50 Small Apartment Decorating Tips That Maximize Space and Style

Decorating a small space doesn't mean sacrificing style or comfort. With the right apartment decorating ideas, even the tiniest apartments can feel spacious, organized, and inviting. Explore these expert tips to help you make the most of every square foot.

Because small spaces are very limited, you need to figure out your priorities and allocate accordingly, says Marvin. Some people need a desk area, but not a dining area. Some people want a living area and would prefer a bed that folds up. "Make the space work for your needs and don't hold yourself to what is traditional in a home. It's your home."

A simple way to take advantage of vertical surfaces is to mount floating shelves wherever there is room. Because they float, this kind of shelving adds tons of storage but still looks sleek and contemporary. Plus, curating your open storage is a great way to add stylish functionality to your space.

An easy design fix for saving some space on your nightstand is to use sconces instead of lamps next to your bed. If you don't want to hard-wire your lights, you can skip hiring an electrician and just choose plug-in sconces that you can install yourself. BOOM: Now you have extra space on your bedside table for fresh flowers and a stack of your favorite reads!

If you live in a tiny home, you might need to think about setting up some double-duty spaces. By this, we mean areas that can be used for more than one purpose. Here, the owner has set up a work area on the side of their sofa. Instead of a smaller side table, a slightly larger console becomes both a desk and spot to put down a cold drink.

Here's a super clever idea that highlights the "use what you have" mantra. Instead of a standard side table in the living room, these homeowners simply use an artfully stacked pile of books. This hack could work in a living room, bedroom or even in a bathroom, and is also a great way to add a bit of color to your space by choosing titles with colorful spines.

True, closet space is usually a precious commodity for most of us tiny home dwellers. However, if you happen to have an extra closet to spare, converting it into usable space could really be a game-changer. In this example, a tiny closet was easily converted into a kids' workspace by removing the door, adding some shelves and a streamlined desk.

Tiny bedside tables are the unicorns of the design world — they're almost impossible to find. So if you have a tiny bedroom or dorm room, you've got to get creative. That's what this homeowner did when they decided to use a simple shelf as a bedside table in their bedroom. Some other ideas for tiny nightstands include plant stands, drink tables or even a coat rack!

Another space-saving trick for tiny apartments is to divide your existing rooms. Depending on your needs, you can create some additional, usable space in your home using room dividers like shelves, screens or curtains. In this example, a large shelf is used to separate the kitchen from the living area, which creates extra lounging and dining space in this tiny home.

Want to make your tiny apartment feel much larger? Look no further than a massive mirror. This design trick has been around for ages, but only because it actually works. Adding a large mirror to a smaller space instantly makes your space feel larger, lighter and brighter. Large mirrors *can* be expensive but you can get creative here too: try using an inexpensive full-length mirror, but hang it horizontally in your living room, hallway or bedroom to really open up the space.

To maximize your storage or design potential, take advantage of underutilized space and add shelving where possible. In this example, shelves were added in the unused space above a nightstand creating both a functional storage solution as well a gorgeous design moment.

If you're lucky enough to live in a warmer climate and have the luxury of your own outdoor space, why not use it to expand your living area. No room for all of your friends to hang out in your living room? Take it outside! No dining room? Create a small outdoor dining area! Think about how you might be able to maximize your outdoor space and invest in turning it into another functional space for your apartment.

If you have permission to paint your rental's walls, there are two things you should know: 1) We're all jealous and 2) Off-white isn't your only option. Though lighter colors make a space feel bigger and more open, darker shades can work just as well by blurring a room's lines and edges.

Low-level furniture is another savvy solution for helping small apartments feel larger. By keeping your sofa close to the ground or forgoing a traditional bed frame, you'll create the illusion of taller ceilings. You'll also have more wall-space for artwork or to showcase skyline views, as designer Caitlin McCarthy did in this cool, midcentury-inspired loft.

More often than not, you adopt a few less-than-beautiful appliances with your newly leased apartment. Since convincing your landlord to buy you all new appliances is out of the questions, it's time to get creative. It only took Dina from Honey & Fitz two rolls of gold duct tape to turn a basic white fridge into a glitzy showstopper.

When you're strapped for square footage, it pays to have dual-purpose pieces on deck. In this eclectic bedroom from designer Allison Lind, a vintage trunk works overtime to display pillows and store linens, while a shelf over the bed doubles as a nightstand for odds-and-ends. The result? Every inch counts.

A great way to make your space feel larger is to avoid visual clutter. Opting for minimalistic furnishings and decor creates clean lines of sight and allows a space to speak for itself. A suspended light bulb provides plenty of light and takes up a fraction of the space a lamp does while making a space feel ultra-chic.

While some apartments come equipped with beautiful built-ins, others can be more lifeless. Designer Nick Olsen says: “To add intrigue and make the space feel like it was built just for you, add your own built-ins without damaging walls.” One way to do this, he advises, is by adding two tall bookshelves that reach to nearly the top of the ceiling on either side of a doorway.

Even if your landlord is strict, there are still plenty of ways to put your personal touch on a space without leaving a permanent mark. Peel-and-stick wall decals can often be cheesy, but when used in the right setting, they provide a beautiful texture that easily comes down when your lease is up.

A great way to add some personality to your rented space is to simply switch out those basic doorknobs with some that suit your taste. Just make sure you switch back to the originals before you move out.

