Whether you’ve stockpiled them over the years or are just on the hunt for an innovative way to redefine your space, rugs might be the most versatile and underused weapons in the interior design toolkit. Read on to learn how you can unlock the full potential of your rental with a little help from the lowly, humble rug.
Upgrade your upholstery
Not all rugs are created equal. But the comfortable ones are great for repurposing into a chair or ottoman upholstery. If you’re working with a more durable fabric, think about reupholstering something like an ottoman. If the material is more comfortable and luxurious, think about applying it to a chair or barstool.
Be aware, that some fabrics will be easier to work with on a larger-scale project like this. If you’re a novice DIY-er or simply looking for a little extra guidance, make sure you know what you’re doing or reach out to someone at your local hardware store. There are also a number of YouTube videos that will help you based on the specific project you have in mind.
Throw some shade
On a smaller scale, an old or currently unused rug can also be repurposed into a lampshade. This striking design choice will act as a statement and conversation piece. Beyond that, applying rug material to a lampshade is a practical way to dim an overbearing light. Less light will penetrate through the shade with the extra rug covering it up.
Respect the wood around your apartment
If you have a near-new rug that’s just lying around with no place to go, take on a fun DIY project and turn that rug into a matching set of placemats and coasters. Lay your rug face down and draw out your plan on the bottom beforehand. Then, you can make all of your cuts confidently and know that your finished product will turn out exactly as planned.
Note: Do not try this with an old and well-worn rug. Dinner guests may find this off-putting.
Create the headboard of your dreams
Fabric headboards have been in vogue for a while and there’s no sign of that changing anytime soon. Create your own custom headboard by repurposing a rug into a uniquely upholstered and artistically inspired headrest. What better way to sleep at night than under one of your creations?
This project, like the chair and ottoman mentioned above, may require an elevated level of handiness, but again, your local hardware store and YouTube are your best friend for these larger DIY projects.
Think beyond the floor
Whether a rug is handmade, factory produced or anything in between, if you find it as aesthetically pleasing as a piece of art, you should treat it that way. Don’t be afraid to reframe the way you think about rugs. Some rugs are meant for more than the floor. Some rugs, (pause for dramatic effect) are meant to be used as art and displayed on the wall.
Large or small, there’s no limitation to the ways in which you can approach displaying your rugs as art. If you have a blank wall and a great-looking rug either lying around or awaiting in an online shopping cart, now’s the time to bring that piece of art to its full glory. Display that beautiful rug on the wall and enjoy the compliments that come your way for your design savvy and ingenuity.
Center yourself
Few activities align more with the principles of yoga than creating your own yoga mat. Channel your inner-DIY expert and create your own at-home yoga mat out of a lightly used or new rug. A roll-up-size rug can be a great alternative to a traditional (and expensive) yoga mat.
Because rugs absorb moisture more than the average yoga mat, it’s best to limit the use of your rug yoga mat to just yourself. That said, if you’re looking for a home yoga mat that is always ready for you when you need it, consider a rug.
Note: Regardless of the condition of the rug when you start its transformation into a yoga mat, it will be worth giving it as thorough of a clean as possible before putting it to use.
Pamper your pet
One great way to put an older rug to use is to repurpose it as a bed for your pet. Cat, dog, ferret, bunny or anything in between, it doesn’t matter. Your pet will love cozying down on something that feels like “people furniture” to them.
Do you know how your pets love scratching the things they aren’t supposed to? Use that to your advantage and create a custom scratching post for your cat out of your used carpet. Your feline friend already loves tearing into the material, so why not give them a designated place to do so? Save the rug you love now and let the cat go to town on one that has already served its purpose for you.
Don’t brush these tips under the rug
Regardless of the exact aesthetic, you wish to achieve, if you are looking for a change of scenery that doesn’t involve packing up and moving to a new place, consider throwing a rug at the problem. Whether you’re reupholstering a chair, creating coasters for your breakfast nook table or making a throne fit for a king for your furry friend, a simple rug can accomplish it all without asking you to break the bank.
A native of the northern suburbs of Chicago, Carson made his way to the South to attend Wofford College where he received his BA in English. After working as a copywriter for a couple of boutique marketing agencies in South Carolina, he made the move to Atlanta and quickly joined the Rent. team as a content marketing coordinator. When he’s off the clock, you can find Carson reading in a park, hunting down a great cup of coffee or hanging out with his dogs.
If your living room is feeling dull or lackluster, elevating your living space to have a more modern and sleek feel is your solution. Modern decor seamlessly blends style with functionality, creating an ambiance that feels timeless but also in the moment.
From the muted perfection of neutral tones to the boldness and power of a few carefully placed statement pieces, our 13 tips will transform your living room into a modern masterpiece. Crafting a living room that transcends time and trends while reflecting your personal taste and style, is the perfect way to decorate a space you’re sure to feel pleased with.
What makes a modern space, modern?
Modern decor is defined as distinct features that, together, create a sleek, clean and sophisticated aesthetic. As decor trends evolve and experience fluctuating popularity, modern decor shines in its timelessness. Still, the term “modern” is frequently misused in the realm of interior decoration. Its confusion with the contemporary style is fairly widespread.
However, the modern style that we encounter today actually stems from a design movement that originated at the cusp of the 20th century. This present-day modern style in furnishings and decor pays homage to natural materials, employs neutral or earthy tones and embraces a minimalist approach by removing excessive embellishments. While contemporary styling can encompass a diverse color palette, the modern style more strictly adheres to monochromatic hues.
