14 Small Apartment Decorating Ideas

Hello, optical illusion. We might be biased but this is way cooler than the autostereograms everyone loved in the 90s. Using a mirror in a small space not only works to move light around a room, it also makes a room feel bigger. Hanging an oversized mirror creates the illusion that the room continues beyond the mirror. Instant depth and drama.

Pay close attention to scale. You don’t want to hang a tiny mirror on a big empty wall. Like rugs, when it comes to mirrors bigger is usually better. If you do have several small mirrors, hang them in a group or within a gallery wall for a more interesting visual. A mirror also always looks at home over a fireplace or mantel.

Give your guests a comfortable place to sleep without a dedicated guest room using multi-functional furniture. Sofa beds, sleeper sofas, daybeds and futons are great options that allow you to transform a seating area into a sleeping area when needed. Plus, they still look stylish when you’re not entertaining out-of-towners.

Break up a studio or an open floor plan by creating zones. Not only does it offer more privacy, it makes a small space feel bigger. The simplest way to do this is by arranging furniture to support the way you use the space. Hanging a curtain, using a room divider or strategically placing a bookshelf, helps to designate zones in an open concept apartment. If you want something more subtle, use peel-and-stick wallpaper to define that one corner of your kitchen as a breakfast nook, or to give the part of your bedroom that acts as your home office a different feel.

In small homes, storage space can be hard to come by. Get creative with how you store things you don’t use every day. Furniture with hidden storage space is a clever way to reduce visual clutter. Benches, ottomans, some beds and couches have integrated storage beneath the mattress or cushions or as part of a bed frame. Another way to make the most of a small space is to utilize vertical space with wall-mounted shelving. It can hold more than just books.

Designate a specific area for dropping off coats, shoes and bags when you first walk into your apartment, even if there isn’t a true foyer. Install decorative hooks and floating shelves or look for a freestanding hall tree or coat stand that has hooks, shelving or cabinets for more storage. If you aren’t allowed to screw things into the wall in your rental, choose adhesive hooks that match your décor and don't damage the wall.

Light can transform a room but depending on how many windows your apartment has and what directions they face, the natural light in your apartment may be limited. In spaces that have less natural light, it's important to layer the types of lighting you incorporate into your home.

In any room you want a mix of overhead lighting, floor lamps, table lamps and task lighting. Again, think of a room as a collection of zones. Where will you be sitting? Where will you need light to focus on a specific task? Choose table lamps and floor lamps that complement the style of the room. A fun trick? Install a rental-friendly sconce that doesn’t need to be hardwired.

An area rug is a great way to decorate your apartment on a budget. Camouflage flooring with a large area rug or bring warmth to an apartment where all the floors are wood or vinyl. Layering rugs might sound tricky at first but pairing two different size rugs like a vintage kilim over a basic jute, adds dimension and helps stretch a too short rug further. Using multiple rugs in one space can add unique texture and bridge different style choices. You can also place rugs over old or worn carpeting.

Don’t let apartment living dull your green thumb, even if you don’t have a lush garden out back. Bring the brightness and beauty of flora into your apartment, no matter where it's located, with house plants. Look for plants that work with your natural lighting, the less direct sunlight you get the lower maintenance your plants need to be. If you want the look with none of the upkeep opt for faux greens arranged in a vase.

Bare walls can make any home's décor feel unfinished, so consider framed art that reflects your style and personality. Choose a theme for your wall art, like florals or abstract prints or unify elements through color, and arrange the pieces into a gallery wall. If you have lots of beautiful travel photographs from your adventures, consider creating a display with some of your favorites. Posters and prints can take on a sophisticated new look with the right frame and placement.

If you’re looking for added architectural details, consider adding molding. For a rental friendly DIY project, use peel-and-stick molding to add character in less time and with less tools.

Swap generic window treatments like paper or plastic blinds for something that helps tie the room together. The right curtains or shades make the space feel more polished, and depending on their opacity, block out light and noise so you can sleep. To make your ceilings appear higher, hang the curtain rod above the window but as close to the ceiling as possible so that you can still use the rod. It draws the eye upward to create the illusion of more height.

Don’t neglect your bathroom. It’s a great place to express your personal style, even in rented apartments that can’t be renovated. A shower curtain, coordinating towels and a cheerful bath mat are easy, practical and cost-effective ways to bring personality to your bathroom. If you have the space, consider adding an additional cabinet or table for storage. If you’re short on space, don’t forget the vertical storage opportunity over the toilet. A cabinet or shelf works to hold lots of everyday essentials.

When you’re decorating a small bedroom, you might think a headboard will take up too much space — but consider all of the different roles it can play in the room. Not only does a headboard make it more comfortable to sit up in bed to watch TV or read, but it can also function as the room’s focal point. A decorative, intricate or large headboard is like a piece of art. If you’re short on storage or don’t have room for bedside tables, consider a headboard with built-in shelves.

If your apartment kitchen is quite small, think about ways that the furniture can be used for more than one thing. If you have a kitchen island, but not much space for a dining table, consider using the island as both a prep and eating space. Tuck some stools against one side of the island so you can pull them out when seating is needed. In kitchens where there's no island and scant counter space, look for a table that can double as both your prep space and your kitchen table.

With limited space comes limited seating options. A great space-saving alternative to chairs are floor pillows or poufs. Toss them on the couch or a chair when they’re not in use but easily bring them and plop them on the ground for a movie night with friends. Low seating also helps open the space and can make an apartment appear roomier than it is.