How does it make you feel when you’re handed a blank canvas? Does it ignite your creative soul or evoke a knot of dread in the pit of your stomach? I feel both, and here’s why I’ve come to embrace both. I first entered the design world with a lot of anxiety and self-sabotaging thoughts. I’m not a designer, who do I think I am? But after years of working as a design editor and decorating my own apartment twice (See my first attempt), and I’ve accumulated a ton of small apartment decorating ideas along the way.
I’ve developed an eye and confidence in what I like and, just as importantly, what I dislike. Now, I’m very intuitive; I can tell right away if something will work in a space. This confidence in design didn’t just come overnight; I’m still learning, and I’m always learning. Today, I’d like to share some tips I learned from a recent renovation and small apartment decorating ideas to inspire your own renovation.
7 Decorating Ideas to Transform Your Small Apartment Space
First, a little background: Our little family – my husband Troy, our sons Neon, Frenchie, and Cosmo, and I – moved from Australia to the fashionable Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles about six years ago.I’ve been living in this apartment ever since. As soon as we saw this modern rental property we knew it was the one.
White walls, concrete floors, and plenty of natural light – it was the perfect stage to showcase my skills as a budding designer. The living/dining area is integrated into an open-plan space with a kitchen of about 350 square feet. The small space was a challenge, but I like working within constraints – it forces me to think outside the box.
Keep reading to learn more about the design process and small apartment decorating ideas that will help you realize your dream home.
Set your budget
First, we had to determine a budget. Of course, this is never the most fun part of any project, but it’s important to outline the maximum amount of money we’re willing to spend on decorating the space. Thankfully, we already had most of the basic items we needed from our first renovation, like a dining table and chairs, sofa, rug, accent chair, and coffee table, so this time we looked for decor pieces, art, vintage containers, vases, and sculptures that would add warmth, depth, and texture while also embracing the European, old-world style we were hoping to achieve.
The largest budget allocation is Master BedroomThis space had been left untouched since we moved in and was in need of a major makeover. We wanted custom beds with luxury linen sheets (thank you, Bed sled) but couldn’t find anything I liked so I ended up deciding to have a custom bookcase made.
In the end, the custom items ended up being way over my budget, but I knew these were investments I’d make to last me forever, so although the initial investment hurt, they would continue to increase in value over time.
Create a Design Dialog
One of the many lessons I learned from this amazing experience is Athena Calderone of Ice Cream It’s about creating a design dialogue within the home. I want each piece to have a voice, so that when styled together they sing (or, at the very least, have an interesting conversation). As an editor, I’m in the business of bringing a story to life. Storytelling is at the heart of everything I do, whether that’s literally putting words to the page or in the physical realm of telling a story through design. So when I Every piece in this space weaves a story about our lives and who we are now as people and as a family.
On one of my many forays into supplies, I stumbled upon an antique store, crammed with so many knick-knacks, good and bad. My husband and I were immediately drawn to this incredible painting. The paint had peeled with age, there were tiny holes, and the gold leaf frame was cracked and chipped, and though it was in better condition, at first sight we both agreed we had to bring it home. When we hung it in our dining room, it transformed everything in that space. It was truly dramatic. It felt like the missing piece that tied everything else together. It made the room sing.
Make it personal
As I mentioned, my husband and I are travelers at heart. We met in the romantic city of Nice and then fell in love in Venice, so we wanted to bring a European feel to the space. My husband is also very passionate about bringing in pieces that give meaning and context to the space, based on travels and emotional connections. The pieces had to have a reason to be there and fit in with the existing décor.
You want to design a space that instinctively feels like you, so that when someone walks into the room, they can immediately understand who you are, what you like, and what you stand for. Of course, if you’re like me and love so many styles, eras, and designers, narrowing down and editing a space can be difficult. I like to create mood boards on Pinterest and collect as many images as possible while also saving folders from Instagram. This helps me clarify my direction as I can see patterns emerge around textures, tones, eras and moods.
Check out resale sites
Finding items that tell your story is so important to being yourself. That’s why I love vintage so much. From furniture to décor to clothing, I love nothing more than diving down the rabbit hole of resale sites to find unique pieces. In fact, Facebook Marketplace has become one of my favorite places to find unique finds. You just have to be prepared to poke around and use multiple keyword variations to find the right bargains.
After reading Tips from Athena Calderone My keyword searches have led me to a slight obsession with finding clay, ceramic, and terracotta vessels. The vintage vases on the table and next to the sofa were picked up on eBay for $25. Nothing beats the joy of finding the perfect piece at a bargain price.
Consider customization
Because they’re renting, they can’t make major changes, but they still want to renovate the kitchen and bathrooms. Instead, they focused on decorative elements, working with local manufacturers to add personal and unique touches. This wooden bed It was the inspiration for our master bedroom design. We asked a friend Omar To build a beautiful birch wood bedroom set that includes a bed frame and bookshelf. It was an investment, but we’re so glad we did it.
Let’s take it slow
Good design takes time. Resist the urge to rush, create a mood board, look at the images and artwork you have collected, and think about what elicits emotions. This is especially important before making a big investment. We are bombarded with inspirational images on social media every day, which can overwhelm our senses and leave us confused about what we like. Ask yourself some questions beforehand:
- Will I still love this in 5 or 10 years?
- Will this beautiful piece meet my practical needs?
- Am I drawn to this because it’s trendy or because it resonates with my innate sense of design?
Once you have clarity on these things, you can move forward with confidence and create a space that is truly yours.
Taking risks
Don’t be afraid to jump into the unknown and explore the unfamiliar. It’s those moments of discomfort that push you to explore something new. It’s not always easy, but you’ll inevitably touch the magic and stumble upon something unexpected. I love those moments. That creative abyss is where it all happens. A well-designed room should be easygoing and comfortable, with a touch of tension and contrast. But above all, have fun.
Source: Camille Styles – camillestyles.com
