Forget minimalism; when there’s limited space in your admittedly cool apartment, you have to improvise. But your property manager may not be keen on creative redecoration, and why go through all the expense and trouble of wallpaper, paint and pattern when you can just use your stuff as décor?
The trick is in the presentation — and in the choice. Groovy items like camera bags, vinyl holders, briefcases and satchels can be stuffed full with … well, stuff, and presented in the right way, they also look great. Team them with cool storage options like these wooden ‘50s military packing cases and you’ve got a great look.
In the Bedroom
A closet with integral drawers — especially if it also has overhead cupboards like this vintage-style wardrobe — is ideal. You can fit lots in, and it covers quite a bit of the wall. You can also tuck a mirror down the side when not in use. One big problem, though: There’s nowhere to hang longer garments. This is where the wall comes in! The picture rail — the wooden or plaster “line” about a foot below the ceiling — is just that, a rail to hang your pictures on. You can also use it to hang up a beautiful dress on the wall, and it adds to the décor.
Dress (or coat) as décor! Wear it, wash it or hang it — all the incidental creases will fall out overnight (as long as you ironed it first after it was washed), and you can just store any other larger items of clothing in the storage boxes until you wear them. Like classic Quaker-style décor that uses “knobs” on a deep wooden rail around the top of a room, the picture rail is ideal for hanging. If you don’t have one, improvise with picture hooks. You can also hang dresses/coats on the side of the wardrobe and store ties on a rack behind the door — you can leave it open for display too.
Arrange tomorrow’s outfit today — use a small rail to store and also display your clothes, ready for wear in the morning or later when you get home. Scarves, bracelets and jewelry look great on their own display unit — it’s all about cutting down on the need for freestanding furniture that takes up lots of floor space.
In the Living Room
Utilize your wall-to-ceiling space. CD storage units can fill the wall and look fabulous. Just add a few pictures and go as high as you like! You can also use the top of the storage cabinets for ornaments, games or even treasured stuffed toys.
Use striking storage options — vintage bags, cases and boxes can all keep stuff in, and they look great too. Even a basic shelving option looks cool with the right equipment; a record player and vinyl collection adds to the storage-as-décor appeal.
Use your window sills for decoration too — all space is there to be used!