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When considering the interior design of a luxury apartment, there can be a number of challenges. The overall space is smaller than a house and there may be unusual layouts. There can also be limitations for how much you can change, especially if you're renting.
But don't let these difficulties put you off designing the city apartment of your dreams. Challenges don't have to be limiting, they can be creatively exciting! With a few carefully considered choices, you can make your apartment a place of luxurious beauty.
Cohesive Theming
When you can see your kitchen, bedroom and entrance all from your sofa, it's worth considering how the design of each room will impact on the other. Unlike a house where you can experiment with each room, it might be necessary to either create an overall theme or have complimentary elements between rooms.
This can be achieved through sticking with the same colour palette throughout or using matching materials and textures. This can be taken a step further by having coordinated design elements between rooms, like framed art or home accessories.
Design for the Height You Have
If you have high ceilings, celebrate them. Place elements like shelves and art pieces high on the walls. Tall mirrors are an excellent way to use the vertical space while making limited square footage feel much larger.
Full length, free standing mirrors also have their place in apartments with low ceilings. Their length, especially if it nears the top of the wall, can create a visual impact that adds height to the room and for cramped spaces they bring a more open feel.
Don't be Afraid to Make a Statement
When space is limited and you're painting your walls a light colour to make things feel light and airy, it might feel wrong to pick furniture that's too bold. In reality, big, bright pieces can bring colour and personality. Think about how you can create contrast, whether that's through colours (dark vs bright) or textures (smooth vs plush).
Creative Practicality
Think about what you want out of a space. Do you want a calm corner to read in? A comfortable place to work from home? Do you collect vinyls you want easy access to? Don't settle for the apartment as it is. With the right furniture and some rearranging you can crate areas of the apartment that achieve your goal.
The key is to focus on your priorities and avoid over-stuffing the apartment. Aim for a smaller number of furniture items but with more intention. For example, it can be tempting to buy big sofas or tables for hosting guests. But if you're in the city and you're more likely to see friends in bars or cafes, then maybe skip the sofa and get the reading chair of your dreams.
Declutter
Decluttering is a must for small spaces. Take some of that creative practicality we just covered and apply it to areas of the apartment that get messy. If you've already done your best to trim down your possessions Marie Kondo-style, identify areas where you can add more storage. Taking the time to fit extra shelving or find the perfect shoe storage for your entrance will really pay off.
A Bit of Feng Shui Goes a Long Way
Whether the concept of flowing energies is your thing or not, the advice that stems from Feng Shui can help to design a room that is more welcoming and pleasant to be in.
The Entrance Sets the Mood
Whether we're talking about a long hallway or a tiny square of space around the door, making some small changes can help to "set the tone". Make it free of clutter, avoid poor lighting and if you'd like to take it a step further, apply symmetry to decorations and furnishings.
An Open and Inviting Living Room
Create "routes" around your apartment that are free from clutter and also have adequate space between pieces of furniture. In Feng Shui, this is about encouraging the free flow of positive energies but it has a practical purpose too. If you're constantly contorting yourself to get around the corner of a sofa and squeezing behind a coffee table, then you'll start to become frustrated with the simply act of moving around your home. In this case a clear space really is a clear mind.
You should also consider how best to invite natural light into the space. Avoid overly tall furniture pieces that might block light and use mirrors to strategically redirect it back into the room.
Create Different "Zones"
You may have heard that open-plan rooms allow for the further flow of chi. However, in an apartment it might be necessary to "control" the energy flow by creating separate areas. Consider ways to separate a work area from the spot where you want to relax. This can be achieved through "marking" the space with rugs or even using a room divider as long as it doesn't block too much light.
A Comforting Bedroom
Where possible, place your bed at an angle to the door and against a wall, not windows. If your room layout means the bed has to directly face the door, try to position is a bit to the side or an extra piece of furniture at the foot of the bed as a separator, like a bench or a short shelving unit.
If you're in a studio apartment and your bed is sharing the room with your living area then the zoning concept will be especially important.
Add Light in Soft Layers
When natural lighting isn't possible or when the sun's gone down, it's important to implement lighting that's warm and layered. Try lamps made with natural materials and mixing table lamps with floor lamps to create different levels to the lighting.
Final Touches
Creating a stylish but comfortable luxury apartment has its challenges but with some strategic thinking and Feng Shui tips, you'll have your dream home. Now all that's left is to add the finishing touches and tie the decor together with a decorative vase or luxury coaster set.