Furniture pieces with clean lines
Minimalism influence
Neutral color usage
Functional furniture that serves more than one purpose
Sparse natural material embellishments that add visual interest
13 modern living room ideas to update your space
The key to a successful modern living room design is finding a balance between functionality, aesthetics and your personal style preferences. These tips offer guidance to work conjunctively with your own unique tastes to achieve your modern masterpiece.
1. Paint the walls a neutral color
If you’re allowed to paint your walls in a rental (make sure to check with your landlord first), this is a great way to set the modern tone in your space. Whether that be a crisp off-white or a cool grey, neutral wall tones can shift the space from feeling dull to more modern in a few paint strokes.
2. Install open shelving
An open display shelf is a great way to combine clean lines and functionality. For a rustic modern look, try a wooden ladder propped up against the wall and adorned with your favorite decor items.
3. Try a natural rug
Modern living rooms often feel too simple. Add visual interest to the space with textures like a natural rug. A faux cowhide rug, furry rug or even a woven jute rug can break up the monotony of neutral tones and minimalist furniture while maintaining a stylish and inviting atmosphere.
4. Brighten the room with a simple floor lamp
By incorporating a simple floor lamp into your modern living room decor, you create a well-lit and visually appealing space. This piece offers some creative freedom when it comes to choosing the style of the lamp.
5. Invest in a statement art piece
A statement art piece serves as the visual center of attention in your living room. It’s the first thing that catches the eye when someone enters the room, which sets the tone for the entire space. This is important in modern design, where bold and captivating art piece breaks the monotony of minimalism and adds intrigue.
6. Opt for acrylic or glass pieces
Acrylic and glass pieces are a great option for working with a limited color scheme. For example, a transparent coffee table creates sleek sharp lines while naturally matching the colors around it. Acrylic furniture is also inexpensive and is easily repurposed in other rooms.
7. Upgrade your technology
Part of the modern aesthetic is the newest and freshest technology. Smart devices complement modern spaces well and seamlessly integrate into the sleek and minimalist design. Think smart lighting, speakers and other on-trend appliances.
8. Break the neutrality with geometric patterns
Introduce modern geometric patterns through rugs and throw pillows to infuse a contemporary vibe. Choosing a pattern that resonates with your personal taste is a great way to add personality to the space as well.
9. Play with decorative mirrors
Mirrors are great decor pieces that naturally reflect light which helps the space feel larger. On top of their benefits related to room size, they’re also neutral when it comes to fitting a color scheme. (And if you liked the one we featured two photos up, we linked to one similar to it here.)
10. Create continuity with wooden pieces
Wooden furniture is a staple when it comes to monochromatic living rooms. The natural color of the wood often seamlessly fits into the feel of the room, while remaining a timeless piece with repurposing opportunities in other decor themes down the road.
11. Remove unnecessary furniture
Negative space, which is defined as the intentional creation of empty spots, is a common theme in modernly decorated spaces. Less is more in a modern living room, so purging unnecessary decor items and furniture is a must.
12. Open the floor with wall-mounted shelves
If you struggle to fill large open shelving and want to utilize wall space, opt for wall-mounted storage, like floating shelves. This also creates more negative space, helping give your space a more modern feel.
13. Lean into monochromatism
Picking one color and using varying shades is the most common theme found in modern decor. The easiest way to go about crafting your color scheme is to select a base color and gather shades, tints and tones of that color. Create depth with contrasting light and dark variations by consulting paint experts or using color templates on Pinterest and other design platforms.
Your interior-designer-approved modern living room awaits
Incorporating these tips can help you craft a modern living room that exudes style and functionality while maintaining your unique personality. With these tips and recommendations, you can easily achieve a modern living space that embraces both contemporary aesthetics and your unique preferences — even without hiring an interior designer.
Remember, modern design is about embracing simplicity and purposeful pieces, resulting in a space that feels efficient and effortlessly up-to-date. Find your dream apartment to make your modern muse today!
Welcome to Virgo season, a time synonymous with practicality, organization, and meticulous attention to detail. For people born under this Earth sign — or anyone who appreciates the Virgo way of life — this time of year resonates deeply with their core values. Virgos are renowned for their analytical approach to life, focus on improvement, and knack for bringing order to chaos. As they strive for efficiency and practicality in every aspect, they also have an inherent desire to create harmonious environments.
These diligent individuals believe that everything has its place and purpose, whether in their personal life, professional goals, or home décor. In essence, Virgo season is a celebration of the functional, the orderly, and the beautiful. It’s about creating spaces that are not just clean and organized but also meaningful and serene.
As we journey through this special season, let’s take a leaf out of the Virgo book and strive to create a home environment that reflects these traits. We’re bringing home decoration tips embodying the Virgo spirit’s practicality and harmony with a dash of elegance.
1. Kiss Dirt Goodbye: Tumble’s Washable Rugs
As we bask in the energy of Virgo season, it’s time to bid farewell to stubborn dirt and grime — especially the kind that clings to your beloved rugs. While charming, traditional rugs can be a nightmare to keep clean. The solution? Tumble’s washable rugs! They shout practicality and whisper elegance in every thread.
Imagine sipping your morning coffee, curled up on your sofa, your feet luxuriating on a soft, clean rug. A clumsy spill? No problem. You have a washable rug, which means all you need to do is toss it into your washing machine, and it’ll emerge as spotless as the day you bought it.
