Making small Condo & Apartment look Larger

[Sea-Hawks]

So, my interior design decorator asked  asked me to send over pictures of my previous condos to see what & how I decorated & placed furniture pieces.  

She stated that here in Thailand (mostly guys living here) tend to do quite a few No Nos in their small living quarters.  

A. See if you can pull your larger furniture pieces & sofas/chairs/large pieces away from the wall.  If you don’t have the space to put it more in the center, at least pull it “just-off” the wall.  

B. Angling your single chairs to provide more visual space & give it a better look & feel. 

 

 

 

C. Larger size Rugs

(do NOT use small rugs)

…this will make your room feel small and makes your furniture look bulky and too big for the room  

 

Using large rug pieces will make your space look & feel larger than it is while pulling together your combined furniture pieces into one scenic space

 

 

Considering using a medium size rug over a larger size rug. It will give the space a larger, more modern & visually appealing look   

 

 

 

 

 

 

D. Buying TOO large a piece of furniture or TOO many pieces for a room/space

Try and avoid buying pieces that are overly large

 

 

Don’t buy too many pieces as it will looked cluttered & disorganized 

 

 

- to be continued - 

[Stillearly]

Buy a bed with storage inside , mine lifts easily ( on hydraulics) and I have the whole of the king space available to put suitcases etc 

Edited August 21, 2021 by Stillearly

[Sea-Hawks]

1 minute ago, Stillearly said:

Buy a bed with storage inside , mine lifts easily ( on hydraulics) and I have the whole of the king space available for put suitcases etc 

Yes, that will be included in part 2 😉

[Sea-Hawks]

So, for majority of us in Pattaya, our living arrangements are a bit smaller than what we had prior in our home country.  

For this reason, we must gear towards functional & multipurpose furniture.  

 

I am currently in “negotiations” with the condo manager to allow me to close-off one of my balconies to make into a office den/work space. They allowed owners in the past to close-off their balcony, but since changed their policy…

…in the meantime, I will buy a muliti-use table laptop station   

 

Majority of us lack enough storage space, so buying furniture with extra storage compartments will be helpful. The great thing about the table below is that not only does it provide additional storage, but the table extends out proving additional length  

 

 

 

 

 

[Sea-Hawks]

    Front Entry Area - Front Door

For those of us with small or narrow front entryways, utilizing some additional features will give the sense of a larger space than it really is. 

A mirror by the front door helps draw in light, reflection & feel that makes the space feel larger than it really is. 

 

 

Adding the mirror expands the visual effects, while the floating/raised bench allows for additional storage below while giving you the sense of a larger space 

 

If you have your front door/wall as an accent wall, providing contrast & higher-end feel, considering painting the trim & crown molding the same color, as this will make that particular space feel larger

 

A Tall & Narrow Plant will provide not only color & soothing aspects to your home, but will make your area feel more expansive   

…and when possible, sitting pots on legs gives the room a much larger feel

 

 Hanging plants that are vining will also add the feel of a much larger area  

 

If the space allows for more than 1 plant or more than 1 decorative pieces, remember to use the “Rule of 3”  

 

I’ll provide more pertaining to the Rule of 3 throughout the condo (upcoming)

 

Edited August 21, 2021 by Sea-Hawks

[Bazle]

32 minutes ago, Sea-Hawks said:

Majority of us lack enough storage space, so buying furniture with extra storage compartments will be helpful. 

Don't entirely agree with that comment. More storage space = more clutter, and the hoarding of things you don't really need.

[Peroni]

Lol, Op, man you really need a girlfriend.

[Sea-Hawks]

Both Real Estate Agents & at least my Interior Decorator stated that in Thailand & specifically in Pattaya, builders provide inadequate amount of storage space for condos.  As condos in Pattaya become ‘smaller & smaller’ builders skimp on available ‘Built-In’ storage areas.  

Now, I’ve boughten 4 different condos in Pattaya/Jomtien & viewed a couple hundred units.  Other than most units having a wardrobe closet & small kitchen with not enough or barely adequate kitchen cabinet space…typically no laundry cabinets or possible no mop room/cabinet, little to no misc storage cabinets, no coat closet… etc.  

