A Guide To Arranging Furniture In Your Apartment

Apartment dwelling in dense cities is a joy for some; they think of nothing but the great proximity to bars, restaurants, museums, cafes, etc. For others, apartment dwelling is a burden; they are simply consumed by how cramped their space is. Though the joys of city amenities may be of little comfort to the latter, there is certainly no reason to feel claustrophobic in your space no matter how small. By following the simple principles in this piece, you’ll learn how to make even the tiniest city apartment feel open and airy.

Mind The Tape

The first thing to bring in when arranging furniture in an apartment is a tape measure. Measure each room, as well as the openings, as a reference for what will or will not fit. Bring some masking tape as well to visualize various sized pieces in a room. For instance, laying out a 3′ x 6′ rectangle in the dining room to see if a table that size will allow enough room for chairs and people. Not that exact dimensions have to be settled right then and there, but just to get some general notion.

Watch The Walls

The temptation when faced with staging a small space is to move all the pieces out to the perimeter of the room; up against the walls. Counterintuitive though it may be, it’s a time-honored law of interior design that allowing some space between the walls and furniture objects will produce an open, spacious feeling. Experiment with the idea; try moving the bed out to the center of the room, maybe anchored by an area rug. Break the mold of facing pieces toward each other straight on, try angling them and play with the geometry. You’ll be surprised by the dramatic effect these small changes can have on the feel of a room.

Layer For Visual Interest

Don’t forget to consider the vertical element of your layout. Just like the city you live in, the vertical real estate of your apartment is valuable. If a room has mostly short pieces like seating and coffee or end tables, contrast it with a tall floor lamp or by placing art on the walls to draw the eye upward. The goal is to create layers. By drawing attention to the vertical component of the room it will inherently make the space feel larger.

Neutral Palette

Adhering to a more neutral color scheme with your furnishings and decor items will also create a sense of openness. Not that each space needs to look like a meditation chamber, but consider adding accents of color over a foundation of natural tones that allow the eye to glide over the space. Also, maintaining the same wall color throughout the apartment will increase the effect as you glance from one room into the next with a seamless palate. Varying colors in each space will make it feel choppy (though accents here and there are fine and done right can be stunning).

Storage

It goes without saying that storage in an apartment is paramount. Sure you have your closets, and with any luck some built-ins if it’s a prewar building, but beyond that, you’ll have to get creative. There are the obvious solutions; custom floor to ceiling shelves in the living room to store and display records, books, objets d’art, etc. An armoire, chest-of-drawers, or sideboard in the bedrooms. These are great, but break the mold; try placing a credenza behind the couch for added storage and as a surface to display pictures and place lighting. Or, instead of a coffee table hunt for a vintage navy chest that can double as a keeping place for books or blankets.

Get a few of them and place one at the foot of each bed. Any opportunity to gracefully stow things will reduce clutter, which is always welcome.

Flow

A petite apartment, as with any space, must allow for good traffic flow. Traffic can mean a few friends over for a dinner party (which is something to plan for), but also just you and your partner going about your day. Try to leave three feet between a piece in the center of the room and the wall, and keep openings clear. This both enables safe passage and makes for a clean aesthetic. Also, consider curves; the forgiving edges of round or oval tables are easier to work around in tight quarters than their more geometrically severe cousins.

Keep these principles in mind; use them to help simplify the arrangement process, but don’t forget to enjoy yourself and make it your home. Choose pieces that speak to you, not too many of them. And don’t forget to pick up some plants while you’re at it.

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