How to Create Space and Flow in Your Apartment

Just because you live in an apartment doesn’t mean you can’t create space and flow. It’s completely possible, it just takes a little thought and planning. We’ve all been in homes or places before where there isn’t a natural flow, and thus the atmosphere feels “off”. Have you ever in your head rearranged someone else’s home? Where it seems so obvious to you how the layout would work better, right? Well, there is a science and an art to creating balance and flow in a space.

Most of us have heard of Feng Shui, which is an ancient Chinese practice all about arranging your home to create a calm, happy and even prosperous atmosphere. We’re all for that, but if you’ve ever dived into the teachings, you’ll see it can get a bit complicated. If you’re short on time or just don’t have a natural knack for design (which is perfectly okay!) there are a few things you can do right off the bat to make your home feel more balanced. And the better your home feels, the more likely you are to be more productive, happy and calm. So let’s get started…

Photo of The Eugene in NYC

With these 4 steps, you’ll have a better chance at creating the perfect space and more flow. A win-win.

1. De-Clutter – You can’t create a relaxing space without getting rid of what you don’t need. And we all have some stuff that we can do without, right? This might be the hardest step because for many of us, taking the time to actually go through our things is something we tend to put off. We suggest taking one day to just get rid of what you don’t need and save the actual design stuff for later. The last thing you want to feel is overwhelmed. You’ll want to be in a clear and conscious state of mind for rearranging your furniture for a better flow. Need ideas on how to tackle clutter? Check out these blog posts on getting rid of clutter and organizing.
2. Pick a Focal Point – Not sure how to create that flow you crave? The first step is to pick a focal point. In your bedroom, it would be where you place your bed. In the living room, where you place your couch. Start with the biggest piece of furniture needed in that particular area and go from there. If you live in a smaller space, you may have no other choice than to put your couch against the wall. That’s perfectly fine. You’ll want to put it on the opposite wall from the front door so the door isn’t opening right into where you sit. If you have more room in your living room, try pulling the couch out from the wall so that there isn’t a huge empty space between the TV and couch. Try a couple of different layouts and see which ones feel the most inviting. You can invite some friends over to get their opinion if you feel so inclined! Sometimes having an outside opinion can spur new ideas.
3. Pick Colors – Colors can have a huge impact on how your space feels. If you’re renting, chances are you’ll have some version of white or cream-colored walls, and perhaps an accent wall. Use this to your advantage! The great thing about white walls is that it’s a blank canvas. You can easily create any color scheme you’d like. It’s best to stick with one or two colors in addition to natural tones. For instance, in the photo above they used shades of blue, and even a pop of orange in the framed poster (the sunset in the background as inspiration) in addition to the more muted colors of the couch and rug.
4. Use What You Have – You don’t have to start all over to create flow and the illusion of more space. If you’re on a budget, one of the best things you can do is just get rid of clutter and then rearrange the furniture you already have if needed. Sometimes just removing clutter does the trick! Look through your items, you may already have a color scheme working in your apartment. Maybe you have too many colors that don’t flow together, which gives your apartment the illusion of being cluttered. Many times we don’t need to go out and buy completely new furniture. Sometimes all it takes is a new accent pillow on your couch or a new piece of art to tie everything that you already have together.

Photo of The Eugene in NYC

Do you love interior design? Then you’ll want to check out these other articles from our Fairfield blog, Apartmentality, to help you create an even more delightful living space!

• How to Incorporate Pastels into Your Apartment Decor
• Minimalist Furniture Ideas
• Multi-Functional Furniture for Tiny Apartments
• Interior Color Trends for 2018