12 ways to make your apartment feel more ‘grown up’
Perhaps you have just graduated from college, just started your first job, or maybe you just rented your first apartment or purchased your first home. Regardless, it is an exciting rite of passage.

Part of the excitement relates to the opportunity to make a space your own, infusing your own taste and design sensibility. But good design doesn’t have to be expensive and there are a number of easy and affordable ways to make your pad feel fun yet sophisticated.

High contrast

High contrast is a designer tip that anyone can use in their own space. Sometimes a single colour palette can come across as unsophisticated, while using one that utilises “high contrast” techniques such as black and white, light and dark, can come across as more luxurious.

Pastel colours

Pastel colours are back. They are both youthful and sophisticated; don’t be afraid to use colours such as soft blue, pastel pink or mint green. A white leather sofa helps to create a clean, modern look.

High vs low

Designers do it on the runway, so why not do it in your home? Mixing more expensive pieces with flea market or thrift store finds can be a fabulous way to create an overall sophisticated look.

Decorate with books

Decorating with books is one of the most affordable ways to design, and a “go to” designer trick. One way to display books is to turn them “spline in” in order to create a consistent look.

No stuffed animals

Stuffed animals are a no-no if you want your space to feel grown up and sophisticated. If you can’t bear to part with them, consider placing them in a decorative bin. A framed black-and-white image makes a strong and sophisticated statement.

Add greenery

Plants, succulents, florals and trees are both good for your environment as it relates to oxygen and health and are also a great way to infuse colour and sophistication into your space at an affordable price.

Go for glass

Glass pieces of furniture are a fraction of the cost of pieces that are made out of wood. Glass coffee or dining tables can help to create an open, airy feel at an approachable price.

Purchase quality large pieces

If you can afford it, try to buy one or two high quality pieces that you intend to own for years, if not decades to come. Some ideas of where to start include case goods such as armoires or dressers, beds and sofas. Using mirrors especially in a series is an easy and affordable way to create instant wall decor that is sophisticated at the same time.

Consider leather

Leather if properly maintained, can be both long lasting and add an element of maturity to a space.

Purchase inexpensive artwork

Artwork is like the icing on a cake and can really help to make sure a space feels complete. Framed art tends to look more expensive than pieces that are not. Some ideas for inexpensive art include framing pieces of fabric, posters, calendars, wrapping paper and even post cards. Using mirrors, especially in a series, is an easy and affordable way to create instant, sophisticated wall decor.

Frame photographs

Whether they are from a vacation or your own collection, framed black-and-white photographs can be both interesting and mature.

Add mirrors

Especially in smaller space, mirrors can really help to open a space and can even help to act as windows. Mirrors can also serve as an inexpensive design solution. – Tribune News Service
Design,StarExtra
Good design doesn’t have to be expensive and there are a number of easy and affordable ways to make your pad feel fun yet sophisticated.