Interior Design Tips For Small Studio Apartments

With real estate becoming harder and harder to come by, particularly in the big cities, small living spaces are becoming popular. The problem is that most people do not know how to make the most of their limited space without feeling cramped. Fortunately, there are some interior designer insights that you can use to make your small studio apartment feel sophisticated and spacious.

Furniture For Small Apartments

When furnishing a small apartment, double function furniture is the key. This type of furniture will help you save a lot of space. You can get a bed frame with a hidden drawer compartment which provides more storage space. There are a lot of innovative coffee tables that can change shape and become a desk while some bedside tables will have a lamp built-in.

While function is important, you also need to look for furniture that is scaled to compact living spaces. This does not mean that you should buy all the mini pieces of furniture that you can find. A balance between big and small is needed and you need to avoid cluttering your rooms with small furniture.

1. Create Zones In Your Apartment

Zoning will help you create different areas in your small apartment which are essential for structure. There are a few ways that you can do this from room dividers to color blocking. You can use a bookshelf or curtain to divide the space between the living spaces and the bedroom.

Color blocking or coordinated textures will also help you create distinct functional spaces in your studio apartment. If you have a color palette of white, grey and blue, each area will have one predominant color. You could have blue in the living area, white in the bedroom and grey in the kitchen. Make use of pillows, rugs and throws to add some texture with art and apartment décor to provide splashes of color.

2. Prioritize Your Needs

One of the biggest challenges of living in a studio apartment is catering to all your needs. This is why you need to prioritize and choose the two things that you cannot lie without. This could be cooking and entertaining which link together.

Functional spaces can be included in your small space with some smart design. If your main priority is entertaining, you can have a dining table that turns into a workbench or desk when you need it to.

3. Have A Clever Layout

A smart apartment layout is a way that you can make your studio feel more spacious than it is. The use of double function furniture is important for this and you need to make the most of the wall and ceiling spaces. While your bed and sofa cannot always be moved, you will be able to use vertical shelving for storage instead of floor storage. You could also look at a hoist-able bed or a wall bed that clears floor space when you are not using it.

When you look at all 5 surfaces in your apartment, you will be able to double the space that you can use. A platform living area with hidden storage, a small loft for hung furniture are all options that you should consider.

4. Have A Feature Wall

Small homes will often have a lot of personalities and this means that feature walls fit in. Like zoning, you can use a feature wall to frame an area of your studio. You can use artwork or wallpaper to make the wall stand out from the rest of the apartment.

5. Use Sliding Doors

If you have more than one room in the apartment, you should replace any hinged doors with a sliding door. Screens can be used instead of cabinet doors in the kitchen. You can use a barn-style sliding door for the bathroom, patio or bedroom.

Sliding panels are generally more industrial in style, but this is not always the case. Frosted glass and acrylic sheets can add some contemporary flair to your home. A pastel painted screen will twist the area to a mid-century modern feel while a clean white wood sliding door has a more Scandinavian feel.

6. Use Mirrors

Small spaces need to have reflective surfaces and there are two reasons for this. The first is that mirrors will create a visual illusion of space and depth. The second is that these surfaces will reflect light in the rooms. Even the best small apartment will only have one or two windows that do not always provide the light you need.

A large mirror can provide both benefits. You should place the mirror close to the light source to make the most of it.

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Our 7 Top Interior Decorating IKEA Shopping Tips

Do you like IKEA or do you love it? Wait. Do you say you hate it? Sounds like you are among the many people out there who have a love-hate relationship with the store. Everyone enjoys how easy it is to find affordable, trendy things for the house there. But, no one loves having to trek to the megastore on the weekend to shuffle through the aisles with the rest of the world in tow.

Yet there are ways to make a trip to IKEA stress-free. All you need to do is follow some tips from a few shopping insiders. Make a plan, and bring a list. There are literally thousands of items to choose from in hundreds of categories at IKEA, but you must learn how to narrow your choices own. Look at the website before you go to the store especially when you are shopping for large furnishings. The IKEA website lets you see inspirational photos of various products and these can make it easier to see them in your mind’s eye as having a place in your house.

