Five questions for interior designer Charlotte
Home comfort starts with a lovely interior. Interior designer Charlotte Rijk knows all about that. Charlotte transforms your current interior into a brand-new one based on your style and personal items. She devises creative and functional spatial solutions for greater home comfort. In this way, she is busy every day with surprising combinations of shapes, colours, and fabrics. We asked her five questions and discovered handy interior tips that we'd love to share with you.
Furnishing your first home: where do you begin?
“As an advisor, I truly focus on individual living wishes. The ideal interior, in my opinion, depends on how your day looks. Do you like inviting people over for long meals? Then a beautiful table with good chairs is the starting point. Do you prefer to relax on the sofa watching Netflix at the weekend? Then you start with the perfect lounge sofa. If you place great importance on your breakfast ritual, I'll find a nice spot for that where the sun streams in during the morning. My tip: start with the flooring. After that, you continue with the place where you'll spend most of your time. Besides basic items like a sofa, table, and chairs, lighting and sufficient storage space are also very important for your living comfort.”
Here's what to consider when furnishing a rental property: * **Lease Agreement:** Check your lease for any restrictions on alterations, drilling, or painting. * **Landlord's Permission:** Always ask for permission before making any significant changes. * **Temporary Solutions:** Opt for furniture and decor that can be easily moved or removed, like freestanding shelving units instead of built-in ones. * **Damage:** Be mindful of potential damage to walls, floors, and fixtures. Use damage-free hanging solutions where possible. * **Budget:** Furnishing can be costly. Set a budget and look for affordable options like second-hand furniture or flat-pack items. * **Style:** While it's a rental, you can still make it your own. Choose furniture and decor that reflects your personal style. * **Functionality:** Consider how you'll use the space. Choose furniture that is both practical and aesthetically pleasing. * **Measurements:** Measure your space carefully before buying furniture to ensure it fits. * **Storage:** Rental properties can sometimes lack sufficient storage. Look for furniture that offers built-in storage solutions. * **Repairs:** Familiarise yourself with how to report any maintenance issues to your landlord promptly.
“You don't need to own a house to invest in nice furniture. If you're renting for a few years, it's smart to opt for a modular sofa. This consists of different parts you can play around with. If you move to another home, you can assemble the same sofa in a different way. This way, you're investing in a comfortable sofa that will last and can be adapted to your needs and home.
Are you not allowed to wallpaper your rental property? A small wall is quickly painted! Or opt for wallpaper on a panel. You can even wallpaper both sides of the panel, allowing you to change your style with the seasons. Another solution is a rug on the wall. You can also use the rug on the floor, so you can remain flexible in your decorating.”
How do you furnish a small home?
“These days, you see a lot of lofts and studios in the city. In such an open-plan home, it’s nice to create different nooks with their own function, such as for working, dining, and relaxing. First, consider where you’ll spend most of your time. Do you like inviting guests for long dinners? Then you could place a dining bench in the corner against the wall. This creates plenty of space, and if you’re not using the extra seating, you can push the table up against it.
Another tip: use colour blocks on the wall to optically create separate spaces. When the sleeping area is dark green and the kitchen is a lighter shade, you genuinely feel like you're stepping into a different room. That is very pleasant in an open-plan space.
Also consider what you can use as a room divider. You can hang something from the ceiling or opt for a beautiful room screen or a collection of plants. People often choose a long, narrow cabinet. That works fine, but I would advise placing it in the middle of the room. That way, you can, for example, push the sofa against the back of it. People are very inclined to place all their furniture against the wall, but then you fill everything up and create empty space in the middle. Instead, place your furniture freely in the room so you can walk around it everywhere. This feels nice and airy and open.”
What interior trends can we expect?
“At the moment, round shapes are very much in vogue. We're also seeing people opting for warm tones, such as pink, terracotta, dark red, and all sorts of shades of green. Slowly, we're seeing more and more bright colours like neon, and pastels are also becoming increasingly popular. Organic shapes are here to stay, but graphic shapes with clean lines are also making a comeback. It remains to be seen which trend will really take hold.
In my advice, I don't follow trends, but look at what suits the person. I listen carefully and want to give people a nudge to add a quirky twist that suits them. Not playing it safe, but simply choose what makes you happy. That could be a splash of colour on the wall, a quirky coffee table, or a bright orange lamp. I really enjoy making it personal, with items that have a story attached to them. For example, a memento from a wonderful trip or a table from grandma.”
Ja hoor! Hier zijn wat tips: * **Bepaal je stijl:** Denk na over welke sfeer je wilt creëren en welke kleuren, materialen en meubels daarbij passen. Verzamel inspiratie uit tijdschriften, Pinterest of woonwinkels. * **Maak een plattegrond:** Meet de ruimte op en teken een plattegrond. Zo kun je zien hoe meubels het beste passen en of alles praktisch is ingedeeld. * **Budget:** Stel een realistisch budget op. Houd rekening met kosten voor meubels, verf, accessoires en eventuele arbeidskosten. * **Prioriteer:** Wat zijn de 'must-haves' en wat kan later? Begin met de belangrijkste meubels en voeg daarna pas de accessoires toe. * **Mix en match:** Combineer verschillende texturen, materialen en kleuren voor een levendig en persoonlijk interieur. Vergeet niet ook tweedehands items te overwegen. * **Verlichting:** Goede verlichting is essentieel. Denk aan algemene verlichting, taakverlichting (bijvoorbeeld boven je bureau of leesstoel) en sfeerverlichting. * **Persoonlijkheid:** Maak het je eigen! Voeg persoonlijke items toe zoals foto's, kunst of souvenirs die iets betekenen. * **Test voordat je koopt:** Als het even kan, test dan meubels uit in de winkel. Zit een bank lekker? Is de tafel stabiel? * **Begin klein:** Je hoeft niet alles in één keer te veranderen. Begin met een kamer of zelfs een hoek en breid later uit. * **Vraag om advies:** Aarzel niet om advies te vragen aan vrienden, familie of zelfs een interieurontwerper als je er niet uitkomt. Veel succes met je nieuwe interieur!
“Changing your interior doesn't always have to be expensive. Have a good look in the loft or among your family. That old cupboard from Aunt Gerda can be painted beautifully. Replace the knob and it will match the rest of your interior again. Or opt for new cushion covers, a new throw on the sofa and a different colour on the wall. This way, you'll instantly have a different vibe at home.
The belongings someone already owns are central to me. Even if someone is ready for a completely different interior, I don't start from scratch. If you do that, you create a kind of hotel room you've never been in before. I make it personal by upcycling existing items. For example, you can add a seat to an old IKEA cabinet, giving it a new function and making it last for a long time. By reusing items, you retain individuality in the interior. It costs less money and is also very sustainable.”
Charlotte's Mix
Whether you are moving house or want to give your existing home a new look, Charlotte combines your existing items with new ideas for a new personal interior. For more information, go to www.charlottemixt.nl.
More inspiration
You can read this interview in the latest edition of the rental magazine ‘Buitengewoon Huren 2022-2023’. Buitengewoon Huren is packed with information that will interest you as a (prospective) tenant. We'll take you through our extensive range of complexes. From Hellevoetsluis to Doetinchem and from Koog aan de Zaan to Maastricht: all in one clear magazine. In addition, this magazine offers you lots of great ideas and practical tips. Curious? Click here for the online magazine! We hope you enjoy reading.
