Tip #1: proper organization and functionality of space
First of all, you need to understand for what purposes the interior will be intended. The interior should be as comfortable and convenient as possible for performing everyday tasks. Self-renovation of an apartment, first of all, carries a large number of mistakes. People forget that the premises necessarily require additional utility and auxiliary premises: dressing room, laundry room, guest bedroom, etc.
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In the photo: Living room interior in a modern style apartment
Layout
It’s great if you have the opportunity to remodel or arrange interior partitions in a convenient way even at the stage of building a house. Of course, consultations with professionals, both in terms of design and engineering and legal aspects of the issue, will be necessary, but in the end you can get a comfortable and visually attractive space. We will give only a few general recommendations.
Compact kitchen-living room
Tip #2: choose the right electrics
Today, technologies are being introduced into many areas, including the interior of an apartment. When designing an interior, it is necessary to consider the location of sockets and switches. To save energy, you can use special devices - dimmers. Thanks to this device, the brightness of the lighting is adjusted. You can also equip the interior with special lamps that are equipped with motion sensors; when a person enters the premises, the lighting automatically turns on and turns off when leaving.
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In the photo: Kitchen interior after renovation in a classic-style apartment
Tip #3: Place the TV correctly
TV is an integral element in a modern interior. Today they are compact devices that can be placed in any part of the room. Now many designers are building televisions into special niches in cabinets and decorating them with some interior elements, for example, a mirror. If the room is small, so as not to clutter it with various objects, you can hang the TV panel on the wall.
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In the photo: Living room interior after renovation in an apartment in the style of bourgeois minimalism
Paint your bookcases
Trendy colors can instantly brighten up and liven up any room! It's amazing how something as simple as a coat of bright paint can instantly activate and transform a space.
This wall bookcase you see in the photo above would look too dull and cheerless without the bright blue color on the inside.
Painting may be the easiest and most inexpensive way to transform dull items into something unexpected. Bookcases are an ideal place to experiment because you don't have to cover too much area.
You can add interesting and fun colors to a lot of objects and surfaces in your home, including fireplaces, interior cabinet walls, children's furniture, hallways and ceilings.
Tip #4: use mirrors in interior design
Using mirrors in the interior is a good way to visually expand the room. The most advantageous option for using mirrors is in small rooms. They will also add some natural light to the apartment. At the same time, mirror panels help to hide various shortcomings and flaws made during construction and design. In some interiors it would be appropriate to create an imitation of windows using mirrors.
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In the photo: Living room interior after renovation in a classic-style apartment
Tip #5: choose the right textiles
High-quality textiles in the apartment will create the overall impression of the interior. It is necessary to pay close attention to the shape and design of curtains or tulle. Curtains should be combined with other interior elements. The right choice of curtains allows you to create an extraordinary design that will attract a lot of attention. Cool shades of textiles will create some freshness in the room, while warm shades, on the contrary, will make the room more spacious and wider. The pattern of the curtains is also of primary importance; wide horizontal stripes expand the space, while vertical stripes visually raise the ceilings.
If the room is small, you should not choose bulky curtains and tulles with different finishes. This will overload the space; it is better to give preference to plain and light textiles. If you plan to use carpet in the interior, then it is best to use small-sized coverings. Don’t forget about blankets and pillows, this will make the room more comfortable.
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In the photo: Bedroom interior after renovation in an Art Deco style apartment
20 practical interior design tips
Faktrum publishes a selection of simple and practical interior design tips that will help you create.
1. Pillows that match the sofa look boring. The interior will sparkle with new colors if you add one pillow in a bright contrasting color.
2. A high bed will make the bedroom visually larger.
3. Another way to make a room larger without breaking the walls is light wallpaper.
4. In a studio apartment, it is imperative to divide the space using hidden sliding doors, mobile screens, and retractable furniture elements.
