Decorating a Duplex

Duplexes offer some unique advantages over traditional homes or apartments. Because of their construction, however, duplexes also present some home decorating challenges. Here are tips on interior decoration to make your duplex look special.

Differentiate Your Duplex by Landscaping
Even if your duplex building has very little front yard, you can create a separate look by landscaping. To differentiate your home from the adjoining unit, use a variety of movable pots and planters of flowers and hanging baskets. Also consider landscaping furniture such as benches, tables and chairs, and accessories such as wind chimes, stepping-stones, and flowerbed edgings.

Separate Your Duplex Back yard by Fencing
Many duplexes have small private back patios adjoining a yard shared with the other unit. To create more privacy, ask for permission to separate the yards with fencing. Even a few feet of division can provide the look and feel of separateness. You may wish to add potted or hanging plants and flowers to your back yard to further differentiate your home from the other half of the neighbor’s.

Use Room Dividers for Duplex Interiors
Often duplex interiors feature large, non-descript areas combining kitchen, dining, and living rooms. Make your home cozy and inviting by creating the look of separate rooms by using dividers. Many different pieces of furniture will serve as room dividers such as entertainment centers, bookcases, and buffets. You can cover the backside of an entertainment center with fabric to prevent electronic equipment and wires from showing.

Other ideas for dividers are different heights of trunks or wooden cubes, tables and folding screens. Tall potted plants combine well with furniture pieces to help divide the large areas into smaller looking spaces.

Arrange Duplex Furniture Based on Building Construction
Analyze the layout of rooms within your mutual duplex building before arranging your furniture. Determine which rooms contain walls shared with the other duplex unit, and place your furniture accordingly. For instance, if your bedroom shares a wall with one in the other unit, you might want to use this room as a guest room instead of master bedroom. If this is not possible, at least arrange your furniture to avoid creating and hearing as much noise as possible.

Decorate Your Duplex for the Seasons
An easy way to create the look of a separate, unique home is to decorate your duplex inside and outside for holidays such as Valentines, Easter, Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. With so many fun and unusual holiday decorations available, it is easy to create a personable display. Additional decorations based on the four seasons are also available to make your duplex look special and distinct.