JOIN USGoing by the popularity of studio apartments, it is evident that good things come in small packages. Monica Kamal tells you how to get the decor right in tight quarters.
With space becoming a major concern by the day, studio apartments seem like the best option for fine living. Typically comprising of a single room and a bathroom, studio apartments are affordable and cost-effective. Small spaces are easy to keep cool during the summer and warm in the winter. This means less energy consumed. Studio apartments are lucrative investment options and allow easy entry and exit points.
Studios also teach you to productively multi-task. Since everything you need is in one space, you can cook, clean, and watch TV, without having to switch rooms. Studio apartments are easy to furnish too, simply because you do not have enough space for a lot of pieces.
But converting a studio apartment into a spacious set-up can be challenging; how does one get innovative with limited space in hand? What kind of furniture should one invest in? How to add a touch of creativity to it? What kind of lighting suits such a set up? How to make it interesting? Don’t fret. Here are some guidelines to help you get started.
When you don’t have the luxury of lots of space, the first thing you have to do is
strategise how you’ll make everything work well together. One way to start is by using a monochromatic palette. It will make the space look larger and will work with, rather than against, the other elements in your design. Choose the same or similar shades for the walls, carpets and drapes. This doesn’t have to be a compromise move, even if you love vivid colours. Indulge yourself in your choice of accessories, wall art and textiles.
Scale is important in rooms that are either too small or too large. Instead of a standard sofa, use a love seat or two. Take advantage of the ability of glass to blend with its surroundings by using it liberally in your choice of shelving and tables. When you shop for furniture, opt for pieces with onboard storage, like headboard or bookshelf combos, storage ottomans and side tables with built-in drawers. Evaluate the footprint of all the pieces you buy.
Making smart choices
Once the furniture is in place, you’ll still need space to walk around it. Shallow dressers, drop-leaf tables and modular computer desks are easier to incorporate into a small space than their conventional counterparts. Be choosy about what you buy, and look for scaled-down options.
Use floating shelves to show off a collection of decorative objects and mementos. Stagger the shelves for a unique look. Basic shelves serve as a strong basis for rotating displays. Employ an industrial metal shelving unit as extra kitchen storage, if your apartment’s kitchen storage options are less than generous.
Use baskets to coop up kitchen staples, and incorporate a few decorative touches to keep it fun. In any small space, using mirrors is a decorating trick that works wonders. They reflect light and make a space feel bigger. Hang a large mirror in your apartment’s dining space, living room, or bedroom across from a window, so it is in a prime position to receive natural light and reflect it back into the room.
Use colourful garden stools as impromptu coffee tables or as bedside tables. These relatively lightweight furniture pieces can easily be moved from room to room and are much easier to carry up apartment stairs than a bulky table.
Good lighting can completely transform a room and its source doesn’t necessarily need to be a hardwired ceiling fixture. Invest in lamps to place on end tables, nightstands, and side tables. Position floor lamps to illuminate dark corners and hang plug-in wall sconces in hallways or above sofas. Plug-in under cabinet lighting will give your kitchen work areas new life and make cooking tasks easier. In the end, it’s not all about space. As long as you know how to get the best out of everything, you can promise yourself a beautiful, practical abode.
(The author is an interior designer and MD, Siddharth by MKC)