Apartment decorating certainly isn’t something that’s black and white. The way your apartment is styled largely depends on your personal preferences. But, as I’ve learned the hard way, the image you have in your head (which looks similar to the setup in an Ikea magazine) never really matches up to reality.
Instead, my living room turns out looking like Nate Berkus decorated my apartment blindfolded while sleepwalking. That being said, here are a few general rules and apartment decorating ideas to help your apartment look perfectly styled:
1. When In Doubt, Ask Your Landlord
When decorating a home you own, you can knock down and paint a wall, tear out a sink, re-tile the kitchen, replace cabinets, etc.,. An apartment is different because you’re renting it, so you may not be able to make such permanent changes to your space.
Unless it’s changing a rug or hanging a new painting on the wall, you should always ask your landlord if your decorating plans are OK. That way, you won’t end up getting charged later.
There are always ways around those decorating rules, too. If your landlord won’t let you wallpaper your bedroom, you can put up wall decals or use removable wallpaper instead.
2. Furniture Should Be Appropriately Sized
Before you go ahead and buy that couch for your living room, make sure you measure the room it’s going to be placed in. Small furniture in a big room tends to disappear, while large furniture in a small space will only crowd the space.
When you go shopping for chairs and couches, be sure to bring the measurements from your apartment.
3. Layer Light
Many rooms in your apartment may just come with one single overhead light. While this might supply you with just enough light to get by, it doesn’t do much for the style and feel of your apartment. One overhead light can cast harsh shadows, which doesn’t create a very welcoming interior.
You don’t want to feel like you’re being interrogated when you’re sitting at your kitchen table eating breakfast. Instead, layer three different types of lighting: ambient, accent, and task. Here’s a breakdown of the three:
Ambient: This light source is the main form of illumination. Ambient lighting typically includes anything from chandeliers to ceiling-mounted fixtures.
Accent: Accent lighting serves a decorative purpose. It creates visual interest by drawing attention to things like bookcases, paintings, and wall decor. Recessed or track lighting on the wall is a good example of accent lighting.
Task: This type of lighting provides illumination to help you out with different tasks, like preparing dinner or reading. Task lighting could include under-cabinet lights or a lamp above a chair that’s used specifically for reading.
When you combine these three types of lighting, you can create an environment that is both comfortable and welcoming.
4. Forget Matching
Your mom may have been telling you that your brown belt doesn’t match your black pants since you were a child, but when it comes to interior design, the same matching rules don’t have to apply.
You have complete creative direction when it comes to mixing patterns, textures, and colors. In fact, decorating in an eclectic manner has actually become quite trendy.
It’s possible to have an apartment that looks coordinated and pulled together without having the interior appear too matchy-matchy. For instance, opt for a couch and chair that are in the same color family, rather than the exact same hue.
5. Use Command Hooks
Command hooks are essential to apartment decorating. While you have the option to put nails into the wall to hang your DIY wall art or gallery wall, you may end up paying big bucks for those tiny wall holes when you’re trying to get your security deposit back.
Instead, rely on Command hooks which will hold up your decor without ruining the wall. When it’s time to move out, the hooks remove cleanly.
6. You Should Splurge … On Certain Items
When you have to pay for rent, Internet, cable, groceries, etc., it’s only natural to look for the best deals when you’re decorating and furnishing your apartment. However, there are some items that actually are worth splurging on.
For instance, you don’t want to opt for a cheap mattress. Otherwise, your sleep could suffer and you may end up having to buy a new one a short time later. Check out these other apartment must-haves that are worth paying a bit more for up front:
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Sofa
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Dresser
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Artwork
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Bedding
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Kitchen table
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Area rugs
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Energy efficient appliances
7. Less is More
Whether you’re moving from your parents house or a previous apartment, you probably don’t need to bring all of your belongings into your new place. Before your move, take some time to throw out or recycle the items you no longer need or use.
This is especially important if you’re moving into a smaller space. The more stuff you have, the more crowded your apartment will feel.
