Decorating a small apartment is tough because you want to put your personal stamp on your living space, but you don’t want to overcrowd a tight area. It’s imperative to make smart decisions and use functional furniture whenever possible.
Before decorating, measure important areas like the living room, bedroom, and wall space. You’ll want to make sure you choose items that fit in your specific space. Measuring before you start putting together a plan and list of furniture will keep you on track and prevent the need to return items that don’t fit.
Another thing you’ll want to keep in mind is using your space wisely. Try not to stuff large, bulky furniture in areas that can’t handle it. For example, in a tight living room, it’s better to use a small love seat or sofa and a couple of cute chairs rather than a sectional that takes up every inch. Using appropriately sized furniture will help your home feel larger and still have a cozy and welcoming vibe.
Here are a few ideas to help you decorate the small apartment of your dreams!
1. Choose Functional Furniture
Choosing furniture that makes sense for your specific space is a great way to make the most of your square footage. It’s important to consider not only the furniture size but the functionality and how each piece can be used for multiple purposes.
A coffee table with several drawers underneath or a bookshelf that can act as extra storage on the bottom shelves could be a great addition to a small apartment. Finding furniture pieces that can consolidate as needed is also a great idea. Using a coffee table set, for example, that can stack could help you have extra tabletop space when needed or additional floor space when needed.
2. Use Light Colors
Light colors like white, tan, and soft yellow can make your home feel large and spacious. These light colors help the natural light bounce off the walls and furniture, making your home feel welcoming and bright. It’s also quite easy to match furniture and decor items to these light colors, which is great news if you like to rearrange and change your style over time.
Adding items like white candles, glass jars, tan throw pillows and blankets, and light yellow picture frames could be great additions to the walls and shelves around the house. These soft colors will work together to make your home feel larger and spacious, even if that’s not the case.
3. Highlight Your Windows
If you have a window in your kitchen, dining room, or living room, it’s a great idea to highlight them with elegant drapes. Highlighting natural light is a fantastic way to make a home feel larger and keeps your space welcoming and bright.
Using drapes spaced out from the window and flowing to the floor will help the windows feel larger while still allowing in tons of light. Sheer or light-colored drapes can help light come in throughout the day while providing some privacy at night.
4. Consider Various Sizes and Shapes of Mirrors
Mirrors are a fantastic way to change the mood and light in a room. A mirror on the wall opposite a window helps your space feel brighter and larger. This is a perfect option for a small apartment because the mirror will bring more light and add a new dimension to your room.
Adding a floor-length mirror in the hallway can make it seem like the hallway is taller and longer. It’s also a great idea to add a floor-length mirror in the bedroom on the wall opposite the window. You’ll have the functionality of a mirror which allows you to see your outfit before going out, and it will look great in any room of the house.
5. Utilize Rugs To Define the Space
Rugs are a great addition to a small apartment because they will help you define the separate spaces in your home. This is the perfect solution for loft apartments that often don’t have designated areas for rooms like the living room, bedroom, and dining room.
Choosing different rugs and laying them in the designated areas can help your apartment feel larger since it will break up one large room into several separate spaces. This is also great for adding different colors, textures, and patterns. You can use fun and unique rugs in your home as the perfect addition to a light and neutral color pallet.
6. Keep the Walls Free of Clutter
Avoiding clutter and using multiple decor items on the walls can prevent your home from feeling cramped or small. Adding too many picture frames, decor pieces, or shelves on a singular wall can easily appear cluttered and cramped.
To avoid this, try to find one or two large items, like a rustic clock, a large family photo, or an object that will match your style. Using one large item will help it stand out and draw your eyes up, allowing you to highlight your favorite item.
7. Use Glass Furniture When Possible
Glass furniture is a unique way to make your space feel larger. The glass allows light to come through and gives you a view of other areas of the home. Using a glass coffee table or a bookshelf with a glass backing is a fantastic way to add functional furniture that will look great in your home.
A small apartment with a glass bookshelf can help additional light come through various areas of the home, and it’s a sleek and modern look. You can even mix materials by using a coffee table with glass on top and wood on the bottom or a bookshelf with wood siding and glass backings.
8. Incorporate Sconce Lighting For the Kitchen and Bedroom
If you don’t love the look of using decor on the walls or around the house, consider using sconce lighting as a way to make a statement. It’s a practical way to add additional lighting in areas that don’t usually get it, and they’ll look great!
You can add to your style by using a rustic sconce that brings authenticity and charm, or you can choose a modern option to add sophistication and elegance to your space. Using a sconce eliminates the need for lamps or other lighting options that take up space around the room, making this a fantastic opportunity for small apartments.
9. Add Greenery
Natural greenery is a great way to make your home feel inviting and spacious. You’ll help your home feel connected to nature, and the shades of green will match most design styles. You can choose large tall plants and use them in the corners or use small potted plants on the shelves and table tops.
Whether you have large or small plants around the home, the color will be a relaxing reminder of nature and add a focal point in homes with an otherwise neutral color pallet. Using succulents is a great option if you don’t have time to maintain plants that need constant water, light, and repotting.
10. Use An Ottoman For Extra Seating and Storage
If you like to entertain and keep company over at the house, consider using a soft ottoman as a coffee table and clearing it off to use as an extra seat when you have guests over. They’re typically lightweight and easy to move around, making them a great option if you love to rearrange or pull up extra seats for your friends and family.
Cloth ottomans typically have storage underneath, allowing you to hide things like magazines, the TV remote, and your coasters. They also come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, making it easy to find one that matches your furniture and personal style.
11. Create An Accent Wall
If you have a large space in the living or sitting room, you can create a beautiful accent wall that makes your space feel larger. Adding a dark color to the wall in a home that uses a primarily soft pallet can draw your eyes to the wall and distract from the size of the house. The dark color will make the accent wall pop and allows you to add neutral color accents against it.
Choosing a light wood table with a white candle, tan lamp, and soft-colored picture frame would be the perfect addition to your accent wall. Light-colored decor against the dark wall adds contrast and makes the space pop even more.
12. Use Different Textures
Adding different textures around the house can help your home feel large and cohesive. Consider using surfaces like wood, leather, plants, and baskets in a small apartment to create dimension and allow your eyes to draw to the textures instead of the size.
Keeping your color pallet neutral, you can add any texture you’d like, making this a great opportunity to show your creative side. Try to add texture to the walls when possible, like hanging woven baskets or using an old wooden clock.
You can contrast the textures on the wall with sleek metal finishes and leather furniture. In a small apartment, the contrasting textures will pop and make your space unique and interesting!
