Are you among the 36% of Americans renting your living space? If so, there are plenty of ways to make your rental apartment feel personalized and fresh. And one of the best ways to inform your decorating gameplan is to look at big-city apartment designs.
Keep reading to learn how to nail that city apartment aesthetic!
Determine Your Aesthetic Preferences
Before making any significant decor purchases, figure out what type of city apartment vibe you want to achieve. Are you interested in a modern and clean look? Or do you want a colorful or eclectic approach to apartment decorating?
You can make a vision board where you include color samples, patterns, and textures. Find inspirational pictures in magazines, quotes, and other sources of creative insights.
With a clearer vision, you can avoid unnecessary purchases or a mishmash of styles. You’ll streamline your interior design process, too, so you can spend more time enjoying your apartment!
Establish Different Spaces
When you move into an apartment, you might be faced with an open space that will need to serve a variety of purposes. In those instances, look for ways to carve out smaller, more intimate spaces.
For instance, you can use a coat rack and a small bench to establish an entryway. This will encourage a neater space, too, since you’ll have a designated area to hang coats and change your shoes. Plus a modest entryway will be a charming way to greet visitors.
You can use a sofa or sofa table to divide a room into a living space and dining area. Angle accent chairs toward your sitting area, and allow a clear walking lane for people to access that part of your room. Furniture arrangements are an easy way to section off parts of a larger space.
When you’re scouting out potential apartments, be mindful of how you can work some design magic within the floor plan. If possible, be selective about the layout of your space. Check apartment floorplan here to find one suited to your needs!
Keep Scale in Mind
One of the biggest mistakes you can make when furnishing a space is not choosing furniture that matches the scale of each room. In other words, steer clear of oversized pieces that will make your apartment feel cramped.
Instead of a bulky wraparound couch, go with a trim loveseat. Invest in a few stylish foldable chairs that you can set up when company comes to visit. You won’t have to keep them up all the time, freeing up more floor space.
Likewise, avoid heavy mirrors, too many pictures, and lots of intense patterns. A busy or cluttered space will feel small. Be selective about what you hang on the walls and opt for one piece to anchor a wall.
Overall, look for ways to be more efficient and limit your items. Invite a friend over to help you declutter. And make sure you have clear walking lanes to access all parts of your apartment.
Look for Better Lighting
Nothing creates a magical ambiance quite like lighting. If your apartment lacks a lot of natural light, creative approaches to lighting schemes will be that much more important.
But first, check with your apartment landlord to see what is allowed. You may be able to swap out existing fixtures for the duration of your lease. But you’ll need to be certain to avoid unwanted penalty fees.
If you are allowed to make changes, go with trendy matte black fixtures for an elegant urban sense of style. Or add some bling with brass or other metallics.
If you are not allowed to change light fixtures, you can supplement with your own lighting. Place lamps on accent tables for additional lighting. Choose minimalist styles for a cleaner look, or mix things up with a smattering of different lamp bases and shades.
And don’t forget about floor lamps. A handsome midcentury lamp can look excellent in the corner of a room. Or place a reading lamp by your favorite leather armchair.
Refurbish Old Furniture
Finally, you don’t need to invest all of your budget into new pieces. Instead, consider taking on a project or two to bring charm and character to your apartment. Buy secondhand furniture that you can spruce up with a little creativity and time.
Visit secondhand shops, estate sales, or other sales to find good deals on vintage pieces. Then grab a tarp, paint supplies, and some basic refurbishing tools. You can pursue furniture rehab within your existing apartment.
When buying older furniture, consider its condition and unique features. For instance, maybe an old dresser has some cracks or gashes to repair. But if you like its basic lines or ornamentation in the woodworking, it’s a worthy choice.
If the finish on a piece’s wood looks too worn to salvage, turn to paint to spruce it up. Consider using chalky paint to create a distressed look on an old chest, sewing table, or coffee table. Alternatively, refinish a dresser or dining table to bring out the wood grain.
Learn How to Get the Perfect City Apartment Aesthetic
Achieving a fresh and fun city apartment aesthetic doesn’t have to break your budget or take a lot of time. You can refurbish old furniture to breathe fresh life into unique, vintage pieces. Or you can reach for fresh lighting options, rugs, and pillows to infuse your apartment with personality.
Find more interior design tips to enhance your space. Check back soon for the latest articles!