These rugs don’t just offer easy cleaning, they also add to the harmony of your home. They’re available in a plethora of designs and sizes, meaning you can find the perfect match for your hallway, living room, or even your bathroom. Choose a calming pastel hue to bring serenity to your study or a vibrant pattern to add a touch of joy to your kitchen. Either way, it’s the perfect stylish yet practical touch for any Virgo or Virgo-lover.
2. Shield Against Mayhem With Steadily
In our quest for a harmonious living space, we shouldn’t forget the importance of a strong, reliable shield against unforeseen mayhem. Yes, we’re talking about home insurance. A well-organized home is about more than neat shelves and pretty décor. It needs to ensure the safety and security of your space.
If you’re renting your space, it can be challenging to figure out where your coverage begins and where your landlord’s ends. That’s why it’s important to have Steadily on your side, to help clarify everything you need to know about coverage, from the landlord insurance cost to whatever you need to know to protect your space.
No more fretting over potential water damage or fire incidents. Instead, you can enjoy your neatly arranged bookshelf or beautifully coordinated living room without worry. As we embrace the practicality of Virgo season, let’s not forget to protect our homes. After all, a secure home is a serene home.
3. Elevate Your Throne With Squatty Potty
It’s time to talk about a throne that isn’t adorned with jewels or velvet cushions … it’s your bathroom’s porcelain throne! Embracing the practicality of Virgo season means taking a hard look at every aspect of our daily routine, including our bathroom habits. That’s where Squatty Potty comes into play.
This quirky but practical tool might just revolutionize your bathroom experience. Offering a new level of comfort and efficiency, squatty potty can improve your bathroom game.
The design of this tool helps you assume a more natural posture, aligning your body in a way that eases the process. Trust us, once you start using the Squatty Potty, you’ll wonder how you managed without it!
This little gem can also contribute to your bathroom’s harmony. Available in various styles, squatty potty can blend seamlessly into your bathroom decor, adding a touch of elegance to the most private room of your home. So, why not take your bathroom experience up a notch this Virgo season? After all, harmony starts from the most basic routines.
4. Harmonize With Good Essential’s Essential Oil Sets
When we talk about creating a harmonious environment at home, it’s about what you can see and what you can smell. The power of scent to influence mood and create a sense of peace and calm is undeniable. That’s why Good Essential’s essential oil sets should be at the top of your Virgo season shopping list.
Each drop of essential oil holds the power to transform a room. Whether you’re looking to bring a sense of calm to your home office, energize your living room, or create a spa-like atmosphere in your bathroom, these oils have you covered.
With essential oil sets, you’re not limited to just one scent. You can mix and match, creating your own personalized home fragrance that perfectly captures the essence of your space. It’s like having a secret weapon to combat stress, lift your mood, and promote a sense of harmony within your home.
As we navigate through Virgo season, let’s not forget to pay attention to scent’s invisible yet powerful element. With essential oils, you can fill your home with the fragrances that resonate with you the most, creating a space that’s not just organized but also emotionally balanced and inviting.
Ever wish you could simply wave a wand and make clutter disappear? Unfortunately, we don’t live in a magical world. That said, an ottoman with storage from One Kings Lane gets you pretty close. It’s a simple, effective solution for the common and often frustrating problem of clutter in our living spaces. Plus, it looks stylish and at-one with your living space, so you don’t have to worry about solving one clutter problem with another type of clutter.
On the outside, it’s an elegant piece of furniture, perfect for resting tired feet or offering an extra seat when guests arrive. Inside, it’s a spacious storage unit ready to hold your knick-knacks, magazines, or those throw blankets you always need on chilly nights.
Isn’t it refreshing to have a clean, clutter-free living room to relax in after a long day? Or a neat bedroom where you can retreat and recharge? If you want to embody the Virgo spirit fully this season, it’s all about creating a harmonious space where everything has its place.
Who would’ve thought curtains could play a vital role in harmonizing our living spaces? But the truth is, they do. They add warmth, create privacy, and contribute significantly to the aesthetic appeal of a room. When they’re custom curtains from Pepper Home, they become even more magical.
Pepper Home’s custom curtains are an opportunity to express your style while adding a touch of elegance to your rooms. Whether you prefer dark, heavy drapes for a dramatic effect or light, airy curtains for a minimalist vibe, Pepper Home has fully covered you (and your windows).
While curtains can be a hugely grounding element in any room, which leads into this earthy sign, they’re also incredibly practical, making them a doubly perfect addition to your decor this season. Curtains also help control the light and temperature in your rooms, contributing to a more comfortable and eco-friendly home environment.
7. Sip Some Goodness With Olipop’s Healthy Soda
Let’s take a quick departure from home decor to talk about something equally important if you’re looking to ground your life: what you eat and drink. If you love soda, you probably know that all that sugar and questionable additives aren’t good for you.
Not to mention, the caffeine can get in the way of your internal harmony, too — and when your body isn’t at its best, it doesn’t matter how sleek your living space is … you’ll feel out of balance. That’s why Olipop’s healthy soda is the perfect addition to your harmonious Virgo home. It has all the flavor you crave and satisfying fizz without the negatives.
Working healthy soda into your lifestyle doesn’t just make your taste buds happy, but it also contributes to a well-organized and harmonious kitchen. With no sticky spills or sugar-laden residues to worry about, you can maintain a clean and tidy kitchen effortlessly.
8. Claim Your Space: Ewart Woods’ Cute Desk Organizer
Piles of paper, scattered pens, and misplaced Post-it notes are a recipe for chaos. Just in time, Virgo season brings the promise of order. We have what you need to tidy up your trust desk: Ewart Woods’ cute and customizable desk organizer.
