Small apartment decor for a cozy living room

Considering a large number of people are happily making their homes in small apartments, creating a functional and beautiful home with small apartment decor shouldn’t be the challenge it often is. If you’re having a hard time making the most of your limited space, you may be happy to hear that our experts have put together a list of the basics of small apartment decorating. While they may not be new, these tricks are still around for a reason. Read on for easy, yet effective small apartment decor ideas.

1. Choose Your Decor Palette Wisely

small apartment decorating ideas
Colorful small apartment decor against a white background by Decorilla interior designer, Stella P.

When decorating a small apartment, especially one with an open concept living room that has to accommodate a small dining room or office as well, it’s prudent to stick to a maximum of two main colors. This does not, however, mean that your decor has to be boring!

Black and white small apartment decorating ideas
Classic black & white small apartment decorating ideas by Decorilla interior designer, Drew F.

Start with the one color you know you want to use in the room. If you have selected a scheme with three colors, soften that color to a neutral by adding grey or white. Remember to throw in a multi-colored scatter, painting, rug or textile which will pull your color scheme together.

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 2. Small Apartment Decorating With Savvy Shelving

small apartment decorating ideas

No-one needs additional cupboard and surface space more than the apartment decorator. But unfortunately, no-one has less space for an additional TV cabinet or armoire. This is where top interior designers recommend the versatility of shelving as one of the most useful small apartment decorating ideas. It can be installed where ever there is a little bit of extra wall space. It can even go above doors or on the wall under a windowsill.

small apartment decorating ideas

Installing a few shelves is quick and affordable small apartment decor while also yielding a lot of additional storage space. Apart from creating the illusion of a larger room with lots of packing space, it also offers the ideal spot for an ornament or photo frame that won’t fit onto the already appropriately sized small coffee table.

Pro Shelving Tips

  • Use the shelf as an accent piece by painting either the shelves or the wall behind the shelves in one of your accent colors.
  • Use decorative storage boxes in your open shelving to house odds and ends that don’t look good on display. This is another good place to bring in one of your accent colors.
  • Save some negative space. Keeping a few of the shelves open creates an uncluttered atmosphere where there’s still room to grow.

3. Let The Sunshine In Your Small Apartment

glam small apartment decor with lots of natural light
Glam small apartment decor with a lot of natural light by Decorilla interior designer, Courtney B.

Dark corners can easily make your already small living space appear smaller. Make the best use of the natural light to your disposal by using window shades that let in a lot of light. Sheer fabric or blinds look beautiful pulled up all the way to the top of the window. If the room needs to be dark at night because it’s also a bedroom, roller blinds offer a discreet blackout option when needed.

When planning your artificial lighting, always choose warm white bulbs to create a welcoming atmosphere. Create layers of light to give you flexibility:

  1. General lighting for everyday use
  2. Ambient lighting like table lamps and floor lamps for a softer mood
  3. Task lighting for working or specific activities
  4. Decorative lighting to add to your decor
small apartment decorating ideas

Be brave and make your decorative lighting pop. A ceiling light is one of the few places where you can make a big show without worrying about taking up additional floor space, but be sure to keep your fixture proportions in mind.

4. Small Apartment Decor Needs Some Reflection

It’s worth investing in a large mirror or two for empty walls. This is an old but worthwhile trick that many people looking for apartment living room ideas may find they have already employed, whether with intent or not. Apart from creating the illusion of more space, mirrors also reflect both natural and artificial, making a room appear brighter. Mirrors are of course also highly decorative in their own right, and you can play with the frame finish to add to your decor.

5. Compartmentalize With Small Apartment Decor Ideas

Dividers as small apartment decor in an eclectic studio
Dividers as small apartment decorating ideas by Decorilla online interior designer, Francis D.

Screens and room dividers are becoming increasingly popular for their versatility and the fun element they can add to a room. They also come in a variety of designs to suit your decor needs. Furthermore, they can create a beautiful feature or a subtle background detail. Screens can be completely opaque to create privacy, be semi-transparent or even a frame only to visually demarcate an area. Whatever the design, it sends a clear message that the area behind the screen is private. It’s a piece of classic décor that’s ideal for small apartments and open-plan areas since they are easy to move around as your requirements change.

Get Help With Your Small Apartment Decor

Using these five techniques should have you well on your way to decorating your small apartment, but you may find that you still need a little guidance or help. If so, schedule a Free Interior Design Consultation for expert assistance getting started today!

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5 years ago

[…] can even make the space useful beyond only being the pathway that you use to get from room to room. Decorating small spaces can seem like the ultimate challenge, but it presents an opportunity for making the most with what […]