Up on the blog this week it's all about interior design for Apartment Life! Apartment living has emerged as a popular lifestyle for people of all walks of life; empty nesters, professionals, singles & newlyweds, especially here in Philadelphia. City apartments are great as they offer many amenities, convenience and built in maintenance. If you are a suburban dweller, you will most likely be saying, "but what about a backyard, storage, privacy?" I can certainly understand the need for a little green space. However, many Multi Family dwellings have roof decks with green space. We also have many parks and outdoor community spaces as well. If you are fortunate to live here in Philadelphia, we also have two rivers with paths for walking, running and biking. With regard to storage, do you really need all that stuff? If you do, many communities also offer onsite storage. Privacy? I live in a 25 story building and it's a very rare occasion for me to see anyone on my floor, in the elevator or even in the gym. Everyone has a different schedule with their own set of commitments and it shocking how rarely I run into people. So, if you are thinking about moving to an apartment, here are some tips for making a small space feel bigger.
The Right Size Furniture
In an apartment, most likely you will have a smaller living room. So, you definitely need to get a sofa that is in proportion to the space. The trend these days is the sectional. But, in a small space, you do not want to get a large overstuffed sofa. Especially if your other furniture is slimmer, like Danish modern chairs, or minimalist end tables. Keep the scale in check so all the pieces work together in harmony. No matter what, the sofa will end up being the center of attention, as there isn’t as much negative space to draw the eye elsewhere. Pick something with a classic shape and strong design elements, and be sure it complements any existing furniture in the room. However, introduce your own personality. It's about finding balance in creativity and layering a space so that it doesn't feel overcrowded.
Reflect with Mirrors
Mirrors make a space feel so much bigger. Not only do they help create the illusion of a larger space, but mirrors also reflect light to brighten up the room even more. Keep in mind that you always want the mirror to reflect a clean, beautiful space, so keep it minimal.
Add a Drapery Wall
An Interior Design tip that most are dubious about. Installing floor-to-ceiling drapes to cover a plain wall makes the room feel less boxed-in. Drapery is a cost-effective and dramatic way to add instant architecture to any room, especially when you are renting.
Add Vertical Storage
When you live in a small space and you've run out of storage space, just look up. There are vertical spaces big and small that are going underutilized all around your home. The trick is to invest in the right organizers that can fit into all of these awkward spots, whether it's a stylish piece to display your prized possessions, a slender shelf that can slide right next to your fridge or a shelving unit designed to fit around the toilet.
Add Layers of Lighting
Often times apartments don't have recessed lighting in all spaces. So, it's important to add layers of lighting with floor lamps, table lamps, spot lights and other decorative lighting.
Use Area Rugs to Add Interest
An area rug instantly defines a zone in a room. Sizing your rug will help you define different sitting areas in the space. Living rooms typically have linear furnishings such as sofas and love seats. They typically look best with a square or rectangular area rug that sits under all of the legs of furniture. It helps to study images of a living room with area rugs in various positions. You can see how professional interior designers use rugs to define a space. Further set off a space by layering another smaller accent rug on top of the area rug. This can anchor a coffee table in the living room.
When renting an apartment, you can't make permanent changes but there are plenty of temporary ideas to impart your own interior design style into your home. Keep an open mind and don't be afraid of color. And remember, beautiful things can come in tiny packages.
I hope that you enjoyed reading these tips for your apartment in Philadelphia, the main line and the Tri-State area. In addition, let's get social. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and connect on LinkedIn! Each day I will post follow up thoughts from the latest blog post to give you more inspiration. AND, please leave me a comment below and let me know what you thought of this post!
In addition to being a Philadelphia residential Interior Designer, I also design boutique hotels, fitness centers, office spaces, multi family development projects, other commercial spaces such as office and retail spaces, and the senior living community throughout the tri state area. We work here in Philadelphia, the main line, and even Nationally!
About the Interior Designer
Tina Delia, a native of Ocean County, NJ, current resident of Philadelphia, is the Founder and Principal Interior Designer of Delia Designs. For the past nine years, Tina has been steadfast in her vision and continues to develop herself personally and professionally. She is dedicated to excellence and insistence on forward thinking design. At the forefront of her designs is the idea that our spaces have the ability to transform our lives. She is looking to move us, inspire us to see, think and create freely. After all, it's not only about creating beautiful spaces.
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