IMHO, most units I’ve seen for sale in Pattaya are just empty shells with only the wardrobe closets (not including kitchen cupboards or any possible bathroom cabinets.  …where exactly are you going to put your personal effects/items…I guess you could store them in cabinets in the kitchen/bathroom which is not functional, but doable. 
 

In regards to clutter - A condo looks more cluttered when visible, that’s why interior decorators suggest one keep things tucked away, hidden, out-of-sight, cabinets, storage compartments.  I’ll get much detail in upcoming add-on to this threads.  
 

And in regards to hoarding, I’m from the States, the land of hoarders, lol.  Now, this thread is about ‘small living spaces’ since there are so many small units in Pattaya, I’m just passing on the information I received from the REA & ID. And, if one buys any new furniture, it is suggested that we buy multi-useable pieces…which could possibly include additional storage compartments (but not absolutely necessary for individuals that don’t want or need it, just an option).  

[Peroni]

1 minute ago, Sea-Hawks said:

Both Real Estate Agents & at least my Interior Decorator stated that in Thailand & specifically in Pattaya, builders provide inadequate amount of storage space for condos.  As condos in Pattaya become ‘smaller & smaller’ builders skimp on available ‘Built-In’ storage areas.  

Now, I’ve boughten 4 different condos in Pattaya/Jomtien & viewed a couple hundred units.  Other than most units having a wardrobe closet & small kitchen with not enough or barely adequate kitchen cabinet space…typically no laundry cabinets or possible no mop room/cabinet, little to no misc storage cabinets, no coat closet… etc.  

IMHO, most units I’ve seen for sale in Pattaya are just empty shells with only the wardrobe closets (not including kitchen cupboards or any possible bathroom cabinets.  …where exactly are you going to put your personal effects/items…I guess you could store them in cabinets in the kitchen/bathroom which is not functional, but doable. 
 

In regards to clutter - A condo looks more cluttered when visible, that’s why interior decorators suggest one keep things tucked away, hidden, out-of-sight, cabinets, storage compartments.  I’ll get much detail in upcoming add-on to this threads.  
 

And in regards to hoarding, I’m from the States, the land of hoarders, lol.  Now, this thread is about ‘small living spaces’ since there are so many small units in Pattaya, I’m just passing on the information I received from the REA & ID. And, if one buys any new furniture, it is suggested that we buy multi-useable pieces…which could possibly include additional storage compartments (but not absolutely necessary for individuals that don’t want or need it, just an option).  

Two words for you Murphy bed. There's a good shop in Jomtien at Soi Wat Boon Kanjanaram, near the Atlantis Condo complex.

Here's a link to a website they use, their supplier partner.

https://www.wallbedfurnitureshop.asia/

Good luck

[Sea-Hawks]

8 minutes ago, Peroni said:

Lol, Op, man you really need a girlfriend.

😉

well, every time I have a gf, I wished I didn’t have one.  I know many who are looking or have that special someone in LOS/Pattaya and are extremely happy.  For myself, I like my own time/freedoms, don’t want to be dragged to stores & markets (don’t need or enjoy couple’s activities), go travel to Issan to see their family, constantly being asked for money. I like to get up whenever I want, eat my breakfast in peace & quiet without a girl yapping in my ear. Maybe, I’m a bit of a selfish prick and/or too consumed about myself, lol.  

…now, not to get too off topic

This thread is about ‘Smaller Living Arrangements’ Since I’m working with an Interior Decorator, just passing on what I’ve been told/suggested 

[Sea-Hawks]

6 minutes ago, Peroni said:

Two words for you Murphy bed. There's a good shop in Jomtien at Soi Wat Boon Kanjanaram, near the Atlantis Condo complex.

Here's a link to a website they use, their supplier partner.

https://www.wallbedfurnitureshop.asia/

Good luck

Thanks! 

Will take a look at the site & read -up.

[Atticus]

Some very good tips on here Sea-Hawks, thanks. I did like the rug tips as one who enjoys a big rug or two on the floor.

