Category: small

  • 7 Apartment Layouts To Create A Functional Space

    7 Apartment Layouts To Create A Functional Space

    Just because your apartment is at most 600 square feet, does not automatically mean it has to feel like a dorm room. As a matter of fact, there are many intuitive ways of using the space you have and making it seem more ample and open.

    But, of course, you cannot expand the footprint of your apartment overnight. You need to plan the space and the right decorations deliberately. By that, you will be able to make the most out of every square inch of your abode to create the best home you deserve. Plus, it won’t require any remodeling.

    For a little help, below are the seven apartment layouts that will show you how simple it is to decorate a small space. Check them out!

    Curtains For Privacy

    Are you tired of seeing your kitchen space while you are in bed? If yes, don’t worry! The good news is that you can easily make your bedroom feel more personal and exclusive with a partition.

    There are many things that’ll get the work done, from built-in sliding doors to folding screens. But if you want a simpler option, curtains are your best option. Plus, it is easily maintainable.

    via Andrea West Design

    Invest In Flexible Furniture and Built-ins

    Features like flexible furniture and clever built-ins will add value to your home when it’s to sell and make your space feel more open. Take the nArchitects micro-apartment building design. It features integrated storage and transforming furniture that makes the best use of the square footage.

    The transforming furniture includes a sofa concealing a Murphy bed (inside a built-in wall). Innovative and creative solutions such as the expanding kitchen console and double-duty coffee table create more space for working or dining.

    Rehash the Foot Of The Bed

    Another excellent way to create a bit of separation between the sleeping and living areas is by placing furniture close to the foot of your bed. You can make use of a desk or sofa, or maybe both, as a partition.

    via Andrea West Design

    Visual Height

    When you are dealing with minimal space, visual height is one of the greatest tools for making your home feel as broad as possible. You make certain that everyone who sees your place is seeing the space as a whole by deliberately drawing eyes upward. Thus, making your home feel and look complete.

    To do this, use anything that can draw the eyes upwards. For instance, using a room divider, hanging a vertical mirror, investing in vertical shelving, and hanging a vertical mirror.

    Turn Your Apartment Into a Small And Intimate Hotel

    If you are always busy at work or always traveling, and a home is only a place where you sleep and take a bath, consider turning it into a boutique hotel room. Say, for example, a 400 square foot home featured in bma is filled with features only found at sophisticated lodgings such as a curated minibar, some retro furniture, and chic kitchen space.

    However, the headliner of this apartment is the comfortable bed, as you can find in any trendy hotel rooms.

    Create Separate Living Areas

    via Andrea West Design

    You can make your home feel larger by setting up separate living areas. The question is, how much square footage must you allocate to every area? Well, to answer the question, you need to think about what will make you comfortable and happier at home.

    If you enjoy having friends over for binge-watching movies and series, then it is a great idea to create a large living room that’s worthy of a marathon-viewing party. You can do this by sacrificing some dining and bedroom space.

    One Bedroom Layout

    It is possible to turn your small apartment into a beautiful one-bedroom with only a few pieces. As a matter of fact, you can do it with only three items such a bookcase, a large rug, and a storage chest.

    The bookcase will carve out the bedroom and is a perfect room partition that will not block sunlight. What’s more, it provides lots of storage. On the other hand, a large, lovely rug will be the focal point of your living room. If the walls are bare, it can certainly make a big statement.

    Lastly, the storage chest can also act as a coffee table, and it won’t take up too much floor space.

    via Andrea West Design

    Takeaway

    Because of the limited square footage, laying out an apartment needs a more creative and intuitive design technique compared to furnishing a traditional home. But with inspiration and a little planning, you can surely create a space that is both beautiful and functional. The tips outlined in this post will help in assessing your apartment layout and putting together a space that you will love. So, keep these in mind and remember to enjoy the process of designing. Thanks to Buy Melbourne Apartments for contributing.

  • Five Ideas For Decorating Small Lawns

    Five Ideas For Decorating Small Lawns

    You can decorate your lawn very successfully even if it is very small, but you need to make sure that you have taken some steps that will make the lawn beautiful given you have so little space. You will change the way that you are planning your home, and you could make your lawn an extension of the house when you walk through the door. This is something that you can do right now because it makes a big difference. decorating small lawns via Walnut Creek

    1. Make It All A Garden

    You can make the whole space a garden, and you could add little flowers, herbs, and other plants around the space depending on what you think your best option is. You just need to decide how this will work when you plan the space.  Lawn care and tree maintenance expert in Rancho Cucamonga can help you with this process. You could completely change how you handle the space, and you could start a garden that is even more colorful than the inside of the house. decorating small lawns via Claytoncountryjam.com

