Moving into a new place is exciting, but a blank canvas can also feel a little overwhelming. The key to making a rental truly “feel like home” is personalizing it to fit your vibe. At The Modern apartments in Denver, your home is the perfect backdrop to let your personal style shine. This guide offers actionable and stylish apartment decor ideas designed for your lifestyle, whether you’re working from home, have a furry friend, or want to create a perfect patio retreat.
Key Takeaways
- Tailor Decor to Your Lifestyle: Whether you work from home, own pets, or love the outdoors, your decor can be both beautiful and functional by leveraging community amenities like the business center and dog park.
- Embrace Your Floor Plan: Maximize space in 1-bedroom layouts like the Catalina and Laguna with smart furniture choices, and define zones in 2-bedroom plans like the Malibu and Newport.
- Decorate Damage-Free: Utilize renter-friendly hacks like removable wallpaper, command hooks, and tension rods to personalize your walls without risking your security deposit.
- Bring the Outdoors In: Draw inspiration from The Modern’s scenic pond and the surrounding Bear Valley area by using natural textures, colors, and plants to create a tranquil home environment.
- Shop Local: Discover unique decor pieces that reflect your personality at local furniture and antique shops near Lakewood and the greater Denver area.
Finding Your Personal Style: Popular Apartment Decor Trends
Before you buy a single throw pillow, it helps to identify a core design style. This acts as your guide for everything, from a big-ticket sofa to small home accessories, ensuring your space looks cohesive. Not sure where to start? Check out some of the most popular styles that create a modern aesthetic. You can see how residents have decorated their homes in our gallery to get inspired.
Apartment Decor Style Finder
| Style Name | Vibe / Atmosphere | Key Elements | Common Color Palette | Best For… |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bohemian (Boho) | Eclectic, cozy, free-spirited | Plants, varied textures (macrame, rattan), global patterns, thrifted finds | Earthy tones, jewel tones, terracotta | Renters, maximalists, and plant lovers. |
| Minimalist | Clean, simple, intentional | “Less is more,” clean lines, uncluttered surfaces, functional furniture | Neutral (white, beige, grey), monochrome | Small apartments, creating a sense of calm. |
| Industrial | Raw, edgy, urban | Exposed elements (or faux brick wallpaper), metal accents, and raw wood | Black, grey, brown, neutral colors | Loft-style living, open-concept spaces. |
| Mid-Century Modern | Retro, organic, functional | Tapered furniture legs, organic shapes, wood furniture, clean lines | Orange, green, brown, teal, mustard yellow | Those who love a vintage, timeless vibe. |
Decorating for Your Lifestyle at The Modern
Once you have a style in mind, it’s time to make it work for you. At The Modern, you can adapt your decor to your daily routine while taking advantage of amazing community features.
Decorating your first apartment shouldn’t mean risking your security deposit.
The Productive Home Office: WFH Decor
Creating a dedicated work-from-home area is essential for staying focused. In your 1 or 2-bedroom apartment, you can carve out a space that’s both functional and stylish.
First, zone your space. Use a cool area rug or an open bookshelf to visually separate your work area from your living area. Then, think about smart furniture. A dining table can easily double as a desk, and floating wall shelves save floor space while keeping you organized.
And for those days when you need a change of scenery or a quiet place to take a call, The Modern’s on-site Business Center is always available for residents.
Paws & Pillows: Pet-Friendly Decor Ideas
Having a pet doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice style. The key is choosing decor that can handle a little extra love (and fur).
Opt for durable fabrics like microfiber or leather for your sofa, as they’re easy to clean and stand up to claws better than delicate materials. For storage, use woven baskets or a decorative ottoman to tuck away pet toys when they’re not in use.
To help your furry friend burn off energy, The Modern has an on-site dog park. A tired pet is a happy pet—and one that’s less likely to redecorate your apartment with their teeth. You can explore our full list of pet-friendly amenities online.
