When you’re apartment hunting, you likely have a list of must-haves and deal-breakers. The perfect apartment not only meets your basic needs but also fits your lifestyle and aesthetic preferences. If you’re aiming for something more upscale, adding luxury design elements can make your future apartment feel more like a high-end retreat than just a place to live.
From sleek modern touches to timeless features, here are 13 luxury design elements to include in your future apartment โ whether youโre buying, renting, or just dreaming.
๐ก Luxe Living Room Features
1. A Fireplace
Itโs hard to deny the cozy charm and timeless elegance of a fireplace, whether you’re in a downtown high-rise or a serene suburban complex. A fireplace can act as a statement centerpiece in your living room and provide warmth during colder months. Gas or electric options make this luxury accessible even in modern apartments.
Pro Tip: Look for apartments with sleek linear fireplaces or traditional mantels with built-in shelving for added sophistication.
2. A Built-In Bookshelf
Built-in bookshelves offer both function and flair. Whether youโre an avid reader or love showcasing decor, a built-in unit creates a high-end, custom look that elevates your space. It can transform an empty wall into a visually appealing and practical design feature.
Designerโs Pick: Paint the backing of your bookshelf a dark color (like navy or charcoal) to create depth and drama.
3. Crown Molding
Crown molding adds a polished, tailored finish to any room. This architectural feature creates a visual transition between walls and ceilings and instantly elevates a plain space.
Renter Hack: Use peel-and-stick crown molding strips if you’re not allowed to make permanent modifications.
๐ Outdoor & Structural Luxury
4. A Balcony with a View
Outdoor space is a rarity in urban apartment living, making a balcony a true luxury. Whether you want a place to sip your morning coffee or entertain guests, a balcony gives you room to breathe.
Bonus: South-facing balconies get the most sunlight, perfect for container gardening or sunbathing.
5. Heated Floors
Cold tiles in the morning? No, thank you. Heated floors, especially in bathrooms and bedrooms, bring spa-like comfort to your daily routine. They’re energy-efficient and help evenly distribute warmth.
Luxury Insight: Radiant floor heating pairs best with stone, ceramic, or porcelain tile.
๐ Bathroom Bliss
6. A Soaking Tub
A deep soaking tub can turn an ordinary bathroom into a personal spa. Itโs perfect for long, luxurious baths after a long day. Modern freestanding tubs or Japanese-style soaking tubs are especially popular in luxury apartments.
Look For: Units with tubs that include water jets, armrests, or chromatherapy lighting for a next-level bath experience.
7. A Spacious In-Unit Laundry Room
Forget hauling clothes down to a communal laundry room. A private in-unit laundry room with full-size appliances and built-in shelving is the gold standard in luxury living. It adds convenience, increases cleanliness, and gives you more control over your living space.
Extra Touch: Look for built-in ironing boards or folding counters.
๐ Storage & Organization
8. A Walk-In Closet
A walk-in closet is more than just a storage solutionโitโs a lifestyle upgrade. It offers ample space to organize clothes, accessories, and even vanity areas.
Styling Tip: Add velvet hangers, drawer organizers, and mirrored panels for a boutique feel.
๐ท Gourmet Kitchen Features
9. A Kitchen Island
A well-designed kitchen island adds countertop space, seating, and storage. It often becomes the central hub of your apartment, ideal for both entertaining and everyday living.
Luxury Upgrade: Choose islands with waterfall countertops, pendant lighting, or a built-in wine rack.
10. A Wine Fridge
Whether youโre a wine connoisseur or a casual sipper, a dedicated wine fridge helps keep your collection at the perfect temperature. Many luxury apartments include built-in wine fridges within kitchen cabinetry.
Space-Saver Tip: Even small units that store 12โ18 bottles can be built seamlessly into an island or bar nook.
11. A Built-In Coffee Maker
Elevate your morning routine with a built-in coffee system. From espresso machines to smart brewers, integrated appliances not only save space but add sleek, modern charm to your kitchen.
Home Barista Idea: Combine your coffee maker, wine fridge, and barware into a single corner bar area for guests and everyday indulgence.
๐ฑ Smart Technology & Home Automation
12. Smart Home System
Todayโs luxury apartments often come wired for smart home features. These may include:
- Voice-controlled lighting
- Thermostat scheduling
- Smart blinds and curtains
- Remote door access or video intercom
You can control it all from your phoneโeven when youโre not home.
Pro Tip: Look for compatibility with platforms like Alexa, Google Home, or Apple HomeKit.
โจ Lighting That Stuns
13. A Statement Chandelier
A chandelier is the cherry on top of any luxury apartment. Whether you prefer a modern Sputnik design, a rustic farmhouse look, or a classic crystal style, chandeliers add drama and personality.
Placement Ideas:
- Above the dining table
- Over the bathtub
- In the entryway or walk-in closet
Even in small apartments, a compact chandelier can have a big impact.
๐ Bonus Ideas for Extra Luxury
While these 13 are must-haves, consider a few extras if youโre going all in:
- Motorized blackout curtains for bedrooms
- A home office nook with custom built-ins
- Floor-to-ceiling windows with city views
- Ambient lighting and dimmers throughout
- Quartz or marble countertops
๐ Conclusion: Curate Your Dream Apartment
When it comes to luxury apartment living, it’s all about blending comfort, convenience, and sophistication. Whether you’re moving into a brand-new high-rise or upgrading your current place, these 13 luxury design elements can transform your apartment into a stylish sanctuary.
Next Steps:
- Start listing your top 3 must-haves from this guide.
- Tour apartments with these features in mind.
- Use these ideas to evaluate potential upgrades, even if you’re renting.
By thoughtfully curating your space with these upscale features, youโll create a home that not only meets your needsโbut elevates your lifestyle.
๐’๐ฆ Harley Roseย ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ข๐๐ ๐๐ญย ๐๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐จ๐จ๐ฆ๐.
๐๐จ๐ข๐ง ๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐ฅ๐จ๐ซ๐ ๐ ๐ฐ๐จ๐ซ๐ฅ๐ ๐จ๐ ๐๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ย ๐๐๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ญ๐ข๐ฏ๐ ๐๐ฑ๐ฉ๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐ฌ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ. ๐๐ก๐๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ’๐ซ๐ ๐ฅ๐จ๐จ๐ค๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ซ ๐ข๐ง๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ข๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐จ๐ซ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐๐๐ญ ๐ฉ๐ก๐ซ๐๐ฌ๐, ๐’๐ฆ ๐ก๐๐ซ๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ก๐๐ฅ๐ฉ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฃ๐ฎ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐ฐ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ ๐ง๐๐๐ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฆ๐๐ค๐ ๐ฒ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐๐ง๐ญ ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐.
