I totally relate to the furniture issue. When we moved into our apartment, I fell in love with this gorgeous dining table I saw online. It had this rustic farmhouse look, solid wood, and seemed perfect. But when we taped out the dimensions on the floor, reality hit hard—there was barely enough room to walk around it comfortably. We tried rearranging the tape multiple times, thinking maybe we measured wrong (wishful thinking, lol), but nope, it was just too big.
Ended up going with a smaller round table instead, which honestly turned out way better. It actually made the space feel bigger and more open. Plus, it was cheaper, so my budget was pretty happy about that. Funny how sometimes the second-choice furniture ends up being exactly what you needed all along.
Lighting was another thing for us too, but kind of in reverse. We assumed we'd need lamps everywhere because the apartment didn't have much built-in lighting. But once we visualized our layout, we realized that with just one or two strategic lamps and a few string lights, the space was cozy enough without cluttering it up. Saved us from buying extra lamps we didn't need—another win for the wallet.
It's definitely eye-opening how much visualizing beforehand can change your perspective. I used to think it was unnecessary or just something designers did, but now I'm convinced it's a must-do step, especially if you're working with limited space or a tight budget. Glad you caught your lighting issue early too... fixing electrical stuff after the fact can get pricey fast.
Completely agree about visualizing beforehand—it really is a game changer for managing space effectively. A lot of people underestimate how much circulation room you actually need around furniture. I've seen clients fall in love with oversized sofas or tables, only to realize later that their living rooms feel cramped and uncomfortable.
One thing I'd add is to also consider vertical space along with floor planning. People often forget wall-mounted storage or shelves, which can free up valuable floor area and make smaller rooms feel more spacious. Also, mirrors can help reflect natural light and visually enlarge a tight space—something worth experimenting with if lighting is limited.
Glad you mentioned lighting too. Strategic lighting placement can drastically alter the mood and usability of a room. I've found that layering different types of lighting—ambient, task, and accent—can really elevate a space without cluttering it up with unnecessary fixtures. Sounds like you nailed it with your string lights and lamps setup... smart move.
