Few people are more proficient at decorating small spaces than the Manhattanites. Real estate costs in one of the world’s densest cities are exorbitant, and square footage is in high demand.
Especially when designing a small home where a pet is going to reside with you, you need to consider several factors. It takes expert-level abilities, innovative storage solutions, and versatile layouts to decorate a small flat in New York. We asked NYC-based interior designers, architects, and chief creative officers to share their finest tips with us to shed some light on the greatest small apartment ideas.
1. Choose a Contemporary Decor Style:
The people of New York aren’t afraid to express themselves. Despite being on the smaller side, these rooms have a strong personality!
Even though it is constantly evolving, contemporary interior design incorporates and reinterprets numerous historical styles. Particularly in New York City, where wall art, décor, and all things visual are revered, these spaces are thrilling and adventurous. If you’re a collector, whatever the best NYC designers create could be yours—and one or two should, anyway!
Contemporary design is inextricably linked to architectural elements like those found in Art Deco structures. To double the aesthetic value of a building, furniture must cooperate with the structure. Modern art and fascinating New York City design look amazing against neutral walls. But thanks to textile design, even a basic sofa can be a work of art.
These homes feel spacious and open, thanks to the thin sofa legs and simple window treatments. In addition, reflective materials (such as glass, metals, and mirrored surfaces) provide the appearance of more light than there actually is within a New York flat.
This works best for your pets as they get maximum floor space now and do not need to navigate through a busy home.
2. Place Rugs Carefully:
A small space should not be devoid of the essential components of a well-equipped room. You can buy area rugs in pretty much any size you could possibly imagine, and they’re a terrific way to distinguish between areas. Use different area rugs to help define the spaces in a room that connects to the living room, kitchen, and dining room. This will make it appear as though the space is larger than it is.
Avoid using thick pile rugs or carpets because they have the tendency to collect fur and dander and could become a haven for bacteria. Additionally, high-pile rugs are more challenging to clean since robot vacuum cleaners might become trapped on them. Instead, opt for floor coverings like laminated timber flooring, marble, and porcelain tiles that are simple to clean. It is also important to brush your dog regularly using best detangler for dogs to avoid fur, dust, and dander in your carpet and home.
Stay away from large carpets and all rugs. Although rugs are a terrific way to enhance aesthetics, they may occasionally feel too limiting and constraining in tiny rooms. Without rugs, small spaces flow well.
3. Eliminate Clutter:
Considering how energetic dogs and cats are, rearrange your furniture to give them more room to play and move about. Keep breakable items like glassware, vases, and other display pieces out of your pet’s reach and off of tabletops and other surfaces to avoid mishaps. Last but not least, choose concealed wiring to keep your home tidy and deter pets from nibbling on the cables.
4. Elevate Furniture:
It can be tempting to put furniture in the corners of a tiny flat to maximize space. Your area will appear and feel considerably smaller as a result. One simple tip you can use to visually expand your area is to leave some space between your furniture and the walls.
Giving your room a little breathing space can help your home look and feel bigger in a small space. Select couches and credenzas with obvious legs. The modest amount of empty space will prevent your small flat from appearing to be completely crammed with things.
When you lift the furniture off the ground, the visible floor space gives the illusion of a bigger space. This makes it easier to clean the home, and pet fur will surely hide under the couch that needs cleaning. Also, this means your dog has its own den under the dining table or below the couch.
Elevated furniture also means your robot vacuum cleaner can go under this furniture and clean your home entirely, which is necessary if you live with pets.
5. Choose Upholstery Wisely:
Leather or faux leather upholstery lasts long, is easy to clean, and doesn’t absorb the pet’s scent. Remember that light-colored upholstery requires more upkeep than dark-colored upholstery.
For the sofas and dining chairs, think about utilizing removable, machine-washable slipcovers made of synthetic materials. Avoid using soft materials like velvet, which attracts pet fur like a magnet, or fragile ones like silk, corduroy, and chenille, which can be destroyed by claws.
6. Use Wall-Mounted Lighting:
Lighting that is mounted on the wall is a prime example of wall utilization. It not only gives your area an intriguing design element but also fulfills an essential, practical need. Failure to utilize wall space for illumination is one of the main blunders committed in tiny rooms. For instance, a larger, cozier sofa should be prioritized above the table and floor lamps in a small living area, while wall-mounted lamps should be used instead.
The Bottom Line:
A pet comes with a lot of duties in addition to the special link of devotion, friendship, and unconditional love that we enjoy with our furry friends. If you have a pet or are considering getting one, follow these suggestions to design a pet-friendly space that meets their needs, is simple to manage, and doesn’t sacrifice style.
Designing a small home with a pet means planning it in a minimalistic way that gives your pet the needed space, looking after the safety of the pet by incorporating dog gates wherever needed, and ensuring that the home is safe for your pet is essential.