How To Amp Up Your Small Rental Apartment

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Renting a new apartment is an exciting opportunity for decorating your place in a way that lets your personality shine through. Even if the rental apartment is small, there’s no reason to compromise and not go big on style. Depending on the type of apartment you have and your own personal taste, there are tons of ways to decorate your living space! We have a few ideas on how to amp up your small rental apartment.

Lighting

One of the best places to start with when it comes to amping up an apartment is the lighting. Picking the right set of lights can give your room a defining character and become the standard by which you add the next set of furniture and decor.

If you’ve been staying up to date with lighting trends, you’ll know that certain styles of lighting can trick visitors into thinking the space is much larger than it actually is. Ceiling fixtures that hang down draw the eyes upwards and open up your apartment in a way that makes it feel larger than it actually is. If you have permission to swap out your ceiling fixtures, this is a great place to start!

As for floor lighting and lampshades, you’ll want to go for softer, more incandescent lights as they make your room feel inviting and warm, as opposed to colder tones that can often appear uninviting.

Lastly, an aspect of lighting that many people don’t quite appreciate enough is reflections. Intelligently using mirrors both as decor and as an instrument to complement and improve lighting in your apartment can go a long way in creating a more open, brighter space that radiates positive energy. You’ll want to place mirrors directly in the path of light coming in from the windows to bounce the light around and give the impression of a larger room.

It’s The Small Things

Contrary to popular belief, it’s not always big statements like oversized doors and beds that give small apartments character and size, but rather tiny items that can make a big impact. Attention to detail goes a long way in spicing up any apartment and every little change you make counts.

A great place to start here is with doorknobs. It might sound random, but they’re actually one of the items we interact with the most in any home. Rustic door knobs can add a unique life to your apartment, and convey a thoughtful, nostalgic sense of style with just a glance. Certain well-crafted door knobs also combine form and function by being incredibly appealing to look at and use, as well as secure thanks to modern locking technology. If you have permission to change out your doorknobs, this small change can make a large visual impact.

For even smaller apartments that might not even have doors to open, there are still several things that you can do to enlarge and beautify the space. A common piece of decor that people use in small apartments is a glass partition. Adding a glass partition is an ingenious idea for small studio apartments that often have just one room to boast of. Partitions stretch small spaces while still allowing for light to pass through. For apartments that might not be able to accommodate glass partitions, consider a foldable wooden divider. These serve a similar purpose, and can even be a better fit aesthetically for some apartments depending on lighting and other decor.

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Work With The Bed

Smart home design in small apartments revolves around intelligently managing bedroom decor. Since beds take up a large amount of the limited space available to you, how you decorate and use it can have a big impact on your quality of life. For starters, using trundle or retractable beds that you can use as a sofa or slide away when not in use is a common sight in smaller apartments.

As for decor, certain visual tweaks like using bright and bold handmade pillow covers is an easy way to make a statement. You can pair these with a comfortable and slim duvet that folds up easily into your bed’s storage for clever space management.

Utilizing Space

Renting out a small apartment, even one that’s been renovated recently, comes with its own quirks. These quirks take the form of unique nooks and crannies that you can take advantage of to make your space your own. A common example of this, particularly in cramped cities like New York, are the tiny alcoves below the windows found in small apartments. Adding a small couch or table here can do a lot to create a cozy space for you to inhabit.

Living Large

Being smart about how you decorate and use your small rental apartment is all it takes to make the most of what you have. Use your apartment’s unique features and accent them with subtle decor to live larger than ever before.


Author Bio:

Carolyn Mitchell is a freelance writer and content strategist with a passion for home décor. She can often be found re-painting and updating the furnishings in her home, and she is also a dedicated cat mom to two adorable kitties.

5 Tips to Help You Sleep More Comfortably

Every single human being on earth needs sleep, and this is a testament to how important a function it is – we usually spend around 1/3rd of our entire life sleeping. That’s why it is important and necessary to make sure your sleeping is as comfortable as possible. Having a healthy and deep sleep is very important to our health, as it helps us to spend all day energized and productive. If you are experiencing trouble sleeping, we’ve compiled a few tips that will help you sleep more comfortably.

