Secrets of successful real estate development in Montenegro

In some cases, it may only be necessary to update the walls, purchase furniture and hang curtains, in others a design project, repair, selection of furniture and lamps, decoration. But before diving into this process, it is important to know and take into account the peculiarities of the climate, typical construction problems and nuances of the arrangement in Montenegro.

You can do everything yourself if you have experience and free time. However, if you want to avoid mistakes and create the perfect space, you should consider contacting a professional designer.

In this article, we will discuss in detail common problems and share useful tips for arranging your property. We invited a well-known expert in Montenegro to speak design studio MARO, which has been successfully helping apartment and villa owners to equip for more than 17 years their homes. The studio's specialists know all the nuances and subtleties of working in this field.

What do you need to know when buying a property in Montenegro?

Layout

A standard apartment in Montenegro is for sale with full finishing and plumbing: white walls, floor tiles, standard simple doors. The location and size of the rooms are unusual for a Russian-speaking buyer: the living room is combined with a kitchen, small bedrooms.

Electrics and water are separated according to the project that the architect did. I must say that an architect and a designer are two completely different professions. And an architect will never do a designer's job well. And vice versa. Only joint work gives a good result!

When the owner tries to arrange the furniture based on the plan of electrics and water, he faces a number of problems. One of them is the almost complete lack of space for closets and dressing rooms. The bedrooms are small, there are no places in the living room, and only small closets can be placed in the corridors. And this is the work of the designer - how to arrange the furniture that is necessary for living, based on the existing plan.

You should also know that all entrance doors in Montenegro open inward. This reduces the usable area of the hallway. 

When choosing an apartment in Montenegro, it is important to take into account the specifics of the layout, especially when it comes to small bedrooms. On many layouts, you can see that a 160x200 cm bed is provided for the bedrooms. However, it is worth remembering that this is only the size of the bed, and the actual dimensions of the bed, including the frame and sides, can be much larger.

All of the above can create problems with placing furniture in a confined space. For example, when installing a bed, you may not have enough space for bedside tables, a chest of drawers, a closet or other necessary items. Therefore, before making a final decision, it is worth carefully considering the layout, taking into account the actual size of the furniture!

Be sure to consult with a designer who can help you make optimal use of the available space and make your bedroom not only functional, but also cozy!

When choosing an apartment, it is extremely important to take into account not only its external characteristics, but also how it will meet your desires and goals. That is why it makes sense to invite a designer at the stage of choosing a property. A professional will help you assess whether the chosen apartment is suitable for your needs and lifestyle.

The designer will not only evaluate the layout and functionality of the space, but also offer ideas on how to use each meter as efficiently as possible. Even if the apartment seems perfect at first glance, an experienced specialist will notice the nuances that can affect your comfortable stay.

In addition to helping at the selection stage, the designer can give advice on future interior design, choose a style and choose a color scheme, which will allow you to avoid unpleasant surprises in the future.

Thus, using the services of a designer is not just a whim, but a reasonable step to ensure that your new home becomes a really comfortable and cozy space!

Heating

There is no central heating in Montenegro, and therefore residents can choose between air conditioning and "warm floors" to heat their apartments. However, air conditioners are not the best option for long-term heating.

Firstly, the use of air conditioners can reduce air quality, which negatively affects health. Secondly, this is a rather expensive solution, especially in winter. In addition, if the apartment has tiles, the air conditioner will not be able to warm it up, since there will be a constant feeling of cold from the floor.

The ideal option for heating in Montenegro is "underfloor heating". It provides a comfortable temperature, and the floor always stays warm underfoot. However, it is worth considering that "Underfloor heating" is not recommended to be laid under parquet or parquet board. The optimal coatings for "underfloor heating" are tiles or modern vinyl materials that conduct heat perfectly.

Thus, to create a cozy atmosphere in your apartment on the coast, "Underfloor heating" will be the best solution.

Ventilation

One of the features of Montenegro is the lack of supply and exhaust ventilation, which many of us are used to. In this country, ventilation of premises is carried out exclusively by opening windows.

In winter, when the windows are closed, humid air from breathing and cooking settles on the walls and windows. This leads to the formation of condensate, which can flow down the surface, creating uncomfortable conditions in the apartment.

All this creates an ideal environment for mold formation. Therefore, property owners in Montenegro should pay special attention to ventilation issues and take measures to prevent humidity.

Attention, mold!

The main enemy of any real estate on the seashore is mold. It can seriously damage not only the interior, but also the health of the residents. It is extremely difficult to fight mold, especially in Montenegro, where there is no central heating and ventilation systems, which creates ideal conditions for its appearance.

What should I do to prevent this problem? Here are some effective solutions from specialists design studios MARO:

1. "Underfloor heating" is a great way to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature and reduce humidity levels. "Underfloor heating" not only creates comfort, but also helps to reduce condensation, which significantly reduces the risk of mold.

2. Recuperators provide high-quality ventilation by extracting moist air from the premises and replacing it with fresh air. This helps to maintain optimal humidity levels and prevents mold formation.

3. Dehumidifiers are another useful tool in the fight against high humidity. They help to reduce the moisture level in the air, which significantly reduces the likelihood of mold problems.

