These Minimalism Mantras for Apartment Design Will Help You Save Money

A minimalist interior design looks clean, organized and sharp. The basic idea is to make the most out of the pieces that you have. While this concept is typically put to use by renters with small apartments, the elegant design can be implemented in any sized apartment, if done right. Not only will minimalism make your space look bigger, but it can also help you save money along the way.

Here are some of the mantras of minimalist design which help you save money: 

Buying Less Furniture 

An obvious way to save money through interior design is by purchasing less furniture. One option is to opt for pieces that with adaptive functionality. This way, you only need to purchase one piece of furniture or appliance, and it will achieve multiple purposes. A simple example is a toaster oven—it can replace a toaster, conventional oven, and microwave all in one. You won’t be able to achieve the same size as a regular oven, but that’s not a big deal if your kitchen is already small.  

Other ideal options include furniture that can expand or contract in size. Look for kitchen tables that have leaves or can fold at the sides, this way you keep it small for yourself, and then add additional table space for company. Ottomans can work as both a foot rest, as well as a storage space. Any piece of furniture that can serve various functions will leave you with more room and more money at the end of the day.  

Finally, choose larger accent pieces as opposed to smaller knick-knacks. Just a few large pieces can tie the entire room together and give you a less cluttered appearance. They can even make the room look bigger than it actually is. Popular options could include wall art, a large house plant and sculptures. 

Cutting Down on Utilities 

There’s several ways to reduce utilities cost by way of a minimalist interior design. One way is to cut down on the amount of TVs you own. Some people like to have a TV in nearly every room, but by reducing the number of TVs to one or none, you’ll be less tempted to watch a lot of TV. Not only will you free up more space, but you won’t need as many streaming services subscriptions either, freeing up more cash as well. 

One way to reduce your energy bill is by improving your apartment’s energy efficiency. A cheap and quick way to create more energy efficiency is by switching to LED light bulbs. Although they’re more expensive than incandescent bulbs, LED bulbs are 60% more efficient and can last more than ten times as long.

Decorative pieces can also have an effect. For instance, a carpet turns each room into a cozier space, but it can actually also retain heat. On the other hand, curtains and window coverings can help keep out air from outside, both hot and cold. 

An efficient way to save money is to make these purchases with a no-fee debit card. Hidden fees like overdraft and maintenance cost the average American household over $300 per year. By cutting costs wherever you can, you’ll have more money to spend on your interior design budget. 

Thrifting 

One of the best ways to save money with a minimalist design approach is by thrift shopping. Rather than buying brand new pieces, you can thrift them for a fraction of the price. In many cases, these pieces are still in good shape and there’s no reason they need to be put out of use. 

With a little bit of elbow grease, you can even restore furniture to look brand new. A new coat of paint to add a pop of color, fixing small dents in wood or polishing metals can make a world of a difference. You should be able to do most of these restoration projects yourself, with minimal costs for supplies as well.  

Better yet, you can repurpose furniture to serve a completely different function. Turn an armoire into a pantry, or an old nightstand into a bar cart—the options are endless. All you need is a bit of creativity and an open mind to look at furniture and imagine it as something else.  

Curating your own interior design is imperative to making your apartment an enjoyable living space and personal to you. Using a minimalist approach is the best way to make the most of your space while still keeping things tidy. By utilizing the right strategies, you can use a minimalist interior design approach to save yourself time and money along the way.