Imagine having a spot for everything on your desk. Pens? Check. Sticky notes? Check. Phone? Check. Not only does this streamline your workflow, but it also reduces the time you spend hunting for that one elusive pen that always seems to disappear.
This desk organizer isn’t just about functionality, though. It also makes your workspace a lot more pleasing to the eye. You can choose the shape and combination of the pieces to this desk organizer, ensuring that you have the perfect accent to suit your space and hold everything you need. When everything has the perfect place to go, your office space will feel more harmonious instantly.
9. Shelf the Chaos: Songmics’ Shelves for Kitchen Cabinets
While your kitchen cabinets may hide clutter, that doesn’t mean they aren’t cluttered. These areas often become a wild jungle of pots, pans, food containers, and more. The best way to keep your cabinets clean and make sure that all of your kitchen supplies stay clean, safe, and visible so you don’t forget what you have and end up with forty of the same cups is by getting some cabinet organizer shelves.
They’re your secret weapon in taming this wilderness. These shelves help maximize the space in your cabinets, allowing you to neatly stack dishes, organize pots and pans, and arrange your food containers in a way that makes everything easy to find.
Just picture opening a cabinet and seeing all your baking supplies neatly arranged on a shelf or your collection of spices lined up in alphabetical order. It’s enough to make any Virgo swoon with joy!
These organizer shelves also contribute to the overall harmony of your kitchen. With everything in its right place, your kitchen becomes a more enjoyable space where you can unleash your culinary creativity without worrying about the chaos that usually follows.
Make Every Season Virgo Season
Embracing the practicality of Virgo season isn’t about transforming your home overnight — it’s about making mindful choices that contribute to a more organized and harmonious space. It’s about incorporating products that simplify your life and add a touch of joy to your everyday routines.
Whether it’s a washable rug that makes cleaning a breeze or a cute desk organizer that personalizes your workspace, these tips are all about celebrating Virgo’s love for order, efficiency, and beauty.
As the last days of summer give way to the freshness of Fall, let’s take a moment to appreciate the practicality of Virgo season by creating spaces that are not only well-organized but also warm, welcoming, and uniquely ours. Here’s to a harmonious home and a harmonious life!
Everyone was so enthusiastic about the debut of our new coloum, This is Very Pinteresting, so we decided to keep er goin’! For the second installment, we’re talking traditional Kilim rugs, specifically in modern spaces.
There’s no denying why Kilim rugs are oh so popular right now. They bring instant color, warmth and texture to a home, balancing out hard edges and grounding the stark minimalism of modern pieces. Not to mention, Kilims bring an international flare making a room look more collected and eclectic. They look especially good in a kitchen which tends to be the most modern room of the home with stainless steel appliances and the latest cooking gadgets.
However, Kilims have taken a place in virtually every room of the house! Let’s have a look.
Kilim a Turkish word is used to describe flat weave rugs made in the region between the Balkans and Pakistan. So, to clear this up for us geographically challenged folk, that includes big countries like Turkey, Afghanistan, Iran formerly Persia, hence the synonym: Persian rug, parts of North Africa and Asia. Besides the intricate patterns, geometric shapes and bold colors, the main characteristic of a Kilim is that it is pileless Editors note: there is nothing that grosses me out more than pile rugs! It must be the dog owner in me!
Kilim rugs are one of the oldest design traditions in the world, making vintage Kilims a sought after piece in the design world, often having a hefty price tag. To find the best deals on vintage Kilims keep up on sites like eBay and Etsy. I’ve been on the lookout for a perfect blue Kilim for a while now. I found one at the Rose Bowl Flea Market and was devastated that it was in horrible condition. However, I regret not getting it because I could have salvaged the good parts of the rug and made some awesome pillows!
What do you all think of adding a pop of color and eclecticism to a modern space? Have you had your eye on Kilim too? We’ll give you our Etsy secrets if you give us yours!
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This is Very Pinteresting is brought to you by our editorial intern Bianca of A Fabulous Challenge!
Back in my day, the early aughts, the go-to options for dorm room basics and decor were the local Bed Bath & Beyond and Ikea — if you were lucky enough to have one. These days, there’s a lot more variety, with plenty of stylish and cool dorm room items and accent pieces available online at a range of price points. It makes it much easier for people to outfit their space in a way that is aesthetically pleasing and helps them to express their own personal tastes. In recent years, Urban Outfitters is one retailer that has really stepped up their game. Their home collection contains surprisingly chic pieces that are designed for small spaces, making it a great resource for dorm rooms and beyond.
There is an emphasis on eye-catching silhouettes across the entire category, including small, everyday items like lamps and catchalls. It gives their home section an elevated feel, and might just be what you need to give your dorm room a big upgrade — even the most utilitarian objects in their lineup — like a toilet paper holder — are extra special.
Below, I’ve rounded up a few of the most sophisticated, cool and exciting dorm-appropriate items at Urban Outfitters. This list includes everything from lamps and rugs to decorative items, storage baskets and more. It’s never too early to start your back-to-school shopping, and UO’s stunning selection will make it a pleasure.
HuffPost may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change.
When shopping for apartments, listings feature numerous dimensions stating how small or large the space is. Obviously, a 1,000-square-foot apartment will be larger than an 800-square-foot apartment. But if both apartments have two bedrooms, it’s hard to distinguish how much larger the 1,000-square-foot apartment is.
So, how big is 1,000 square feet? Learning how to measure for yourself and looking at some comparisons can go a long way in putting 1,000 square feet into perspective.