To explain the scale of the problem of high humidity in Montenegro, it is enough to say that in a room without ventilation an ac dehumidifier with a capacity of 3 liters is filled in the first 3 hours of his work. And for 6–8 hours it takes as much as 5 liters of condensate!

These figures clearly demonstrate how humid the indoor atmosphere can be, and emphasize the importance of fighting excess moisture to maintain comfortable and safe living conditions!

The combination of these methods will help to create a comfortable and safe environment in your home on the coast. Do not forget to inspect your home regularly to avoid unwanted surprises!

Walls

In Montenegro, developers have been required to insulate facades only since 2007. Therefore, it is not recommended to purchase apartments in houses built before this period. The walls of such buildings without insulation do not protect well from moisture, and winter rains in Montenegro are often very strong.

Moisture penetrates through the cracks, and the walls begin to "cry". This can lead not only to deterioration of the walls themselves, but also to the formation of mold, which will negatively affect the health of residents.

The apartments can be beautiful in terms of location and delight with a magnificent view of the sea from the terrace, but if, for example, it is difficult to breathe from the dampness in them, this will spoil the whole impression of both relaxation and ownership of the property. 

Thus, it is important to take this factor into account when choosing a property and give preference to modern onesbuildings with high-quality insulation.

Designer recommendations

Color palette

Montenegro has its own nuances, which may not be obvious to people from the Nordic countries. There are a lot of saturated natural shades around, so natural, soft colors look great in the interior. They blend harmoniously into the local landscape and create a cozy atmosphere.

Lighting design

The southern sun is bright. There is a lot of natural light coming into the premises, so it is better to choose small lamps, backlights, rather than large chandeliers.

It is optimal to use lamps with a thermal temperature of 2700-3000 kelvin. Brighter light, which is used in the nordic countries, is not common in Montenegro.

Floor finishing

The choice of floor material depends on the method of heating the apartment. Again, if a "warm floor" is installed, then we will talk about tiles or quartz vinyl. The tile is resistant to moisture, allows you to do a better cleaning. Quartz vinyl is softer, more pleasant to the touch.

One of the features of laying "warm floors" in Montenegro is laying over the entire area of the room. If in the Nordic countries "underfloor heating" is not recommended to be placed under furniture, then in Montenegro on the contrary. It is placed all over the area to warm up the corners where the notorious mold can form.

Parquet or parquet is a good choice, but the materials must be of very high quality so as not to deform in conditions of high humidity.

Wall decoration

As a rule, the walls in Montenegro are painted. Wallpaper is used extremely rarely, because due to humidity and temperature fluctuations, they can peel off.

If the customer still wants wallpaper, then you need to take it only on a vinyl basis. Much also depends on the quality of the glue and the hands of the master.

There are practically no wallpaper sticker specialists in Montenegro, since this type of work is not in demand. Masters from the CIS help out.

Windows

Large windows or floor-to-ceiling windows are often found in resort real estate, but you need to know that comfort is provided only when installing a high-quality profile. Otherwise, heat will enter the room in summer, and cold in winter.

Doors

Doors should preferably be made of solid wood, such as oak, ash.

It is important to paint doors made of inexpensive rocks very carefully.

It happens that a pine door is painted on all sides except the bottom edge. Moisture penetrates through this narrow part, and the canvas begins to swell.

Furniture

As for cabinet furniture, the recommendations are the same as for doors, it is better to choose products made of MDF or hardwood, for example, oak or ash. Cabinets and beds made of birch or pine are not the best option, since these materials absorb moisture and, as a result, can deform.

The fabrics used for upholstered furniture should also be moisture-resistant. Otherwise, our already repeatedly mentioned enemy, mold, is right there.

Experts recommend choosing textile materials that are pleasant to the touch. Leather is not suitable for the Montenegrin climate! Leather sofas or armchairs will get too warm in summer and cool down in winter. The exception is chairs. Chairs with a leather seat are more durable and easier to care for.

From a standard apartment to an individual space

In Montenegro, it is increasingly required not to develop a complete design project, but professional designer advice in order to turn a standard apartment into a unique space reflecting the personality of the owner.

Based on the purposes of use, whether it is personal accommodation or rental, as well as the composition of the family and the stylistic preferences of the client, the designer develops zoning plans, creates stylistic collages and develops, for example, plans for the transfer of electrics.

He selects furniture, lamps, curtains and other textiles to form a solid and harmonious interior. This approach allows you to take into account all the details, creating a comfortable and aesthetically attractive space that will delight its residents and guests.

The work of a designer in Montenegro is not just interior decoration, but the creation of a cozy, functional and stylish home that will meet all the wishes of the customer!

Summary

Montenegro is often referred to in travel magazines as one of the most beautiful countries in the world. An apartment or villa on the Adriatic coast is a real treasure. But with the right choice, as well as knowledge of the features of the configuration and content!

We recommend entrusting the design and arrangement of your property to specialists MARO design studio, perfectly aware of local peculiarities, traditions and having many years of experience working with objects in Montenegro!

 

Advertising. Alexey Alexandrovich Letin. TIN 773301091480
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