inspo for studio apt
Consider swapping out a light fixture. Do look up proper instructions and do not attempt this unless you can confidently shut off the electricity while you are working, but those caveats aside, you would be amazed at the difference ousting an ugly light can make for your whole apartment. Plus, these days there are so many chic options for well under $100 that replacing a light is certainly within reason. I love this cool brass number from Urban Outfitters — it's a steal at $64, and you can take it with you to your next place when you move.
Keep things neat with white. Budget finds like paper storage boxes and simple lamps almost always look better in white. Plus, there is something really neat and orderly about having a whole stack of all-white anything. You can always add in more color with your artwork and accessories, but it's harder to go back once your flat is a jumbled mess of prints and hues. Start safe and small, and build it out from there.
Embrace minimalism: It’s kind of a no-brainer, but if you’re looking to make the most of your space, having less stuff to fill it should be your first step. Ask yourself if you really need that TV and media cabinet, or two bulky nightstands, or a large dining table. Embracing minimalism and thinking about how your home can extend into the city around you — the library, coffee shops, parks, and so on — might help you reconsider the things you think you need.
Using mirrors to increase visual spaciousness may be one of the oldest designer tricks in the book. And instead of cluttering up your walls with a lot of tiny artworks — which can make a room feel smaller — go for an expansive piece that draws the eye in one fell swoop. Bonus points for a landscape that feels like a window.
Instead of clunky decor that stops the eye in its tracks, go for openwork pieces that feel visually light and spacious. Wirework sculptures and stools, candleholders with cages, and openwork metal clocks, baskets and screens are all a boon in compact spaces. Geometric designs have an especially clean feel.
Instead of clunky decor that stops the eye in its tracks, go for openwork pieces that feel visually light and spacious. Wirework sculptures and stools, candleholders with cages, and openwork metal clocks, baskets and screens are all a boon in compact spaces. Geometric designs have an especially clean feel.
Instead of clunky decor that stops the eye in its tracks, go for openwork pieces that feel visually light and spacious. Wirework sculptures and stools, candleholders with cages, and openwork metal clocks, baskets and screens are all a boon in compact spaces. Geometric designs have an especially clean feel.
Instead of clunky decor that stops the eye in its tracks, go for openwork pieces that feel visually light and spacious. Wirework sculptures and stools, candleholders with cages, and openwork metal clocks, baskets and screens are all a boon in compact spaces. Geometric designs have an especially clean feel.
Instead of clunky decor that stops the eye in its tracks, go for openwork pieces that feel visually light and spacious. Wirework sculptures and stools, candleholders with cages, and openwork metal clocks, baskets and screens are all a boon in compact spaces. Geometric designs have an especially clean feel.
decorative stove top kettle instead of plug in?
org stuff to match counter top?
Swing arm sconces on either side of the bed also provide light to the window seat. Small side tables can be maximized for personal effects rather than table lamps.
https://www.houzz.com/photos/1554582/Argyle-Printed-Dhurrie-Winter-Sky-modern-rugs
https://www.houzz.com/photos/38323706/Cabinet-Door-Lid-Rack-modern-pantry-and-cabinet-organizers
"The dish rack has long been the bane of my kitchen counter, taking up space and looking none too pretty in the process. A slight lift and it's no longer a space suck. Huzzah!"
When you can see the surface underneath the furniture, the space feels larger.
DIY pin board
Defy Gravity Raising furniture off the floor keeps a nook open and airy. Select furniture with clean lines to keep the space from feeling cluttered.
Make Objects Appear Once lit, these exotic Moroccan lanterns feature a hand cut pattern which allows an hypnotic light to dance around the room.
Finish every room with a green plant. A good tip no matter the size of your space, but especially relevant for small space dwellers. In addition to cleaning the air and adding a bit of interest, plants create a sense of depth, softening the edges of a room and helping us to imagine there is more space beyond their borders.
Save space with swing-arm sconces. Sconces are great space savers, freeing up room on tabletops or even making it possible to do without a table altogether. Often seen bedside, swing-arm sconces can also work wonders in a tight corner in the living room or above a desk. Renters take note: Most lighting stores offer swing-arm sconces with cord covers, so you can simply plug them into the wall.
