Designer’s Tips: Furnishing Your Apartment With Style
Angela Spykerman, an Interior Designer with FGMarch in Chicago, reveals some fabulous insights for furnishing and decorating your apartment in this exclusive interview with Apartments.com.
Apartments.com: “No Paint!” That is one rule that takes some of the fun out of decorating your new apartment. What can renters do to add some interest and personality to their white walls?
Angela: Even if you can’t paint your walls, you can still decorate them. Taking traditional pieces of wall art and using them in creative ways will show off your personality.
You don’t have to break the bank on professional art or paintings. If you have favorite posters from when you were in school, a collection of photos or your own artwork, take them to a framing store and select large, colorful mats paired with simple, inexpensive frames. Hang these in groups to cover large sections of your walls with color. You can also buy unfinished wood frames from a craft store and add colorful paint to them.
Look for decoration items at your favorite discount home furnishings store. Wall sconces with candles will add drama to your walls and the warm glow provides a soft lighting option. Mirrors will add depth and reflect light, to make a small space feel larger.
Apartments.com: What are the essential pieces of furniture for any apartment?
Angela: In the living room, a sofa or futon is a must along with a coffee table. It is important to consider that these items serve multiple functions. Out-of-town guests might spend the night and if you prefer a traditional sofa to a futon, or can’t fit a full-length couch, then it might be a good idea to store an air mattress underneath your sofa.
If your space is small, your coffee table should be similarly proportioned. A coffee table will often function as a workspace, a dining table and a footrest so make sure it is sturdy and durable. Wood is always a great choice. Add some character with wrought iron or stone. Renters need to remember that a coffee table can also be used as storage. Look for options that have drawers, lids, or a shelf for baskets underneath.
A great piece of furniture for a studio apartment is a screen. This can be used to set your bed apart from your living space or define any other areas to which you would like to lend some privacy. Screens are available in elaborately carved wood, canvas and wrought iron, upholstery with inserts for photographs, and many other options. Find a screen that suits your style.
Apartments.com: Any other decorating tips for apartment renters?
Angela: Often renters line their furniture up along the walls. I’d encourage you to get creative with your layout by adding dimension. Create separate spaces within one space. Use area rugs to create visual boundaries between a dining area and living room. Rugs will protect hardwood floors as well as cover carpet that might not be a color you like.
Add the feeling of more space in your apartment by arranging things vertically. Hang long drapes in the windows and fill tall bookcases with books interspersed with plants or decorative items.
Lastly, don’t try to squeeze too much into a small space…this will make a small space feel even smaller. Decorate simply with colorful candles, real or silk flowers and live plants that add oxygen and life to your place.
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