How to measure 1,000 square feet
To provide guidelines on standardized measurements, the American National Standards Institute oversees standards and conformity assessment activities to keep everyone on the same page. However, not everyone adheres to these standards, so it’s imperative to take your own measurements to confirm an apartment is an advertised size.
To adequately measure an apartment, condo, townhome, rental house, tiny home or other property, start by listing all the different rooms in the unit on a piece of paper. This includes all closets, hallways, utility spaces and so on.
Next, measure each room with a tape measure. Measure both the length and width of the room and then, multiply those two numbers. That’s the square footage of the room, which is noted by the correct space on the list.
If you have a room with an offset that’s not flush with the rest of the room, measure that section separately. For instance, if the kitchen has an eating nook, measure the straight lines of the kitchen, and then measure the straight lines of the eating nook to get each section’s square area.
To keep the math simple, round all measurements to the nearest half foot. For example, if the master bedroom is 12 feet by 8 feet, 7 inches, multiply 12 by 8.5 to get the square footage: 102 square feet.
After measuring all spaces in the unit, add them together for the unit’s total square footage.
Source: Rent. / Buckhead Town Homes and Gardens
What does 1,000 square feet look like?
It’s not easy to picture how much space 1,000 square feet actually is, so consider some comparisons. One example is a regulation tennis court for singles matches. This court measures 2,106 square feet, so a 1,000-square-foot apartment would sit on about one-half of the tennis court. Here are some other comparisons:
The average two-car garage is 400 square feet, so imagine two and a half two-car garages sitting side by side
On an NBA basketball court, the foul line is 19 feet from the baseline behind the basket. The court is 50 feet wide. If you measure the court size from the baseline to the foul line, it is 950 square feet.
The average size of a rectangular in-ground swimming pool is 200 square feet, so imagine five swimming pools side by side
How much can I fit into a 1,000-square-foot apartment?
Although actual layouts may vary, many 1,000-square-foot apartments often have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living area, a dining area and a kitchen. Within those layouts, the rooms may vary, such as a larger living and dining area and smaller bedrooms.
In some cases, the living and dining rooms could be about the same size as the bedrooms. Or, the bedrooms could be larger, with small main living spaces.
It’s likely a king bed will fit comfortably in at least one of the bedrooms. The living area likely will accommodate a sofa, a couple of chairs and two or three side tables. The dining area usually is large enough for a kitchen table and four chairs.
Given these are basic items, a 1,000-square-foot apartment also usually will accommodate accessories, such as bookshelves, TV consoles, dressers and other furnishings.
A 1,000-square-foot apartment generally accommodates a family of four or less.
The benefits of living in 1,000 square feet
When considering a 1,000-square-foot apartment, there are many benefits to choosing an apartment of this size.
You’ll have extra space for storage
In a 1,000-square-foot apartment, you could find yourself with plenty of storage space. For instance, if you plan to use the second bedroom as an office or guest room, you can use that bedroom’s closet for storage.
Plus, you can put furniture in there to use as storage, such as bookcases, chest of drawers and armoires.
You could save on utility costs
Choosing a 1,000-square-foot apartment could help keep utility costs in check. Having a smaller floor area means less work keeping it warm or cool enough, which reduces the cost of your electric bill. Fewer windows could help, as well, since you can keep curtains closed in the winter to keep warm air in and help prevent cold air from escaping during summer.
Use effective interior design to maximize space
Once you start moving into a 1,000-square-foot apartment, the rooms may start to feel smaller. But you can take steps to prevent that from happening with the right home designs.
For instance, decorating with lighter colors can reflect light and make the rooms feel bigger. If the walls are already white or a light color, just add pops of color through accessories like area rugs, throw pillows and artwork.
While you want to maximize the storage space in your apartment, don’t try to cram too many furnishings into the rooms. For example, choose a large sofa, chair and coffee table instead of several chairs, a loveseat and side tables.
Adding baskets also can help keep your apartment decluttered, so you don’t feel like your stuff is overtaking the place. Baskets are great catch-alls for books, magazines, papers and other items in the living room.
They also serve as a good storage spot for towels if you don’t have a lot of cabinets in the bathroom. Throwing toys in your child’s bedroom also can make clean-up quick and easy.
Turn 1,000 square feet into your perfect living space
For many people, 1,000 square feet may seem like a small apartment while, for others, it may seem like more than enough square footage. Regardless of your circumstances, you can make 1,000 square feet your perfect-sized property with the right furnishings and home designs in each of the rooms.
When shopping for apartments, listings feature numerous dimensions stating how small or large the space is. Obviously, a 1,000-square-foot apartment will be larger than an 800-square-foot apartment. But if both apartments have two bedrooms, it’s hard to distinguish how much larger the 1,000-square-foot apartment is.
So, how big is 1,000 square feet? Learning how to measure for yourself and looking at some comparisons can go a long way in putting 1,000 square feet into perspective.
How to measure 1,000 square feet
To provide guidelines on standardized measurements, the American National Standards Institute oversees standards and conformity assessment activities to keep everyone on the same page. However, not everyone adheres to these standards, so it’s imperative to take your own measurements to confirm an apartment is an advertised size.
To adequately measure an apartment, condo, townhome, rental house, tiny home or other property, start by listing all the different rooms in the unit on a piece of paper. This includes all closets, hallways, utility spaces and so on.
Next, measure each room with a tape measure. Measure both the length and width of the room and then, multiply those two numbers. That’s the square footage of the room, which is noted by the correct space on the list.
