Repaint, curate trinkets and go 'curtain crazy': how to give personality to a boxy, bland apartment
News Source
β’Fri, 10 Jul 2026 15:00:24 GMT
π° What Happened
As construction costs rise, new apartments are becoming smaller and more basic. Many new builds are described as 'white-cube' boxes with little character. This article shares tips from residents on how to add personality to bland apartments. Ideas include repainting walls, collecting interesting trinkets, and using bold curtains. An expert from the University of Technology Sydney explains that rising land and building costs are forcing builders to make compact, affordable units.
π The Backstory
The Australian dream of a house on a quarter-acre block is fading. More people now live in apartments, especially in cities. In the US, '5-over-1' buildings with shops below and homes above are becoming common. In Europe, shared-space models with communal kitchens are growing. Builders focus on cheap, simple designs to keep prices down, leaving residents to find their own ways to make their homes feel unique.
π― Why It Matters
Most young Australians will live in apartments, not houses. Learning how to make small spaces feel like home matters for their quality of life and mental health.
As construction costs rise, new apartments are becoming smaller and more basic. Many new builds are described as 'white-cube' boxes with little character. This article shares tips from residents on how to add personality to bland apartments. Ideas include repainting walls, collecting interesting trinkets, and using bold curtains. An expert from the University of Technology Sydney explains that rising land and building costs are forcing builders to make compact, affordable units.
The Australian dream of a house on a quarter-acre block is fading. More people now live in apartments, especially in cities. In the US, '5-over-1' buildings with shops below and homes above are becoming common. In Europe, shared-space models with communal kitchens are growing. Builders focus on cheap, simple designs to keep prices down, leaving residents to find their own ways to make their homes feel unique.
Most young Australians will live in apartments, not houses. Learning how to make small spaces feel like home matters for their quality of life and mental health.