When you open the door to your condo, what do you want to see? Considering you now consider it as your home, not only do you want your unit to feel like a sanctuary, but it should also showcase your unique personality. However, condo unit design can often feel limiting because of the minimal space.
It can be tempting to leave your condo unit as bare as possible because adding furniture or decor might make the area feel more cramped. However, there are clever ways to elevate your condo-style without sacrificing floor space. Before deciding to leave your DMCI Homes condo as it is, check out these practical interior design ideas that will transform your home into a stylish and functional retreat.
Chapter 1
One of the most common misconceptions that condo renters have about designing small condos is that art can make the space look busier. Many opt to keep their condo bare and bland for fear that any art piece can make a room feel even tinier. However, art can play an important role in making you love the space you call home. Here’s how:
For Leanne Ford, incorporating up in your rentals is one of the best ways to make a space feel personalized. Whether it’s a piece that you made or an artwork that speaks to you, seeing art will remind you of pleasant memories that you associate with it.
Sometimes, instead of crowding the room, carefully selected art pieces can offer depth to your unit. Design experts say that adding bold and fun pieces can make a room feel more dynamic and add volume.
If you want to display oversized wall art in your modern condo, you may have to forego hanging other mini artworks. This will keep the overall condo design look less cluttered. Don’t be afraid of mixing and layering art with various patterns and textures. Just make sure to stick to a theme so your unit will feel cohesive.
Aesthetic, color, and texture aren’t the only things you should consider when hanging art in your unit. You should also think about unique ways of displaying it. If you’re using furniture as a reference point, make sure the bottom of the frame is about 8 to 10 inches away from it. For spaces with low ceilings, you can lower the frame up to 6 inches above the furniture.
Photo courtesy of Tim Gouw via Pexels
Chapter 2
When talking about adding accents to a room, one of the first things that come to mind is a single wall with a bold color. However, accent colors may also come in the form of throw pillows, furniture or artwork. Remember the general rule for accent colors: 60-30-10. 60% should be the main color, 30% for the accent color, and 10% for your secondary accent color. Following this rule will lead to a more balanced look.
Check out how to seamlessly incorporate them into your condo layout:
An accent wall is not limited to just a bold splash of color. You can also make the most out of your wall space by designing a gallery wall, adding mirrors, or installing classy shelving that complements your space.
Another clever interior design idea is to create accents through bold statement pieces like lighting fixtures, sculptures, and unique artworks. Just remember to choose a select few pieces that create impact to keep the space balanced instead of cluttered.
One of the top interior design trends of 2024 is mixing multiple materials and textures. For those who are used to minimalism, this might be a big step. However, incorporating different materials and textures is a great way to set different moods and styles within your modern condo interior.
Many mix wood or stone with stainless steel or chrome. Don’t be afraid to mix and match fabric with different textures in your decor. You’d be surprised at how much depth and interest it can add to your space.
Chapter 3
Although decorating small spaces can be tricky, you should never forego hanging or displaying art pieces that you love. Fortunately, there are strategies you can use to do it in a way that doesn’t restrict your space.
If you’re hanging art on the wall, select pieces that are between ½ to ¾ the width of your chosen space. An expert suggests measuring the distance of the furniture or fixture and multiplying it by 0.6 to get the ideal size of artwork for the space. Pull back and check how it works with the rest of the room. If the area still looks a little bare, you can afford a bigger piece.
Assigning a condominium design concept will make decorating a lot clearer. Having a set theme for one area of your home will make it easier to choose art pieces or decor to go along with it. For example, if you’ve decided to choose blue as your accent color, try choosing art pieces, materials, and other colors that go along with it like burnt orange and brass.
Even if there’s no Autumn season in the Philippines, you can still design your condo with fall-inspired colors and decors. Use cozy textiles, warm oranges and reds, and pumpkins, and scented candles to emulate the warmth and charm of this special season.