Your Private Oasis: Balcony & Patio Decor
Your balcony or patio is an extension of your living space, so treat it like one! A compact bistro set, a weather-resistant outdoor rug, and some comfy cushions can transform it into your favorite spot for morning coffee or evening relaxation.
Add some life with container gardening. Use pots and planters to grow flowers, herbs, or even small vegetables. You can draw inspiration from the community’s scenic pond and expansive grounds. For those in select units with a fireplace, decorating your balcony to complement the cozy indoor vibe creates a seamless indoor-outdoor feel.
Tailoring Decor to Your Floor Plan
The Modern offers a variety of layouts, and each one presents a unique opportunity for creative decor.
Maximizing Space in 1-Bedroom Plans (Catalina & Laguna)
In a one-bedroom apartment, the goal is to make the space feel as open and airy as possible. Place a large mirror across from a window to bounce light around and create the illusion of a larger room. Use a mix of lighting—like a central fixture, a floor lamp, and smaller accent lamps—to add depth. Finally, draw the eye upward with tall, narrow bookshelves and floating wall shelves to emphasize vertical space.
Defining Areas in 2-Bedroom Plans (Malibu & Newport)
With more space comes the opportunity to create distinct, functional areas. Use different area rugs to separate your living room and dining area visually. Try “floating” your sofa by pulling it away from the wall to create a cozy, defined conversational area. You can also use large wall art or a gallery wall to anchor a specific space, like over your dining table.
Newport
Safe & Stylish: Rental-Friendly Decor Hacks
Decorating your first apartment shouldn’t mean risking your security deposit. These renter-friendly hacks let you personalize your space without causing damage or breaking the bank.
- Walls: Use removable peel-and-stick wallpaper for a bold accent wall. Hang canvas art with Command strips, or add personality with decorative wall decals that peel off easily.
- Lighting: Swap out basic fixtures with your own, or use plug-in wall sconces and stylish floor lamps to upgrade your lighting without touching any wiring.
- Window Treatments: Use tension rods to hang curtains. They fit snugly inside the window frame and require no drilling.
- Ambiance: Scented candles can make any room feel cozier, but always be safe. Follow these candle safety tips to enjoy them worry-free.
Where to Shop: Finding Unique Decor Near Bear Valley
Skip the big-box stores and find pieces that truly reflect you. The areas around Bear Valley and Lakewood have some hidden gems.
Search for antique and thrift shops in Lakewood, CO, to find one-of-a-kind furniture and decor with character. Keep an eye out for local artisan markets, where you can find custom wall art and home accessories made by local artists. If you’re looking for something truly unique, you can find amazing custom apartment decor on Etsy from creators around the world.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Popular styles include Minimalist for a clean look, Bohemian (Boho) for an eclectic vibe, and Mid-Century Modern for timeless appeal. You can also explore different apartment theme ideas to find a personal style that makes you feel at home.
There are two main ways to create balance. Symmetrical balance is formal and involves mirroring items on either side of a central point—for example, placing identical lamps on tables flanking a sofa. Asymmetrical balance feels more dynamic and is achieved by using different objects with equal visual weight, such as balancing a large sofa on one side of the room with two smaller armchairs on the other.
Use damage-free options like large-scale art, removable wallpaper, fabric tapestries, or floating wall shelves installed with care. Command hooks and strips are also great for hanging frames and lighter decor without leaving marks.
A great rule of thumb for beginners is the 60-30-10 rule. This means your dominant color (usually the walls) should make up about 60% of the room. The secondary color (furniture, curtains) should be about 30%. Finally, an accent color (pillows, wall art, accessories) should make up the last 10%.
Your Dream Apartment Awaits
Decorating your apartment at The Modern is more than just filling a space—it’s an opportunity to create a home that reflects who you are. With lifestyle-focused amenities, versatile floor plans, and a beautiful location in Denver’s Bear Valley neighborhood, you have the perfect canvas.
Ready to find your new home? Contact us today to schedule a tour and start your next chapter!