5. Forget about cheap plastic bath mats. Lay down a real carpet: it looks stylish and absorbs moisture.
6. Designers advise more boldly filling the hallway with things. One option is to build closed shelving to the ceiling. Bulk hangers can be replaced with openwork coat hooks, distributed above the platform for brought purchases.
7. Have you noticed that in hotels there are always lamps on both sides of the bed? Diffused soft light adds coziness to the room.
8. Too bright carpets visually make the room smaller. It is better to opt for calm soft colors.
9; A neatly folded blanket or, even worse, laid out like a bedspread is a thing of the past. Place a throw on the sofa in an asymmetrical, casual manner and - voila - your living room looks like something out of a furniture catalogue.
10. Do not hang mirrors so that they are opposite the door or window opening.
11. If the room looks empty, place a large potted plant in the corner.
12. Sliding doors are not inferior to swing doors in beauty and functionality.
13. Provide your wardrobe with lighting, and you will be pleased to look into it.
14. If you have always dreamed of light-colored chairs or an armchair, but are afraid of stains, pay attention to leather - this is the most durable material.
15. Mirrors make the room look much larger and brighter.
16. If possible, do not fill all the shelves in the house to capacity. Leave some of the shelves half empty, and you will avoid the effect of clutter, and the interior will become more elegant and sophisticated.
17. Use beautiful baskets for things. It is impossible to hide all things in drawers, but you can store them in such a way that the eye will be pleased.
18. A living room combined with a kitchen is a real find for small apartments! This will allow you to have a single free space to communicate with family and friends.
19. You can save space and turn your kitchenette into a chef's kitchen by hanging several pans and pots or other accessories directly on the wall.
20. Use monolithic flooring throughout the entire apartment. The absence of transitions and thresholds is not only more beautiful, but also more convenient: you won’t stumble and make cleaning easier.
By the way: How to create a designer interior in an apartment without hiring designers
Tip #6: planning a storage room
Storage systems are an integral part of a modern apartment. First of all, when planning, you need to think about how many people will use the wardrobe. Modern apartments are not built so spacious, so it is worth dividing the dressing room into several parts so that everyone has their own separate place and things do not lie in a heap. Also, when planning a wardrobe, it is necessary to foresee in advance what specific items will be placed in the wardrobe and, based on this data, the dimensions of shelves, hangers, niches, etc. are designed.
If it is not possible to organize a dressing room, then a spacious closet will be perfect for a storage system. When choosing a cabinet, you should pay attention to its interior decoration; a large number of shelves and drawers will be a definite plus; the presence of mirrors and built-in spotlights is a must.
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In the photo: Interior of a dressing room after renovation in a classic-style apartment
Tip #7: use light wisely
Light is an integral element of the interior. With its help you can create an interesting atmosphere. Don’t be afraid to use different chandeliers; thanks to them you can highlight some objects.
What solutions should and should not be used:
- bright light. It has a negative impact on the psycho-emotional state of the apartment owner. It's best to avoid a lot of red, orange and yellow colors;
- use blue and green shades, as well as white light. These colors are not only trendy solutions in modern interiors, but also have a beneficial effect on humans.
- for the work area, it is better to use diffused white light, without using bright colors;
- in the sleeping area, you can use ARBs that are placed above the back wall of the bed or sofa;
- chandeliers should be chosen based on whether they suit the interior and the ease of their use. If the budget for apartment renovation is small, then you can buy original textile chandeliers; they require little maintenance and are not that expensive.
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In the photo: Kitchen interior after renovation in a modern style apartment
Furniture
The three main characteristics of an ideal piece of furniture for small spaces are: compactness, mobility and versatility. Avoid bulky cabinets, and try to distribute storage areas evenly throughout the apartment. Additional shelves and cabinets can fit in the hallway or corridor, hide under the hinged lid of an ottoman, coffee table or drawer under the bed.