[Atticus]

15 minutes ago, Peroni said:

Two words for you Murphy bed. There's a good shop in Jomtien at Soi Wat Boon Kanjanaram, near the Atlantis Condo complex.

Here's a link to a website they use, their supplier partner.

https://www.wallbedfurnitureshop.asia/

Good luck

I dislike Murphy beds because you have to push them up and pull them down every day and that will mess up the bed linen. I want my bed ready and waiting for me at a second's notice. Plus I'd be nervous about the damn thing flying back up into the wall in the middle of the night and trapping me upside down slowly suffocating!

https://www.loriwallbeds.com/blogs/murphy-bed-blog/can-a-murphy-bed-kill-you-a-comprehensive-guide

😱

[Sea-Hawks]

3 hours ago, Stillearly said:

Buy a bed with storage inside , mine lifts easily ( on hydraulics) and I have the whole of the king space available to put suitcases etc 

…if this was for your place in Patts, where did you get it from & how much was it?

Thx

 

[Stillearly]

39 minutes ago, Sea-Hawks said:

…if this was for your place in Patts, where did you get it from & how much was it?

Thx

 

No , it was from when I recently downsized into a 2 bedroom apartment at home 

 

similar must be available over there ....

 

[Smiler]

Some classic views of Pattaya condos and the type of furniture you see in them in this thread 😬

[forcebwithu]

4 hours ago, Peroni said:

Two words for you Murphy bed. There's a good shop in Jomtien at Soi Wat Boon Kanjanaram, near the Atlantis Condo complex.

Here's a link to a website they use, their supplier partner.

https://www.wallbedfurnitureshop.asia/

Good luck

Or, a retractable hanging bed. 

[Chang_Paarp]

12 hours ago, Sea-Hawks said:

s, no coat closet… etc.

You have coats in Pattaya? 😲

[Sea-Hawks]

6 minutes ago, Chang_Paarp said:

You have coats in Pattaya? 😲

Lol, just always call it coat closet, but here, just to hang my windbreakers, rain gear, umbrellas.  
 

I was up in Loei & Chiang Mai and have seen Thai’s wearing jackets when it gets chilly for them, lol

[KWA]

This has got to be a wind up.

We had this saying at work when we were clearing stuff out that's equally as true in the home, that shite expands to fill the space available.  If you've got storage space you'll put junk in it that should be in the garbage just in case it comes in handy one day.

Mind you, if you've got more shoes than Imelda Marcos things might be different, but you could just put them in the space you've made pulling your furniture away from the wall.

Edited August 22, 2021 by KWA

[Freee!!]

1 hour ago, Sea-Hawks said:

I was up in Loei & Chiang Mai and have seen Thai’s wearing jackets when it gets chilly for them, lol

I've seen that in Pattaya (between Christmas 1999 and New Year's Eve).

[Sea-Hawks]

7 hours ago, Freee!! said:

I've seen that in Pattaya (between Christmas 1999 and New Year's Eve).

…now that you bring that up, during when Secrets was around, I do remember a high season when we had a cold front for about 5 days.  I froze up when taking a motobike taxi around 3am.  And remember taking my sweatshirt with me when walking over to the pier in the evenings.  

I was in Khon Kaen in 2019 (wrote up a TR) and I had discussed how cool it was in the daytime.  I remember in the evenings for a few of the nights feeling it was almost chilly….for the bargirls, it was too cold for them.  

[Freee!!]

6 minutes ago, Sea-Hawks said:

…now that you bring that up, during when Secrets was around, I do remember a high season when we had a cold front for about 5 days.  I froze up when taking a motobike taxi around 3am.  And remember taking my sweatshirt with me when walking over to the pier in the evenings.  

I was in Khon Kaen in 2019 (wrote up a TR) and I had discussed how cool it was in the daytime.  I remember in the evenings for a few of the nights feeling it was almost chilly….for the bargirls, it was too cold for them.  

They had frost at night in Bangkok around Christmas 1999, I still remember landing in the early morning of the 28th and needing to put on my sweater and jacket as it most definitely was chilly.