One of the best parts about moving into a new place is getting to put your own stamp of personalized décor, furniture and design on it. It can be tricky, though, to find a place for every piece you love — especially if your new home is a different size or layout than your old one. It can take a little extra creativity to reimagine that shabby-chic bookcase in your new space or find a new way to display a beloved collection.
If you’re ready to roll up your sleeves and transform your new apartment into a homey retreat, here are some unique ways to repurpose, rearrange and upcycle everything from patio furniture to dining room tables.
Mix Things Up
Just because you’ve always used certain furniture in specific rooms doesn’t mean you have to keep doing so. Breathe new life into old furniture by simply placing it in a new context.
Now that you’re in a new place, try to look at your furniture with fresh eyes. A trusty nightstand can become a great accent table for the living room. If your dresser no longer fits in the bedroom, consider repurposing it for extra storage in the dining room or kitchen instead. Extra dining chairs can turn up the style in the bedroom when used as simple bedside tables. But don’t just focus on large furniture pieces; extend your creative thinking to art and mirrors, too. An old, full-length mirror becomes something entirely new when mounted horizontally over the sofa or in a hallway.
Make a Few Changes
Pieces that look or feel wrong in your new apartment might just need a slight alteration to fit in. Wooden pieces can be painted or distressed to better match the look and feel of your current space, and re-covering upholstered items with fabric can add a fresh, new feel. Think beyond color and pattern, and play with textures as well. Nothing adds dimension to a room better than layering textures throughout.
Furniture that is too small or tall for your new space can often be altered for a better fit. A bistro table that’s too small for your new dining room becomes an interesting coffee table when you change out the base. Bookshelves that are too tall can be placed on their side to provide a unique storage option. Remove the arms from a chair that’s too wide and watch it fit perfectly. And something as simple as adding or removing doors can make old armoires and bookcases seem new again.
Go Vertical
If your new home is smaller than what you’re used to, it can be difficult to fit everything within your new space constraints. Rather than displaying collections on a mantle, console or other piece that takes up floor space, consider a vertical arrangement.
Drawers can be transformed into floating shelves, which are a great way to take full advantage of all the space in your apartment. Shadow boxes and frames help display everything from shells and sea glass to vintage cameras. Turn your collections into art and wow everyone who walks in the door.
Bring the Outside In
Before you get rid of the patio furniture that won’t fit on your new balcony, think about bringing it inside. Patio furniture can be both useful and fun when mixed with your indoor furniture. Side tables from your patio can be used as stools for extra seating or grouped in front of a sofa as a creative coffee table.
You can set up an extra sitting area with a patio chair or loveseat and an accent table. Patio cushions and poufs can be added to the mix in a living room to provide casual, colorful seating. And a bench is the perfect way to conserve space at the dining table. Just nestle it between the table and the wall until you need the extra seats.
Moving can be exciting, especially when it comes to designing your new space. Fortunately, you don’t need to invest in a whole new set of furniture to fit your new home. With these creative ideas as inspiration, you can reimagine everything you already own to create a look and feel that makes you — and your guests — feel right at home. For more tips on how to customize your apartment, read about decorating ideas especially for renters.