Our Best Interior Designer IKEA Shopping Tips

1. You can make your own list as well as use the shopping list feature on the IKEA website. This feature tells you where each item is located and lets you check off items as you shop so that you never miss anything. When you make a shopping list you can also see the availability of items before you go to the store. Tip number one is to never leave home without your IKEA shopping list.

2. It is easy to get around the store. Use the available maps and follow the blue signs. These tell you where to go and where you have come from. Use the arrows on the floor as well to keep from getting lost.

3. IKEA gets hundreds of new products every few months. Follow up with new stock by visiting the news page online. You will also see NEW tags on items in the store.

4. Use your phone to take photos of items you see in the store for future reference. Make sure to include the product number and its location in your photo. You can also use the barcode feature on the IKEA app to scan items and make a digital shopping list. This lets you keep a shopping list right in your pocket at all times, ready to update on the fly.

5. It is wise to measure your space or your furnishings before you leave home for the store. You do not want to fall in love with something only to find out that it will not fit through your front door.

6. If you want to buy something specific, use the website to view the dimensions of the package. This way you know it will fit in your car for the ride home.

7. Do not forget to stock up on things like batteries, lightbulbs, napkins, candles and other staples while at the store. You will never have to worry about doing without that IKEA lamp until you can get back to the store when the next bulb on it burns out.

Tired of shopping at Ikea? See our recommendations on our top shops for interior design in the Montreal area: https://northinteriordesign.com/decorating-staging-montreal/

 

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How To Choose The Right Art For Your Bachelor Pad

When you live on your own, it is easy to get buried in piles of dirty dishes and clothing because no-one is going to see. This does not have to be the way to live as giving your bachelor pad a stylish and organized look is not very hard. While your space may be small, there are a lot of strategies that you can use to make the most of it. You can also choose the right art to make your space pop.

Plan Your Art

Planning is something that you should be doing in general when it comes to the interior design of your bachelor pad or any other space. Plan before you start shopping to ensure that you do not end up with something that does not work.

To start planning, you need to think about where your art will be. Are you using it as a focal point for the room or will it be a subtle addition? After choosing the wall the art is going on, you need to take some measurements.

While doing this, take note of plugs and switches that the art should not cover. If you cannot make a hole for your art, you can always use removable command hooks to hang framed art and canvas.

Design: Bigger Will Be Better

Art is a great way to add some character to one’s space and your bachelor pad is no different. A dull room can be transformed with the right piece of artwork on the wall. To make the effect even more dramatic, you should go big.

There are a few ways that you can get the effect of a big piece of art. The first is to choose one oversized piece of art that can make a statement on its own. The alternative is to choose smaller prints that you mix and match to create your own gallery wall. This is a good way to stretch a budget as smaller prints are inexpensive.

Choose Vintage Art

A touch of vintage can be great in your bachelor pad because it offers an intriguing masculine vibe. Vintage art is also affordable and easy to get which is helpful. To add some vintage aesthetics, you can look at a movie poster or original advert from the 90s. A nostalgic feel photo will also do the trick.

Classic Interior Decorating: Go Black And White

If you already have a lot of colors in your bachelor pad, you might not know what to do in terms of the art. The solution is actually simple. All you need to do is look at black and white.

The right black and white art will not only add some masculinity to the room, but it will also be just as dramatic as the colored ones. Black and white photos, hand-sketched images and graphic prints are all options that you can consider. The best thing about this art is the fact that it will not clash with any existing décor.

Mix Your Interior Design Styles

Styles of interior design are not cages and more guidelines that you can use. If there is something that you like, you should feel free to mix the styles together. Adding vintage art to a contemporary space can work as can a modern poster with traditionally designed rooms. When you mix styles, you will add more character to your home and make it something that is uniquely you.

