Bright Ideas
New design features for multifamily are taking over.
Jessica Fiur, Editor-in-Chief
As the venerable Heidi Klum once said, “In fashion, one day you’re in, and the next you’re out.”
Same goes for multifamily design. Thank goodness.
When I first started reporting on the apartment industry many years ago, it was all about the granite and stainless steel. Every single community touted these features. White walls, too. Which is … fine. Nice, even! A blank canvas with high-end finishes for the residents to create their own homes. But also, a little boring. Especially because it was the same thing over and over again. How could prospective renters be able to distinguish between the different communities? Why would they choose one over another?
But now, multifamily is striving to be original. In fact, as Diana Mosher reports in “What’s Hot and What’s Not in Apartment Interiors,” designers are creating unique spaces in communities—“incorporating storytelling and intentional Instagram moments.” They’re also looking to the local area to see if there’s anything special to feature.
What else is in? Color! Goodbye, bland neutrals, and hello, cheery shades such as yellow—Pantone’s 2021 Color of the Year. And as we are hopefully through the worst parts of COVID, I think we all deserve some cheer right now.
Adding unique elements to a community will not only help it stand out but will help keep your décor from looking dated. Drabness and conformity? They’re so over.
What new elements are you thinking of incorporating in your community? I’d love to hear from you! And if you’re in a design rut, you’ll find a lot of inspiration in this issue!
