small touches, such as a red throw on the couch and scarlet vase on the dining table, add interest without overwhelming the room.
You may not be able to paint the walls, but there is a solution that’s almost as effective. Line one wall with three or four floor-to-ceiling bookcases, then paint the interior of the units the color you wish you could add to the walls. For best results, choose a color that contrasts with the color of bookcases.
Use Furniture as Focal Points
Your apartment may have the same floor plan as your neighbor’s, but that doesn’t mean it has to look identical. Scour furniture and resale stores for one-of-a-kind pieces that will serve as focal points for your rooms. A beautiful old armoire or even the bookshelves you painted can command instant attention when added to your new space.
Showcase Your Collections
Are your favorite collections hidden away in a drawer or closet? Dust them off and create an arrangement in your living or dining room. Whether you collect model trains, vintage handbags, thimbles or old album covers, displaying your most treasured or colorful pieces will inject much-needed personality in your new apartment.
Add Flair with Artwork
Paintings, photographs, prints and sculptures liven up any space, but artwork that’s too small or too large can be distracting. Houzz recommends choosing pieces that take up 2/3 to ¾ of the wall and placing frame edges 6 to 12 inches above the top of furniture. Artwork doesn’t just belong in the living or dining areas. Adding paintings, small sculptures and other pieces to kitchens and bathrooms can boost the interest level of the rooms.
Choose Functional, Attractive Pieces
Plastic is extremely durable and easy to clean, but it’s not particularly attractive. When you shop for a new dish drainer, hamper, laundry basket or colander, skip the plastic versions and choose natural materials that will add beauty to your home. When unexpected guests pop by for a visit, there’s no need to hide the things you use every day. In fact, your wooden dish drainer and wicker laundry basket will add texture and warmth to your apartment.
Set the Mood with Lighting
Harsh lighting belongs in office buildings and hospitals, not your home. Replace light bulbs with lower wattage versions that produce soft light. Cover white lampshades with fabric or paint them to add interest and dull the glow. Some apartment communities may allow you to change the light fixtures as long as you reinstall the original fixtures before you move out. If your community allows this, swap basic fixtures for ones that add a little drama to the room.
Don’t Forget About the Bedroom
Your bedroom just may be the most important room in your apartment. After all, you spend a third of your day under the covers. Creating a comfortable, attractive space can help you ensure that you get a restful night’s sleep. A supportive mattress and soft bedding are essential to a good night’s sleep, but they’re not the only factors. The colors you surround yourself with can play a role too.
When Travelodge evaluated how paint colors affect sleep quality, they discovered that people who slept in blue, yellow, green, silver or orange rooms stayed asleep longer than those who slept in purple, brown or grey rooms. Choosing curtains, comforters, duvets, quilts and bedspreads in soothing shades will help you rise rested and refreshed every morning.
Are you planning a move to a new apartment? Fairway 28, a Country Classics Rental Community, offers luxury, comfort and convenience in Bridgewater, NJ. The community’s one- and two-bedroom apartments include gourmet kitchens, Silestone countertops, large living and dining spaces, private balconies, tiled bathrooms and spacious bedrooms. Contact us today to learn how you can make the move to Fairway 28.
Sources:
HGTV: 10 Apartment Decorating Ideas
Houzz: 10 Broad Stroke Ideas for Choosing and Displaying Art
https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/8128421/list/10-broad-stroke-ideas-for-choosing-and-displaying-art
Travelodge Hotels: The Secret to a Good Night’s Slumber is to Sleep in a Blue Bedroom
Leave a Comment