{"id":1605,"date":"2020-03-10T05:31:02","date_gmt":"2020-03-10T12:31:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/?p=1605"},"modified":"2021-06-23T02:00:13","modified_gmt":"2021-06-23T09:00:13","slug":"improve-cookie-cutter-apartment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.storagecafe.com\/blog\/improve-cookie-cutter-apartment\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Tips And Tricks To Add Character To The Cookie Cutter Rental"},"content":{"rendered":"

While we may long for a charming cottage by the sea, or a cozy mountain cabin, it\u2019s difficult to resist the pull of the big city. And with that said, we find ourselves sacrificing design for location as renting a cookie cutter apartment is probably pretty standard in terms of city living. But that shouldn\u2019t bring you down. While structural changes, minor remodeling and even painting are not allowed in rental apartments, there\u2019s plenty you can do to bring a little heart and soul to the cookie cutter layout. Let\u2019s look at some of the things you can do to make your apartment feel more like home.<\/p>\n

<\/span>1. Start by Virtually Touring the Apartment <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

You\u2019re in the apartment hunting stage and you\u2019re weighing up your options. Keep in mind that many apartment complexes have websites that offer interactive features in order to help renters find the best fit. Go on a virtual tour and get a sense of what this apartment is offering in terms of layout. This can help you decide whether you can fit in your existing furniture or the furniture you\u2019ve thought about ordering.<\/p>\n

<\/span>2. Let\u2019s Talk Light <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

You\u2019ve already set your heart on a particular apartment and now you\u2019re there trying to decide if it\u2019s really suitable for you. Besides all the management-related questions<\/a>, you should also ask about natural light or lack thereof. Which side of the building is the unit located in?<\/p>\n

Consider if your apartment is getting enough light prior to committing to a lease. This should dictate many style choices in terms of both furniture and d\u00e9cor. If you fall in love with an apartment facing north \u2013 which means less natural light \u2013 there are a few things you can do to turn this circumstance to your advantage. Think white tones, shades of tan, light brown and cream to catch all the natural light you can and to avoid that dreary look that homes with less light tend to get. Light-toned furniture has a distinctive beauty, and, after all, who says you can\u2019t marry functionality and aesthetics?<\/p>\n

Apart from natural light, this is one area where you can truly take the driver\u2019s seat. Use indirect lighting, but be subtle about it. You want a soft warm light in the evenings to draw attention to particular areas of your apartment. Ask your landlord if you are allowed to install spotlights. While you should use them sparingly, spotlights can create a cozy atmosphere, especially when dimmers are also in place. Also, you can\u2019t go wrong with a good old reading lamp \u2013 on the stand next to your reading recliner<\/a>. A good lighting scheme can really spruce up the overall atmosphere of your apartment.<\/p>\n

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<\/span>3. Befriend the Natural Layout<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Perhaps ending up in a cookie cutter apartment is not such a bad thing after all. All you need to do now is to go with the optimal flow of the space. Your new apartment already has designated areas for most the standard rooms of a home, so why not take advantage of that. In addition, you could challenge that status quo by adding personal touches in terms of d\u00e9cor and your choice and arrangement of furniture. Once you\u2019ve decided how you are going to use each room, putting your own stamp on the place should feel like a breeze. Think about your lifestyle \u2013 whether you enjoy entertaining or not \u2013 and go from there. If that\u2019s not the case, instead of acquiring a couch for the living room, you could go for armchairs around a table for this room. Think of an interesting way to divide the dining room and the living room. A see-through ball-bearing curtain could work as a \u201cwall\u201d between the two living spaces. Don\u2019t allow walls to contain your originality \u2013 you can use patterns, textures and colors to bring out your uniqueness.<\/p>\n

<\/span>4. Take Your Time Before Buying the Furniture <\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

You\u2019re feeling the thrill of a new apartment and perhaps this is when your excitement might get the better of you. You need new furniture and dozens of other household items to make your new apartment feel like your own. But will your apartment have enough room for all the purchases you have your heart set on? It depends on the city you are located in. With an average size of 711 square feet, apartments in Seattle<\/a> are small as it is, so why bring in bulky pieces of furniture that will take up precious living space? Instead, think about putting some of your seasonal items which you\u2019d normally keep in your closet in a storage unit. Storage units in Seattle<\/a> rent for $153 on average, so that won\u2019t put much strain on your pockets.<\/p>\n

<\/span>5. Play With Furniture Layout<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

Furniture layout is not exactly the factor that typically wows. If a little flair is what you are looking for, think design and color. Look at furniture that pops, but make sure there are no major style disagreements within the same room. For instance, you could have one or two vintage picks for one room. You can obviously choose conventional pieces of furniture, but you can get an original effect if you arrange it a little out of the box. For instance, you could:<\/p>\n