#1 Pay Attention to Your Mattress

Switch your mattress after 5 to 7 years of use – if you feel a lot of unevenness in your mattress, or you and your partner are uncomfortable when sleeping on the mattress and you need to find the “good spot” on the bed so you can sleep comfortably, it is time to go to the mattress and buy new brushes.

#2 Keep Your Bedroom Tidy

Make your room tidy and beautiful so that you feel happy and comfortable when entering it. After waking up in the morning, you should arrange your bed, organize your scattered clothes, and place them in their designated places. Studies have shown that very hectic bedrooms have a negative impact on people’s mental health.

#3 Install an Air Freshener in Your Bedroom

The ambiance and smell of your room hugely influence how comfortable your sleep will be – especially certain smells, like lavender’s, have been scientifically shown to improve the quality of sleep. There are air fresheners that add to the aesthetics of your room by looking really special or refreshing the air in the form of fumes that look really beautiful. It is also really inexpensive to install air fresheners in your home, and it will barely cost you anything.

If you don’t like air fresheners, you can install windows in your room to let fresh air in. This is an excellent choice for people who like a more natural approach. Installing one of Walbert Windows products in your bedroom will make it feel much more comforting.

#4 Add Comfy Bed Sheets to Your Bed

At the end of the day, no matter how comfy you make the rest of your bedroom, the only place you’re going to sleep in is in your bed directly. That’s why it is so vital to make sure the bed specifically is really comfortable, and this starts with the bedsheets.

You’re going to sleep on the bedsheets, wrap them around yourself, etc. and if they are made of materials that don’t make you feel comfortable, you will have a worse-quality sleep that doesn’t allow you to fully rest. 

#5 Add Comfy Lamps with Warm Colors

Research has clearly shown that colors affect our mood, sleep quality, and much more. If you really want to sleep as comfortably as possible, you absolutely must take the color and ambiance of your room into account.

Nowadays, there are many kinds of bedroom lamps that add a natural warm ambiance that makes the room feel cozier and helps people sleep more comfortably. You definitely need to look into it if you don’t like the room being super dark when you sleep.

My Wall Art 3D Wall Panels Really Change Up Your Room Style

I have always been amazed when going through new development homes after completion with all the finishing details and fully decorated. I see installations of wood, replications of 1800’s trim and doors, light fixtures and all the little extras designers have forethought about adding into their overall design. One of the coolest features I have seen in the last few years are these walls that have a 3-D raised pattern. A feature wall, entryway, half wall or an even a cheaper option under cabinets in the kitchen when tile is just too much.

These walls can be painted to blend, giving a subtle pattern in 3D or they can be made to really pop with a vibrant color that will really give your room an attention grabber. With the ease of installation and the great price I didn’t know that these were not just for the expensive home remodel but the average person could have them in theirs. These walls are fashionably designed from simple, very manageable, square panels. They are installed by measuring and gluing (yes, I said it – you don’t even have to nail).

One box contains 12 panels that measure 19.68″ square. They are made from all natural elements (natural plant fiber) so no need to worry about these being in your home if certain things can cause health concerns for you or a loved one. They are also environmentally friendly so you have little impact on your world.

PURCHASING: These 3d wall pane

ls can be purchased at: www.mywallart.com and custom panels can be purchased at the same location. With so many options please take your time and decide what works best for your intended area and what you like. It may take you awhile like it took me awhile to make the perfect decision but the end result will amaze you.

PREPARATION: You start by cleaning walls and allowing drying time (preferably overnight). The walls can’t be damp or panels can buck. You also need to provide time for the panels to accumulate to the room you are applying them in. You do this simply by moving the panels in their boxes to the room of installation.

*A great video showing a demonstration creating 3-D panel art!*

GETTING STARTED: Simply start in the center of your area to be covered, using a leveler, draw lines for the bottom and one side. Caulk all edges with a thin bead and also any areas of the mold on the back that would touch the wall. Carefully align the bottom and side edge to the lines you have created. Press firmly using both palms pressing along the edges and areas in the middle that touch the wall. This will be the middle to your wall. Everything will be placed on the wall leading out from this panel. Use the spacers at each edge to create exact alignment from one panel to another

When approaching the an edge know these panels can be cut to desired widths. Paint with a sprayer in two even coats to give the perfect look.

