Planning + Design for a Small Space
After living in apartments within the city for a few years, I’ve learned how to plan and design around a small space.
It can be really challenging to figure out how to orient your space in the most efficient way when you are working with a small room, but it’s even harder when the layout of the room can’t be changed. For example if you are renting like I am, there is not much flexibility in changing the physical space or customizing it. All you can do is make it feel more like home.
In New York, I feel lucky if I find an apartment that has a dishwasher! It’s hard to feel picky about the color and design of cabinets or the model of the appliances. If you find an apartment with modern updates, you are going to pay more for it. It might not be your style, but it will look much cleaner and probably be more functional, so it’s usually a positive.
Use Virtual Design Tools
I used Room Styler to figure out how to set up our tiny living room. I recommend a website like this if you are on a budget! It helps you to better visualize how furniture will look in your space, without paying for a designer.
Initial layout explore
Room inspiration
Create a Moodboard
Found a piece that inspires you? Plan around it!
I love to explore real estate and interior design, so naturally I searched for a lot of inspiration before making any purchases. First, I highly recommend following designers and interior decorators on Instagram, since that’s where I found some of my favorite accounts. I always save images of photos that I love and inspire me! Between reading blogs, binging my favorite shows on HGTV, and stalking home websites, I started to get an idea of what I liked.
Once you have some key furniture item in mind, it’s much easier to compare pieces, and ultimately find options within your budget.
Furniture Shopping
For my apartment, I knew the most important item to find first would be the couch. We needed something that could comfortably fit 2 people, but that also needed to comfortably fit in the space.
We ended up having luck at Macy’s! Furniture shopping in the city can be a challenge, but you just want to test out a couch before you buy it. Over the years the store in Herald Square proved to be very successful for my friends and I.
All the other furniture I found and purchased online! But I’ll link some of my favorite pieces under a separate post :)
Adding Charm
Exposed brick? Large Windows? Fireplace? Built in bookshelves? High ceilings? These are just some charming elements that makes a regular apartment feel special. I would prefer a small charming space to one that is large yet feels cold.
Design elements like wall decor, lighting, and home accessories will make a rental apartment feel more homey and warm. I think it’s most important to make a cozy space you want to curl up in! My favorite additions are a plush carpet, throw pillows, blankets, and candles. It will make you feel instantly relaxed.
Last but not least, don’t forget to add something refreshing and green. Plants! I am a huge fan of indoor plants, and some of mine are now over 3 years old. I could go on and on about what I’ve learned when it comes to indoor plants, but incorporating them into your space can really add a lot aesthetically.
Make it yours!