Add Some Texture

The art that you choose does not have to be 2D and there are a lot of 3D options that you can consider. If you want something on the wall, you could look at 2D artwork that offers relief details to add something different to the space. You could also look at 3D wall décor such as wood décor or road signs. If you want to get some visual texture without any actual texture, you could consider brick wallpaper which provides a different feel to your home. There is a ton to learn about interior decorating, and that’s one reason you may want to consider working with a design professional.

Knowing a bit about the art you want to get will make choosing it much easier. Of course, you do not have to stop with the art and could look at a complete bachelor pad makeover as well.

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Why You Should Hire A Local Interior Decorator in Montreal

How To Find & Work With Top Montreal Interior Designers!

Choosing the best interior designer Montreal has to offer can seem overwhelming as there are many interior designers to choose from. A good interior designer can offer the best advice when it comes to things such as lighting, paint color selection, furniture spacing, fabric sourcing, and space planning. An interior designer’s main goal is to make your home a personalized space. So, how can you find the best interior designer Montreal has to offer?

Ask for Recommendations from People you Trust

Do you have a family member, a close friend, neighbor or colleague who has hired an interior designer in Montreal before? If so, ask him or her for recommendations. Such a person can give you good advice when it comes to choosing a good interior designer since they have some first-hand experience.

In fact, this is the best way to find the best interior designer in Montreal considering the fact that word of mouth is the most valuable publicity. With word of mouth, you can be sure of getting unbiased advice. You can also ask us to recommend a top local interior designer for your home interior design project.

Examine the Interior Designer’s Portfolio

Closely examine an interior designer’s portfolio to find the best interior designer. The portfolio of the interior designer you are considering should have styles, color palettes, layouts and textures that reflect some of your taste.

Also, remember to ask the interior designer you want to hire for portfolio images reflecting your budget, those at a lower price point and those at a higher price point to get a sense of what the interior designer can accomplish. The best interior designer’s portfolio is varied and can suit different tastes.

Talk to the Interior Designers You Are Considering

Talking to an interior designer in-person or through Skype or a phone call is good as it will help you test your future working relationship with an interior designer. Look for an interior designer that you feel comfortable with. While talking to an interior designer you want to hire, see if he or she is a good person.

A good interior designer is a good listener, can comfortably achieve your goals within your budget, is flexible and is friendly. All these attributes enable an interior designer to implement your ideas so that he or she meets or even exceeds your expectations.

Consider Experience

The best interior designer is one who has been offering their services for many years. An experienced interior designer knows the ins and outs of decorating homes as they have served many clients. Therefore, such a designer can offer the best services as they can easily determine what your home needs. This can help you avoid costly mistakes associated with interior design.

Finding the best interior designer Montreal has to offer is not as hard as it seems provided you take your time and do extensive research. All you have to do to find the best interior designer is to ask for recommendations from people you trust, examine the portfolio of the interior designer you want to hire, talk to the interior designer you are considering and to consider the experience of the interior designer.

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Find The Top Montreal Interior Design Firms for 2019

If you’re currently evaluating Montreal design firms, you’ll want to make sure you’re able to identify some of your best choices. You’ll want to make sure you work with a design firm that you can trust to do excellent work. While identifying the right pick for you won’t be easy, the process will be much simpler if you figure out what to look for. If you haven’t yet decided on a firm, you can search for a list of design firms.

Evaluate The Firm’s Past Work In The Montreal, QC Area

The past can be an excellent indicator of what will happen in the future. If you take a closer work at some of a firm’s work, you’ll be able to see if they’re a good match for the project that you’re planning.

If you’re not impressed with some of a firm’s other projects, you’re not going to want to ask them to handle your project. However, if you know that a firm has done a lot of fantastic work, you’ll be able to hire them with complete confidence.

Always Ask For References From A Firm’s Previous Design Clients

You should talk to some of a firm’s former clients before you make any commitments. You should request a list of references and get in touch with all of the references that are provided to you.

