Moving into a new apartment is like painting on a fresh canvas. It can be challenging to look at the space and find inspiration. There are plenty of steps that you can take to make your home feel warm and welcoming, both for guests and for your quiet evenings. You can customize your apartment decor and atmosphere without expending too much energy. Consider the following ideas to help your new apartment become a wonderful home.
1. Create a Home Scent
Walking in your front door, you can cultivate a personal style and sensory experience. Use aromatherapy tools such as Young Living Essential Oils to introduce elements like lavender or bergamot to your entryway. The high-quality oils can be dispersed throughout the day by using a diffuser. Choose a scent or rotate a collection to stimulate specific emotions and foster calm energy.
2. Try Statement Paint Colors
Use color to express your creative side. Go to your local paint store and pick up several samples and swatch jars. You can always enjoy a color for a few years and then start over with a new coat or two, so don’t be afraid to make a bold decision. Think about the colors in your favorite painting, jewelry, rug, photograph, flower arrangement, outfit, or fabric print. Try to tie each room together with a complementary palette to help the space flow.
3. Decorate Your Ceiling
Most people forget about the ceiling or choose to simply add a new coat of white paint. The ceiling is one more wall for you to decorate, and you can create a pleasing overhead view. Consider changing a hanging light fixture, using removable wallpaper, or using a shade of light blue paint. Removable wallpaper with a celestial print or small flowers can add unexpected interest to your room. Make sure that you can return the ceiling to its previous appearance.
4. Use Vintage Area Rugs
A vintage rug conveys a sense of history and can help a new space to feel lived in and whole. Ask family and friends if they are looking to rehome old rugs or visit local shops. You may find lower prices at thrift stores and charity shops than at classic antique stores. It is also possible to layer multiple smaller rugs if you cannot find or easily transport one large rug.
5. Install Good Window Coverings
Your apartment building may install a particular style of blinds as a standard finish, such as accordion blinds or hanging vertical slats. This may be outside of your control, but you can install a more visually appealing set of curtains. Sheer curtains allow soft light in your space while camouflaging harsh blinds. Blackout curtains can be helpful for night shift workers or eliminating light pollution from city living. You may also find modern solar shades in Fort Lauderdale for a sleek, clean look that provides efficient energy efficiency. So, if you are in the area, make sure to check this option out.
6. Diversify Your Light Sources
The big overhead light in most kitchens and bathrooms typically emits a harsh brightness. Eliminate the need to flip such a switch by placing table lamps around your apartment and putting up strings of lights near or outside your windows. Some lamps can be placed on timers so that you can go to bed without walking to each fixture at the end of the night. Choose lamps that support your evening activities, like reading or knitting.
7. Plan a Gallery Wall
Use painter’s tape to recreate your wall space on the floor and plan a home gallery. Measure your chosen wall and arrange a gallery plan within the taped floor space. Then, use tape or a pencil to mark where each picture will go on the actual wall. Use grippy hanging strips or hammer nails into the wall. You may be required to fill and paint over the nail holes in the future.
8. Make Space for Favorite Books or Hobbies
Designate a work space and accessible storage for things related to your hobbies. Book storage can be designed to spark conversations with guests. Incorporate special sentimental items into your bookshelves.
9. Arrange Furniture for Entertaining
Place your furniture with conversations and movement in mind. Try to keep seats close enough for hearing low tones, put side tables nearby, and leave transitional movement areas clear of trip risks.
10. Start a Guestbook
Invite friends and family over to your space or plan for future overnight visits. Create a sweet guestbook for folks to sign and write notes upon their first visits.
Put your unique touch on your apartment and make it a real home.