Category: Blog

These days, staying in instead of going out tends to be the move. With many regular recreational activities and places closed due to the pandemic, people are spending more time than ever in their space – including creating new at-home date nights and coming up with fun indoor activities to do with kids. But what if you’re not in love with the space you’re in?

If that’s the case, consider these decorating and design tips to make working from home or hanging at home a more enjoyable experience. Creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing condo will make it easier to want to stay put.

Basic Design Ideas for Condos

Regardless of what your condo looks like, some common principals can help improve your space and your desire to stay inside.

• Declutter– One of the best starting points for making your condo more livable is tidying up. Make time to go through all of your stuff and decide what needs to go and what can stay. When stuff piles up, especially in smaller quarters, it’s easy to feel even more cramped. It can also make finding things more challenging. You’ll be surprised what a difference a clean and clutter-free condo can make!
• Personalize Your Space– One of the ways to better appreciate your space is to make it feel more like you. While it’s fun to find inspiration online and from other’s Pinterest boards, be sure to add your own unique touches and personalizations.
• Invest in Good Lighting– Brightening up your space can do wonders for your space and your mood. Be mindful of the light fixtures you choose- from the ceiling lights to your lampshades. Consider incandescent light for a more relaxing feel.
• Don’t Underestimate a Fresh Paint Job– If it’s been a while since your unit’s seen a fresh paint job, it’s worth looking into. You’ll be surprised what some new paint can do to make your place feel brand new.
• Consider Pops of Color– Even if you tend to gravitate to neutral colors in your home, a bit of color and brighten up a space, and even make it feel more inviting. Consider finding colorful art pieces or accent pillows.

Condo Design Ideas for Small Spaces

If your condo’s square footage is limited, this doesn’t mean your design options have to be. There are plenty of pointers to help condo residents maximize their smaller space.

Here a few common design ideas for smaller spaces:

• Start Neutral– Lighter shades of color can actually make rooms appear larger than they are! Along with neutral paint colors, consider neutral decor as well.
• Take Advantage of Natural Light– Even if you weren’t blessed with a ton of natural light, try incorporating mirrors to give the illusion of more light. This will quickly brighten and open up your space.
• Find Multi-Functional Furniture– Multi-purpose furniture is key to making the most of a smaller space. Be on the hunt for furniture that’s functional. For example, benches are great furniture to provide extra seating, great aesthetics, and extra storage. You could also find a bed that contains drawers underneath.
• Take Advantage of Extra Wall Space– Don’t let empty walls go to waste. While you want to be careful not to overdo it, blank walls make a perfect empty canvas with endless decorating options. Hang up your favorite decorations, whether that’s fun picture frames, hanging plants, or mirrors to enhance the room. Consider floating shelves as a practical option for extra space.

Bedroom Decorating Ideas

Your bedroom may be one of the most important spaces when it comes to decorating. It’s the spot you start and end your day.

Be sure you enjoy this space and take advantage of decoration advice:

• Choose Soothing Textures: Creating a calming presence in your bedroom is key. With this in mind, try and bring in soft texture while avoiding a lot of patterns or strong contrasts.
• Layer Lighting Options: While your condo may already have built-in ceiling lights, don’t stop there. You can bring in extra soft and bright lighting by incorporating additional floor lamps or nightstand lights.
• Embrace Drapes: Drapes can help with temperature control, as well as softening your space. Many Chicago condos feature built-in roller shades, most of which are black-out in the bedroom. This base allows for weight and style choices to create your perfect aesthetic.
• Make the Most of Your Nightstand: When selecting your nightstand, look for one that offers additional storage. Not only does this give you space to add decorations to set on top, but it also provides an area to store extra stuff.
• Add A Cozy Rug: Many condo units feature plan flooring throughout, which is beautiful and easy to clean, but it can also feel harsh on your feet when getting out of bed in the morning. Find a soft and stylish rug that can gently greet each new day.

Bathroom Decorating Ideas

When it comes to refreshing your space, don’t neglect the bathroom. While it may not be your largest room or where you’re spending most of your time, investing in a bathroom can help you further enjoy your condo as a whole.

Here are three simple ways to refresh the bathroom:

• Add Natural Elements: Bringing in natural elements to the bathroom, such as wood or greenery, can soften up this space. Consider hanging some house plants to maximize floor space. Even if it’s fake, this type of decor can break up the starkness of the tile, metal, and glass. A woven rug, teak floor mat in the shower, or wooden frames for art on the wall can even add natural textures.
• Bring in a Pop of Color: While many luxury Chicago apartment bathrooms have a sleek and modern feel, don’t be afraid to bring bold colors into the space. Look for fun mats or bright shower curtains to enhance the bathroom.
• Maximize the Space: By adding sleek storage solutions, you can beautify your bathroom while decluttering the area. If you’re going for an industrial vibe, look into locker style storage, or if you have extra wall space above your tub, consider adding some shelves.

Decorating Ideas for Your Open Concept Condo

If you live in an open concept condo, chances are you have plenty of space to work with when it comes to decorating.

To best utilize your open space, take notes on how to best transform your home:

• Be Mindful of Your Furnishings: It’s important to create distinct areas within open concept floor plans so that you make the most of one multipurpose space. Making this happen has a lot to do with how you arrange your furniture. The key is to set up your furniture to intentionally divide these different sections and keep a nice flow to your home. Section off cozy corners and lay down large area rugs to separate areas.
• Open Concept Decor: Once you’ve figured out the right furniture set up, the decor is the next step to bringing your condo to life. With a large space, don’t be afraid of large decorative pieces. Expansive artwork for the walls or sizable plants for the floor make excellent additions. Try and find items that mimic your style and taste. 
• Team up with an Interior Designer: If the idea of decorating an open concept condo feels daunting, allow an expert to help. An experienced and professional designer can help ease the process and help make your design desires and ideas into a reality.

If you plan on staying inside instead of going out more, then be sure to invest in decorating and sprucing up your space. Try incorporating some of our favorite condo tips into your home so that you never want to leave!

Ready to make the move to a new condo to enjoy your time at home a little more? Get in touch with one of our experienced team members today.