8 Ways to Bring Big Style to Small Spaces

double_dutyAs college students prepare to move into dorm rooms and apartments, they trim their packing lists and often sacrifice style due to space restraints. Although it may seem difficult to bring big style into tight quarters, there are several small things you can do to bring your personality to life on move-in day.

“Dorm rooms can sometimes feel drab and uninspiring, but just because they’re temporary doesn’t mean they have to look like it,” says Tyler Wisler, interior design expert from Tyler Wisler Home and HGTV’s “Design Star.” “With the right tools and creative design elements, you can transform your home away from home into a space worth staying.”

Wisler recommends these simple tips to turn that bland box into something spectacular:

1. Color your world. Incorporate colorful throw pillows and blankets to infuse additional hues into small white spaces. You can even change them out each season to keep things fresh.

2. Accessorize your walls. Hang jewelry on a clear jewelry rack, like Command Clear Jewelry Rack, to keep them from tangling, while dressing up plain walls. The shape of the rack also helps add a subtle chevron pattern, and removes cleanly from surfaces with no holes or sticky residue left behind.

3. Warm it up. Add an area rug to ground furniture, bring texture and warmth underfoot, and get rid of the “institutional” feel. Consider throwing a faux sheepskin over your desk chair for a chic and comfortable accent.

4. Spruce up the space. Buy a plant or two to break up the hard lines of the generic room. Succulents or cacti are great low-maintenance options for busy students.

5. Say “no” to fluorescent lighting. Incorporate alternative lighting such as a simple floor lamp in the corner of the room or string lights to add a subtle twinkle above the bed. These light sources give off a warmer glow and will save you from flipping on the fluorescent boxes that often cast unflattering light.

6. Store the small stuff. Use labeled containers or boxes to store smaller items or trinkets. The less “stuff” you see in a small space, the more spacious it will appear.

7. Clear the floors. Prevent rooms from looking cluttered by keeping things off the floor. Maximize space on walls or the back of the door by adding damage-free jumbo hooks to hold purses, empty backpacks and coats.

8. Dress up the furniture. Embellish boring furniture by creating interesting designs using colored and patterned washi tapes. Try an intricate pattern such as Greek key or simple stripes to instantly improve desks, shelving and dressers.

About the Author

Greg DiGiorgio is a highly reviewed Arlington MA Realtor who is a dedicated, passionate, and market-savvy professional who puts his clients’ satisfaction before all else. His attention to detail, superior people skills, broad knowledge of the real estate industry as a whole, and his pure determination to indulge his clients with first class service sets him apart. In addition to Greg being an Accredited Buyers Representative-ABR, he understands the power of creative, well-organized and highly effective marketing and offers customized marketing plans that maximize property exposure to the most qualified buyers. He has appeared several times on Fox 25 News where he was interviewed on current market trends and conditions. A real estate transaction is really about managing people, their desires and their finances. It is an intricate and consequential negotiation.


Greg understands that it is important to secure not only the most able buyer, but also to the one that is most likely to close the deal. When so much is at stake, Greg is the one you want to represent you. His fair yet aggressive negotiating style and protectiveness of his clients’ best interests and ultimately, their assets, has gained his respect with colleagues and clients alike.


Greg also knows that every transaction represents the most important purchase or sale a person can make, and he takes every precaution to ensure that communication is impeccable with all parties involved from beginning to end. Whether it’s patiently guiding first time buyers through this exciting process or following through with clients’ needs long after the transaction is over, Greg’s warm, caring yet efficient business style will turn you into a client for life.


Driven


Greg grew up in the Greater Boston area and has a deep appreciation for the North East way of life. He attended The University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing, with a concentration in Marketing Research. Greg’s professional background is rooted in the technology sales & marketing. As a result, he learned to adapt to many different people and situations quickly and competitively. The insight that he has gained from many years of involvement in bringing all components of a transaction together smoothly has granted him a unique perspective and approach to the real estate industry. His enthusiasm and tenacity has allowed him to emerge as one of Greater Boston’s finest Realtors, and one of the highest reviewed amongst Arlington MA Realtors!


My Goal


My goal is to provide the best experience possible to my clients while helping them achieve their real estate goals. My streamline systems and use of technology ensure a smooth ride along the way. Whether it’s a first-time buyer, a seller, or investor, I strive to gain lifelong clients and friends by providing them with a fun, relaxing, but yet educational experience throughout the entire process.


Objectives for my Buyer Clients


Counsel session to determine wants & needsSchedule times to view properties

Run comparable analysis report for subject property

Help negotiate terms of the offer

Provided options for home inspectors

Help negotiate & finalize terms of Purchase & Sale Agreement

Assist in finalizing finances with Mortgage Broker

Handle any other paperwork and/or tasks including meeting mortgage commitment deadlines to making sure the transaction closes on time.

I keep an open door policy with all my clients even after the sale should they have any questions, or need help with any of their real estate needs. The closing of a real estate transaction is not the end, but just the beginning of a relationship.


Objectives for my Seller Clients


Listen carefully to make sure your goals and objectives are clearly understood

Explain the home selling process thoroughly

Discuss agency relationship

Price your home accurately

Stage your home for sale

Plan & implement a proven & innovative marketing plan

Work diligently to sell your home quickly and efficiently

Follow up with open house leads & showing brokers to obtain feedback

Work hard to ensure that each step of the transaction is running smoothly

To ensure that all smoke & carbon monoxide detectors are installed and working correctly, and to obtain certificate from town/city

To obtain final payoff for city/town water bill

“Most Importantly to communicate with you consistently and efficiently throughout the entire home selling process”

Certifications and Recognitions


Winner of Leading Edge Real Estate’s Outstanding Creative Marketing Award. Certified Residential Specialist (CRS)

Accredited Buyers Representative (ABR)

Member of the Institute of Luxury Home Marketing (ILHM)

Licensed Massachusetts Real Estate Broker

Member of Greater Boston Real Estate Board (GBREB)

Member of National Association of REALTORS (NAR)

Zoning & Building Codes Certificate

Residential New Construction Certificate

Title V Certificate