Space-Saving Furniture Ideas for Small Apartments

Relocating to a big metropolitan city has its own pros and cons. On one hand, you are amidst the most happening place all the time. On the other hand, space crunch is the trouble you don’t know how to come out of. Too many stuffs, no space for excess and even the minimum? Time has come for your furniture start serving double time.

Welcome to space-saving furniture ideas. Use that space under the bed, on the wall, behind the door to better use.

Upholstered beds with Storage

 

Beds are the ones taking the most space leaving too little for the rest of the furniture to let them do their duties. However, it is also something you cannot afford to compromise with. Many people make the mistake of skipping the bed and using only the mattress to make a bed on the floor. Instead, use the bed to store your warm clothes, extra pillows, bags, and much more by choosing an upholstered bed with storage. It is not only beautiful but also helps you hide the mess completely.
Moving to a new city can be challenging for parents as they also need to make up the minds of their children for the change. While one cannot help the kids to cheer up from day one, you can always try to give them extra playroom by making a small change to their bedroom. Use trundle beds that saves the space that would otherwise be taken up by another bed for the sibling. It also comes with shelves that you can use to notebooks to keep them handy.

Trundle beds for the Siblings

 

Sofa-cum-bed to the rescue

 

 

Shifting to some place new doesn’t mean you won’t have guests. Where do you plan to give them a place to sleep when they stay overnight? Of course you don’t have extra room for another bed. Here comes sofa-cum-bed to your rescue. A three-seater sofa can serve as a comfortable bed for two adults and a child if at all you have to give away your room for some nights.

Living in a studio apartment can have its own pleasures. Only until you need a space for storage and can’t find one. Sofas with storage systems underneath are bliss. Latest sofas come with drawers and easy to manage organisers built in them. They are extremely good space savers. You can also use them to store your extra footwears.

Sofa with storage for the Singles

 

See the Sink?

 

The space below the sink can be used to fit in wire racks and arrange your cleaning supplies and other daily use products such as cleaning brushes, etc. It is wise to buy some wire racks that can easily fit in two rows so you can use the space to the fullest.

A nested coffee table is a huge space saver and also adds to the oomph of your small apartment. A good low coffee table can also serve dual purpose of a dining table for those who has no space left for one. A nested table saves that extra space taken up by the chairs when not being used. Look out for dining tables with nested chairs too.

Coffee table with nested stools

 

Shoe racks with resting top

 

We usually face trouble tying shoe laces while upright and its always easier when you have a resting place to wear them. Opt for compact shoe racks with a resting top that saves space, looks great and is also a good buy.

Keep an eye on the page for more ideas for your home.

An Ideal Contemporary Style Home Decor

Comfort and minimalist are what defines today’s interiors. Be it a residential property or an office space modern interiors demand better use of space and less cluttered décor. Choosing what style of an interior one desires depends on one’s personality and requirements. The contemporary style of décor is for those who love more free space and less furniture or decorative pieces around them.

What Is Contemporary Style?

Simple, subtle, sophisticated and neat is what we mainly look at when opting for a contemporary style of décor. Thoughtful use of texture and wiser use of space is of high importance while trying this type of interiors. The concept stresses on open spaces than decorative items. An ideal contemporary style of décor reflects delicacy and urbane designs. Some basic rules that should be kept in mind while designing a home or office in contemporary style are discussed in this article today.

 

The Colour Palette

Focusing on neutral colours is the key to a perfect interior. Mindful use of black and white defines a chic interior. Use bright colours to give a contrasting look and accentuate the colour scheme. Neutral colours set the stage for vivid-coloured accessories to brighten the room. Use of pastels for walls and windows and neutrals for the trims deliver the finesse you will love.

Architectural Details

Lines and spaces are the fundamentals of an explicit contemporary interior. Use of vertical, horizontal, curved or strong lines gives provision for making a flawless interior. Experimenting with colours to create new combinations and geometric shapes make for great wall art. High ceilings and bare windows differentiate contemporary style from other interior ideas.

Free space is the uniqueness of this style of décor. As we know, a minimalist approach to interior decoration gives the interior a sensation of warmth.