If you have several small artworks you really want to showcase in your condo unit, consider curating a cohesive gallery wall. To make it more uniform despite being different, make sure to use pieces that have similar tones and matching frames.
Chapter 4
A vacant wall is like a canvas. Aside from hanging traditional framed art, you can use this space to display pieces that can make your home feel more personal. For example, you can hang a beautiful, hand-made fan that was given to you as a memento. Complement it with art or materials that have similar shades or textures.
The usual challenge with condo units is that it has limited floor space. That’s why you have to be creative in using your vertical space to free up the floor for functionality. Opt for floating shelves instead of art or combine them for an aesthetically pleasing yet functional fixture. You may also breathe life into your unit by adding some greenery through a vertical garden.
If you’re worried about your space looking cluttered because of several smaller art pieces, one good rule to remember is to create a visual balance. You give each piece uniform spacing or choose to put some in clusters– it’ll depend on the look you’re trying to achieve.
It can be intimidating to incorporate statement pieces into your condo unit design. With minimal space, you run the risk of choosing a piece that can overwhelm the overall look of your home. To avoid that from happening, keep these tips in mind:
Whether it’s unique furniture or standout lighting fixtures, choose a piece that you want to highlight in your space and let it stand out. Don’t be afraid to be bold–there are plenty of ways to make the most eye-catching items work in your space.
Make sure your statement piece is considered a main part of the room like the couch or the dining table. Other pieces like end tables, mirrors, or lamps are more supporting elements to your condo unit design. If they’re too eye-catching, the space might appear unbalanced.
Photo courtesy of Alexandra Gorn via Unsplash
Although being bold is good, adding too many statement pieces can make your unit look too busy. To highlight a piece properly, choose neutral decor or other pieces that are less ornate. They are meant to complement your statement piece instead of take away from it.
Chapter 5
Aside from aesthetics, every condo owner prioritizes functionality in their space. However, choosing the latter often means you have to compromise on style. Fortunately, more furniture and decor serve both of these needs.
Your furniture should be able to adapt to your lifestyle. Just as spaces are no longer used for one purpose, your furniture should follow as well. If your office desk by the day can transform into a long table for when you have guests, that’s less stress and thinking about how to seat them.
Lighting is a vital element of condo unit design. It can significantly improve the appearance of the space, set a mood, and draw attention to specific areas of your home. For condos where space is a challenge, proper lighting can open up the room and make it look larger.
Different types of lighting also give different effects. Ambient lighting is the general illumination of a space. If you want the illusion of a bigger space, opt for ceiling-mounted ambient lighting that instantly opens up the space. Meanwhile, task lighting is used for particular areas of the room like table lamps used for reading.
To highlight art pieces in your unit, accent light is what you need. If you want to draw attention to a set of decorative glassware, you can install an LED strip light above or below the fixture.
Chapter 6
Many condo owners don’t bother decorating their unit’s interior, thinking that it might be expensive. The good news is that there are plenty of ways to design a stylish yet functional space that truly feels like home.
If you’re following a budget, aside from choosing multifunctional furniture pieces, also take the extra step to see if they’re low-maintenance. If they’re durable, it will reduce the occurrence of you cleaning or changing them shortly. Just make sure, the pieces you choose still complement the rest of your room.
One underrated interior design idea is rotating decor elements seasonally to keep your home looking fresh throughout the year. It doesn’t require much effort and cost but is a surefire way to make your home just a little more inviting. You can do this by simply switching out pillowcases, blankets, or rugs depending on the season–bright and pastel colors for the Summer, warm earthy shades during Fall, and cool tones or festive colors for Winter.
Sacrificing style for functionality is a common mistake that many condo owners make. To help you feel more comfortable in letting your unique personality shine through your condo unit design, DMCI Homes created this guide that you can follow when you choose to design your unit.
Condo living doesn’t have to feel restrictive and monotonous. Create a space that you’d love to live in and also clearly reflects who you are as a person. If that’s too overwhelming, don’t worry about starting small and slowly building a space you can be proud of over time.
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