So you are going to be moving into an apartment and aren't sure what to do? No worries - there are some questions you'll need to have answered and a few decisions to make, but you can do it!
First, find out from your landlord if the walls can be painted, and if you need to obtain permission for the colors selected. Then, make sure you can hang artwork, etc. on the walls - most of the time this is not a problem. Your landlord may state that you must return the apartment to the original state when you leave. Just keep that in mind and enjoy decorating the apartment!
Before you start your apartment decorating, assess what you will be bringing into this residence. Some folks will have an abundance of furniture and others may be starting with no furniture at all. Your goal with furnishings is to have enough in the rooms that you will spend time in, to be comfortable and to express your unique lifestyle. If you don't have much furniture, don't worry about furnishing rooms that you may not use. It's better to have two or three rooms that are finished and comfortable for you than to spread your furnishings amongst all the rooms, and none of them look complete.
Wall color can make a huge difference in the overall warmth and effect a room has on its occupants, so painting the walls a color other than 'apartment white' is highly recommended. Even if you use an off-white shade such as Bone White or Navajo White (standard off-whites no matter what brand of paint you select), you will create a welcoming atmosphere for you and your family or guests. If you really love color, select something that is bold and colorful for the walls and have fun with it!
In the living area, try to place your furniture in a conversational grouping, avoiding flattening each piece against the walls if possible. Try this approach even if your living room is small. It reinforces the feeling of warmth and coziness, and in an apartment that can be a challenge! You might also want to use area rugs along with the furniture arrangement to create a feeling of separation between the living and dining areas if they are combined into one space.
Now, what kinds of things, people or places make you happy? These are the things to put on your walls. What is meant by that is to have artwork, pictures, etc. around you that will make you feel good. It doesn't have to be expensive, your selections just need to be an expression of what you enjoy and want to have around you. Is the budget very limited? Then go to a resale shop or discount store. You may be surprised at what you can find at a very reasonable price. Put away the pictures that you don't care for - don't hang them. You apartment decorating goal is to get true enjoyment from what is around you. Take your time and find something that you love. It's better to have just a few accessories that are a true expression of you and your style than to just hang some pictures to have something on the walls.
An apartment decorating project might be the perfect time to explore a design avenue that is new for you, whether it is a color, a theme or a particular style. Have you always wanted to have a bright yellow guest bath with sunflowers and sailor blue accents? Why not give it a try now? Use this residence to experiment and explore your unique lifestyle decorating expression. Or, maybe you've always wanted a black and white living room...what better time than now to experiment with decorating style, themes and colors.
Ultimately, if you create a style (not necessarily with expensive 'things', but with your creativity and resourcefulness) that expresses who you are and what you love, your apartment will truly become your home.
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Candi Randolph is a Design Consultant and the author of Ten Simple Steps to Design Success, a simple and easy to understand guide with home decorating ideas and interior design tips. Please visit Great Home Decorating for home decor advice, tips, articles and help for all styles and budgets.
Candi Randolph has been a Design Consultant for more than thirteen years and is the owner of Fort Myers, FL based SimplyDesigned...Decorating to Fit Your Budget'. Ms. Randolph has also designed conventional homes and log homes as owner of two Michigan based building companies. She is the author of 'Ten Simple Steps to Design Success!', an instructional E-Book for anyone who wants to successfully complete a home design project without the expense of an interior designer.
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