Last Updated on August 10, 2023 by Admin
When thoughtfulness and intelligence go into the design of an inner-city apartment complex, it can naturally go a long way with regards to attracting potential tenants. Apartment designs that are likely to be most appealing to prospective buyers are those that provide ample floor space alongside plenty of features for ensuring privacy. Even something as simple as installing slat fencing for privacy is enough to attract both motivated buyers and tenants alike.
So what other options are available to property developers or even current apartment owners who are looking to boost the space and privacy of their compact abodes? Let’s take a closer look at how you can design a modern apartment that will be more spacious and private.
Table of Contents
Take Full Advantage Of The Space You Have
There is only so much space to go around in a modern city apartment, and it’s not like you can magically create more out of thin air. So in order to make your apartment seem more spacious and private, it stands to reason that you must use all of the space at your disposal.Â
If the kitchen seems cramped with overly large cabinets, take the time to downsize to something more efficient. What you do in this situation will largely depend on what you are already working with, so start by taking stock of what currently works and what doesn’t. Anything you can do to free up extra floor space will make a huge difference, as long as you keep your focus on the main goal.
Another pro tip is taking advantage of your vertical space. Let’s look at the example of apartment kitchens again. Although you may not have the floor space to install countertops and deep cupboards, you do have plenty of wall space upon which to build shelving or versatile storage options like pot racks. So play around with this dimensionality!
Create A Flow Throughout Your Interiors
As apartments typically only have one point of entry and perhaps one doorway that opens up to a balcony space, it should be easy enough to design a floor plan with a seamless flow from your front door and through to bedroom spaces. The best method for creating a seamless flow is simply to determine if the layout of your apartment is intuitive and aligns with the needs of one who would be occupying that space.
For example, you don’t really want a bathroom to be positioned by the front door, just as you wouldn’t want a kitchen to share a wall with a bedroom space. Similarly, balcony doors and any windows that look out onto the balcony should ideally adjoin a living room space so all that natural light can be put to good use. Keeping these design principles in mind can help apartment builders create inner city complexes that more than make up for their lack of floor space.
Bedrooms Away From Traffic
Bedrooms are only going to be so large and spacious in an apartment, but that doesn’t mean that you or your tenant can’t have a good night’s sleep. A simple thing you can do is design the apartment so bedrooms are away from hallways and busy streets wherever possible. This may not be possible in certain situations, but when it is, it is going to create a much more private and safer-feeling bedroom for the occupant.
Alongside this, many apartment builders are opting to create bedrooms that come with a view. For instance, urban planning best practices now dictate that all apartment complexes should also ideally be accompanied by shared green spaces for residents to enjoy. If your apartments provide balcony or bedroom views of these green spaces, it can provide your residents with a little respite from the drab greyness and angularity of their city skyline.
Be Generous With Storage
The sheer amount of storage options available today is mind-boggling. Manufacturers are adding storage to just about everything, such as living room furniture and beds, along with designing modern stand-alone storage options specifically for smaller spaces.Â
If your apartment doesn’t come with a lot of floor space, your homeowners or tenants are going to appreciate any extra storage options that you can give to them. This includes vertical storage as we mentioned earlier, as well as built-in wardrobe and cupboard spaces in bedrooms, kitchens, and bathrooms.
Take the time to see what is going to work best in your apartment designs. You could maybe even use a consultant to ensure that you have more than enough storage on hand to keep generations of tenants and homeowners happy in the long term.
Balcony Dividers
If you own a building with multiple units that have balcony access, it is essential that you add balcony dividers that effectively ensure privacy for individuals. Nothing can ruin a nice day out in the sun like unwanted gazes peering in, so it’s essential that balcony dividers provide tenants and owners with the perfect level of privacy. That way, they can enjoy sitting out on their balcony without feeling self-conscious or like they’re disrupting their neighbours.
There are many different options for adding privacy to a balcony, with the most common being wooden or aluminium dividers that essentially enclose each balcony so that every individual apartment has its own space. Balcony dividers that use thick slats or frosted glass can also provide an added sense of space without sacrificing privacy, which is why these materials are so commonly used by developers today.
Prioritise Security
Finally, an evergreen fear that all apartment dwellers have likely had during their experience with compact living is that their apartment may be broken into, either by a complete third party or perhaps even by someone in their building. It’s hard to feel comfortable again after your apartment has had a break-in, so property developers who take security seriously are likely going to experience great commercial success in their competitive inner city property markets.
This isn’t saying you have to go all out and install the latest in video security technology. In fact, even low-tech security features like deadbolts, security doors, and proper lighting are going to help immensely. Of course, you will not be able to prevent something bad from happening all the time, but when you utilise the proper technology and precautions, you should have a decent handful of preventative measures and deterrents up your sleeves.
Focus On Day-To-Day Living In Apartment Spaces
The most important characteristic that any modern property developer can have when designing apartments is empathy. Put yourself in the shoes of respective buyers and tenants in order to understand what they will need to truly enjoy the space you’re curating. Consider the innate livability, safety, and security of your designs before putting them into effect. By doing so, you can ultimately design inner city apartment complexes that don’t end up being an eyesore, and only serve as cosy and secure homes for tenants from all walks of life.
