Model apartments function as scenes that provide a moment in time for visitors to demonstrate a high standard of living and convey a story that motivates people to live a healthy lifestyle. They are a vital work tool for an operational team and can help facilitate the successful leasing process for virtual and in-person tours.
Page’s interior design team creates rooms that are able to accommodate various users, which allows visitors to experience an empty space as a sanctuary and a place to call home. Based on the National Association of Realtors, 86% of buyers are able to see their dream home better after being decorated.
How to Give an Apartment a Soul
What makes an environment unique is the people who live there and the surroundings they choose to live in, and therefore, designers, as visual storytellers, often create the concept of a narrative, or a persona, to describe the kind of person who lives in the space. The story of the home is brought to life by the objects that are in line with the character, going far beyond the usual fashion trends and creating experiences that are authentic, well-curated distinct, memorable, and unique.
Making the best persona starts by analyzing the big picture, which includes demographics, locations, markets, pressures on the market, and changes in culture that affect how prospective tenants will consider and use the space. For instance, the Covid-19 epidemic caused a major shift in how buyers emphasized the ideal home-based workspace that has the most effective Zoom backdrop. Designers made these attributes a focal point in their advertisements for apartments, incorporating their benefits into the apartment’s story.
The Outdoor Enthusiast model displays greenery and wooden finishes. Photo courtesy Page
The Westcott Apartments in Houston, Texas, is a place that evokes the feeling of home in a green setting while incorporating elegance, class, and comfort. The multi-family home that is adorned with the charming appeal of a clubhouse from the mid-century; page designed two model residences with two distinct personalities The Outdoor Enthusiast and The Collector. Models with different traits allow an apartment to appeal to a broader public.
The ‘Outdoor Enthusiast’ Renter
The Outdoor Enthusiast’s atmosphere is more masculine by using dark, deep wooden furniture and luxurious finishes. In this room, one might imagine a person who wears Sperry topsiders and spends their time on a boat or at the links. The designers have included an impressive record collection in addition to considering the kind of music this person might have been listening to. With Ray LaMontagne’s track “Trouble” on the record player, it feels as if it’s at home.
The ‘Collector’ Renter
In the hallway, the shades in The Collector’s model house are soft, and the forms were more smooth. The wall was awe-inspiring, adorned with pictures and art that were influenced by the world and revealed a lifetime of exploration and travel. Instead of a typical coin bowl that contained quarters and pennies, the Collector’s had foreign currency like a pound or yen. These carefully chosen accessories display the values of a person and the way they travel around the world. This could show the way of life of future residents.
The Collector model offers rounded edges and colors that pop. Photo courtesy Page
The Collector’s entryway and kitchen. Photos courtesy Page
Color, collection, and organization are important to the overall appearance of a space. Potential buyers or renters expect to see the standard furniture pieces like a bed or sofa, dining table, and comfy chairs. However, the finer details can make these furniture pieces stand out. A striking nail head feature that connects the leather on a sofa might not be as apparent but can provide the space with the highest quality of focus and care. Designers also employ colors as a way to communicate. The color scheme is often used to be a perfect match for flooring and finishes for the interior. Layering and drapery that is vibrant will give fresh air to the ambiance.
Each model comes with a distinct personal style; interior designers incorporate “easter eggs” and subtle elements that can help viewers to become more connected with the area. For instance, the slippers beneath the bench at the entrance will make the space seem like a place where you can enjoy a relaxing time or unwind. A custom dog bowl will let pet lovers know that the place is pet-friendly, and the heavenly scent of freshly brewed coffee will delight coffee lovers.
Renters and buyers are searching for a place to live where they can unwind and laugh, enjoy time with family and friends, and create memories for the rest of their lives. Page believes that a model apartment’s goal is to relieve the stress of apartment hunting by highlighting the possibilities of the property and drawing the attention of the prospective residents. The model acts as a reference point that, when it is successful, creates positive memories and allows the property to be noticed by future residents to think about their choice either immediately or after they’ve left the visit.