Furnishing Basics

Again, simplicity is the idea when we think contemporary. Vivid and subtle coloured furniture with proper use of space should be kept in mind while planning the décor of the room. Curves or decoration in the furniture pieces is not encouraged. The furniture should be sleek and compact with enough space inside it. Tidy, smooth and geometric shapes painted in neutral colours using natural fibres is the type of furniture you should look out for when visualising the interior decor. Add cushions and pillows with contrasting colours to complete the look. Subtle wall colours with vibrant furnishings and the vice versa make for a good interior in the contemporary style.

Floors, Lights and Art

Opt for basic and smooth flooring of vinyl, tile or wood with a carpet spread of patterned or geometric designs.

Use of track lights, cove lights, spotlights (over paintings and photo frames) or recessed lights highlights the ceiling and demonstrates refined tastes.

Matte, wood or metal-framed art placed at eye-level attracts attention better when decorated using a spotlight directly above. Make sure not to use too many artworks to be in sync with the style of interior.

Greenery Arrangements

Oversized and bright containers and pots placed neatly used indoors make the room feel fresh. The vessels look noteworthy with big flowers or whimsy leaf arrangements to give a quirkiness to the décor. Using strange unusual house plants potted neatly enlivens the space with elusiveness.

5 Easy Kids’ Room Decor Ideas

The growing years of a child are the most challenging ones. To give them their own space during their learning phase gives the little adventurous minds more room to spread it’s wings. Parents planning their kid’s room decor should make it an enjoyable place for their creative years. Designing a gorgeous and useful room for them is a challenge worth taking as they will cherish it later. Although giving a separate room to a child at an early age is not customary in India, but new age parents understand the need for it. A separate room for kids helps them build a sense of ownership and care for larger and more important things they achieve later in life.

If you are a new home buyer and are planning a separate room for your child, your choices should reflect practicality and must be affordable too as a child’s need changes very quickly with time until they reach a certain age. You will want to keep making small changes to the d?cor as they grow up to fit their needs. Here we have 5 kids’ room decor Ideas that will help you decorate or redecorate it.

 

Simplicity is the key

 

Kid's room decor-1

 

Always remember, less is more. More open space, less cluttered rooms creates more play area for your child. Use of simple and basic furnishings to provide a neutral canvas which can be restructured with no trouble is recommended. This is practical as in future as your kid grows up, the decor can be easily updated. A low and neatly tucked bed, proper storage for play items, a small but shelved cupboard and a cosy corner is all you need to make your kid’s room well organised but beautiful at the same time.

 

Double your storage space

 

kid's room decor-2

 

As soon as your kid starts schooling, their need for space increases. Search options for furniture with built-in storage like, beds with storage crates under them, cupboards with adjustable shelves, extra hooks behind the door for hanging daily uniforms and similar needs that can be catered easily from a single furniture in an organized manner.

 

Brighten up the walls

 

kid's room decor-3

 

Use bright colours for the walls of your kid’s room. This can be very tricky as you want to keep it bright but classy at the same time. If you have bright coloured furniture, it is advisable to paint the walls white or any other light hue. This also makes the room look larger and makes it well lit. Another way to create a playful room is to use a fun wallpaper which can be easily changed to their choice when they wish to. You can also use rainbow colours that goes with them for quite a long period.

 

Create a go-to place for little tired minds

 

 

When planning your kid’s room decor, try to keep in mind their leisure time too. A comfortable corner with a canopy is a great option that works best for not only kids but for teenagers as well. Tuck in some cushions and soft toys to make a cozy reading space for them. However, not all apartments are spacious enough for it. The most trending ideas for small apartments are to make a chalkboard wall. This where they can be creative and pour their heart out to be themselves again. This is affordable and here to stay.

 

Frame the growing years

 

kid's room decor-5

 

A separate blank wall to display memorable growing years of your kid is a good way to cherish past years’ memories. You can also use them to display your kid’s masterpieces and use customized frames for it. The wall can be conveniently updated according to your child’s changing taste.

