Condos are a key part of metropolitan living. With real estate space becoming increasingly expensive and with buying behavior pointing toward experiences (albeit virtual) instead of bigger properties, people are beginning to move into smaller units. But smaller doesn't have to mean unfunctional and it certainly doesn't have to mean boring.
With the coronavirus pandemic still playing out, people remain confined in their homes, not really having a choice to live their lives outdoors. And for condo and apartment dwellers in particular, this presents the challenge of how to make a tinier-than-usual space to work for all sorts of needs and still be a place that is a joy to stay in.
From building multifunctional rooms and decorating with dual-purpose home pieces to embracing maximalism in interior design, rethinking your small space with today's interior trends will ensure that you get the most use and fun out of your four walls.
Think double-duty furniture and smart fixtures.
With most of our time now spent in the privacy of our own homes, it's critical that most things in the space serve a purpose and make living easier and more pleasant. Multipurpose furniture such as transformer and flexible home pieces allow homeowners to save as much space as they can in smaller floor plans, and let rooms function in more ways than originally intended. Home offices can serve as workout studios and living rooms can turn into bedrooms once the sun sets with the help of space saving pieces and optimized home tech.
Modern technology has afforded society with innovative design and make, and now's the perfect time to invest in smart appliances that will not only help in everyday tasks but will also introduce something new to your space. Most smart devices like command switches also help conserve energy and avoid the risk of unwanted outages and other similar issues.
Take up plant parenting.
Staying at home, more often than not, means having more time to strengthen relationships with loved ones and to take care of those that need attention and affection, like house pets and indoor plants. While fake plants and plastic succulents were a convenient design choice in the past, nothing beats living and breathing flora in a space. Aside from their sheer beauty, brightness, and vibrancy, real plants definitely have more benefits - eco- and health-wise - than faux leaves that tend to collect dust. Not to mention you can only feel pride and satisfaction when you've successfully revived a plant or when a new sprout forms.
Let the outdoors in by introducing greenery in your space. If you don't have the greenest thumb, start with low-maintenance plants (i.e. those that don't need direct sunlight and can live off of weekly watering) and set alarms to make sure you don't miss "feeding time." More and more people are getting into gardening nowadays, so don't hesitate to reach out to your friends or to an online community and ask for tips on how to better care for plants - you might just get meaningful social interaction from your leafy roommates.
Focus on your kitchen.
The always-at-home lifestyle has made for many hobbies and interests to become mainstream, one being home cooking. With restaurant dining dwindling in popularity (what with all the limitations and risk involved in eating out), there has been a surge of homebodies that have gotten into the habit of making their meals and enjoying the process.
Make your kitchen work for you by introducing the right furniture, implementing task lighting, or even building extensions if necessary. In cookie cutter condo units, kitchenettes are typically present but may not be built with everyday home cooking in mind. Don't be afraid to change up the layout of your kitchen with construction if need be. A less intrusive approach would be to use furniture that add to the functionality of your kitchen, like a mini island on wheels or ceiling hooks for your go-to stainless pans.
And speaking of indoor plants, consider planting herbs and aromatics by your window sill - most dishes taste better with fresh herbs on top anyway.
Don't be shy, decorate.
Gone are the days of minimalist, neutral chic; nowadays, it's all about maximalist interior design. Artists and designers alike have taken to picking out inspiration from within the walls of their personal spaces. Build your ideal environment by filling up your space with accessories that you love and speak to you - from art pieces to knick knacks you've collected over the years. Create cozy nooks by using textiles, mood lighting, and layered prints. The goal is to build a space that is uniquely yours and will spark inspiration in ways the outdoors have before quarantine.
Wallpaper is another great way to show off your creative interests. It might be too permanent a decision, however, so start with something smaller like filling up book shelves with other ornaments or setting up an eclectic gallery wall with your favorite prints and pieces. And if you're set on using wallpaper but don't want to cover an entire wall or ceiling with one crazy design, maybe try peel-and-stick wallpaper on cabinets or on utility doors?
Ever heard of "grandmillennial"?
Grandmillennial is an interior decorating style that employs "outdated" trends such as embroidered linen, the classic blue and white china, and lots of ruffles. Needlepoint is a key ornament, and lined rattan baskets are used liberally in all rooms of the house. Following the need to veer away from the ultra-clean, minimalist look that pervaded throughout the past decade, grandmillennials - i.e. the young people who have taken a liking to antiquated style - are eager to show off their personalities at home by decorating their spaces with well-loved collectibles from vintage stores and secondhand shops. The image, when done right, is cluttered-yet-visually-cohesive, interesting in form yet intentional in placement.
Another reason why some may choose to decorate with faded floral prints, older wooden furniture, and dainty fixtures is because they've received these heirloom home pieces from their loved ones and staying at home and seeing them less demands this need for connection. Personal spaces, more than anything, are supposed to be designed in a way that appeals to the people who live in them and their emotions. At the end of the day, good interior design tugs at your heartstrings and makes you feel happy and served.
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