When you want to go all out on your home design, “budget” might not be something to consider – especially when moving your things to an apartment can be expensive enough as it is. However, before you slash the idea of going creative when you move into your new apartment, you might want to consider adding a frugal “twist” to your apartment design. When it comes to good design, it’s not about what you use, it’s about how you use them.
Here’s how you can go creative on designing your new apartment when you’re on a budget:
Finding inspiration isn’t that bad: If you’re having a hard time trying to design “on a budget,” try to look for places with inspiring interior. This doesn’t just pertain to interior design magazines. You can find inspiration in houses of friends, in restaurants, in places that are “Instagram-worthy.” Take note of things they’ve done with the interior that you want in your apartment, so it’s much easier to plan later.
- Try to visit auction houses as they also have interior sales. You can get furniture that’s beautiful for cheap if you go to the right places.
- Second hand stores or thrift stores might have furniture and accessories that may fit perfectly with your home. When you tour around these stores, search extensively and carefully, and keep your apartment in mind.
Switch up design tactics with a bit of illusion: A lot of good design comes in placement, not in what you buy or decorate your house with. Certain combinations make for a good interior not because of the objects themselves, but in the pattern they’ve made. A lot of designers tap into our visual spectrum and “tickle” us with good designs. So it’s really not about the budget, but what you do with it in terms of execution.
- When using a carpet, position it diagonally and make sure furniture are placed inside it. This makes the room much bigger, and gives your apartment more of a homey vibe. The diagonal placement “distracts” visitors from the otherwise “monotonous” atmosphere an apartment generally gives out. So this can really work out in your favor.
- Go green – sometimes natural colors such as browns and greens can add new flavor to your apartment’s overall aesthetic. Get fake plants or succulents and add a breath of fresh air to your overall design.
- Mirrors can really make your apartment look much bigger and brighter than they seem. Not only do they make fitting clothes much easier for you, but it also makes your apartment look bigger and accentuates your furniture and accessories.
Include a bit of yourself when you have the time: When you want to design your budget apartment, you’re not forbidden to add a bit of a personal touch to things around you. You can transform your apartment aesthetic with a bit of a personal flair if you do it correctly. Personal artworks, a personal take on color, and even adding personal works on display can breathe life on your apartment.
- Try to reinvent what you already have. This doesn’t necessarily mean DIY (do-it-yourself), but rather finding ways to utilize them in the most effective way possible. Try to flip the floor plan, or move stuff to new rooms. You can spray the wood pieces or reupholster some materials. Sometimes, you can find the cheapest and best deals by upgrading what you already have. You can repaint new furniture, or mix and match materials to get that attractive finish.
- Try to include personal artworks in your apartment. Displaying a huge work of art of allocating a section of a wall solely for art pieces can really add a flair to your apartment’s interior. If you don’t have big artworks, try decorating your wall with photos – be it old polaroid pictures or the like. Try to make your own artwork as well, so you can add a bit of “flair” and sophistication to your apartment.
Take advantage of your budget: Budget doesn’t mean careless. This means when you do buy accessories and materials for your apartment design, it’s most likely a one-off deal. So instead of risking ruining your new furniture or materials before you even get them to your apartment, try to plan your move carefully.
- Why not buy these things in advance and have your movers help you position them in your apartment? If you’re living in New York, you can try asking moving companies NYC if they can assist you in the placement of your furniture, so you can at least have your materials and furnishing all set up before you go full-blast on decorating your apartment.
- Buy one expensive good thing, instead of one cheap bad thing. You’ll want to replace the bad thing right away, but the good thing can be with you for the rest of your life. If you love a piece of furniture, try as much as possible to buy that one, even if it’s part of a set. If it’s part of a set, try splitting them with a friend.
- When you do want to buy cheap stuff, try to make sure you search for affordable but effective accessories. Table settings, place mats, trays, and inexpensive Chinese porcelain can really amp up your design game – but use them wisely.
Cheap, Brilliant, Stunning Design Can Make Your Apartment Go Wow
If there’s anything the above prove, it’s that going budget can be possible when getting a new apartment. It’s not about buying expensive materials or blowing your savings off good furnishings. Rather, it’s making use of what you have and relying on both practicality and creative presentation to make an apartment design that can stun your audiences. This can greatly help bring budget down, especially when you might need movers and moving companies to give assistance during your move.
Remember, sometimes the best designs rely on simple presentation – as they let the eyes do the work. This means it’s up to you as to what sort of impression you want your apartment to give your audiences and how you plan on making that impression work in your favor.