 

Recent home buyers are looking for 2.5 and 3.5 BHK apartments in Kolkata. The 0.5 can be utilised as play room or study for your kid. This will allow the kid’s room to be solely for play and sleep while the separate study also serves purpose of work station when you are working from home.

 

 

Image source: Google

5 Best Modular Kitchen Designs and Kitchen Trends 2020

It’s 2020, an era of global market and lifestyle, here modular kitchen is not considered as a luxury but a neccessity for the masses. Almost all the ongoing residential projects in Kolkata are being built under expedient layout. The modular kitchens are not just functional and space efficient but also elegant and tech savy.?

?Some Hand-Picked Modular Kitchen Types?

Modular kitchen is now an important part of the living concept in both luxurious and budget apartments. It is not just confined to a place where food is prepared but also a pantry area, utility storage, crockery display unit, and a bar. The consumer is spoilt for choice regarding kitchen type selection, some of which are mentioned below.

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Straight – A simple straight line layout, mostly applied in kitchens with small spaces. Here, the sink, hob, and fridge are placed in a straight line.

Parallel – Also known as gallery kitchen, a passageway between two walls packed with base and wall cabinets. There is just one flaw that it can not offer corner cabinets.

L-Shaped – It brings a chance to display your creativity as a lot can be done with the available space. Open kitchens are a good option with L- shaped modular kitchens.

U-Shaped – Offers coveted layout units like sink, hob, and fridge around the one who is preparing the food. The curved sides if used properly can exhibit classic cabinetry.

Island – Here, hob remains static in the middle creating ample of space for friends and family to work around easing the burden of one person.

Kitchen Trends 2020 for 2 & 3 BHK flats

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White Kitchen cabinets and appliances – White is not just soothing, it’s clean, uncluttered and un-fussy. It seems to be the ideal colour against the general trend of bright redentions.

Warm Metal Kitchen Fixtures and Accents – Adding metal to your modular kitchen provides an inviting glow along with warmth to the ambience.

Compact Kitchen Furniture – Ideal for small spaces, smaller fixtures and compact cabinetry makes the kitchen even more fashionable.

Open Kitchens – It is catching up globally as it brings a high level of socialising perspective to your home decor ideas.?

Technology – Kitchens are not just for faucets and refrigerators but also smartphones/tablet holders and brackets for laptops.

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India is a country of extreme diversity, the food habits majorly depends upon the local weather and its respective culture. Dry areas have high oil usage in their food whereas people of moist areas prefer steamed food. The materials used in kitchen designs and trends must fulfill the need.

Rustic Eclectic Home Decor Ideas

Rustic interior evokes warmth from the pages of history. Its rough-hewn charm appeals to us even in this era of technology where everything is operating in an impressively smooth and efficient way. The materials mostly used in rustic decor are leather, suede (rubbed leather), pewter (a grey alloy of tin and copper), patina (oxidized metal), woods (logs or twigs), wrought iron, natural fabrics like cotton, hemp, linen, wool, or animal hides and rock stones. Below are some easy and cheap rustic home decor ideas which are worth trying.

Ceiling Decor

rustic eclectic home decor

A polished ceiling is always an ideal place to display your rustic home decor skills. When a rough wooden log is tied up with a not so long nautical rope attaching the bulbs to the roof, it gives a pleasing effect to the ambience underneath.

Living Room Decor

rustic elegant home decor

An elegant rustic decor living room is a place where you can rejuvenate yourself from the negative energies and emotions by drowning in the beauty of classic interiors. Rustic look is evergreen because it’s simple and classy.

Indoor Fabric Decor

rustic fabric decor

Rustic fabric is all the rage this year as it creates a mountainous aura indoors. The contrasting shades exhibit more of a chalet touch to the overall interiors of the room and keeps the rustic look alive.

Corner-piece Decor

rustic flower vase

Home should tell the story of who you are and be a collection of what you love, rustic flower vase in a corner is one such memorabilia element which keeps the memories alive. Generally wooden pieces go well with the sunflowers as it sets the contrast really well but, there is a room for your creativity here.

