John Elliott Interiors is the best interior design company at the Lake of the Ozarks. That means we see and design a lot of beautiful condos throughout the Lake area. Condos are a great option for a lot of people at the Lake, but they can also present some challenges when it comes to design due to their smaller size and the inability to do a structural remodel or add-ons. Keep reading for our expert tips on how to approach the your condo design at the Lake of the Ozarks.

Pick an Overall Style

When designing for a large home, you can pick a few different styles and have them separated throughout the house. You might choose contemporary for the main floor, industrial for the basement, and minimalism for the master bedroom. Because the spaces are so large and separate, it's easier to explore a few different styles without them clashing. 

However, when designing a condo, you have to be more selective. Condo layouts tend to be more open, so spaces blend together a bit more. Condos also tend to have less square footage than houses, so there's less space to spread out your design elements. That is why it's best to choose one overall design style before you begin buying pieces and planning your design. 

Plan in Sections

Because condos have a more open layout, you will need to be creative about how you arrange your space and think carefully about how to give them some degree of separation. For instance, your dining space may simply be an open area in between the kitchen and the living room. If you're not careful, it could be easy to over-decorate in the living room and start to take over the dining area. Instead, think of your design in separate sections and make sure you aren't crowding one section with the design and décor from another. This will help keep the pathways between spaces clear and prevent your condo from looking cluttered.

Choose a Focal Point

In each section of the condo, choose a focal point for the room. In the kitchen, it may be the gorgeous oven with eye-catching backsplash and a shiny pot filler. In the dining room, it will likely be the dining table itself. In the living room, you have a lot more discretion on what to use as your focal point. Great focal points can include a fireplace, a high-end couch, or a large and beautiful piece of artwork. Be sure to pick only one thing as the center of attention, then design around it. 

Start with the Essentials

When decorating a condo, you might be tempted to buy a bunch of pieces that catch your eye... Like a great piece of fine art or the perfect side table. But, if you start with accessory items, you could end up trying to build your design around something nonessential. Instead, start with the main pieces of furniture that are non-negotiable. The bed in the bedroom, the dining table in the dining room, the couch in the living room, and so on. Then, once you have your major pieces picked out, you can slowly add pieces you love to enhance your design without clogging up your space with too much STUFF. 

Hire a Professional

If you've recently purchased a condo at the Lake of the Ozarks, or you're looking for a condo remodel, give John Elliott Interiors a call! Being the best interior design company at the Lake of the Ozarks means we have a lot of experience designing beautiful condos and creating the space of our clients' dreams. Come visit our high-end home store to find your foundational pieces and get inspiration for your new design. We are here for you!

As an interior design store at the Lake of the Ozarks, we have many clients come in with all different types and styles of homes. Our goal is to help create a space that our clients will love, from large luxury homes to cute and quaint vacation condos. Nobody knows better than us that each type has their own set of challenges. The trick is to get creative to make any space work. Since we have many clients who want to update the style of their vacation condo, while still making it a functional and usable space when they come for a visit, we're sharing a few tips to make the most of a small(er) space - whether it's a vacation condo or small lakefront home!

1. Think Vertical
When working with a smaller space, a great way to make the most of the square footage is to keep everything moving in an upward direction. It can be even easier if you have nice vaulted ceilings which tends to be popular among lake homes. Opt for tall bookcases that keep your collection moving towards the ceiling, and if you have decorative shelves or groupings of artwork - keep them moving vertically instead of horizontally.

2. Find Multi-functional Furniture
An excellent way to save space and still have the storage you need, is to utilize multi-functional furniture. There are many pieces of furniture that can create a beautiful style while still improving the usability of your space. Whether you look for bed frames with storage drawers and shelves in it or a hallway cabinet that can store your linens or organize your paperwork, it's important to make sure that your furniture is adding to the functionality of the space you have to work with rather than creating more of a problem.

3. Grow Your Space With Mirrors
Just like magicians use mirrors to create an illusion - create your own illusion with the use of mirrors. Hanging mirrors in small spaces, like a half bathroom, or a small hallway will help make the space feel larger while also making the light even brighter.

4. Hang the Curtains High
See a common theme here? Keep everything moving upwards! A little trick to make your ceilings look high (even if they aren't) is to hang your curtains as close to the ceiling as you can. The extra height will create a taller illusion and make the ceilings look tall.

5. Swap Out for Smaller Furniture
In small spaces, you can make large pieces of furniture work - but that doesn't always mean it's the best use of your space. If you have a small living area, try swapping your large couch or sectional for a smaller settee to increase the floor space while still providing a space to relax and entertain. You'd be surprised by how comfortable and organized a minimalist living space can feel and function!

Your One-Stop-Shop for Beauty and Style!
At John Elliott Interiors, we want to make your space a place that you can come home to - and feel like you're home! From adding accents to finish the design, adding new furniture, or a complete overhaul of your home and starting fresh, we can help! Let our interior design store at the Lake of the Ozarks be your one stop connection for beauty and style.