If you have a room with an offset that’s not flush with the rest of the room, measure that section separately. For instance, if the kitchen has an eating nook, measure the straight lines of the kitchen, and then measure the straight lines of the eating nook to get each section’s square area.
To keep the math simple, round all measurements to the nearest half foot. For example, if the master bedroom is 12 feet by 8 feet, 7 inches, multiply 12 by 8.5 to get the square footage: 102 square feet.
After measuring all spaces in the unit, add them together for the unit’s total square footage.
Source: Rent. / Buckhead Town Homes and Gardens
What does 1,000 square feet look like?
It’s not easy to picture how much space 1,000 square feet actually is, so consider some comparisons. One example is a regulation tennis court for singles matches. This court measures 2,106 square feet, so a 1,000-square-foot apartment would sit on about one-half of the tennis court. Here are some other comparisons:
The average two-car garage is 400 square feet, so imagine two and a half two-car garages sitting side by side
On an NBA basketball court, the foul line is 19 feet from the baseline behind the basket. The court is 50 feet wide. If you measure the court size from the baseline to the foul line, it is 950 square feet.
The average size of a rectangular in-ground swimming pool is 200 square feet, so imagine five swimming pools side by side
How much can I fit into a 1,000-square-foot apartment?
Although actual layouts may vary, many 1,000-square-foot apartments often have two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a living area, a dining area and a kitchen. Within those layouts, the rooms may vary, such as a larger living and dining area and smaller bedrooms.
In some cases, the living and dining rooms could be about the same size as the bedrooms. Or, the bedrooms could be larger, with small main living spaces.
It’s likely a king bed will fit comfortably in at least one of the bedrooms. The living area likely will accommodate a sofa, a couple of chairs and two or three side tables. The dining area usually is large enough for a kitchen table and four chairs.
Given these are basic items, a 1,000-square-foot apartment also usually will accommodate accessories, such as bookshelves, TV consoles, dressers and other furnishings.
A 1,000-square-foot apartment generally accommodates a family of four or less.
The benefits of living in 1,000 square feet
When considering a 1,000-square-foot apartment, there are many benefits to choosing an apartment of this size.
You’ll have extra space for storage
In a 1,000-square-foot apartment, you could find yourself with plenty of storage space. For instance, if you plan to use the second bedroom as an office or guest room, you can use that bedroom’s closet for storage.
Plus, you can put furniture in there to use as storage, such as bookcases, chest of drawers and armoires.
You could save on utility costs
Choosing a 1,000-square-foot apartment could help keep utility costs in check. Having a smaller floor area means less work keeping it warm or cool enough, which reduces the cost of your electric bill. Fewer windows could help, as well, since you can keep curtains closed in the winter to keep warm air in and help prevent cold air from escaping during summer.
Use effective interior design to maximize space
Once you start moving into a 1,000-square-foot apartment, the rooms may start to feel smaller. But you can take steps to prevent that from happening with the right home designs.
For instance, decorating with lighter colors can reflect light and make the rooms feel bigger. If the walls are already white or a light color, just add pops of color through accessories like area rugs, throw pillows and artwork.
While you want to maximize the storage space in your apartment, don’t try to cram too many furnishings into the rooms. For example, choose a large sofa, chair and coffee table instead of several chairs, a loveseat and side tables.
Adding baskets also can help keep your apartment decluttered, so you don’t feel like your stuff is overtaking the place. Baskets are great catch-alls for books, magazines, papers and other items in the living room.
They also serve as a good storage spot for towels if you don’t have a lot of cabinets in the bathroom. Throwing toys in your child’s bedroom also can make clean-up quick and easy.
Turn 1,000 square feet into your perfect living space
For many people, 1,000 square feet may seem like a small apartment while, for others, it may seem like more than enough square footage. Regardless of your circumstances, you can make 1,000 square feet your perfect-sized property with the right furnishings and home designs in each of the rooms.
Winter weather has arrived in Oregon — it’s rainy and cold. This time of year, Kris and I search for ways to keep warm. A lot of guides to saving money on heating contain impractical advice: “consider heating with solar energy!”. They offer good suggestions for the long-term, but they aren’t useful if you want to save money now. Here are some frugal ways we stay warm in our drafty old house.
Let in some light. Open blinds on south-facing windows during the day to let in the sun. Close them in the evening to add a bit more insulation. This provides just enough mid-day warmth that we don’t need the heater.
Use rugs on bare floors. We have hardwood floors above a poorly-insulated basement. These floors are cold in the morning and the late afternoon. An area rug does a fine job of keeping my feet warmer.
Block drafts. This is best done with weather-stripping or other forms of insulation, but even a blanket in front of a door helps. Because our house is so old, nothing is level. This makes it difficult to install weather stripping. The bottom of our mudroom door, for example, has a one-inch gap on one end but is flush with the floor near the hinge. By laying a blanket in front of the door, we can mitigate some of the heat loss.
Use space heaters. According to Michael Bluejay’s energy guide, this is the single best way to save money on electricity. As I learned from my tests with the Kill-a-Watt, a portable radiator-type oil heater uses a lot of power, but not nearly as much as a furnace. We have a couple of these heaters. They take a while to get warm, but once they’re going, the can heat a small space cheaply.
Bundle up. I love cold-weather clothes: long underwear, sweaters, hats, scarves, gloves. Some days we simply bundle up and turn down the heat. It’s cozy. And don’t forget: house slippers go a long way to keeping you warm!