Wooden Wall Sconce

wooden wall hanging

Stares are offensive as nobody likes to be judged but when someone eyes longer on the light emitting from your rustic wooden wall hanging and compliments afterwards, you are surely not feeling bad or negative. So, never hesitate to display your collection, the appreciations form the decor lovers is worth enjoying.

Rustic home decor is yet to enter deeper in residential projects in Kolkata, but sooner or later it will surely find its way. Top real estate builders in Kolkata who majorly deals in residential projects and mall-cum-apartments are in chats with the real home makers to explore more on rustic decors.?

Bedroom decor tips

The room that is most aware of your deepest desires, worries, and happiness is your bedroom. The only space in your home where you can open up your emotions without any restraints is your bedroom. We tend to care little about embellishing this space that is so intimate to us in our daily lives. Very less often we realize that beautification can come at low costs and therefore, focus only in the living room which is more accessible to our visitors. Here?s how we can give a fresh a new look to our bedrooms with minimum expenditure.

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Integration is the key

The d?cor of the room largely influences the level of comfort. Changing the linens of the bedroom can alter the texture of the space. Use of handmade mats or carpets, embroidered draperies, polished wood furniture, furry carpets and comforters or cotton bedsheets can bring in freshness and variety.

Your world is your canvas

Say goodbye to neutral colours and welcome the colourful palette that life has to offer. There is no harm is painting the walls with the bright shade of your choice. The era of neutral colours will never go away, but displaying your bright side is trendsetting. Keep a check on the colour of your furniture to keep it neutral if the wall colours are too bright and the vice versa.

When the headboard speaks for itself

Your bed is the centre of attention in the bedroom. A good comfortable headboard can make a difference in changing the look of the bed. Some go for carved traditional headboards whereas, modern headboards are trending too. A cozy retreat with fresh fabric covers can help enhance the appearance of the bedroom.

Snuggle into softness

Accentuate your bedroom?s d?cor with cozy cushions and pillows. Use cushions with geometric patterns, intricate embroidery, big checkers, or the ones with quotes printed on it according to your taste. These can instantly alter the look of the room and add a completely different personality to the space.

Don?t let the windows go unnoticed

Choose from a variety of draperies, curtains and shades to decorate the windows according to your mood and preferences for a romantic or bright bedroom. Some prefer to decorate the windows with curtains that suit the season. For example, light cottony curtains for summers to let the breeze in and heavy dark curtains for winters to keep the heat inside the room intact. A range of colors, prints and patterns are available nowadays.

Making minor changes occasionally can bring a fresh look now and then in your bedroom. Simple alterations and decorative changes that is not heavy on your pocket is advisable to make. When looking for 2 or 3 BHK flats in Kolkata, plan your interiors along with your search for a new home.

Indoor Gardening In Small Apartments In Kolkata

Love the greens but have limited space that cannot accommodate big plants? Well, let not the scarcity of big open spaces be a hindrance to grow your own garden. Indoor gardens have been in practice since Victorian times for those who are inclined to nature. For those living in small apartments in Kolkata, indoor gardening is an only feasible method to create an imitation of a natural open garden.

What You Need To Know About Indoor Gardening

Learning basics before taking the first step

Research is the only way to learn gardening tips and methods of growing indoor plants in confined spaces. Figure out which sapling is suitable for your available space and apt keeping in mind the lighting of the area. Herbs, Cacti and Bonsai are very easy to accommodate and set up indoors. Growing herb garden is advisable that involves no trouble and conveniently set up indoors giving an interesting makeover to your home. If you have never grown plants indoors, make sure you have read enough and are confident with what you have learnt and only then begin collecting saplings.

Know the soil requirements for each plant type

Proper selection of soil and determining soil weight is critical to maintenance of indoor plants. Consistency, drainage amount, nutrition retention along with cost effectiveness is very important while choosing the right soil type. How much moistness of soil is ample for the plant type also needs to be taken into account while planning for indoor gardening. The soil and PH level requirements differ for each plant type. Some plants may require disposable soil at the beginning or end of each season while some others can grow in the soil used once. The soil should also have enough micronutrients and natural decomposers for healthy growth.

