SMALL APARTMENT DECORATING IDEAS & TIPS: HOW TO DESIGN SMALL SPACES

Here’s a complete guide to decorating small spaces.

1. A light color palette

It is often overlooked to choose a color scheme for small spaces. This is because you usually pick the colors for your furniture and decor. It can be challenging to think about your interior design holistically. Your color scheme should create the illusion of more space, even in small apartments. Light colors like white, pastels or off-whites should be used for your apartment. These colors make an airy and spacious feeling.

Pastels can appear feminine to some, but you may not enjoy using them in your apartment if you are a man. Though pastel colors can bring in a soft and airy feel, you don’t have to worry. However, muted colors can be used instead, as they create the same atmosphere.

Pastel colors belong to the desaturated and milky family. These colors have enough white added to give them a soft but vibrant look.

Muted colors are saturated hues that are more muted and less brightened by tint, shade or tone.

When it comes to small spaces, light colors are best because they reflect more than dark colors. This makes the room feel more spacious and open. They can also make a space appear larger and brighter. For accents and highlights, you can use bolder colors.

2. Tiny Apartment Layout Dos & Don’ts

Because furniture can take up a lot of space, it is important to plan your furniture layout in a small apartment or dorm. These are some tips and tricks to help you plan your furniture layout.

Dos:

• Does use multifunctional furniture pieces? (We’ll talk more about this in a moment).
• Think about expandable/stackable table that can be hidden away when not in use to save space.
• Consider customizing furniture pieces to smaller dimensions. Most furniture on the market has standard dimensions.
• Create an open space layout. Place more oversized furniture against the wall as much as possible.

Don’ts:

• Refrain from blocking walkways and pathways with furniture or accessories. It will create a cramped space.
• Do not display your stuff in your space. You can either organize your stuff or declutter them. This will allow you to create a clean and tidy interior

3. Use large floor or wall mirrors.

Mirrors can increase the size of your space. Mirrors create the illusion of depth by reflecting light into the room. Place large wall mirrors onto large blank walls to visually expand a slight reach. These are two of the design projects I did to small condo units. You can see how oversized mirrors look on empty walls.

The bedroom measures only 5.5m2 and is basically a bed and closet cabinet. It creates the illusion of more space by using mirrors on walls and a closet with mirrored door.

The doors to the bedrooms are located in this tiny apartment. Because it is on the opposite side of the windows and balcony doors, the wall mirror creates depth and illusions of space.

Floor mirrors can be used as an accent piece or a focal point in your space. You don’t have to spend a lot on large wall mirrors. Floor mirrors are a great option if you have a tight budget. FROY has a wide selection of mirror styles, so check out our collection.

4. Hang tapestry or wall art with simple designs

Hanging wall art and tapestry can give personality to small spaces. Be sure to choose simple, lightweight designs, so you don’t overcomplicate walls.

You can hang one large piece of art or several smaller pieces. Wall hangings and art can elevate your apartment’s visual appeal above the ground. This shifts the focus from the clutter on your floor to the cleaner walls. Simple tapestries or art pieces can be used as a window to expand visual space.

5. Transparent decor and glass table

Instead of using solid wood pieces, consider using transparent acrylic or glass tables. Because of their transparent nature, they blend seamlessly into your space. This is a great way to create an airy and open feel in your home. The molded acrylic is a strong material that can be used as a bench or additional seating.

6. You should match your rug with the floor, or omit it entirely.

Avoid too many textures, colors, or patterns in small rooms. This can make the space look chaotic. Although I love the art of Oriental rugs’ designs, they work best in larger rooms. Choose an area rug with a similar color to your flooring.

Consider omitting an area rug altogether. You can leave the floor unadorned if you have a stylish tile or floorboard. This can significantly increase the visual space of your space, especially when it is used with a transparent coffee table, as described in the previous tip. Minimalist decorating is key for small spaces.

7. Choose a low-profile and high-height sofa.

As we have already mentioned, the standard dimensions of furniture on the market are usually what you will find. If you cannot customize the size of your sofa, choose a low-profile and high-height sofa to give your apartment more visual space. You should avoid armrests if possible. They are often unnecessary and can be a distraction from space conservation.

You can also consider other options for traditional sofas, such as chaises, daybeds, and sofa beds. These alternatives, provided they have an adjustable backrest and function as a regular sofa bed, can often save you money while sacrificing some function.

8. Tuck storage boxes under large furniture

Storage boxes are your best friend if you have lots of stuff or other small items. Storage boxes, baskets, or ottomans with storage can be used to reduce visual clutter and decorate small spaces. These can be tucked underneath the couch, bed, table, or wall ledges. This will help you to stay organized and save space.

9. Wall shelves and tall bookshelves can be used.

A small apartment has limited floor space. Use tall bookshelves or wall shelves to maximize storage space and minimize clutter. This is a great way for memorabilia and wall art to be displayed. If books are not displayed on shelves, they will eat up valuable space in your closet or storage boxes. Bookcases and wall shelves can help you organize your books while personalizing your decor by adding your favorite literary works.

10. Mix color with bulky furniture to create a harmonious look

So that your bulky furniture doesn’t distract from your attention, choose a sofa or bed that is the same color as your walls. You can create a relaxing and soothing atmosphere by blending bulky furniture with the architecture.

11. Multi-purpose furniture

When decorating small spaces, functionality is key. Multi-purpose furniture pieces can be a great way to save space. Coffee tables can be equipped with storage and can also be used as a sofa or futon. You can also use it as a guest bed. A convertible folding desk can also be used. You can also have tall shelves to store the desk when not in use. An ottoman or pouf can be used in place of a traditional coffee table. This will maximize space and add warmth.

12. Curtains that are taller and wider

Although draperies and curtains are often overlooked, they can significantly impact interior spaces. You should not measure your windows precisely but increase the size of your curtains. This will increase the height of your small apartment and expand the visual space around your windows.

If your ceiling height is low, you can drape from floor to ceiling. Your windows can be wider by increasing the curtain rod length from 300-400mm on each side.

13. It should be well-lit

To make a room appear larger, let natural light infiltrate the space. A well-lit studio or dorm will give you a larger apartment. You can brighten your space by installing lighting fixtures that are similar to those used in natural light. Make sure you choose a warm yellow bulb over a bright white one.

You can install cove lighting to create the illusion of a higher ceiling.

14. Decorating ideas for small apartments

Here are some design examples to help you get more ideas for decorating small apartments.