Install a programmable thermostat. My sister-in-law just received her first big heating bill at her new home. “It was $100!” she said. (She had been leaving her thermostat at 68-degrees around the clock.) Her heating bill was more than she had budgeted, and made it easy to justify the cost of a new programmable thermostat. They’re easy to install and an excellent way to cut your heating costs. We set ours for 54 at night and when we’re gone during the day. (Reader Adam G. reviewed his programmable thermostat last August.)
Use an electric blanket. There’s no need to heat the entire house when you’re asleep. There’s no need to even heat the bedroom. An electric blanket is cheaper and cozier. (A blanket with dual-controls is best.)
Change the furnace filter. A dirty filter forces the furnace to work harder, decreasing its efficiency, increasing heating costs. We change the furnace filter at the start of the season, and once every month or two thereafter.
Close unused rooms. Do not heat them. This winter, we closed off our guest room and shut the heater vent. That room is now separate from the rest of the house. It stays cold, but there’s no reason to keep it warm.
These steps can reduce your heating costs immediately. In the long term, your best bet is to make sure your home is properly insulated. You should also check that your heat source is efficient, and that you’re not losing heat in unintended locations.
For example, I went down to the cellar last night to pull out some Christmas lights. I was startled to find that the basement was actually warm. It shouldn’t be. It’s uninsulated, below-ground, and exposed to the cold. The furnace was pumping away, doing its thing, heating the house. But it was apparently heating the cellar, too. It took only a moment to find the problem — our ductwork is not insulated. As the hot air blows through the pipes, the metal is heating, and the warmth is dissipating into the basement. We need to fix that.
Reportedly, insulating your water heater is another good way to save money. Since ours lives in the uninsulated mudroom, we should probably look into that.
For a detailed analysis of how your home can be heated most efficiently, set up an appointment for an energy audit. Many large cities have free programs for assessing home energy use. In Oregon, for example, the Energy Trust is a non-profit coalition of energy companies. A representative will tour your home and give you advice on how to save money on utilities. It’s free. (In fact, when we did it, they gave us several compact fluorescent bulbs and told us about rebates we qualified for. It was better than free.)
Dusaan, an Indian homegrown marketplace that provides premium home decor at affordable prices, have 150+ brands, including 10+ international brands across 40+ categories under their umbrella and are only expanding further.
Simran Kohli, the Founder of Dusaan Retail Technologies, promotes Dusaan as a destination for affordable, premium home furnishings. She started her career at McKinsey and Company – working on coveted clients in finance and banking, private equity, and industrials. She later became an investor at Sequoia Capital and focused on early-stage consumer companies, and eventually started her own company.
Also read: The Art of Symmetry: European Classical Interiors
Her vision for Dusaan Retail Technologies is to make the user’s experience easy and smooth when shopping for their home, and for the marketplace to become the go-to destination for everything home. She aims at doing that by providing all home furnishings in one space.
It was co-founded with Moulshree Aggarwal, (both founders were ex VCs) after seeing a wave of opportunity in the home furnishings industry. Within six months of making the brand operational, they now have thousands of happy customers and more than 15,000 products listed on the marketplace. There are more than 150+ coveted brands listed on Dusaan, which includes top international names as well.
Simran Kohli, , the Founder of Dusaan Retail Technologies, speaks to Indulge about what make the e-commerce platform unique, inspiration behind the venture, future plans and more.
What makes Dusaan unique when compared to other e-commerce platforms?
Dusaan is a meticulously established and unique platform that deeply comprehends the special bond you share with your home. With us, you can explore a handpicked selection of top-notch brands from all over India, allowing you to bring home products that resonate with your style and preferences. Dusaan prides itself on its distinctive blend of convenience, rigorous quality checks, and thoughtful curation, setting it apart from the rest. Given that not everyone has home decor expertise, Dusaan helps customers design their classic living spaces entrancingly.
What was the inspiration behind this venture?
The home decor industry is a $10 billion industry and growing, yet 85% of it is still unorganised. More than just a place to live, a person’s home is also a blank canvas on which they can showcase their artistic flair. At Dusaan, we want to provide a one-stop destination for all things home. Curating a home should be a joyful experience, but it ends up being a hectic one. Thus, we aim to bring the best quality products to all homeowners at affordable prices while also spoiling them with amazing choices. It’s a truly personalised design journey that will make your space a true reflection of your taste and personality. It can be started by visiting the Dusaan website, where you will find an unrivalled selection of home furnishings and decor items.
Did you face any challenges?
There are unique challenges that come with being a novice in the field. Firstly, acquiring new customers for the platform and then converting them into loyal customers; secondly, bringing on reliable, high-calibre vendors. The home decor industry can be difficult because there are many well-established businesses and new competitors who are constantly vying for market share. However, keeping in mind the various expectations and preferences of customers in this field, we are willing to offer comprehensive solutions to these challenges and provide clients with the best products accessible.
In your opinion, what are the must-have features of a great e-commerce platform?
To provide your clients with a fantastic shopping experience, your e-commerce platform absolutely must possess the qualities listed below.
● Simplified navigation: Online shopping should be an easy experience, as the customer has shown interest and is spending time going through the platform. The homepage, catalogue, product page, etc. should be easy to navigate for customers to find exactly what they are looking for.
● Wide collection: A wide collection is essential for e-commerce because it caters to diverse preferences, meets customer expectations, enhances satisfaction, capitalises on trends, and provides a competitive advantage. It also offers cross-selling opportunities, addresses seasonal demand, and facilitates international reach while providing valuable data insights for informed decision-making.
What are some of the unique brands that are featured at your site?