Arranging proper light when staying small apartments in Kolkata

Kolkata is a hot and humid city in the summers stretching for most of the time in a year. This makes it difficult for certain indoor plants to grow healthily unless they are exposed to proper light for certain duration. For instance, some herbs and plants like lettuce cannot grow when exposed to too much sunlight as they have low light requirements. Decide on what light to use for your choice of the plant first. If you have big windows with ample sunlight availability at particular times of the day that suits your requirements, it is possible to depend on that alone. However, if that is not the case you may have to opt for artificial lighting sources like light reflectors and LEDs.

Do you check the soil before watering your plants?

The most common mistake that beginners commit is overwatering. Drenching the plants with excess water is not a good idea as it shocks the roots and kills the plant before it even it starts growing. Make a habit of checking the dampness of the soil every time you go for watering. The plant may not require watering on rainy days at all while it may need to be watered frequently on hot and dry days. Once you see water dripping from the bottom of the pot take it as a signal to stop pouring anymore.

Indoor gardening is a greener way of decorating your home with added benefits. It not only purifies the air but also brings freshness to the room keeping your mind stress-free at the same time. Most new apartments in Kolkata are opting for indoor plants as they cannot afford a kitchen garden with limited free space available. However, some real estate developers in Kolkata have taken this initiative of building housing complexes with garden areas and provision for putting up pots in the balconies for those who share this love for greens.

5 Ways to decorate your Kitchen In Your Apartment

The kitchen is the area of your apartment where one spends quality time to prepare their favorite moments. After all, meal time is when all the members of the family come together and relax even if it is once in a day. Creating a proper ambiance can reduce stress and add to polishing your culinary skills. Here are few types of kitchens and how to use up space in the best way possible.

Types of kitchen decor for small apartment and homes

Pullman kitchen

Not many of us are acquainted with this term that is an architectural name for a long and narrow space that relates to trains. Those who could not afford a large and roomy kitchen need not be disheartened. Pullman Kitchen is the most commonly found kitchen in small homes and especially apartments. The one thing you need to keep in mind while trying to decorate your kitchen if it is a narrow and elongated one is to maximize storage space. Focus on the available space while increasing efficiency of it.
Use of light colored stones helps to open up space like white marble. Also, you can use white granite or quartzite as an alternative to marble. Lighter wall colors with off-white or beige storage section can improve the illusion of a wider space. It is advisable to keep maximum free space over kitchen counters. Incorporating design elements like drawers and hidden pull out islands can help make the kitchen look neat.

Galley kitchen

It is similar to a Pullman kitchen mostly found in 2 or 3 BHK apartments. A galley kitchen has long and narrow space with counters and all kitchen appliances arranged on both sides. The kitchen is generally enclosed on all four sides that tend to make it dark and clumsy. The best way to add light is to make use of pendant or track lights on the ceilings and below the storage shelves. Another method to elongate space is by lining the ceilings by adding skylights. Using light shades of color on the walls also accentuates the kitchen space making it look spacious and well lit. First and foremost make sure you have a step tool to reach out to the top shelves. Shelving is very helpful as it keeps all kitchen accessories in place and the counter can be used freely.

Kitchen Island

If you are thinking of adding a kitchen island in your luxury apartment, it is essential to keep up the number of shelves that will reduce the cluttering on the island. This creates more room for cooking the meal and the island can serve as the dining area. Instead of traditional countertops you can make use of dark wood or contrast colors of laminates on the table top. To make more space for seating keep the space under the table to tuck in the seats when not in use. Make more use of the space overhead to keep minimum appliances or accessories at the counter level. The island can be used to store spoons and small cutleries by adding channel drawers and cupboards, which although will reduce the space beneath for tucking in the chairs. However, you can make use of the idea, either way, to use the free space and give a tidy look that will also be storage friendly.

U-shaped kitchen

A U-shaped design works well if one is looking for accommodating the dining area in the kitchen. This can be really helpful as you will not have to carry the steaming dishes all the way from the kitchen to the dining area and then serve them. Subject to the free space available, there are a lot many innovative ways of decorating a U-shaped kitchen-cum-dining. Usually, the table and the chairs can be accommodated in the other end of the U-shape. The dining table and the kitchen countertops can be matched to keep sync. Using lighter shades are always suggested to give the area an open and airy feel. To keep up the light levels, you may use hi-gloss units with glazed tiles. Stainless steel sink and countertops are also easy to maintain and also adds to the brightness of the space. Dark wood finishes with dark shades of colors can be used if the kitchen-cum-dining is spacious enough not to make the room look small.

