You just purchased your new condo and you’re full of anticipation. You turn the key, walk into your new home — and see a plain, white, empty box. It doesn’t look anything like the perfect show suite you may have viewed. Or the warm space that had been enhanced by the previous owners charming possessions. Don’t panic!
Yes, a big (or small) empty space can be intimidating if you’ve never decorated before, but there are a few simple tips to follow that can turn your hesitation into inspiration. And your plain box into a personal and cozy home.
Determine what design style speaks to you
You don’t have to settle on anything specific. Modern farmhouse? Mid-century? Boho? Scandi? Transitional? Cottagecore? All of them?
All you need to do is decide which things you already own that you really love, and work around them. Did you inherit your grandmother’s antique sideboard that you’ll never part with? A really great textile that you bought on your trip to Bali? A quirky painting of a cat that makes you feel happy whenever you look at it? Is there a fireplace in the condo? Or a great view? Start with that one item as a focal point and blossom out from there. A focal point can help determine your colour scheme and establish how the furniture can be laid out.
Browsing through Pinterest, Houzz or Wayfair are just a few great places to start looking for inspiration.
If you don’t have a big budget for furnishing and accessories, try browsing on Facebook Marketplace and Kijiji. Chances are you’ll find the perfect item that someone else no longer wants. Or visit the many second-hand stores in the city like Centre Flavie’s Boutique Unique, MCC’s Furniture Thrift Store and Shops, or Salvation Army’s various Thrift Stores.
Pick a colour and run with it
A condo is often one large space with the bedroom and bathroom separate, but think of it as a whole. Using the same accent colour throughout on your larger design elements, like the couch, dining chairs and bedding will lend a feeling of consistency, which conveys a coordinated design. Which translates into “you might actually know what you’re doing!” Then, select decorative elements — like lamps, throw pillows, carpets and artwork — in the same colour pallet for each room.
Light shades like white, beige or griege are timeless while lending a feeling of elegance and space. But don’t be afraid of something bolder, like black and white or blue and white. Or yellow. Or pink, orange and red. Whatever colour is your favourite and gives you joy. If you’re really confident, you can mix these items up with different patterns. Just keep one colour consistent throughout for the most cohesive impact.
Create distinct areas within the space
Open concept living is a huge trend right now, which is why it’s important to decorate harmoniously. In an open concept, you can see everything at one time. But you also want to delineate each space and what it’s used for. This creates a more cozy and functional environment.
Hanging an interesting pendant light over the dining table is one option. Using a large carpet to cover the living room floor is another. But make sure it’s not too small. It should be larger than the couch, with the front legs of the couch and any other furniture on top of it so it connects the pieces of the room. Using a folding screen can section off a portion of the living area for a home office or craft space if you don’t have a separate room for that.
Even the bathroom benefits from this cohesion. The same colours you used in the living room can be used in the towels and accessories in your bathroom.
If you have a balcony or patio, extend those colours out into that space as well. Your indoor living space will look huge! But again, break the rules if it gives you joy. If you want to mark off each separate space with a completely different colour and/or theme, go for it! Decorate for your lifestyle right now, not the person you might be selling to in the distant future.
Make the area functional
Square footage is usually scarce in a condo, so you want to create optimal flow through the entire space. A round dining room table makes it easier to walk around. A couch and two side chairs offer more flexibility than a larger sectional. Don’t buy a king-sized bed if a queen will do. Buy tall, vertical shelving units that can hold both books and special items along with baskets to hide random clutter.
Look for pieces that serve a dual purpose, like a couch or ottoman that opens up for storing items inside. But always remember scale. If your furniture is too big for the space, it will make the entire condo feel cramped. And always measure an item before you buy it to make sure it fits in the space it’s intended for. Better yet, walk through furniture stores to physically try out pieces in person.
Maximize light
Add as many reflective surfaces as possible to maximize whatever light sources you have available, especially if your condo lacks large windows.
A glass-top dining table and coffee table reflect sunlight during the day and lamplight at night to every corner of the room. So do mirrors. And not only do they reflect a ton of light, they also create a sense of depth where there may be none. Do you have a big wall in a dark corner? Is your condo rather small? Add a mirror. Add more than one, or mix with artwork. Add metal accents in the form of lamps, table legs and chotchkies.
Those white walls that at first seemed so boring are actually your best friend since they reflect even more light around the room. They also extend the appearance of any windows you do have by not framing them in with a dark colour that will only make them seem smaller, and the rest of the room darker by comparison.
Add your own personality
Even if you don’t like clutter, adding smaller items — both useful and purely decorative — no matter how few you use, makes the space feel more lived in, functional and comfortable.
It’s nice to have a small basket or decorative bowl with an extra phone charger, the remote and maybe even a few pre-packaged snacks sitting in the living room, so you don’t have to get up from that comfy couch and go find them if you had a long day on your feet.
You can be as playful as you want. Do you have a collection of some kind that you’ve been storing in a box? Have it framed and hung in a grouping over the couch, or buy decorator shelving that will highlight a few special pieces. Consider purchasing a cabinet-style coffee table with a glass top and arranging your most precious keepsakes inside.
Items can be as simple as a few candles, a small stack of books or potted plants. Never underestimate the effect that a strategic plant can have in warming up a space, whether it’s a small one on a tabletop or a 5-ft. tall ficus standing in a basket in that otherwise bare corner. Are you a plant murderer? Own that, and know that there’s zero shame in using the realistic-looking artificial plants that were created just for this purpose. Feel free to add as many as you want out on your balcony or patio, too.
These are the touches that not only make the condo feel like home, but make it feel like your home. And the bonus about these tips? They apply to apartment renters as well! Except instead of painting the walls, try temporary peel-and-stick decals instead.
Are you thinking about buying your first condo? A professional REALTOR® can help you find the one that’s perfect for you.