Radiators are not attractive; it's as simple as that. But covering a radiator is not always so simple. Luckily, Marian from Miss Mustard Seed shares her beautiful solution. Her custom radiator cover not only disguises the unit, but it even adds extra storage in an often tight space.

“Most rentals have dreadful, cheap ceiling lights and fans,” says designer Allison Hennesey. She suggests updating these eyesores with inexpensive landlord-friendly fixes. “Swap out current fixtures with new pendants or lampshades that complement your decor. When it’s time to move you can easily put back the old fixture and take the new one with you.” If you're not comfortable with this solution, try hanging plug-in wall sconces in hallways or above sofas.

As apartments often provide little space to fill with all of your favorite items, make sure to be particular with the furnishings and accessories you do have in each room. First, get rid of any items that have lost their purpose or are no longer in style. Then, invest in pieces that can easily transition to the next apartment, such as neutral upholstery, chairs, end tables, beautiful bed linens, lamps and art.

To create architectural interest, seemingly double the size of the room and welcome more light, add a large leaning mirror to one wall. Try to find a mirror that’s nearly half the size of the wall or place a few medium-size mirrors side by side to visually enlarge the space. Try positioning across from a window that receives natural light so it can be reflected back into the room.

For some people, the thought of being surrounded by four off-white walls is simply unbearable. And for others, it's just plain boring. As removable wallpaper becomes more popular, the designs become more stylish and more affordable. Pro tip: Don't be afraid to opt for trendy, bold patterns. If you eventually get tired of it, just take it down.

You're certainly not going to change the electrical work in your rental apartment, so you may be forced to live with some oddly-placed lights, light switches or power outlets. Carmel from Our Fifth House solved this problem by camouflaging a light switch within a tasteful gallery wall.

Desperate to jump on the accent wall trend but limited by your landlord's wishes? Just grab some washi tape. A washi tape wall can be as colorful or as subdued as you like. Emily from Everything Emily created this stunning accent wall with just two rolls of black washi tape. The best part? She completed the project for less than $10.

Here is another brilliant way to dress up old, unsightly appliances. Julie Blanner found an ideal solution in the form of stainless steel contact paper. For around $5, this change has the power to totally transform your kitchen. In fact, the landlord may even ask you to leave it up.

If you're hoping to add a homey feel to your rented space, simply adding a few plants around the house might do the trick. This beautiful monstera plant adds life and texture to the space. And for an added bonus, plants help purify indoor air. (No more mystery smell from renters past.)

If you've stumbled upon the perfect wallpaper only to remember it just isn't an option in your rental, Marianne Canada from HGTV Crafternoon recommends getting a sample of your favorite print and displaying it in a gorgeous frame. Now you can have your wallpaper and your rental deposit, too!

One change that makes a huge difference, but is often overlooked, is the showerhead. This is one of those upgrades that is worth spending some extra dough. After all, when you're ready to move, simply reattach the old fixture and take yours to your new abode. Make barely-drizzling, clogged showerheads a thing of the past!

If you can't paint the walls, changing the basic structure of the room is obviously out of the question. That's where room dividers come in handy. Create a home office or give the kids their own play space in a single bedroom.

Let's talk floors. Scratched hardwood and stained carpet are just the beginning. Before moving in, it never hurts to have the floors professionally cleaned. But if they still look like a mess, area rugs will be your new best friend. Place them over hardwood and even over carpet for a clean, updated look that is all you.

Since this shotgun-style apartment is only eight feet wide and 375-square-feet total, it was important to keep a clear pathway throughout the center, creating somewhat of a galley-style home. To keep the apartment both functional and stylish, furniture was arranged along two opposite walls with nothing in the middle, balanced visually with proper scale and proportion.

Since this apartment lacked a defined bedroom, airy curtains were hung to separate the sleeping quarters from the rest of the space. Sheer curtains were chosen to allow the bedroom areas natural light to permeate the entire space.

This studio apartment may be small in size but makes up for this deficiency with sophisticated city style. Neutral walls and curtains make the space appear much larger, while black and silver accents add to the crispness of the style. The living room's furniture arrangement keeps the space separate from the bedroom and study area, giving the small apartment more functional areas.

When you're short on space, decorating with anything beyond purely functional items can be a challenge. Time to think vertically! Covering your walls with art not only looks amazing, but it's a fantastic way to pack a decorative punch without compromising on square footage.

To make this small dining area appear larger, its walls, ceiling, trim and doors are all painted the same shade of gray. This helps keep the room from feeling too boxed in by high-contrast trim by blurring lines and allowing shadows to work their magic.

Open storage coffee tables are an excellent fit for a small apartment living room because they can serve double duty by offering a table surface for books or offering up dining space while keeping things neatly stored in baskets below.

If you're stuck with bland, white doors, you'll love this stylishly updated door by Stacie from Stars for Street Lights. Some quick measuring, a steady hand and a bit of electrical tape totally transformed these contractor-grade doors. The result is nothing short of fabulous!

Maximize your apartment's seating capacity with a mix of multifunctional pieces. Upholstered poufs and stools offer extra space to perch but can also work as tables for impromptu dinner parties.

An excellent way to add extra space in your apartment's kitchen is an over-the-door pantry unit. You can maximize the space on the back of the pantry door with only a few screws. Warning: Some landlords are more than fine with storage additions like this one, but you may be asked to leave it behind when you move.