    1. Add A Patio Or Blocks

    You could use one of the services CoastCrete offers so that you can have something poured that will look like a patio, or you could create something that will look like the stamped blocks that people have to buy and lay down on their own. It all depends on what you think will look best, and you could have a concrete professional show you how the blocks are supposed to look. They make the blocks look perfect, and they use the design you have suggested. decorating small lawns thetreecenter.com

    1. Add Just One Tree

    You could make your whole space look like the fairy forest from a novel if you put a little tree in the middle. You could create a place where you can read or think, and you could put your outdoor furniture under the tree. The tree could be the focal point of the whole lawn, and it is something that you can tend every year so that it will look perfect no matter what you are doing with it. decorating small lawns worthingcourtblog

    1. Add A Fountain

    You must add a fountain that will be good for you, and you will be soothed by the sound of the fountain more than anything else. You have to be certain that you have chosen something that will recycle your water, and you could make a fountain that makes the trickle sound because you want that so that you can relax. This is a fun thing to do that does not take up much space. decorating small lawns via ?

    1. Add A Swing

    The swing could make the whole space seem that much more interesting, and you will start to notice that you could change the way that you use the lawn because you can go on this swing and enjoy the whole space. You will feel like you are using more of the lawn, and you can see it all from the swing. decorating small lawns via BHG You have to make some choice about decorating your small lawn, and all these little things make the lawn look perfect. You will change how you approach the lawn, and you will add a lot of value to your home. Thanks to coastcreteoncrete.com.au  for collaborating with us!

  • How to Decorate Your Short-Term Rental for Cheap

    How to Decorate Your Short-Term Rental for Cheap

    As renters, we know it’s hard to spend a lot of time decorating a place just to move out a short time later. Imagine going through an entire redecoration process only to move into another place where none of the new stuff you bought matches. You might think, “Forget it, why bother, we’re only living here short-term.” It’s easy to feel defeated with Crate & Barrel taste on a short-term rental budget.

    Sure, you’re only staying short-term, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy yourself while you’re there. There are ways to make a lovely living situation without going all out.

    There are two key components in having a cozy home without the commitment: cheap and easy.

    There’s no need to go above and beyond and paint the entire house or rip out flooring. Instead, opt for ideas that’ll make the time you spend at the rental easygoing, but still comfortable. Here’s how to decorate your short-term rental for cheap.

    Buy an inexpensive, yet expensive-looking couch

    There’s no good budget-friendly interior design advice article that doesn’t mention IKEA. IKEA is the budgeters closest ally.

    When someone walks into your home, the first thing they notice is the couch. That is, if the living room is the first place they see, which it usually is.

    The couch will make or break a room, so make sure you get something classy. However, don’t bother spending a lot if it’s a short-term rental. IKEA (offering promo codes here and here) has great options for short-term leases. For under 600 bucks, you can pick up the VIMLE couch and add a splash of sophistication to any apartment.

    couch

    Doesn’t this couch look like it costs a lot?

    Sure, you may be stuck in a white-walled apartment and boring rug, but at least you can make the most important part of your living room look nice.

    Use plants and flowers

    Add elegance to your short-term rental by using nature! The Heart & Hand collection at Target (codes here and here) encourages bringing “outside in” and decorating with simple pieces.

    plants and flowers

    Place plain glass vases on the dining table and stick a few branches or flowers in them. This touch will make it much more homey. It’s amazing what a little greenery or floral elements can do to an otherwise drab interior.

    You can also add pebbles to the bottom like in the image below.

    vase

    Simplicity will be the best word to remember when trying to figure out how to decorate your short-term rental for cheap.

    Pick out wall decals

    Painting a short-term rental is not happening. The task of painting is so exhausting, it’s hard to imagine even painting a long-term rental. This is where some good wall decals could work. Just look at what these palm leaves do for this plain white wall!

    Palm Leaf Decals

     

    Etsy (codes here & here) is the best place for wall decals. They have the most options and probably the cutest choices. Plus, they’re relatively cheap.

    Buy a giant, wall covering piece of art

    Instead of painting, you could go for a wall decal. If you don’t even want to go through the hassle of that, just hang something up.

    statement art

    Get a cheap, yet cute piece of art you can hang up and have it cover most of a wall in your living room or bedroom. Bringing it back to IKEA, they have a good amount of inexpensive pieces of art that you can easily hang on your wall.

