5 Tips on How to Decorate a Small Apartment

Top things to know about decorating a small apartment:

• Be mindful of the furniture and decor used in a small space; too many items can make a small room feel even more cluttered.
• Natural light and mood lighting will help your space feel larger.
• White walls will make a small apartment feel more significant, but that's not the only color option.
• If you don't have a lot of square footage in your apartment for storage, use your wall space creatively and bring things off the ground.

Having a small apartment doesn't mean sacrificing your love for decor and style. Decorating your living spaces in a way that feels special to you is important because it reflects on yourself. A dream apartment is inviting, allows for comfort, and gives your guests a preview of the tone of your home. But what if your apartment is tiny and lacks the space needed for group seating spaces and larger items? Is it possible to still decorate a small apartment and squeeze a bit of your flair into the room? The answer is yes!

‍Here are five tips I swear by about how to decorate your small apartment because, after all, size isn't everything.

If you have a small apartment, reconsider the amount of furniture and decor you have.

Too many pieces of furniture can make decorating a small apartment feel even smaller.

When decorating a small apartment, you want to be selective about choosing which focal pieces you need to make the space feel welcoming while achieving your style goals. For example, in the living room, you could opt for a sectional versus multiple chairs and couches, using a lower center table versus a high top, and remove any large dressers or chests.

Avoid blocking natural light with furniture and heavy draping.

Natural light elevates any space.

If your smaller apartment is fortunate enough to have windows or skylights, this is a huge opportunity for your room to create a warm and welcoming space. Suppose your apartment lacks natural light; place lamps and mirrors around to help with evenly reflecting light. When it comes to styling your windows, keep the decor minimal. For example, try roman shutters, cordless blinds, or a linen fabric blind in the living room instead of large, heavy drapes.

Think about the traffic flow in your small apartment and space out your decor.

Be mindful of your furniture and decor when decorating a small apartment, especially in the living room.

You will want to avoid narrow walkways and reduce clutter to prevent things from feeling claustrophobic. Pro-Tip: There is a formula that helps you create the proper amount of space in your living room on your first try! When placing two pieces of seating furniture facing each other, they should be about 3 ½ feet apart. You will also want to leave about 16 inches between a coffee table and a couch.

Use colors wisely when decorating, as they can make or break a small apartment.

As a designer, you are likely aware that white walls create the illusion of larger spaces—but white walls aren't your only option. Lighter and more neutral colors can help a small living room remain airy and fresh. When choosing furniture, feel free to get a little bolder and choose accent colors that you love. Bright colors will draw attention to that particular item versus the size of the room—so when creating your color palette, pick colors that work well together and showcase your style through a mix of cooler and warmer colors.

Create more imaginative storage solutions when decorating by using your wall space creatively.

If you don't have a lot of square footage to work with, using your wall space creatively is a great option to help create more space for decor and storage. Wall shelves, plant walls, storage towers, and convertible furniture with hidden storage space will help your living spaces to appear more spacious and appealing. Adding a textured rug or artwork will give your room a more dynamic look if your apartment lacks dimension.

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^{Photo Credit: (Left) Reserve Home}