Design Musts for an Urban Indian Apartment
Here is a simple guide to make the most of your small city apartment
Most busy Indian cities are built on big dreams and ahem…really tiny apartments! Sprawling is definitely not the word of choice here and the rude shock of the size never really leaves a few. But then, there are few who have tamed this beast called ‘The small space’. Having stayed in Mumbai for over 10 years now, in rented/owned apartments, I have gathered some fundamental insights, pearls of wisdom you could say, that you may want to consider if you are taking the first step to be an owner or a renter.
Create green patches
In the concrete jungle that we live in, it’s necessary to create soothing, green spot/spots to unwind. And urbanites know it well. Most city apartments accommodate some greenery in their home, either in the form of a manicured balcony garden, a terrace garden or a living wall like this – real or faux. With clever plant choices you can make your home healthier than the city you live in. Mother-in-law’s tongue is a plant that regulates oxygen at night and is perfect for your bedroom. While money plants soak up ammonia and other toxic chemicals and work very well in the living area.
Take a look at these vertical garden ideas
In the concrete jungle that we live in, it’s necessary to create soothing, green spot/spots to unwind. And urbanites know it well. Most city apartments accommodate some greenery in their home, either in the form of a manicured balcony garden, a terrace garden or a living wall like this – real or faux. With clever plant choices you can make your home healthier than the city you live in. Mother-in-law’s tongue is a plant that regulates oxygen at night and is perfect for your bedroom. While money plants soak up ammonia and other toxic chemicals and work very well in the living area.
Take a look at these vertical garden ideas
Create a visual progression of space
Did you know that you can make the most teeny tiny spaces look spacious and breezy? Like this space (shown above) for instance. An small aisle is led to open into a room solely through the clever use of colours. Offset in white, every element in this room is in complementary tones that create a visual progression of space. Barring the grey sofa and a little bonsai, everything is kept neutral.
Did you know that you can make the most teeny tiny spaces look spacious and breezy? Like this space (shown above) for instance. An small aisle is led to open into a room solely through the clever use of colours. Offset in white, every element in this room is in complementary tones that create a visual progression of space. Barring the grey sofa and a little bonsai, everything is kept neutral.
Bring in space saving ideas for small kitchens
If there is one thing I’d ask you to spend your money on, it would be on an ergonomic kitchen design and appliances. Now, you don’t have to necessarily opt for expensive modular outfits – a little DIY can also help you on your way to that perfect apartment. If you stay on rent and cannot do structural changes, go full force with open shelves to store your utensils. Stack similar plates and bowls with a few books and a green plant or two and see how it makes your life easy. If you cannot get in a tallboy (that’s a mounted drawer by the way), how about using a cupboard as your pantry?
Kitchen Storage: How to Pack a Punch
If there is one thing I’d ask you to spend your money on, it would be on an ergonomic kitchen design and appliances. Now, you don’t have to necessarily opt for expensive modular outfits – a little DIY can also help you on your way to that perfect apartment. If you stay on rent and cannot do structural changes, go full force with open shelves to store your utensils. Stack similar plates and bowls with a few books and a green plant or two and see how it makes your life easy. If you cannot get in a tallboy (that’s a mounted drawer by the way), how about using a cupboard as your pantry?
Kitchen Storage: How to Pack a Punch
Vote for hidden storage
Cast your vote on those items that will offer you hidden storage ideas. For example? A bed that stores, a dresser that doubles as your study storage and a sitting area near your window that stores everyday things. When it comes to city apartments, think style and storage and not just style.
What are the space-saving ideas for small bedrooms? Find out
Cast your vote on those items that will offer you hidden storage ideas. For example? A bed that stores, a dresser that doubles as your study storage and a sitting area near your window that stores everyday things. When it comes to city apartments, think style and storage and not just style.
What are the space-saving ideas for small bedrooms? Find out
Create comfortable sections
So what if you live in a small apartment? You can make your open plan home look even more expansive by creating sections and treating each section individually in terms of decor treatments. This area is actually in the balcony space – it can easily be an extension to the main living room area but who’s to tell it’s not a dedicated seating area?
So what if you live in a small apartment? You can make your open plan home look even more expansive by creating sections and treating each section individually in terms of decor treatments. This area is actually in the balcony space – it can easily be an extension to the main living room area but who’s to tell it’s not a dedicated seating area?
Let dining table meet coffee table
When we think of dining, we think a six-seater that’ll take a lot of space. And of course, a dedicated area for that is a given. However, if you are willing to look at it differently, you might have a fabulous solution for your city apartment. How about getting in a coffee table and dandy chairs? Add them by your window and you can enjoy your meals with a view. And coffee too. And magazines too!
See more cleverly designed urban interiors
When we think of dining, we think a six-seater that’ll take a lot of space. And of course, a dedicated area for that is a given. However, if you are willing to look at it differently, you might have a fabulous solution for your city apartment. How about getting in a coffee table and dandy chairs? Add them by your window and you can enjoy your meals with a view. And coffee too. And magazines too!
See more cleverly designed urban interiors
Spruce up the sink area
Small places demand clever thinking. And the under sink area for the bathroom should be the first place to spruce up. This space needs your love more than your bedroom as this will attract the most eyeballs, and see traffic. If you can do structural changes, fit subway tiles (as shown above) or if you are staying on rent, opt for wallpaper. Add in a bin and flank the sink with lights … a simple way to turn a drab area into a functional one that also looks nice.
Small places demand clever thinking. And the under sink area for the bathroom should be the first place to spruce up. This space needs your love more than your bedroom as this will attract the most eyeballs, and see traffic. If you can do structural changes, fit subway tiles (as shown above) or if you are staying on rent, opt for wallpaper. Add in a bin and flank the sink with lights … a simple way to turn a drab area into a functional one that also looks nice.
Save problem areas with skirts
A lot of usable space is wasted below sinks. If you are on a space crunch, use up these areas to store your home cleaning essentials. Hide them by skirting your sink area. You can also use skirts below your kitchen platform to hide storage.
Read more:
Smart Storage Solutions for All Spaces
10 Ways to Add Jaalis to a Contemporary Home
Tell us:
Share you insight about a design-must in an Indian apartment. Write in Comments.
A lot of usable space is wasted below sinks. If you are on a space crunch, use up these areas to store your home cleaning essentials. Hide them by skirting your sink area. You can also use skirts below your kitchen platform to hide storage.
Read more:
Smart Storage Solutions for All Spaces
10 Ways to Add Jaalis to a Contemporary Home
Tell us:
Share you insight about a design-must in an Indian apartment. Write in Comments.
A lot of people make this fundamental mistake of buying compact furniture for compact spaces. No, that does not work. You should look for smart furniture for small spaces instead. Sometimes full size furniture create an illusion of space too. The trick is not size but roles. Multipurpose furniture for small spaces takes on many roles, all the while making your home look fabulous. This photograph shows how ‘double-up’ furniture (the sofa-bed and the window storage-bench) can really work wonders.