    A nice statement art piece can add a relaxed mood to your home for your guests or for yourself during a night in. The focus is creating a place of serenity for yourself in your short-term rental.

    statement art

    You won’t need to add much to your home once you let a calming, pleasant looking piece of art do the talking.

    Find a vintage lamp

    Visit a local estate sale, pop into Goodwill, or check out your nearest flea market and see if you can find the perfect vintage lamp. A good, single vintage lamp in the living room can add some unique personality to a home.

    You can also usually sell vintage items for the same price you purchased them for if you decide you don’t want to take it with you when you move out of your short-term rental. Let it bring you joy in the meantime.

    Auction sites are a good place to snag antique lamps at a good range of prices. Just check out this one that’s going for $124 on eBay (codes here and here).

    antique lamp

    An antique lamp will polish the look of your short-term rental by keeping it unique to you. Decorating cheaply requires buying a lot of stuff that may be commonly seen in other homes, so grabbing a vintage piece will keep your interior design one-of-a-kind.

    Create a coastal oasis

    Using seashells to decorate cheaply has been a tactic for short-term renters for decades. It’s a timeless way to brighten up a home without spending nearly anything. Honestly, if you live near the water, you could do it for free!

    At Bed Bath & Beyond (coupon codes here and here) you can buy a bag for under 10 bucks and go to town placing them everywhere.

    shells

     

    Buy larger sized shells from Pottery Barn to complete the look (coupon codes here and here).

    shells

     

    Add a beachy Yankee candle (promo codes here, here) and you’ll be absolutely set! It doesn’t take much to create a tranquil atmosphere in your short-term rental.

    candle

    Hang up photos of loved ones

    What better way to decorate than to use your favorite photos of loved ones? Grab some cheap frames from Michaels (coupons here and here) and place memories in them to look at whenever you’re home.

    gallery wall

    Create a collage of photos with mismatched frames for a rustic and eclectic feel.

    Conclusion

    Even if it’s short-term, your time wherever you are should be enjoyed. Hopefully this how-to guide helped in fixing up your rental and gave you some tips on cheap yet pleasant interior decorating.

     

    Thanks to Summer Siguenza for partnering with us on this post.

  • When Simple Meets Stunning

    When Simple Meets Stunning

    Every once in a while my love for design goes a little overboard and I have to make myself take a step back and clear my mind.
    stunning black and white kitchen with a modern ethnic vibe:
    via pampa
    When a room gets overwhelming to me, the first thing I do is take a few things out. Sometimes simply clearing the space can refresh me.
    That can happen with more than just decor items. Sometimes colors and textures can be overwhelming too and just taking one piece out can help you find that balance. 
    http://credito.digimkts.com buenos asuntos de crédito (844) 897-3018 Old World, Mediterranean, Italian, Spanish & Tuscan Homes Design & Decor:
    My favorite rooms are ones that are so elegantly put together but somehow the most simple of all.
    decorology - leeannburkhart60@gmail.com - Gmail:
    Try not to clutter rooms that don’t need extra decor. Small rooms are the best example for this situation.
    How to style rugs in your home + The Market (now open!):
    What rooms would you simplify right now if you could?
  • Why I love the look of shiplap!

    Why I love the look of shiplap!

    If anyone has every seen the famous HGTV show Fixer Upper, you have seen shiplap plenty of times! I have to agree with Joanna when it comes to shiplap. It is simply beautiful.

    Don’t know what shiplap is? It’s a rough-sawn pine paneling often used in barns and historic homes.

    Farmhouse style Kid's Homework Area by Postbox Designs,  DIY rug tutorial, shiplap wall tutorial, no-sew curtain idea:
    There are certain times when I love it more though. Like when it’s used to define a certain space. This is great for the homes that have an open floor plan and need to separate spaces. 
    Not usually a fan of really dark walls, but this slate color works great with the stark white - also love the shiplap wall treatment::
    via bhg
    In small spaces! Most small spaces need to feel sleek and clean in order to not feel so tiny. Shiplap is a great way to give a room character without making it feel smaller than it already is!
    Natural Luxe in the Living Room:
    I love the natural look of restored shiplap. If you really want add a sense of character to your home, using natural restored shiplap is by far the best!
    Add a hint of rustic, farmhouse authenticity to a bedroom with gray painted shiplap walls, a white ceiling and exposed wooden beams | Jenna Sue Designs:
    A great way to use just a touch of shiplap would be for a wall accent. Putting it on just one wall is a great way to enjoy the texture and design and keep it in the budget!
    Shiplap walls and FANTASTIC decor-- Here's what to expect from the 2016 Birmingham Parade of Homes | Unskinny Boppy:
    My last favorite place to see shiplap is above the fireplace. It really adds to the focal point of the fireplace and is a great background for any picture you hang there.
    Do you love shiplap? Where would you put it in your house?
  • Some Serious Fan Favorites!

