Must-Have Accessories in an Urban Indian Apartment
These accessories will transform a functional flat to a designer apartment
If you are a city-dweller, chances are your home is an apartment. So, of course, you have your functional items all in place to beat the space constraints of an urban home – multipurpose furniture, an efficient kitchen layout, modular set-ups and so on.
However, while functionality may make a home convenient, it may not necessarily carry your signature touch. Here are the must-have accessories that will add a dose of good design and even better aesthetics to your residence.
However, while functionality may make a home convenient, it may not necessarily carry your signature touch. Here are the must-have accessories that will add a dose of good design and even better aesthetics to your residence.
In praise of a stand-alone lamp
A stand-alone floor lamp is a unique decorative element in itself, adding a sense of drama via height, colour and character. It is especially useful in small spaces with low ceilings, as it draws attention upwards and away from the closeness of the room, giving the impression of spaciousness.
Tip: For small spaces, rather than going for a tripod floor lamp which takes up more real estate, invest in a small but heavy-based floor lamp.
A stand-alone floor lamp is a unique decorative element in itself, adding a sense of drama via height, colour and character. It is especially useful in small spaces with low ceilings, as it draws attention upwards and away from the closeness of the room, giving the impression of spaciousness.
Tip: For small spaces, rather than going for a tripod floor lamp which takes up more real estate, invest in a small but heavy-based floor lamp.
A floor-length mirror – for vanity and style
A bold full-sized mirror can make a dramatic statement in a small space such as a city apartment. That apart, when placed opposite a light source, it can brighten the space and make small rooms look bigger. You don’t have to go by the book when it comes to mirrors. Standing a mirror against a wall looks far more interesting than the boring old way of hanging it. Placed at the end of a hallway, it serves as a last-minute checkpoint as you head out to work – or to party.
A bold full-sized mirror can make a dramatic statement in a small space such as a city apartment. That apart, when placed opposite a light source, it can brighten the space and make small rooms look bigger. You don’t have to go by the book when it comes to mirrors. Standing a mirror against a wall looks far more interesting than the boring old way of hanging it. Placed at the end of a hallway, it serves as a last-minute checkpoint as you head out to work – or to party.
It makes as much of an statement in the bedroom – and it’s nice to have a full-length mirror when getting dressed, isn’t it?
Tip: Just make sure you stand the mirror firmly, secured either by its weight or by placing small anti-skid pads under its base.
See how a mirror affects the energy of a space
Tip: Just make sure you stand the mirror firmly, secured either by its weight or by placing small anti-skid pads under its base.
See how a mirror affects the energy of a space
Oversized art to overwhelm – in a good way
There is something to be said for the simplicity and impact of a large single piece of art – it is far more than that of several small ones. A large piece of artwork, be it a painting or a framed photograph from your personal collection, becomes the cynosure of all eyes and is stunning in its stark singularity – not to mention a great conversation starter.
There is something to be said for the simplicity and impact of a large single piece of art – it is far more than that of several small ones. A large piece of artwork, be it a painting or a framed photograph from your personal collection, becomes the cynosure of all eyes and is stunning in its stark singularity – not to mention a great conversation starter.
Floating shelves
Rather than let precious space go unused, install floating cabinets and shelves in areas where more bulky furniture might be an impediment (like in this hallway for instance). Floating the storage pieces off the floor keeps the area from feeling too heavy or cluttered. An added bonus: the mandatory sweeping and swabbing in most Indian homes gets easier access.
Rather than let precious space go unused, install floating cabinets and shelves in areas where more bulky furniture might be an impediment (like in this hallway for instance). Floating the storage pieces off the floor keeps the area from feeling too heavy or cluttered. An added bonus: the mandatory sweeping and swabbing in most Indian homes gets easier access.
Posh planters
Living in high-rises in the city, one is starved for nature. Why not bring some into your home? Plants, of course, lend colour and freshness to a space and add a breath of fresh air (literally!), but choosing the right planter adds a kick to complete the décor. There’s nothing more striking than a lush, healthy plant in an imaginative planter.
Learn how to display and style indoor plants
Living in high-rises in the city, one is starved for nature. Why not bring some into your home? Plants, of course, lend colour and freshness to a space and add a breath of fresh air (literally!), but choosing the right planter adds a kick to complete the décor. There’s nothing more striking than a lush, healthy plant in an imaginative planter.
Learn how to display and style indoor plants
In a small apartment, it’s better to have one large plant than several small ones – it saves you space and the bother.
Tip: Have at least two big planters, so they can be rotated – while one is indoors the other can get some sun.
Tip: Have at least two big planters, so they can be rotated – while one is indoors the other can get some sun.
An area rug…
A rug is a whole visual in itself; it adds colour, texture and warmth to a space – it effectively ties a room together. Imagine this living room without the rug – you would immediately tell a piece of the puzzle was missing.
A rug is a whole visual in itself; it adds colour, texture and warmth to a space – it effectively ties a room together. Imagine this living room without the rug – you would immediately tell a piece of the puzzle was missing.
… or two
Rugs work not only to define a space but to demarcate areas as well. Many urban apartments nowadays are open-plan. Permanent, solid structures, such as room dividers, can disturb the airy, open feel of a space – this is where a soft, colourful rug can work wonders.
Rugs work not only to define a space but to demarcate areas as well. Many urban apartments nowadays are open-plan. Permanent, solid structures, such as room dividers, can disturb the airy, open feel of a space – this is where a soft, colourful rug can work wonders.
A console table for the hallway
Set the tenor of your home with a dramatic console table in the entryway. The best kind mixes elegance with functionality – it provides light (with a smart lamp set atop), storage and style, the three defining elements in a constrained space. What’s not to like? Or have?
See how to make the most of a console table
Set the tenor of your home with a dramatic console table in the entryway. The best kind mixes elegance with functionality – it provides light (with a smart lamp set atop), storage and style, the three defining elements in a constrained space. What’s not to like? Or have?
See how to make the most of a console table
Tip: A console is small enough to be moved around; but adding casters to it makes it all the more easier to be wheeled around to stand in for varying functions ranging from a home office to TV stand to mini-bar.
Read more:
Must-have Furniture Pieces for Small Apartments
Design Musts for an Indian Urban Apartment
Tell us:
Would you have anything to add to this list? Do tell us in the Comments section below.
Read more:
Must-have Furniture Pieces for Small Apartments
Design Musts for an Indian Urban Apartment
Tell us:
Would you have anything to add to this list? Do tell us in the Comments section below.
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In urban apartments that are tight on space, the concept of multi-layered lighting tends to take a backseat – one size fits all is the general outlook, where, for instance, one flick of the switch can light up the entire living-cum-dining space in a manner practical but prosaic.
Instead, invest in a couple of table lamps. They are highly versatile and can be used to play a functional or decorative role. Use them either for task lighting or for brightening up different corners of a room, thus setting the mood of a room and creating the right ambience.
Tip: A tip for general lighting is to have light sources on a dimmer to change up the brightness and ambience.
Follow this guide to ambient lighting