When it comes to compact spaces like condos, striking the right balance between fashionable and functional decor can be a tricky feat.
Toronto-based interior designer Andrea Kantelberg says it’s entirely possible to achieve a trendy yet timeless look that’s comfortable, stylish and reflects your personality — and will hold its value.
“Your home decor should feel cohesive and welcoming and act as an effective backdrop to your personal possessions,” says the principal of Kantelberg Design, which specializes in high-rise residential, hotels and luxury homes.
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Reduce and recycle
Living in a smaller space requires scaling back on possessions to minimize clutter, Kantelberg says.
“You need to have space around pieces for them to breathe. Without that space, a home will never have a feeling of luxury or style,” Kantelberg says.
Hold onto the furniture and accessories you still love and that continue to “feed your spirit,” she says, and ditch or donate what you don’t need.
Furniture that fits
Kantelberg says that while lean, modular furniture works well in condos, owners on a budget can find ways to work with what they already have.
“You can augment oversized furniture like a king-size bed or giant sofa with smaller pieces to create more space,” she says.
If you are purchasing new furniture, she says, go for clean, classic lines, and buy the best quality you can afford, knowing it’s a long-term investment.
Storage is supreme
“As a general rule, keep things off the floor to achieve an uncluttered look,” Kantelberg says.
Use an organizer or built-in shelving to maximize storage space in your closets, she says.
You can also make great use of wall shelving and furniture pieces with storage capacity, such as ottomans, to create a clean, unfettered look, she says.
“But perhaps don’t store stuff under your bed — I’m a big believer in clutter affecting the way we feel, and sleeping on top of all our stuff doesn’t feel right,” she says.
Cohesive colour
Create a cohesive, seamless look and feel by carrying similar tones of your colour scheme throughout your place, Kantelberg says.
Choose a paint colour that reflects your personality and will complement your furniture, she says, and take risks in small ways — use patterned wall paper in your powder room or coloured wallpaper behind your bookshelf.
“Truly stylish people have to take risks, but it’s better to do it in small bites,” she says.
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Flooring that lasts
Gray or neutral no-gloss wooden flooring continues to be de rigeur, Kantelberg says, because it’s durable, easy to maintain and great looking.
“Unlike high-gloss hardwood, where you can see every little scratch, you don’t have to worry about maintaining it and keeping it perfect,” she says. “And its worn quality adds a little bit of depth and personality to a space.”
More cost-effective but also stylish is laminate flooring, she says, which also requires little upkeep.
Layer your lights
Use a mix of lighting formats, Kantelberg says, and customize lights according to the way you use them, and the mood you want to create, in each space.
“You don’t need a light fixture hanging in the middle of each room. Somebody came up with this idea 70 years ago, and it’s still there,” she says.
While kitchens and bathrooms may require good-quality overhead lighting, she says, go for a floor lamp in your living room, task lighting on your desk and a table lamp beside your bed.
Earth-minded design
“When you’re buying a product, think about how it got there — was it on a truck, plane or boat? It’s better to purchase from a local manufacturer,” she says.
Other eco-smart decor options include buying vintage, to reuses objects and add originality to your space; low-flow faucets and toilets; energy-efficient lights and appliances; a smaller fridge, to minimize harmful hydrofluorocarbon emissions; and chemical-free paint.
“These are all things that are really easy to do that don’t actually cost extra money,” says Kantelberg, “so it’s possible for your home decor to positively affect the planet.”
Sharon Aschaiek writes about home decor, entertaining and lifestyle trends. Reach her at sharon@cocoamedia.ca.
