Furnishing a small apartment can be more challenging than furnishing a traditional house, particularly with the growing trend of small-space living. Learn how to provide a small apartment, such as a studio apartment, where limited square footage is a key constraint.
Furnishing and decorating a small apartment presents several challenges. Let’s face it, the majority of furniture is designed for full-size homes. If you’re trying to furnish a small apartment, locating beautiful items that fit within your space’s dimensions can be tough. Choosing the right-sized furniture and small furniture is essential to avoid a cramped or cluttered look. Finding ways to store your belongings without making your space look cluttered may seem like an impossible task. Fortunately, many tricks can help you transform a small apartment into a stylish and sufficiently functional place to call home, optimising the entire space for both style and function. Furniture should be scaled to fit the room's dimensions to avoid visual clutter. Here are a few tips to help you get started.
Introduction to Apartment Living
Apartment living has become a go-to choice for many people seeking convenience, affordability, and a vibrant urban lifestyle. While small apartments and studio apartments offer numerous perks, they also present the challenge of maximising every square inch. The key to successful apartment living is learning how to maximise space, turning even the tiniest rooms into comfortable and functional retreats. By embracing light colours, clever layouts, and a few creative tricks, you can transform your apartment into a stylish haven that feels much larger than its actual footprint. Whether you’re working with a blank canvas or looking to refresh your current setup, these tips will help you unlock the full potential of your small apartment and make apartment living a breeze.
Furnish a Small Apartment On a Budget
Colour choices have a significant impact on the appearance and ambience of your apartment. Using lighter colours creates an illusion of more space. White paint can make a space feel larger and brighter by reflecting natural light. Paint walls using pastel hues. See which colour bedroom is the most relaxing. Avoid intricate patterns that cover large areas; solid colours are best. Vertical stripes can help elongate the room, and bold patterns can be used sparingly for impact. If the apartment has dark-coloured floors, add light-coloured, soft-textured rugs to lend a sense of airy comfort. Light colours make a small apartment feel bigger and brighter. To make rooms seem less crowded, limit your decor to one or two primary colours and one accent shade. Consider creating an accent wall for added visual interest. A bright accent here and there can liven up your decor without overpowering it. When layering colours and textures, you can add depth to the space. Simplicity and focus work wonders in small spaces. Minimal decor helps maintain an open, uncluttered feel in small apartments. Oversized artwork or a gallery wall can create a striking focal point without cluttering the space.
Assess Your Space and Identify the Focal Point
Before you dive into decorating, take a step back and look at your small apartment. Start by measuring your space and noting where natural light enters the room. Pay attention to any unique architectural features, like a bay window or exposed brick, that could become a highlight. Consider how you want to utilise each room and how people will navigate through the space. Once you’ve got a feel for the layout, choose a focal point—this could be a beautiful piece of furniture, a bold piece of art, or even a window with a great view. Designing your room around this focal point will add visual interest and help guide your decorating decisions, making the entire space feel more intentional and inviting.
Let the Outside In
If your rooms seem smaller than they are, it may be due to insufficient natural light. Windows may improve this situation. Resist the temptation to cover them with heavy draperies that block natural light. If you don’t like the idea of bare windows, consider using lightweight, sheer panels and leaving them pulled to the sides of your windows. Hanging curtains higher can draw the eye upwards and make the room feel taller. Letting light in and keeping windows clear maximises the light in a small space. Light-coloured, slimline blinds and window coverings can lend a more open and airy feel. Floor lamps can also be used to supplement natural light in small spaces.
The Magic of Mirrors
Mirrors are a decorator’s secret weapon because they reflect light, and they can often make small rooms look bigger than they are. Placing mirrors on an entire wall can visually expand the whole room, making it feel more spacious and cohesive. Hanging mirrors opposite windows reflects light and creates an illusion of space in small living rooms. When hanging mirrors, be mindful to maintain clear sight lines to enhance the sense of openness. Place large decorative mirrors on walls, or hang full-length mirrors on doors.
Utilise Your Wall Space
In a small apartment, floor space is a precious commodity, so saving valuable floor space by using wall-mounted solutions is essential. If an item can fit on a wall without looking ridiculous, put it there. Hang flat-screen LCD and plasma televisions on your wall at eye level. Install wall shelves to display knick-knacks and collections, rather than using free-standing shelving units. You can also use built-ins or faux built-ins, such as integrated bookshelves, to maximise storage and aesthetics. Utilising vertical space with floating shelves enhances storage without taking up floor space, making a room feel less cluttered and helping you maximise square footage. Hang mops, brooms and other large utility items on wall hooks inside closets to free up storage space. Consider installing wall shelving units with closing doors for storing linens and paper goods, and incorporate hidden storage to keep the space uncluttered.
Be Creative With Storage Options
If you have space available under your bed, consider purchasing flat storage boxes and utilise the area to store out-of-season clothes or holiday decorations. Whenever possible, choose discreet, multi-purpose furniture items such as a new ottoman with interior storage space or fold-away desks. Consider adding a small bench with storage or a side table that doubles as an extra seat to maximise functionality. Ottomans are also great, and you can opt for a coffee table with hidden storage or one that can serve as an extra seat. Using a Murphy bed can significantly increase usable space in small apartments, helping you save space and keep your living area organised.
Utilising Corners and Alcoves
Don’t let the corners and alcoves in your small apartment go to waste—they’re prime real estate for adding both function and style. Transform an empty corner into a cozy reading nook with a small chair and a floor lamp, or install floating shelves to display books and decorative items, adding visual interest and depth to the room. Alcoves can become mini home offices, display areas, or even extra storage with the right furniture pieces. By thoughtfully using these overlooked spaces, you can create little nooks that not only serve a purpose but also make your apartment feel more dynamic and personalised.
