Mary Grace
Bonifacio Global City (BGC) is known for its fun, hip and modern ambiance. Whether it’s a busy workday or a weekend jam, people in the city are always fashionably prepared. And with this generation’s need to express themselves, it’s no surprise that the inhabitants of the city are living in style attuned to their personalities and emotions. People with the luxury to get some help from an interior designer can effortlessly translate their taste into their condo living. Some people, the lucky ones, are creative and expressive in their way and don’t require help when it comes to their interiors. Others, the mere mortals, are clueless when it comes to home decorating. These men need not fret. This article is made just for you. Upgrading your humble abode to an Ikea catalog loft is pretty simple.
CAUTION: Don’t make major changes to a rental or an apartment because you can’t bring that with you once you leave. Focus on the small but highly-impactful details instead. Some changes require permission from a landlord or the owner. Therefore, these home improvement tips will focus on the intricate details of your home that you often miss.
The Entryway
Studio-type apartments and condos don’t include a hall to separate the living room from the front door. Traditional Filipino homes also don’t include an entryway because it’s dubbed unnecessary and eats up space. Still, an entryway is important. It separates the front door from the rest of the receiving area.
To create a simple entryway, install hooks for hanging coats on a back wall near the front door. There are vintage hooks in antique shops, or you can DIY your preferred design by purchasing plastic ones in the home section of a department store then use spray paint. You can find easier DIY ideas on Pinterest.
Add straw baskets (for some boho vibe) or small drawers to store other essentials like umbrellas, shoes, and hats. Include a place to stick or store your memo so you can easily organize reminders.
Desk and Counter Space
Space will always be a problem no matter the size of your house until you learn to organize and prioritize things at home. To keep things tidy and in order, install a metal mesh wall hanger which can be found in hardware stores or Divisoria. Place the metal mesh wall hanger in workstations or empty walls surrounded by counters. Glue magnets to your office, gardening and other tools you may have lying around and stick them onto the metal wall hanger. It makes everything look put together, and you won’t have to misplace your tools ever again.
Another hack is to stick velcro in suitable places on the wall. Stick the other side of the velcro to cooking spices or containers for easy access? While you’re at it, replace or revamp cabinet handles, knobs and pulls. These hard workers are subject to wear and tear as you grasp them each day. Also, changing the handles, knobs and pulls refreshes the counter and desk’s look.
Lighting
Rooms look best with proper lightning. Well-lit spaces are inviting and lively. Choose a light bulb depending on the function of the place then decide if you need ambient, task, or accent lighting. You can add lamps and easy to install peel-and-stick LED lights beside the standard light. Some lights are battery operated and don’t need to be wired to electric lines. The combination of different lighting will give the room warmth and make it cozy.
Lighting does not only depend on the bulb, but the quality of light also depends on the light fixtures. Consider replacing your fixtures if your new light bulb didn’t solve the trick. Replacing light fixtures should be don with caution and is best done with the help of someone who knows how. You can also change your standard light switch for a dimmable one. A dimmable light switch gives you more control over the lighting in your home.
Kitchen
Life hack: Install two dishwashers. Having two dishwashers minimizes the need to have extra space for drying or storing dining ware and cooking tools. You can load one while the other washes.
And the best life hack of all, installing chutes in the kitchen for trash and recycling directed to the basement. Having one saves the need to empty trash bins in the kitchen. It also leads the garbage and junk to the waste or recycling bin.
Walls
BGC has colorful mural and street art around the city. Take a cue from your surroundings and try it in your home! The upgrade will take some work, but the payoff is worth it. According to Apartment Therapy, use a maximum of three colors. The third color should be neutral in case the first two are bold colors. The neutral color gives your eyes a break. The combination of colors will depend on the brightest color (first color), so choose the other colors based on it. There are online tools available to help you pick a complementary paint palette.
A fresh coat of paint goes a long way, especially if it’s the right color combination. Painting the walls of your rental might not be allowed, so make sure you have written consent from the landlord or owner. If painting the walls isn’t an option, try removable wallpapers or removable decorative decals. It will give life to your wall without sacrificing the entire wall. You can paint the pieces of furniture instead of the walls. A bright color will make the furniture pop out from the view and become an instant conversation piece.
Bathroom
Showers, sinks, and toilets are often taken for granted until they start to malfunction, but bathrooms need love too! Replace old and rusty faucets and shower heads. New shower heads will have better water pressure and flow. Another good change to go for is to replace the toilet seat. The new toilet seat will make your bathroom 10x cleaner and shinier. Why not add a new toilet paper holder into the mix? It isn’t crucial but having your tissue perched in a rose gold brass or a rustic, knit pattern will give your bathroom that attitude and edge.
These fixes are cheap and modest upgrades that are often missed when it comes to interior decorating. Some of them are easy to do, and they are effective in bringing out the best highlights of your home. With these in mind, you can have your dream pad in no time.