Lighten up with Lucite, crystal and glass. Clear objects take up very little visual space, which is a great benefit to those of us living in tight quarters. Try a small crystal chandelier, Lucite chairs or a glass-top table. Want bonus points? Add a mirror to the mix.
Keep it clean and clutter free. In a small space, even a few things left out can make the whole place feel like a mess. Pare down to only your favorite and most essential belongings, and make a habit of cleaning and clearing clutter at the start of each season. Keeping attractive bowls, baskets, bins and hooks at the ready will ensure that picking up is a breeze.
Don't want the hassle of hanging a giant mirror? Create the same effect by hanging a cluster of smaller mirrors instead. No need to match them exactly, but do look for a theme such as all round mirrors or all distressed wood frames.
Mirrors reflect light and views, standing in as extra windows and amplifying the space. Try placing a mirror in the entryway, above the mantel or anywhere it will reflect a lovely view or artwork.
Unify the space with a single color palette. If you can see from one end of your flat to the other without getting up, an overall color palette will help pull everything together and make the space feel more expansive. Pairing one main color with an accent hue and filling in with neutrals is an easy way to start. To add interest, try using the accent color as the main color in a smaller space. For example, use navy as the main color with sunny yellow accents in the living room, but go for a bold yellow wallpaper in the bathroom.
Use focal walls and vignettes to create "destinations" within your home. The impulse in a small space is often to keep things sleek and simple, which can be beautiful, but I urge you to consider going bold instead. Rich paint color and graphic wallpaper that can feel overwhelming in a large room actually looks glorious in a smaller space. Bonus: It won't take much of that fancy wallpaper you've had your eye on to fill a postage stamp–size room. Where to put that focal wall? Think about your space in terms of zones of use. For instance, you might have an entry zone near your front door where you open the mail, and a dining table tucked in the corner by a window. By adding an eye-catching element to each zone (a painted or wallpapered wall, interesting artwork, a unique chair shape) you can create the feeling of a separate room. Each mini-destination is another place for the eye to rest, creating a sense of more space.
Nice bedding look
illusion idea "Do not fill up every shelf in a room; leave some of them half empty and spacious for an airy and more dramatic look."
If you have open shelving instead of cabinets, think about what the stuff stored on it will look like. The orange and brown items look great against the blue wall in this makeshift kitchen.
Table and floor lamps provide much more homey, cozy light than overhead fluorescents. You can find great deals on lamps at thrift shops and spruce them up with a coat of paint and inexpensive lampshades from big box stores.
"The artwork are vintage frames that have cork board inserted instead of glass. This way all the different families can create their own masterpieces and customize the space." - Nadia Geller
"Flea market finds and your own photographs in inexpensive frames can make a striking wall. This wall also includes a mirror and a tray in the mix."
"Mirror magic. While mirrors cannot literally add space, their value should not be underestimated. Wall-to-wall frameless mirrors give a small apartment a grander feel and make a room look far larger than it is."
"Poufs. Whether you choose Moroccan-style leather, rustic burlap or seagrass, poufs are a must for any small home. Use them as footstools, extra seats or side tables (just top with a tray)."
"Budget tip: To get the look of a big mirror without spending a fortune, pick up two or three simple full-length mirrors and hang them side by side. Back-to-school is a good time to find full-length mirrors on sale; look for them in the dorm-decorating section."
"If you’re going to buy only a few items to make the most of your small space, a great, big mirror should definitely top the list. Hanging a large mirror instantly makes a small room feel bigger and brighter. Position it across from a window for maximum light-boosting power."
use over-sized mirror to open up the room
Use small area rugs to define the different use spaces in the apt
Colour palate idea: white/grey base, with pops of blue, orange, and green and a little gold accent
jersey slipcover
slipcover for couch (beige)
dress up that easy chair with a high quality throw
Cover up icky carpeting. If you have ugly wall-to-wall carpeting in your rental apartment, it can work wonders to layer fun area rugs on top. A solid natural-fiber rug or a crisp geometric print like this charcoal-gray and white version are foolproof choices.
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