L-shaped kitchen

The best feature about an L-shaped kitchen is that it has abundant counter space that can be an important detail to the kitchen. Making most of the free space in the best way possible is what you need to keep in mind while you are decorating the culinary space of your apartment. The best part of having an L-shaped kitchen is the availability of abundant counter space. All L-shaped kitchens demand a kitchen island which may not be possible if you live in an apartment. Using a drainboard sink instead of a normal sink can be very useful in the corner of the kitchen to use up most of the space. Again, a step tool is very necessary for reaching out to the top shelves which can also be kept hidden to avoid clumsiness.

Home Decor Ideas During Winters

So you thought winter is here finally (and I mean in a non-Game of Thrones manner) and you can now show off your winter clothes. This was fun until the temperature drops to as low as 11 degrees in Kolkata and you struggle to get out of your bed even to answer nature?s call. The fog outside blinds your vision. The chilling breeze freezes your nose tip. And as if that was not enough, even the blankets turn cold and fail to keep you warm. All your efforts to make your room warm goes in vain because you don?t want to step out of your bed to turn the heater on or even grab the remote to press the buttons.

Here we are with some amazing tips and home decor ideas to keep the room warmer and give it a cozy look during winters:

Start knitting again.

Not only does it add comfort but also gives you a relaxed feeling. You can make knitted pillow covers, cushion covers, rugs, coffee mug covers and a lot of other stuff to add warmth and coziness. You can make your own knitted or crotcheted rugs or blankets for a soft feel and warm home decor ideas.

knitted winter furnishings
overhead lighting

Take a look at the lights.

While putting up overhead lighting, make sure the light spreads to all corners of the room and reveals the carpets and blankets under it. A yellow light brightens up the room and warms it up too. Try using table or bedside lamps with orange or yellow shades of light to relax while you finish your favorite book and a cup of coffee.

Make some space for leather?

A touch of leather can transform the mood of the entire room. An armchair in a corner or a cozy couch beside the fireplace or a leather table runner can bring the charm. Book covers made of leather can be used to give your study a tepid feel and is one of the wonderful home decor ideas.

leather furnishings and accessories
blankets and comforters

Keep the tone down a bit!

Indulge in warm shades of the color palette instead of the usual black and grey tones. Blankets and comforters in burgundies, mahoganies, browns, chocolates induce a feeling of warmth. Blankets with a soft texture, furry feeling, and cool tones help you keep warmer and comfier in winters.

Into the woods?

While looking for a luxury apartment, also look for wooden floors. Team it up with lighter shades of furniture to enhance the organic look. To lift the warming effect you can also use cherry-chocolate or mocha laminate lamps or pillow covers of the same shade.

wooden flooring
wall decor

What color do you want to choose?

Those who are thinking of painting their walls yellow or orange or brick red, please rethink. There are colors and there are hues of each color. Warm colors are told to increase adrenaline release & higher the breathing rate. It raises body temperature and keeps you warm. Pair-painting warm hues with few splashes of bright colors can keep the room feel warm & give it a chic look at the same time.

Getting cold feet?

Rugs and carpets are the best methods to keep your apartment warm. Keeping room physically warm is as necessary as setting it up for a warmer look and feel with accessories and paint. Use high pile rugs to perceive the heat and keep your feet warm. If you want to use low pile rugs, it is a good idea to mix and match them and creating layers. So bring down your heating costs and use lighter shades of rugs to enhance that wooden floor.

rugs and carpets

Some more home decor ideas for freezing winters:

  • Avoid sleeping next to the window
  • Use a portable space heater
  • Reverse the rotation of the ceiling fan
  • Tuck yourself in bed with warmer bedding
  • Light up candles
  • Start a fire in the fireplace (if you have one)
  • Use heavy curtains