    Looking back there are so many posts that have been loved, but some a little more than others! Here’s some of the latest fan favorites in case you missed any:
    Lend farmhouse charm to your dining room with a grain bin repurposed as a buffet. The deep drawers are suited for storing linens and party staples, such as candles and special occasion china! http://www.bhg.com/decorating/storage/projects/from-flea-market-finds-to-savvy-storage/?socsrc=bhgpin041615fleamarketstorage&page=16
    http://www.mobilehomemaintenanceoptions.com/yearroundlawnmaintenancetips.php has some lawn care tips for homeowners.
    Fab use of space under these stairs that lead up to loft. Not an inch is wasted. Does anyone know where this is? | Tiny Homes
    6 Gorgeous Small Bathroom Ideas That Will Have You At Hello!
    Before & After: Jenna’s Laundry Room Makeover | Design*Sponge:
    7 Ways to Make Your Small Apartment Kitchen a Little Bit Bigger | Apartment Therapy:
    This picturesque porch was made for glasses of iced tea and shooting the breeze on summer evenings. Black rockers echo the home's dark trim and connote throwback comfort in a slightly more modern silhouette, amplified by ikat pillows in black and white.:

    Design Dozen: 12 Clever Space-Saving Solutions for Small Bedrooms A view of Tiffany's Naturally Sunlit Bedroom. 12. Keeping the color palette simple ensures that your small bedroom will remain restful and calming. via ApartmentTherapy:
    Which one was your favorite? We’d love to hear in the comments below!
  • Make Do with A Small Closet

    Make Do with A Small Closet

    Most of us dream of large walk in closets with plenty of hang up space, storage, places for our shoes and bags. In reality, we mostly live with small closets! Here’s a few tips to help you make do with that small closet and keep on loving that home you live in.
    How to Build a Closet to Give You More Storage.  She makes it look easy (and I love the closet organizer):
    Never doubt the power of a built in. Utilizing a storage space in between hang up can also help the floor clutter! It can define separate spaces for shirts, pants, and dresses and also give you some much needed drawers. 
    Get out all the unnecessary junk from the closet! If it’s not clothing related get it out! If you have spot to put jackets and shoes, don’t put shoes in your closet. If you can find a different place to put bags and belts, get them out too! Limit what you put in there.
    Most under the bed solutions are not suitable for every day use and are not the best at storing things either! This one may change your mind. Easy to get to, on wheels so you can pull it out, and drawers for wonderful storage solutions!
    Keep it clean. If you buy a new outfit, consider putting an older one you haven’t worn away. Keeping your closet less cluttered will make you love it more!
    Look for storage in unexpected places! A chest or a shelf under the stairs would be a great place for shoes. Especially if it’s close to the door. They are more likely to be put away and less dirt tracked around the house.
    How do you handle small closets?
  • November’s Top Posts!

    November’s Top Posts!

    It’s December and we are all starting to settle indoors! The holidays have begun and things are getting cheery over here. Here are some of the top posts in November in case you missed any:
    white and orchid!:
     :
    and last but not least:
    Which one was your favorite post and why? I’d love to here in the comments below!
  • Creative Apartment Ideas for Space

    Creative Apartment Ideas for Space

    Apartments can be tricky to decorate. Most apartment rooms duel as more than one functioning room. Often, you’ll find it’s an open floor plan which can cause an issue for dividing the rooms. There is usually a lack of storage too! Here are some creative spaces I found utilizing different ways to make the most of your small apartment.
    Most apartments don’t have great closet space. Making a closet space can be simple! Use a sheet to create a wall and hang up a tension rod and maybe a shelf to utilize part of your room as a closet.
    Most apartment kitchen’s never have enough storage. A rolling island is perfect for storage and counter top space!
    I have seen many apartment rooms that are only big enough for a bed! Ditch the bulky frame and headboard and get creative. It’s amazing how you can create more storage and make the room feel bigger at the same time.
    52m² répartis entre deux pièces presque égales, une belle cuisine, et une décoration d’intérieur reprenant les principes de la décoration scandinave, tant au niveau des revêtements de murs, de sols que du choix des meubles, de quoi plaire à la majorité...:
    Pair down to the necessities. Too much clutter can make a room feel smaller. Find a happy balance between necessities and decor.
    Enjoy it! More space sometimes just means more junk, more cleaning, and more on your to do list! Living with less can be fun.