Tips for designing an apartment for a young family

Acquiring their own home is a long-awaited and joyful event for every young family. However, it also comes with a lot of hassle, problems, disagreements, and searches. All of these challenges can be overcome, and if you plan ahead and consider all the nuances and details, the renovation and furnishing process will bring many positive emotions to the whole family. Below, we will focus on some key points.

PLAN AHEAD

Even if you’re working with an experienced designer, it’s better to create a design plan in advance, before starting the renovation work. This is especially important if you’re taking on the project yourselves. Without prior experience in this field, it will take more time to develop the concept, style, furniture and decor selection, and consider possible layouts.

THINK LONG-TERM

You are young, active, and free as birds – that’s wonderful! However, we always suggest considering long-term possibilities, such as the arrival of one, two, or three children, pets, guests, relatives, etc. Accordingly, the layout should be designed taking these factors into account, or at least leaving space for future adjustments (in this case, it would be minimal remodeling of the existing renovation). It’s always helpful to incorporate various scenarios and modifications into the initial planning, considering the changing situation. For example, you can allocate a few transformable areas (a study, a guest room) that can be later converted into a children’s room.

PLACEMENT OF OUTLETS AND SWITCHES

This point stems from the previous one. When planning the electrical layout, we carefully consider the placement of electrical points based on the main ergonomic routes in the room. The unwavering rule is, “If you have an extension cord in the room, you have no design.” Poorly thought-out electrical planning equals a lack of design!

ACCURATELY CALCULATE THE PROJECT BUDGET

Perhaps one of the most important points. Yes, we want everything at once, surrounded by so much beauty, and we can imagine and invent anything. However, the design decisions, their quantity, and complexity are directly dependent on the project budget. Don’t start the renovation until you have calculated the budget! When preparing the cost estimate, we recommend including not only the finishing work but also the cost of all furniture, textiles, decor, lighting fixtures, etc. You’ll be surprised when you calculate it this way! Often, 70% of the budget is allocated to finishing work, and when it comes time to furnish, you realize that only 30% is left… And the search for alternatives begins (in the best case), or the project itself needs to be revised (which is the worst option since design, as we know, is in the details).

BETTER OPTIMAL THAN CHEAPER

It’s understandable that a significant amount of money needs to be accumulated for a turnkey renovation, but don’t succumb to the temptation of buying the cheapest option. In matters of renovation, the rule “cheap fish is a poor dish” is relevant. Yes, you can save on quality electrical wiring, but how will you deal with cracked walls after 2-3 years of fresh renovation? Yes, you can install cheap laminate flooring that wears out in 5-7 years. Do you want to redo the flooring (taking into account built-in furniture)? Or is it better to initially choose hardwood flooring that can be easily restored? Or lay vinyl coverings? There are many options, and it’s better to think about them in advance.

THOROUGHLY STUDY THE NEEDS AND INTERESTS OF YOUR FAMILY MEMBERS

When starting the design process, analyze the lifestyle of your family. The created interior should not just be a beautiful picture; it should help you maintain your familiar routine. How often do you cook? Do you have a lot of clothing? Do you have sports equipment? Do you work from home? By answering such questions, you will understand which areas and furniture you need.

COORDINATE YOUR DECISIONS

Undoubtedly, one person should make the decisions, but they should be coordinated and accepted by all family members since it will be a family living in the realized interior, not just one person. Making decisions solely by one of the spouses can lead to either very “feminine” decisions or, conversely, overtly “masculine” ones. Let’s agree that not everyone in the family will appreciate a pink sofa with frilly cushions, or a half-empty room in blue tones with a huge writing/billiard/tennis table.

We also don’t recommend focusing too much on interior design trends and fads, especially if you plan to live in the space for many years. The interior should be stylish first and foremost, and style, as we know, is timeless. There are fail-safe options that allow you to interpret your living space in the way you desire – these include classic, fusion, and Scandinavian styles.

Choosing a style can sometimes lead to disagreements between partners. It’s important to resolve them at this stage. Even if you prefer classic design while your spouse prefers a modern style, it’s not the end! The beauty of design is that it allows for harmonious combinations of seemingly incompatible elements. However, this is the prerogative of a professional or a genius with excellent innate taste. More often than not, the solution to such a situation is as follows: each of you creates a photo compilation of realized interiors, indicating what you liked in each photo. Then comes the process of discussion, during which the designer gains an understanding of your tastes and preferences, as well as an idea of how to unite everything into a cohesive solution. All these insights are included in the design project brief.

You might be interested in exploring an example of a completed design project for a young family’s apartment.

ENGAGING A DESIGNER: IS IT NECESSARY AND WHEN?

If the above points were new information for you, then it is worth considering engaging a designer. Also, if you desire a meticulously planned and stylish interior.

It is worth noting that it is not essential to hire an interior designer for comprehensive apartment design. You can consult a specialist for advice on optimal layout options when choosing a property. Alternatively, you can request an on-site consultation to discuss specific details of a particular space in the presence of builders.

If you have decided that you want a designer interior, there are options available for every budget. You can order a turnkey design project for a private house, apartment, or townhouse. Alternatively, you can commission only the design project and carry out the renovation yourself. Another option is to choose a concept project, where we assist you in developing the interior design concept, selecting the style, furniture layout, etc.