● Joseph Joseph: Born in 2003 in England, Joseph Joseph has simple, brilliant, and thoughtful designs that make daily tasks faster and more efficient. From kitchen tools to kitchen organisation, one can unlock much superior performance by using them.
● Madehome: It’s a sustainable kitchenware brand that curates products with natural materials like neem wood. The brand aims to bring customers back to their roots and enjoy wholesome serveware.
● House of Banjara: The House of Banjara is the essence of Boho living with artisanal decor, creating a truly sophisticated and unique experience for your home. Their curated collection embodies the Bohemian spirit, blending intricate craftsmanship with contemporary aesthetics to offer a diverse range of sophisticated decor pieces.
● Ministry of Decor: The Ministry of Decor provides carefully crafted and manufactured home decor products through a team of experts in innovation, design, aesthetics, and quality. The brand was born with a vision to provide high-end boutique products that won’t burn your pocket.
Which e-commerce trend do you consider essential?
In our opinion, the most significant e-commerce trend that we consider essential is curation, which allows online retailers to tailor product offerings to individual customer preferences. With the overwhelming number of products available online, customers often face decision fatigue and information overload. Curation helps streamline the shopping process by presenting a thoughtfully selected collection of products, making it easier for customers to find what they are looking for quickly.
Also read: IKEA’s new collection MAVINN brings sustainable home decor and furnishings
Are you doing something special on handloom day?
We’ll put together a unique assortment of handloom goods, such as rugs, table runners, floor mats, etc. This collection will be prominently featured on our online storefronts. In addition to celebrating Handloom Day, we also want to show our consumers how much we value them and their choices and emphasise how important the handloom industry is to the socioeconomic development of the entire country. As a home decor company, we cherish and believe in the beauty of handloom textiles, and we want to pass this legacy on to future generations.
Today I’m excited to feature a dear friend and fellow Seattle-ite, interior designer, Brian Paquette! Brian and I had the pleasure of working on the Sunset Reimagined Home he designed the kitchen! together, but if that wasn’t enough work, Brian was also in the process of designing, not one, but two more entire homes for Sunset Magazine’s Idea Town in Seabrook, Washington.
Brian designed two color-filled beachfront homes with guest cottages that exemplify what Sunset is all about: casual, beautiful interiors and innovative ideas. I am in awe of interior designers like Brian, so I was dying to ask him for some advice. From color application tricks, financial planning tips and his favorite Etsy shops…it’s all right here – along with stunning images of his designs of course!!
Tell us a little bit about the inspiration behind this project. Where did you start in the design process?
I let the natural landscape that surrounded Seabrook be the guiding force here, amplifying the tones a bit to bridge the gap between inside and outside. While walking the massive beaches early in the morning, you can be surrounded by this overwhelmingly comfortable purply fog to the point that you don’t know where the ocean, sand and sky begin or end. All of a sudden, something like the sharp green of the lush landscape or even a piece of colored ship rope pops into view. This stark contrast was how I approached the homes. Being true to nature while also turning it on it’s head, just a tad!
What was the biggest hurdle you had to overcome when designing the homes?
Honestly, most of the process for me is intuitive at this point, but trusting my gut and my inspiration can be a little scary, especially when you have the wandering imagination and bold inclinations that I sometimes have. Time was also a big hurdle, we all had to work fast and smart.
The homes are full of color. What is your fail-proof color palette trick?
When using a bold color, use it in more than one way. For example, we can look at the true green you see throughout the project. I used it in everything from upholstery, to tile, trim paint, pillow welting and in accessories. By using variations of the green hue throughout all of those details, it makes the room look more thought out and textured.
Do you have a design mantra or rules you live by that other people could follow and apply in their own home?
Never stop evolving and changing and looking and learning. The process and excitement of discovering something new and the inspiration that could follow is priceless. Take every trip possible, go down the unexpected path that says “no entry”, read everything!
What is your go-to, perhaps insider!, source that is open to the public? A great Etsy shop or maybe a box store that carries your favorite items?
Not so much of a secret, but after getting the first layer of upholstery, rugs and textiles in a room and then piling in the old stuff like antiques, found pieces and art, I like to pepper in accessories from a lot of different box stores, but my fail-proof stop has to be West Elm. They really have it down, from bedding to vases and ceramics! I am also constantly inspired by some of the artists on Etsy like Jeremy Miranda and Michelle Morin.
Running your own business and being an entrepreneur is a challenging thing. What has been the most surprising thing you’ve learned? Any advice you would give your 25 year old self?
Oh gosh, don’t get me started! I will say I have had some of the best mentors a boy could ask for, but when it comes down to it, I’d suggest two things:
1. Get a financial planner now. You could have 5 dollars in your bank account and a steady job and they could still help you.
2. Not only build, but maintain your network of tradespeople, mentors, creatives etc. It isn’t enough to just meet someone at a party and take their card. True and real connection and an interest in humbly learning something new is where dreams become realities!
There are just so many good things about Brian’s designs. I love that he relied on Seattle based designers in the blue dining room and for his custom artwork from Jennifer Ament hello, crazy good gallery wall in a stairwell! taking notes on this one. I love that Brian is making our hometown proud!!
And did you notice the special project on the stairs? Brian blew up and pixelized images he found of clam diggers on the beaches just outside the homes, from the 1920’s. He then decoupaged them onto the stair risers. It’s such a fun DIY that anyone can do in their home!
I want to thank Brian for all of the great advice he shared with us. It’s such a treat to get behind the scenes of the thought process that goes into design! If you are in the Washington area, the homes will be open to the public through October. If you’d like to tour these beauties in person, find more info here!