Interior Design Basics for your New Space
So, you and your roommates found a new home or apartment on Chillow. Now it’s time to furnish and decorate! Designing a living space can be both daunting and exciting. We put together a simple guide to help you design your new space.
Know the Size and Flow of the Room
First things first. It’s always a good idea to take measurements of your space before adding to it. This ensures you furnish your space with appropriately sized furniture rather than battling awkward gaps in furniture or cramming large pieces in places they don’t belong.
After taking your measurements, get a feel for your space. Does it have an open concept? How much natural lighting comes in from the windows or skylights? Do the floors need a rug on them? Understanding the feel of the space helps you and your roommates narrow down what you need. For example, if you don’t have a lot of windows or lighting, you might need a lamp somewhere in the room.
We know measuring a room isn’t the most exciting thing to do, so make it a fun time to hang out with your new roommates! Blast some music, make some popcorn and brainstorm different ideas for how to fill your new space together.
Start with the Basics and Add as You Go
Nothing is worse than when you and your roommates purchase a bunch of new furniture and decor without having a place to put them. To avoid having a hodgepodge of items without a purpose, purchase your basic necessities first. Basic necessities like a bedframe and mattress, side tables, a couch or sofa and entertainment table are good starting purchases. Once you place the larger items in your space you can better understand how they fit in the room and what more you’d like to add.
Accommodate to Your Space
Keep in mind that living in and sharing tight spaces like apartments, studios or dorm rooms with roommates can limit storage options. There are many unique ways to store your items in plain sight! Many bed frames and tables have built in drawers and storage. The bed frame shown below is from Article. Other sites to find inexpensive and stylish furniture are Overstock.com, Wayfair.com, and IKEA.
Other Tips and Tricks as You Design Your New Home
Find inspiration! You and your roommates don’t need to come up with an interior design concept from scratch. Use sources online to better understand the look you and your housemates are seeking. Do you all have a minimalist-boho style? Maybe a modern-chic look is more your vibe. Some online references we love are: Article.com, Urbanoutfitters.com, Crate&barrel.com, and Westelm.com.
Consider your colors carefully. Just like furniture, you and your roommates should pre plan your color scheme prior to buying just anything. Does one roommate like blue and another yellow? Find smaller objects like pillows, blankets, vases and candles that add pops of color against neutral furniture. If you and your roommates are more color bold, think about accent furniture such as a blue couch with yellow and neutral pillows. Or an accent yellow chair. Don’t be afraid to make a statement with color!
Add character pieces from the city you live in! Boise is a beautiful city with lots of character; that’s why you and your roommates chose to live here, right? Grab items from some of our favorite Boise stores such as 13th Street’s Hyde and Seek, Mixed Greens, Echelon Fine Home, or Feather & Twine Home. Outdoor Boise markets such as the Boise farmer’s Market or 34th Street Market have vendors that create great custom home decor too!
If you and your roommates follow these simple interior design steps, we are sure you will love the space you create together. Happy moving!
-The Chillow Team
