Adding Architectural Interest to a Plain Condo
Crown molding is the least expensive and most effective way to add architectural interest to your plain condo. You can find crown molding for as little as $0.29 a foot at almost any home improvement store. Hire a local handy man and the project shouldn’t cost you too much. If you are an avid do it yourselfer, cutting and hanging crown molding is an easy and quick project that be accomplished in a matter of hours.
Chair molding and picture molding are also great ways to add some architectural interest. Create a chair rail around your room. Be sure to paint the walls a different color than your railing, this will really make it stand out. You can also create panels along the room using picture molding. This gives a formal look with a lot of architectural interest.
Books shelves can add instant architectural interest as well as much needed storage in your condo. Try to think outside of the box when shopping for bookcases. Many cheap bookcases can be modified to really look custom and pricey. Sources like Ikea, Target, and Wal-Mart all offer a nice selection of inexpensive bookcases. When you are assembling the bookcases try leaving off that back panel of thin “wood.” When your bookcase is against the wall you wall color will show through and give the appearance of built-in shelves. You could also replace the cheap backing with a piece of bead board cut to size. Even more importantly, to add true architectural interest, don’t limit yourself to one bookshelf. Cover an entire wall with these cheap bookcases. The design impact will add immediate architectural interest in your small condo.
Purchasing existing architectural elements from salvage yards, estate sales, and second hand stores is a great way to include architectural interest in you plain space. Old door molding, crown molding, and floor molding can be reused in a variety of ways. My personal favorite way of adding architectural interest in a condo is to find old fancy door molding. Specifically the piece that would have sat on the top of the door. If you are lucking enough to find one in good condition, no work is needed. If not, light sanding and a coat of paint should do the trick. Attach inexpensive hooks along the front of the molding. Hang near you desk or in your kitchen. You can hang photo, kitchen utensils, keys, and jackets from this. Free storage and added architectural interest to your new condo. Keep an eye out in some of the older neighborhoods in you town. You can often find these for free sitting out at the curb.
Old wooden windows are a great way to add some architectural interest and color to your condo. Don’t stop at one window. Cover a wall with a variety of wood window in different colors, shape, and sizes for a lot of architectural interest. Soon the plain walls of your condo will be covered in charm and designed flair.