*Here is a video showing a great idea for a 3-D panel art piece.*

I love the look these give to any wall in your home. But don’t limit these to your home. The friendly panels can be installed in retail outlets with nooks, on a wall, or area that needs to be ‘set’ apart to grab shoppers attention. These can also be used within an office giving a bold look to a waiting area or help give a little update where employees are working to help change the regular ins and outs of the routine they get stuck in.

*Here is a video of the panels being used to create a headboard!*

These panels are cheap on the budget but they are certainly not cheap in quality. They are very ridged and when installed do not bend or sag like cheaper version of these wall make-over-panels. They can be changed up again by painting a different color and are sure to be a conversation piece with guests.

Bedside Pockets

13051709_10154144566773234_1497203973246341073_nI think I need these for the side of every bed in the house. How convenient it would be to hold remotes, lotion, book, wrapped snacks etc. A child would love to keep all of those special little items in their grasp – especially ghost spray (a small spray bottle tht has a magical element that keeps monsters away). I still want one myself. Wish I knew how to make one.

7 Hacks To Make A Tiny Living Space Comfortable And Practical

When you live in a small apartment or house it is important to make the most of every inch to feel comfortable. Multi-purpose furniture, proper organization and smart storage are all necessary to have a tidy, clean and uncluttered home. How do we make tiny living spaces seem spacious? Is that even possible? Here are 7 hacks to help you get inspired.

  1. Compact bedroom sets

Space-saving bedroom sets are meant to fit anywhere, particularly in tiny rooms that take up a lot of space. For example, you could have a sleeping platform installed in a bedroom rather than an average bed. This way you will double the sleeping space available. Younger kids will definitely enjoy climbing up the ladder to sleep at the top, while older ones can take the ground floor. Many compact bedroom sets feature storage spaces too. Some even have hidden tables with stools and desks. When you don’t have a lot of room for additional furniture, these sets are the perfect addition into your kids’ bedroom.

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  1. Elevated Platforms

Elevated platforms for working or sleeping are an excellent way of saving up space. When dealing with minimal square footage, we have a tendency to focus our attention on the ground space only, thus totally ignoring the upper space. If the room you’d like to decorate has enough height, then you should focus your attention on lofted designs, such as elevated storage, lift beds or working spaces. This way the space available on the floor remains free.

  1. Fold-up desks

Some people don’t use desks on a daily basis. So there’s no pointing in having a huge table occupying so much space in a room. A fold-up desk on the other hand, could be a much better alternative. Use it only when you need to and then wrap it nicely to make room for additional space activities.

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  1. Multi-purpose side furniture

Side furniture pieces with multiple purposes are an excellent way of saving space. Go for a custom-made model with a headboard or nightstand; this way you can slide over the bed and have breakfast on it in the morning without struggling too much. If you live in an apartment that’s really small, you could consider placing your desk by the bed, and give it a double purpose.

  1. All eye on the rug

For a room to look and feel comfortable it has to have a proper rug or carpet. To create the illusion of space, go for a geometric rug with squares or circles. Add a minimalist touch to the overall room and it will certainly appeal to other people’s senses. As for the dominant color, stick to neutrals; this way you’ll be able to decorate and redecorate numerous times without replacing the rug.

  1. Custom-made furniture

Many people believe that custom-made furniture is expensive. It doesn’t have to be. There are so many DIY projects available on the web you can do yourself. If you want to replace current kitchen cabinets, do it. But don’t throw away the old ones. Use them to build something else; maybe a console table for the hallway or nightstands for the bedroom. Custom handmade furniture is designed to fit specific spaces, particularly small ones. Put your imagination to good use and create something fun and practical for your home.

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  1. Fold-up beds

When attempting to maximize space it is important to consider practical furniture ideas. Fold-up beds for example, are excellent in tiny flats or compact rooms. They’re excellent when you have guests over and don’t have where to put them to sleep. Furthermore, if you live in a one-room apartment with very little room for roaming around, a fold-up bed might be exactly what you need to make space, and throw a little party every now and then.

Transforming tiny living spaces into practical and comfortable spaces is easier than meets the eye. It is important to focus on de-cluttering. Select compact or multi-purpose furniture and accessorize properly. Add mirrors to create the illusion of space and rugs to make yourself and your guests feel comfortable. Stay away from cold nuances and opt for warmer tones or neutrals to widen a room and make it seem airy.