UNIQUE CONDO STYLE and DECOR: INSPIRATION at HOMESENSE

For King West urban-dwellers, a hop and skip over to HomeSense, a friendly home decor store that recently opened at King and Spadina, is a worthwhile venture.

Living in a swanky condo in the heart of King West is pretty awesome. You’ve got the city view, the hip urban scene, and that sexy next door neighbour. Now you need to add some personality to your space – and you can do it on a budget that won’t break the bank. With a few strategic purchases, you can infuse your personal style at your condo and surroundings.

Forget the Fear Factor

For newbie condo owners, the idea of decorating can be daunting.“Don’t be scared of design,” says Laura McLellan of Lux Design, an interior design firm located in King West. “It’s supposed to be fun.” She agrees that HomeSense offers a fantastic selection of decor, and offers tips on how to accessorize with flair.

Mix It Up with Pillows

Pillows are an easy way to add excitement to your decor. McLellan recommends starting with a colour scheme. Do you prefer black, white, and grey, or vibrant hues? Once you’ve determined your colours, don’t be afraid to mix it up with different textures and patterns. It’s okay to put a geometrical design beside a floral.

Express Your Style with a Gallery Wall

With the increasingly impressive selection of mirrors and art at the store, a condo dweller can create an eye-stopping wall of art any where. “Gallery walls are great way to express yourself,” says McLellan, who recently created a  gallery wall for a client using artwork exclusively from HomeSense. Punch up a white wall by combining different sizes of frames and themes to create an eclectic look. If you’re a fan of photography, she recommends printing off your own masterpieces and framing them to create a collage that showcases your passion.

Don’t Be Afraid of Colour

Rich, dark tones like navy, emerald green, and plum are some of the season’s hottest hues. While these can be used as design accents, they are also great on walls. “I’ve seen great painted rooms that are navy,” says McLellan. For those less inclined to take the dark plunge, beige is still a top choice. “But not your 1980s Grandmother’s beige,” McLellan insists. Rather, seek out the swanky grey-beige hue to keep your space looking contemporary and, not so last decade.

HomeSense is open Sunday 11am – 6pm, Monday to Friday 9:30am – 9:00pm, Saturday 9:30am – 8:00pm
You can also follow them on Twitter @HomeSense.

For more Style ideas, visit:

Design Within Reach on King Street

Living Lighting on King

La Merceria on Adelaide Street