Furniture floating above the floor seems more airy, MisuraEmme cabinet
Tip: Make the most of hanging furniture without legs with additional bottom lighting. It seems many times lighter and more airy than analogues with a massive base that are similar in material and size.
Ideally, one and the same item can be easily moved around the apartment (for example, using wheels) or used in several ways - this will significantly save both costs and such valuable square meters. Rolling cabinets, secretary desks on the wall, retractable wall sleeping place - modern furniture has many more different modifications and unusual solutions than it seems at first glance.
Option for a compact kitchen in a studio space with a glossy finish on the facades and splashback
In addition to the design, the material from which the furniture is made is no less important. Light, glossy facades, glass, and transparent plastic are best suited for small apartments. Such furniture seems airy and weightless, reflects light without cluttering up the space.
Tip #8: Color Palette
Interior design should combine different color schemes. Thanks to the use of color solutions, you can achieve an original atmosphere:
- For the bedroom you should not choose a bright color palette; it is better to choose pastel shades of beige, blue, green. You can also use white, but you should not choose it as the main color. It is better to choose a beige or light pink color as the basis for the bedroom. Such shades will help compensate for fatigue;
- The living room is best decorated in warm colors. Brown colors can create homeliness and a friendly atmosphere. The most popular solution is to decorate the living room in coffee and milky shades;
- in the dining room it is best to use green and other light colors;
- For the work area, choose calm shades using small bright details. Coffee and peach tones will help create a working atmosphere that will not tire a person and will concentrate attention on work activity;
- For the nursery, you should not use bright colors, as for the bedroom, use pastel shades.
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In the photo: Bedroom interior after renovation in a classic-style apartment
Buy simple furniture
Inexpensive furniture, which claims to be luxurious in appearance, often betrays its cheapness by “screaming” about it. If you are on a limited budget, you should choose simple furniture in soothing colors. Neutral furniture colors easily fit into any interior. To decorate its appearance, just arrange beautiful decorative elements and accessories. For example, if you place a beautiful lamp or vase on an ordinary table, it will instantly transform.
An ordinary gray or beige sofa can be made cozy and elegant with the help of pillows and a blanket. Discreet shades in design will never lose their relevance. There is no need to use different colors to decorate a room. It is preferable to use straight lines, neutral shades, neutral tones. The number of accessories should be moderate. With subdued finishing colors, all attention will be focused on furniture and accessories.
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To add newness to the interior, you can periodically update curtains and bedspreads. This will allow you not to update the interior for a long time. If you follow the basic tips when creating a design, you can decorate your home beautifully and modernly. Even an experienced designer can make mistakes. In this case, adjustments or changes will need to be made.
Tip No. 9: selecting furniture
Furniture should be in harmony with all interior details. Initially, you should decide what items are needed in the apartment. You should not fill the entire space of the room with furniture, otherwise this will cause the room to look cluttered. The designer’s main advice in this case would be to leave stereotypes. Choose furniture that will combine several functions, for example, the currently popular solution is a table-bed. Such a solution will relieve the space in a small room. And in conclusion of this point, it is worth pointing out that it is best to choose furniture that is practical and easy to use.
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In the photo: Living room interior after renovation in a modern style apartment
Style selection
The first thing you need to do is decide on a style. If the budget is quite modest, there is no point in choosing too expensive options, such as:
- Art Nouveau;
- Art Deco;
- Neo-Baroque;
- Traditional classics;
- Moroccan;
- Provence.
These directions will be very expensive, so you should not give them preference. Their implementation with a small budget is unlikely to look decent. It is necessary to decide on the style and plan all the costs of creating the interior. Calculate how much money is needed for decoration, furniture, and accessories.
More economical style options:
- Minimalism.
- Scandinavian.
- European.
- Industrial.
Those who are closer to rigor and sophistication can choose modern classics. In this style, unlike traditional classics, you can allow more freedom. It is easier to save money where there are no strict restrictions and limits.
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