14 Tips On Decorating A Tiny Apartment

Redditor /u/pogafuisce

For a small space, choose items that serve multiple uses. An ottoman can store things; a coffee table can become a dining table; a couch can become a guest bed.

Redditor /u/Shannegans

My motto for our small apartment is, "everything has to earn its space." This means most items must do double duty.

I made a tabletop for our dog's crate; it functions as an end table. We have the large Expedit bookcase from Ikea; the bottom row holds baskets for extra storage. Our dining room table folds down to sofa table size, allowing us to move it if needed.

Start with the big pieces and the essentials. Then, add decor slowly over time until you like it. Clutter makes your apartment look cramped.

Redditor /u/CompanionCone

Easy: Smart storage, good lighting, and few loose items.

Redditor /u/Kanwic

Colors create the atmosphere around you. Your favorite color might look odd or sad on a wall, couch, or rug.

I painted my first apartment. The gray walls with aquamarine trim only lasted half a bleak winter.

Redditor /u/GoGo_MAE

Think about what people see first. According to your floor plan, your bed is the first thing people see. Placing beds in front of windows is usually not best.

Put your sofa in front of the windows and the bed head on the wall shared with the kitchen. Keeping your living space near the window brings it closer to the kitchen, which is good for guests.

For furniture in a small space, less is more. Get functional pieces with multiple uses. Minimalist design can inspire you. Use textures!

Redditor /u/privetdevushka1

I live in an apartment. I use mirrors, shelves, stools at the bar, and I mounted my TV. You can also find a good pullout couch that doubles as a bed.

Keep the blinds open. This brings light and makes the room feel less boxy.

Redditor /u/adrenalexa

Use organization and storage. Also, coordinate colors and keep things simple, like 'modern' furniture.

With a small space, judging what looks good is hard. Buying multipurpose furniture helps long-term: ottomans that store things and anything that folds or shrinks.

Some of the best space savers come from IKEA!

Redditor /u/coffeeblossom

Tablecloths instantly make any table look better!

If you can paint the walls, a new coat of paint works wonders. If you cannot paint, skip this.

Area rugs help. Throw pillows on beds and couches also help.

Put art prints on walls. Framing makes them look classy. If you have art, hang your work!

Plants make living spaces better. Short on space? Baskets work for that.

Use colors and patterns that match.

Can't paint walls? Use a wall border instead.

Redditor /u/[deleted]

I designed my 150 sq ft studio. I gave every item a specific spot. The bed stays for sleeping. The couch stays for chilling or studying. The table stays for eating. This made my small space functional and cozier.

Redditor /u/Runs Like A Girl

Get good used furniture. If you dislike the finish, paint it white. Auctions, flea markets, and thrift stores offer great finds.

Keep kitchenware simple. Use Mason jars for drinks; they also hold dry food, toiletries, or vases. Love mason jars!

Buy simple plates in a plain design or clear glass. Get just enough for you, your husband, and a few guests if you host. You can always borrow plates and silverware from friends.

Redditor /u/cbreid

I like decorative organization. I use pretty boxes to store things like scissors or pens and paper. It looks nice and works.

I decorate small spaces with light, bright, or bold colors. This makes the space look bigger and welcoming, not like a cave.

I use Command strips. Their picture strips let you hang things on walls without nails. Art or shelves on walls instantly make things feel cozier.

Area rugs make spaces look much cozier. They define a space, especially in a large room.

Lighting helps small spaces too. Lamps are cheap at Ikea, Target, and TJ Maxx/HomeGoods.

Do not skip the bathroom. My bathroom was stark white and felt sterile. Add colorful towels and a bright shower curtain.

In a studio, you have many bed options. Consider a pull-out couch, or a daybed or window seat under a window for reading.

I suggest bookshelves with bins. They look interesting and let you display some things while hiding others.

Redditor /u/gynx112

Use light walls, dark furniture, white, and not too bright lighting. Pick one accent wall for decor. Choose a fresh, semi-rich color and pair it with neutrals (dark blue goes well with grays, tans, and whites. Avoid tans and grays together. I also like greens with golds, tans, and white).

Use solids, not too many patterns. Use accent decor to tie colors together (or pick colors based on the accent wall decor) AND PILLOWS!

Redditor /u/thisisvienna

Make a small space feel bigger by doing this:

Work vertically.

Get furniture only as big as it needs to be.

Keep rooms as open as possible.

Select the smallest bed you can handle, the smallest entertainment center, and the sofa.

Room dividers take up the same space but make rooms feel tight. Leave it open; this makes the room seem bigger.

Attach shelving to the wall. This leaves more floor space.

From Redditor /u/McGuffey

I lived in a studio for three years with almost these exact measurements (417 sq. ft.), though the layout was slightly different.

First, empty rooms look much bigger. Skip the room divider unless you like very small spaces.

Second, I used a futon/couch. It is not nice. Ikea's fold-out couches offer better comfort, are reasonable, and look better for guests.

Third, get two bar stools. This definitely helps with space.