How to use lighting to maximize your Gowanus apartment
New York is a true capital of the world, a place where many different influences and cultures collide, creating that unique atmosphere depicted in many films and TV shows. Big Apple attracts many new residents each year, which are drawn by its ever-expanding labor market. New York offers plenty of interesting neighborhoods to choose from, ranging from crowded Manhattan-based streets to more secluded suburban areas. One such neighborhood that has been on the rise as of recent is Gowanus, Brooklyn. It is a developing urban area full of trendy bars, hip clubs, and cool art galleries. For everyone planning to move here on a permanent basis, Dorothy and Martha Moving Brooklyn presents an excellent choice. One of the main problems of living in New York is the lack of spacious apartments. Space is a commodity here, and it comes at a hefty price. Don’t worry as there are ways to make small apartments look bigger. One way is to use lighting to maximize your Gowanus apartment, and we are here to show you how. You are welcome.
Try to let in as much of natural light as possible
Every breathing organism craves sunlight. The same applies to humans. For this reason, having a lot of natural sunlight in your living space should be your priority regardless of the apartment size. Moreover, natural light makes space breathe and look more open and inviting, and this is what we are aiming for. The first thing you should do is to ensure that your windows are clean. Next, it is highly advisable to use linen sheer curtains to allow the light to fill the room. There is no better way to wake up than with a room full of sunlight. Imagine drinking your morning coffee in an ambiance like this. Add several potted plants by the window for the ultimate pleasure.
When you don’t have natural light use lighting to maximize your Gowanus apartment
If you are struggling to find a Brooklyn apartment with lots of natural light, installing quality lighting fixtures can be a good solution. But you have to know what you are doing. We are here to make sure that is the case.
- Install several smaller light sources instead of just one. Ceiling lighting is cool when you are cleaning, as it will help you see everything and not miss a spot. But when it comes to creating the overall atmosphere of your room, lamps are a much better choice. Plus we believe that if you are reading this you probably don’t have enough room to place a huge luxurious chandelier. Pick lamps with a thin base and big shades.
- Use LED panels as they emit bright white light, unlike the regular yellow light. Plus they save energy and are much friendlier for the budget than regular light bulbs.
- Fill the corners with lamps so that there are no leftover dark patches. Use square shades if you are having trouble fitting oval ones.
- If you have tall ceilings use chandeliers with long pendants to emphasize the height of the room or use flush chandeliers if you have low ceilings.
- Use wall lights instead of lamps if you lack floor space.
- Light up your cabinets and shelves with LED strips to create an illusion of depth. These can be acquired at your local DIY store cheaply.
- Use dim switches to control light intensity. This way you can dim the lights and create a cozy atmosphere when necessary.
Artificial lighting can make wonders if you place light fixtures strategically
Mirrors will help you to use lighting to maximize your Gowanus apartment
When it comes to making smaller living spaces look more spacious mirrors present a very potent tool. Put a few mirrors on your walls and you will instantly add several square feet to your apartment. The trick with mirrors is that they reflect light and create an illusion depth thus making the room look bigger. The most efficient way to do this is to use several big mirrors that will reflect large parts of opposite walls. Place them strategically so that they could receive daily light from windows. Mirrors are quite heavy and fragile and therefore difficult to transport, so you should consider professional assistance for this task. Your local Gowanus movers have teams of highly skilled professionals that are used to moving bulky pieces of furniture.
Other cool methods to make small spaces seem bigger than they actually are
What else aside from lighting can you do to make space look more open and spacious? There are plenty of budget-friendly options that are not complicated to pull-off. Here are just a few to give you an idea:
- Wall colors. Picking the right color is crucial when it comes to miniature spaces. Stick to neutral and light colors like white or soft shades of green, blue and peach color.
- Furniture arrangement. Place your furniture in such a manner that it does not ruin the overall flow of the room. Additionally, a few bigger pieces of furniture work wonders in this scenario.
- Minimalism. Or in other words, simplicity is the key. Resist the urge to fill your shelves with countless memorabilia, figurines, and other trinkets.
- Being organized. There is nothing that makes space more confined than piles of necessary clutter. Get rid of everything you don’t need if you wish to get the most of your small apartment.
Use your imagination
To summarize, you can use lighting to maximize your Gowanus apartment but you must not forget about other equally important means to do this. For guaranteed success, stick to the basics we have presented here, but remember that this is your apartment and that it must serve your daily habits and routines. Let your imagination free and you will soon enjoy your fresh-looking apartment.