Ban Clutter From Your Life
Keep clutter at an absolute minimum. Decluttering helps you make more space in a smaller space, making your apartment feel less cramped and more functional. The more junk you have in your small apartment, the less functional it will be, so make every inch count. Organise craft supplies, magazines and seldom-used items neatly in storage boxes, and place them out of sight. Decorating with plants can create a cozy atmosphere in small apartments. If an item or piece of furniture doesn’t serve a purpose and has no sentimental value, give it to a friend who has a larger apartment. By keeping only what you need, you are creating a more open and inviting environment.
Indulge Your Lofty Ambitions
Short, squat furniture makes small rooms look crowded. To create a loftier appearance, draw the eye upward with slender, tall pieces such as pub tables with high bar stools. Choosing airy pieces with open designs can further enhance the sense of spaciousness. Using statement lighting can draw the eye upward and create a more spacious feeling. Incorporating vertical stripes as a design technique can also visually elongate the room and add the illusion of height. Tall, vertically oriented artwork has the same effect, and layering textures and finishes can add depth to the room.
Measure Before You Buy
Before purchasing any substantial appliance or piece of furniture for your apartment, ensure it will fit. Selecting the right-sized furniture with a small footprint is essential to ensure your pieces suit your space and maximise functionality.
Keep your home’s room-by-room measurements handy when shopping, so you can compare and calculate quickly and avoid a complicated return process. Be sure to consider tight corners and unusual layouts when choosing furniture, as these can impact what will fit and how your space flows.
Floor-to-ceiling draperies add instant height to a space.
Ditch the Bulk: Bring in Trendy Bean Bag Furniture
When you’re apartment decorating, don’t fall into the traditional trap. You don’t need huge, bulky and expensive lounge suites in your living room. Bean bag chairs and lounges are attractive, affordable, practical, and versatile, making them perfect for today’s smaller spaces. With bean bags, you can experiment with unconventional layouts and easily create separate zones within a single room, making them ideal for studio apartments or multifunctional living areas. Bean bagsoffer numerous other benefits apart from being colourful and cool. You’ll save tons of money, and you’ll be able to choose from a variety of styles and colours to fit your decor. When you want to change the room’s ambience or try out a new wall colour, just buy new bean bag chair covers to match. In small apartments, bean bags can also serve as a flexible room divider, helping to define spaces and enhance privacy without the need for permanent fixtures. Bean bags don’t just look great; they’re extremely comfortable. They mould to the shape of your body, and you’ll never have to worry about them going flat. You can adjust the level of firmness by adding or subtracting filling, so you always have the perfect seat for gaming or the ideal place to take a nap. Bean bag chair covers are durable and designed to withstand heavy use, and they’re easy to clean and maintain. You may even consider a bean bag bed!
A Simple Lifestyle Choice
You’ll also find that bean bags can make day-to-day living easier. If you throw a party, and more people show up than you expect, you probably won’t have enough room to relocate a sofa to create more space. Setting up a dance floor in your lounge would be virtually impossible. Lightweight bean bag chairs can be lifted effortlessly and stacked in a corner without compromising their structure or causing damage to your lower back. You can also tuck a bean bag into a little nook for extra seating, making use of those compact spaces in your home. When a guest is tired, they can grab one and sit down in blissful comfort. It’ll be easy for small groups to arrange bean bags in circles for private chats. Bean bags are also perfect for smaller rooms, where maximising space is essential without sacrificing comfort or style. Best of all, you won’t need three or four muscular people to help you rearrange all the furniture once your guests leave. Other potential and unexpected benefits of bean bag furniture include the opportunity to provide a safe environment and promote responsibility. As the “Mates Motel” television campaign suggests, bean bags are a comfortable bedding option for guests who have had a little too much to drink and shouldn’t be driving home. The airy, mattress-like support might even make the discomfort of their inevitable hangover more bearable. Comfy bean bag bedding isn’t reserved just for overindulgence. If you have children or young friends and relatives, bean bags are perfect for slumber parties, and they can be mixed with vintage furniture for a unique, eclectic look.
Using Light Colours and Textures
To make a small room feel open and inviting, lean into light colours and a mix of textures. Soft whites, pale greys, and gentle pastels help bounce natural light around the space, making the room feel brighter and more expansive. But don’t stop at colour—layering different textures, like a plush rug, a linen throw, or a woven basket, adds depth and visual interest without overwhelming the space. Mixing smooth and tactile surfaces creates a sense of richness and complexity, helping to expand the room and making it feel more visually engaging. With the right combination of light colours and varied textures, you can create a small space that feels both airy and full of character.
Adding Personal Touches and Style
Your small apartment should reflect your personality and make you feel at home. Add personal touches with artwork, unique accessories, or a favourite rug to bring warmth and style to your space. Don’t be afraid to mix and match styles or display items that tell your story—just remember to keep things organised to avoid visual clutter. Maximise your floor and wall space by selecting pieces that serve a purpose and complement the overall look. Use natural light to highlight your favourite features, and consider creative storage solutions to keep the space feeling open. With a few thoughtful details, you can create a small apartment that’s not only functional but also a true reflection of your taste and lifestyle.
Take Your Time, and Enjoy the Process
You don't have to decorate your entire apartment in one weekend. Look around for ideas that reflect your style. Weigh your choices carefully. Incorporating personal decor, such as art and books, adds warmth to small spaces. If you want to break a few decorating rules, feel free to do so. After all, your apartment is your resting place and your escape from the outside world. You should enjoy being there, so take your time and make it uniquely yours.
