When it comes to interior decorating, some people can cobble together a delightfully eclectic design motif using hand-me-downs and thrift store treasures, making the task look all too easy. The rest of us, however, just end up with a veritable hodgepodge of “stuff” that ends up coexisting in an unimpressive and sometimes unattractive way. But just because you don’t have expensive, hand-upholstered Italian leather sofas or stunning, one-of-a-kind paintings to hang on your walls doesn’t mean that your apartment can’t look absolutely amazing. Below is a style guide for decorating your apartment that will have your home feeling well-balanced and beautiful.  

The Importance of Picking a Lane

The secret to making an apartment feel put together is choosing a style and running with it. There are many people with department store coffee tables in front of tufted Chesterfield sofas next to art deco side tables topped with lamps they bought online. While there’s nothing wrong with any of these pieces, when placed in close proximity, they each pull the room in a different stylistic direction and end up competing with rather than complementing each other. 
So, we’ve established that it’s best to pick a lane. Great. But how do you know which lane to pick? The most enjoyable decorative motifs to live with are ones that reflect who you are as a person. Your apartment’s decor should make use of and emphasize things you enjoy. Two popular examples include:

The Rustic Motif 

The rustic decorating style is especially great if you are the outdoorsy type. This style brings elements of nature—such as different kinds of wood, stone, and plants—inside your home. Choose a sofa with a wooden frame or with leather cushions—preferably in earth tones like brown or taupe—and layer with red lumberjack plaid blankets and throws. Opt for a coffee table or end tables made of reclaimed barn planks or those fashioned to look like old tree stumps. For rugs, choose natural fibers such as hemp or jute to continue the trend of natural materials. For finishing touches, accessories made of antlers or bone can help to complete this rustic “cabin in the woods” motif.

The Minimalist Motif

It may sound like a stale adage, but sometimes, less really is more. Oftentimes, the best way to showcase your apartment is to do just that—showcase your apartment—not the things in it. If you’ve got beautiful wooden floors, don’t bother covering them up with area rugs. And if you’ve got an exposed brick wall (which tons of people would kill for), let its natural beauty sing out, rather than dampening it with paintings and other wall hangings. For your bedspread and your sofa, opt for solid colors in neutral tones instead of something with a pattern that might detract from the minimalist motif. Also, there’s no need to bury your sofa under an avalanche of throw pillows—one or two will suffice. For tables and chairs, choose sleek pieces with clean lines that can be moved around as necessary. Perhaps best of all, minimalist motifs are not only easy on the eye, but also easier to keep looking tidy.     

Learn More

The apartments at One 51 Place offer spectacular architecture that lends itself to a wide range of design motifs—from traditional and contemporary to modern, minimalist, and more. Visit our leasing office in Alachua for details about renting an apartment in our community.