3 Innovative Apartment Decor Tips and Strategies

If you are an apartment dweller, there are plenty of decor tips that can help you maximize your space. Decorating an apartment is about much more than what looks nice. You have to think about the function of the space, storage solutions and specific challenges that the area presents. It is very possible to have an elegant and uncluttered home, even with limited room. Just follow these suggestions to make a big impact in a small space.

1. Multifunctional Rooms

Instead of looking at each room in your apartment as serving one function only, think about more creative ways you could use the space. Many apartments come with a dining room area attached to the living room. How often are you actually using your dining room though? Increase the functionality of the room by choosing dining room furniture that can double as an office space. Students or anyone who works from home will benefit from the extra workspace. When you are having guests over, simply put away the laptop and place a tablecloth over the table. Look for a dining room table with a removable leaf. This way you can have the extra table length for guests but you can also shrink the table down when it’s being used as a desk.

2. Room without a View

A common issue that many apartment dwellers face is a room without windows. Depending on the shape and layout of the apartment building, sometimes a bedroom or kitchen will be without natural light. Use some decorating tricks to give the illusion of windows and natural light. If the room is opposite of a wall with a window, maximize the natural light by hanging a mirror on the wall so that it can catch the sunlight and reflect it. Try different lighting fixtures to maximize the warmth and brightness of the room. If your lease allows it, try painting a wall in the room a warm and bright hue. This will make the light in the room naturally seem softer, like sunlight. Create faux windows by hanging a set of curtains somewhere in the room. A great place to do this is behind the bed or above the kitchen sink. Not only will it create the illusion of a window, but the fabric textures will soften and add interest to the room.

3. Storage and Space Solutions

Perhaps the greatest challenge of living in an apartment is dealing with the lack of storage space. Without the typical attic, basement and garage that a house might have, apartment dwellers have to get creative with storage. Luckily, there are a lot of innovative home furnishings on the market that feature storage solutions. Look for beds that have drawers for you to store clothes underneath. Buy a set of nesting tables to use as an end table in the living room. When guests are over, simply pull the tables apart and use them to hold drinks and appetizers. Invest in a sofa bed or futon. When someone spends the night, the living room can double as the guest bedroom.