Three Apartment Common Area Design Factors to Consider

The founder and senior interior designer for Design Matters in California, Julie Cavanaugh has been working in the interior design sector for more than two decades. Focused largely on senior residential and commercial interior design, Julie Cavanaugh has completed projects in several areas around the US, such as Malibu, California, and Jackson Hole, Wyoming. The project in Jackson Hole is a 90-unit apartment building that recently broke ground.

Common areas in apartments, such as lobbies, hallways, and community rooms, are essential for creating a good first impression and providing residents with a practical space in which to enjoy different activities. Here are several ways to upgrade common areas without breaking the bank:

Add floors and mats.
During times of heavy snow or rain, both residents and visitors have a risk of slipping in apartment lobbies and common areas. For this reason, having mats out is essential for safety. Certain floor types, like hardwood and stained concrete, are also affordable flooring options that help keep people safe. However, these mats and floors must be kept nice, and must be replaced when they begin showing signs of wear and tear.

Reduce sound.
Many common areas echo and reverberate sound very easily, making it uncomfortable for residents to talk, or even walk, in the areas at certain times of the day. New ceiling systems and sound-absorbing floors are some upgrades to reduce noise carrying in common areas. The acoustic design of an apartment common area is becoming increasingly important.

Increase lighting.

Many landlords overlook the impact that good lighting has on the appearance of common areas in apartment buildings. Adding a fluorescent lamp, newer lighting fixtures, or a chandelier can really brighten up the area. Furthermore, landlords should avoid leaving dark spots in common areas when there is no other light source. Paint choice also impacts how bright common areas feel, so it’s important to consider interior paint color and keep it fresh so it doesn’t appear dingy. 

Choosing Paint Color for a Luxury Home

The founder and senior interior designer of Design Matters, Julie Cavanaugh is an award-winning senior residential, commercial, and luxury interior designer. Specializing in kitchen and bath design, architectural planning, area rugs, window coverings, and more, she creates a comprehensive look for all her projects. At present, Julie Cavanaugh and her company are refocusing largely on the luxury market, and adhere to the concept of “livable luxury.” To create a comprehensive interior design in luxury spaces, paint color must also be considered, alongside furniture, home decor, and layout.

Paint color plays a huge role in determining the look and feel of a home. While bright colors may work in certain spaces, they often detract from the sophistication of a luxury home and do not coordinate with the luxury architecture, layout, or overall feel of the space. Typically, luxury homes are best suited for more neutral colors like grays, tans, and tonal whites. These neutral colors create a clean feel and help smaller rooms appear larger by extending the height of the ceilings. They are also easy to match, so homeowners can more easily place other colors into the space via pillows or furniture to fully create the look they want.

This doesn’t mean luxury homes must avoid colors entirely when it comes to paint. In fact, a warm shade of green brings a fresh feel to dull rooms. It promotes a feel of peace and is a great complementary color to luxury accents of white and gold. Blues can also be used in luxury homes, since they create a feeling of tranquility and lightness. Granted, bright blues can be a bit too bold, but muted blues are often preferred. The same is true of yellow, with muted yellow tones working best for adding warmth to a luxury home without overpowering it.