Some homes just ooze personality. They may not be spacious or even pricey, but they’re filled with objects that speak volumes about the homeowner. You could easily judge this bachelor pad as a basic basement rental, but you’d be missing out on its cool and quirky feature walls, the interesting found artwork and a kitchen so well-organized, you’d swear the homeowner’s mother stocked it.
Wood and White
This two-tone wood and white kitchen is totally on trend. Natural wood saw an uptick in popularity this year – and you can’t go wrong when pairing it with classic white, especially when it’s used to paint over an exposed brick accent wall.
Light and Airy
Eliminate any preconceived notions you might have had about extra-narrow basement apartments, because this kitchen space leaves plenty of room to maneuver when cooking or socializing. While it it doesn’t feature a window, it still has plenty of natural light, which is aided in part by the airy wood and white two-tone colour scheme that helps the space feel more open.
C-R-E-A-T-I-V-E
Forget accent walls featuring chalkboard paint. If you want to have a little fun with your space, but don’t have a ton of room, opt for painting a door instead. It’s a fun way to leave notes for your friends, jot down inspirational quotes or simple enjoy a friendly game of Scrabble with your guests.
Related: 11 Things Every Stylish Home Has (It’s Not What You Think!)
Lend Me a Hand
If you’ve got a passion for quirky decor, it doesn’t get much better than this clever little keyholder.
Related: How to Give Your Living Room a Makeover for Less Than $100
Soak it Up
We totally envy this pristine basement apartment bathroom, right down to its clawfoot bathtub.
Keep it Simple
There’s no getting around the fact that basement apartment bathrooms can be a bit of a tight squeeze. But that doesn’t mean you can’t infuse the space with a little personality by adding splashy subway tiles, personal photos and potted plants. Check out more genius small bathroom design ideas.
Close Quarters
Remember: style is not measured by square feet, so even if you’ve got a small space, there are ways to work around it. Area rugs, bold furniture and unique wall art are all great ways to add some personality to tiny quarters. You can also try one of these small living room design ideas you’ll want to steal.
Let the Sunshine In
When living in a basement apartment, having enough natural light is key to truly enjoying your living space. Luckily, this Toronto gem features a wood framed option in the living room that offers a sizeable ledge for books, potted plants and other assorted knick knacks. Find out how to makeover your basement for under $100.
Retro Fit
Talk about a throwback! We can’t get enough of this retro television set. The plant, placed inside a milk crate, is great additional touch to this vintage and modern living room.
Related: How Vintage Finds and Tropical Greenery Transformed a Basic Rental into a Retro Pad
Rock On
In tune with the retro theme, this vintage record player is in keeping with the living room aesthetic of old and new.
Related: A Century-Old Home Comes to Life With a Mashup of Modern Ideas You’ll Want to Copy
Bookworm
When living in a confined space, you’re not doing yourself any favours if you fill an entire room with a giant bookshelf. To avoid extra clutter while still displaying your favourite reads, opt for floating shelves. We also love these novel ways of turning book collections into works of art.
Hometown Flavour
An easy way to liven up a basement apartment is carefully selected artwork that suits your personality. Adding a little hometown flavour with the art pieces doesn’t hurt either. Find out how to pick art for every room of your house.
Sleep on It
Cutting back on furniture and opting for a mellow colour scheme can go a long way toward helping your small bedroom space look a lot bigger. The renter even kept it simple on the decor to avoid lending the space a clutter-free air.
Related: 10 Design Tricks to Make a Small Bedroom Look Much Bigger
Don’t Hit Snooze
A small, simple nightstand is all you need right beside your bed. Anything bigger will lead you into the temptation to stack it high with books, receipts and other assorted objects. Find more decorating mistakes that are making your home look cluttered.
Cozy Sanctuary
No need to fret about an unmade bed or unwashed laundry when you’ve got a stylish sliding door leading to your bedroom that you can simply close if you have guests coming over.
Related: 10 Bedroom Organization Tips That Practically Do the Cleaning For You
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