When a firm is ready and able to provide references, it indicates that the firm has plenty of satisfied clients. When you contact those references, you’ll be able to ask lots of questions and learn about what it would be like to work with that firm.

Consider Your Interior Design Budget & Associated Costs

The top firms in Montreal often charge higher rates for their services. You’ll want to look at what it would cost to work with a few different firms, and you’ll want to see whether or not you could comfortably manage those expenses. You’ll also want to think about what you’ll be getting for your money. Some commercial design firms may be very expensive for a smaller business.

It often makes sense to spend a bit more so that you can work with a company that’s highly qualified. At the same time, you won’t want to stretch your budget too far. Look at potential costs and think about what you can reasonably afford.

Make Your Own Needs As A Client Of The Firm A Priority

Not every firm in Montreal is going to be a great match for your needs. You can’t be entirely objective when you’re evaluating a firm. You need to look at your own unique situation so that you can see if a firm is a good fit for you.

If you take your needs seriously, you’ll be able to make sure that you’re more than happy with the work that’s being done for you. Prioritize your own needs, and you’ll have fewer regrets later on.

As long as you’re willing to follow this advice, you should be able to find some of the top Montreal design firms without a problem. From there, you’ll be able to look at these firms a little more closely and pick the firm that you most want to work with. By the time you commit to working with one particular firm, you’ll know that you found your best option.

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Achieve A Picture-Perfect Montreal Home Interior Design Using Colors

Sprucing up the interior is highly effective in ensuring that your indoors have a certain welcoming charm that has a personalized touch. Playing around with colors is of the ways homeowners can achieve a picture-perfect home interior design.

Decorating the house to give it a new life is something everyone desires for their place. The home is a place where people spend much of their life, and thus they always want to see it exude positive vibes. And what echoes different vibes better than colors? It may sound like a straightforward thing, but switching up the interior design of the house is something that many homeowners find tasking. They are often afraid of trusting their style intuition and will find themselves battling between what their brain says and the heart wants.

How To Use Colors In Interior Decorating Alone

Regarding the use of colors, the most straightforward approach to ensure that you get everything right is to have a color scheme and then work with the colors in the ratio of 6:3:1; where:

• 60% is décor has a dominant color

• 30% of a secondary color

• 10% of an accent color

With that ration, your decorating result will have a hue of 60% that has a unifying effect for the color scheme, 30% that spurs visual interest, and 10% that brings in some bit of pizazz. To achieve this, below are some creative ways off achieve such a vibe in the home décor design using colors.

You can capture a feeling with the right use of color.

1. Create Emotions

People associate different colors with different emotions. A particular color can be used to represent something. For instance, yellow can echo the warmth of the sun or blue to bringing in the calming sensation of the seas or sky. Therefore, consider the emotional associations of the colors and find ways to bring out their greatest effects in the décor.

2. Establish Some Contrast

When it comes to high contrasts in doing decors, areas with such a setup tend to appear brighter and more defined than those that have low color and pattern contrasts. The balanced use of dark and light values of the various shades of choice will help achieve a contract that is unique to the home interior design and set up.

3. Color Flow

Since the objective is to have an indoor space that has a vibrant décor, then there has to be a flow of color from one room to the next. One of the effective ways of achieving this is by choosing a hue for one room and then restating it differently in the next. For instance, the use of aqua blue can be dominant in the living room, but then utilized in a subtle amount in the dining room on this such as the seat fabrics or the window drapes.

4. Blend The Walls With The Furniture

More often than not, people get it wrong with the home interior design because they do not try to find a union between the furniture and walls. The colors and patterns you pick for the walls should complement that of the furniture pieces as well as accessories. Also, finding a balanced blend between the two can help create a subdued and calm setting that is ideal for resting. For such décor, consider using mustard yellows, browns or russets. For instance, the walls can have a touch of yellow and then russets and browns in the furniture to add a visual interest and accents of aqua added using drapes, rugs, and indoor accessories.

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