Apartments have been and continue to be a living trend in major cities today. With flexible areas suitable for the budget of the majority of young families, along with full internal amenities (children’s playground, swimming pool, gym, restaurants, etc.), apartments ensure safety and convenience for modern life.
Most apartments today are handed over in bare-shell condition by developers, which raises big questions for apartment buyers: How to finish the interior beautifully and conveniently while still optimizing costs; which design and construction contractor to choose, how much it costs, what issues to keep in mind, etc.? In this article, KHATRA will provide information as well as tips so that homeowners can finish the interior of a 2-bedroom apartment (70-85m2) on a budget of 250 million VND.
Finishing an apartment at the most reasonable cost
With today’s busy and hectic pace of life, finding, calculating, and finishing an apartment by oneself is relatively difficult. The demand for turnkey design and construction services is very popular today due to their professionalism, time efficiency, and sometimes cost savings compared to self-designing and self-building.
With a turnkey budget of 250 million VND for a 2-bedroom apartment, the work scope of the full-package design and construction contractor will include: demolition, building, repairing rough construction, plastering and painting, ceiling installation, cleaning, and interior layout design (excluding home appliances). Homeowners should note the following points to ensure finishing costs remain under control:
1. Choose a reputable design and construction contractor
The quality of the design and the project largely depends on choosing the design and construction contractor. If you mistakenly choose an unreputable contractor, you will face a series of consequences such as the use of poor materials, construction not adhering to the design, and high incurred costs. Therefore, choose a reputable contractor; even though the initial cost may be higher than others, homeowners can save on additional unexpected expenses and future maintenance costs.
Tips: Consult friends in the design and construction industry, friends or relatives who have built or renovated apartments; search the internet, Facebook, specialized forums + pay attention to customer reviews of that contractor; etc., are ways you can apply to choose a satisfactory contractor. Additionally, you should visit the contractor directly, ask to tour their previous projects, and carefully check the quality of past works before making a decision.
See also: 7 tips for finishing beautiful, luxurious apartment interiors at reasonable costs
2. Supervise critical items:
Hiring a turnkey contractor does not mean you don’t inspect and supervise the construction. The turnkey contractor manages subcontractors (carpentry, rough construction, electrical, plumbing, etc.) on your behalf; therefore, active supervision alongside the general contractor will help minimize risks, incurred expenses, and errors during construction, thereby reducing costs.
Tips: Homeowners should be present to supervise the installation of kitchen cabinets, countertops, and induction hob – range hood systems to ensure functionality and reasonable costs, avoiding conflicts between different contractors. In addition, the electrical outlet system, though small, often causes many inconveniences during use if not installed according to the homeowner’s needs.
Supervising critical work items in person is recommended
For example, the kitchen area is often tiled with decorative wall tiles; these tiles have high aesthetic appeal and value, so homeowners should supervise during installation to reduce risks and loss during construction (such as breakage or unsightly tiling).
In addition, homeowners should take note of the following tips to OPTIMIZE COSTS FOR DESIGNING AND CONSTRUCTING A 2-BEDROOM APARTMENT UNDER 250 MILLION VND
- Clearly define requirements for design aesthetics and functionality for the desired home. To easily visualize and plan the interior of your apartment, divide the areas in the house by major zones and materials (e.g., kitchen area, common living area, etc., or by category: kitchen woodwork – shelves – beds, etc.)
- Optimize the functionality of furniture: Embracing the rustic, go-green, and minimalist trends of 2019, and given the compact area of apartments, optimizing the functional use of interior furniture is essential. This helps optimize living space while being practical and saving unnecessary costs. Multi-functional furniture designs should be chosen, avoiding cumbersome, unnecessary cabinets and shelves such as wine cabinets, decorative cabinets, etc., while opening up spaces and connecting rooms to create a more spacious, airy feeling.
- Avoid overinvesting in household electrical appliances: The go-green trend and eco-friendly lifestyle are increasingly prevalent in modern industrial life; therefore, be thoughtful and rational amidst the advertising “maze” of modern devices with low practical utility. This will keep your living space airy, tidy, and above all, save a lot of money.
The third category to consider is the master bedroom and children’s bedroom. Minimalist bedroom design is increasingly favored. The place where you rest after a long, tiring day should prioritize neatness, airiness, and brightness. Too many decorations and excessive furniture can make you feel suffocated, uncomfortable, and stressed. At the same time, excessive clutter makes an already small room feel even more cramped.
Especially in children’s rooms, parents often want to choose the best furniture to fulfill every need. However, children grow very quickly, so items like superhero or princess beds, overly colorful curtains, study desks, wardrobes, etc., will need to be replaced soon. It is best to design children’s bedrooms using neutral tones, versatile, simple, and basic furniture to extend usage and efficiency, as well as save costs and allow flexibility when lifestyle needs change, making adjustments and additions easy.
Kids bedroom
Currently, the DIY trend—making furniture and home decorations yourself—is also very popular. You can handcraft and design a few items suitable for your preferences and abilities. This is an exciting option that helps you save costs, unleash your creativity, and enhance family bonding.
The overarching and most crucial factor in finishing the interior of a small apartment on a budget of around 250 million VND is flexibility, minimalism, and optimal functionality of the design. Families should carefully consider their experience, financial capacity, and daily living needs, as well as equip themselves with basic knowledge of construction and interior design to confidently work with interior design and construction consultants, or to finish the apartment themselves. Listen selectively and avoid unsuitable or ineffective advice that can cause unnecessary expenses. Doing these things well will provide you and your family with a modern, optimal living space at the most reasonable cost.
Tags: Apartment finishing, Apartment interior, Apartment interior construction, Modern apartment interior design, 70m2 apartment interior design.
