Renters who are viewing apartment complexes are often led to furnished models which have been tastefully decorated. Although the furnishings in these model apartments are usually very aesthetically appealing, they also usually serve another purpose as well. This other purpose is to make the room appear larger than it is. There are decorator and furnishing techniques which can achieve this result. The size of the bed, the amount of furniture, and the layout of the furniture are all items which should be carefully considered when viewing model apartments. This article will cover these three items and will provide useful information for renters who are trying to evaluate furnished apartments.
The Size of the Bed
Determining the size of the bed in a model apartment is important for the purposes of evaluating the apartment. If you are unsure of the size of the bed used in the model, ask the leasing agent for clarification. This is important because if the bed used in the model is a full size bed and your own bed is a king size bed, it will be difficult to make assumptions about the size of the bedroom. The differences in a full size bed and a queen size bed may not be as noticeable, but renters should be aware that a queen bed will result in less free space in the room. If the bed used in the model is not the same size as your own bed, take measurements to determine how well your own bed will fit in the room.
Is There Enough Furniture?
When viewing a furnished model it is important to note whether or not there is enough furniture in the room. For example, there may be a kitchen table and only two chairs instead of four. This may make the room appear larger to those who are viewing the apartment, but they are likely going to be disappointed when they move in.
Consider the furniture in other rooms as well. For example, a bedroom which only has a bed and a nightstand will be decidedly less crowded than a bedroom which has a bed, two nightstands, and a dresser. Your furniture may not be exactly the same size as the model furniture but there should be comparable items in each room.
Does the Layout Make Sense?
Renters should also carefully consider the layout of the furniture when visiting a furnished apartment. An apartment may feature all of the pieces of furniture the renter expects to see in the room but may position these pieces of furniture in a way that is not logical. Consider the family room as an example. There may be a couch, an entertainment center, a television set, a coffee table, and two end tables but if these items are positioned strangely, then it can be deceiving. Most renters arrange their living room furniture in a manner which makes the area conducive to conversations as well as viewing of the television. If the television is positioned where it is not viewable from any of the seating options, the layout of the room is somewhat unnatural. It is not likely to be similar to the layout used by the renter and therefore does not offer an accurate representation of how the space will likely be used.