This post shows you functional and efficient small apartment ideas.
Decorating a small apartment can be quite the challenge; you have to find the perfect balance between clutter-free simplicity, and still make it personal to you aesthetic-wise.
Depending on how you want to make the most of your small apartment, there are many different ways you can approach it.
This article is an assortment of some of the best tips and tricks that have been found thus far, and is guaranteed to leave you with an end result that you feel over-the-moon with.
By using these 21 tips and tricks to make the most out of your modest-sized space, you really can turn your house into a home!
Small Apartment Ideas To Maximize Space
1. Using Big Rugs
I’m sure you’ve used a trick similar to this before – the use of a big rug to isolate a specific area that you want to appear larger than it actually is.
This is particularly useful if you’re working with one big space that needs to be used for variety of different purposes – for example, a living room and a study in the same big room.
This helps to isolate the different “rooms” from one another and create a feeling of more spaciousness within the one big room.
2. Floating Shelves
Floating shelves are not only a terrific way to increase storage space in your new place, but they can also be useful for exploring different aesthetics that fit your vibe.
The great thing about a concept like this is that you have lots of room to explore your own personal creative side, and your likes and dislikes get to steal the show.
It truly is the ultimate double treat combo!
3. White Color Scheme
Even though you might feel tempted to drown all your walls in color due to the current trends circling the internet, I would urge you to lean towards an all-white color scheme if you want to make the most of your small apartment.
This works as effectively as it does because super-light colors, particularly whites, reflect more light onto the space, making the room seem bigger than it actually is. Thank me later 😉
4. Make the Most of Window Sills
When you’re moving into a small apartment, and struggling to find the extra storage space you so desperately need, you really have to start thinking outside the box.
The use of window sills is great for those who don’t want to put in the extra effort to install a storage compartment, and want to utilize the space they already have.
You can fill up the space however you like, and personalize your home to make yours.
5. Keeping it Minimalistic
You know what they say – K.I.S.S (Keep It Simple Stupid)!
If you’re trying to keep your small apartment looking as spacious as possible, I would highly encourage you to keep it super simple.
Stick to the basics and focus more on a clutter-free space, rather than what is going to look the prettiest. Less is more, my friend.
6. Utilizing Low Lighting
The benefits of using low lighting are undeniable.
Not only can it help to reduce your stress levels and improve overall mood, but also enhances the space you’re living in by a great extent.
When you’re in a small apartment, this is particularly important.
There aren’t always lots of opportunities to make the most of the small space, so when the opportunity arises, take it!
7. L-Shaped Lounges
Generally speaking, L-shaped lounges take up wayyyy less space than two standard sofas.
Not only does this make the room look much more spacious and gentle on the eye, but it could also give you more opportunity to use the extra space for other purposes – like putting in a desk or an extra coffee table!
8. Making the Most of Wall Space
When living in a small apartment that’s running out of space sideways – go upwards!
This is a great way to make the most of any extra wall space that you don’t know what to do with.
While helping in the storage department, this concept also looks amazing and is very aesthetically pleasing to look at.
If books aren’t your thing, feel free to let your mind run wild and use your creativity to come up with something even better.
I would be putting some floating shelves along these walls! What would you do? 🙂
9. One Room, Multiple Purposes
Who said one room can’t have two purposes? Definitely not me.
While, evidently, it makes the most sense when you have a limited number of rooms, this tip is also useful for your convenience as well.
Incorporating your office with your living room or bedroom means you can make your way between the two faster!
You deserve to have the best of both worlds.
You shouldn’t have to make any sacrifices on what you want to include in your own place, no matter how limited your space is.
10. Foot Stool as Coffee Table
When working with a small space, the ways that you can utilize different pieces of furniture can really be the make or break as to how well the space comes together.
Pieces that have multiple uses, such as this foot stool and coffee table combo, are absolutely crucial to making the space as best as it can be!
On top of that, you get two for the price of one! Who doesn’t love a good money-saving hack?
11. Wall Divider to Separate Rooms
When working with one large room that needs to be used for different purposes, temporary wall dividers can be a great way to separate the spaces and make it feel more like a complete home.
If you’re feeling more on the creative side, this concept can be applied in many different ways.
You can use different types of room dividers such as plants, wood, fabric screens, open bookshelves – whatever tickles your fancy really!
12. Plants Plants Plants!
There are many ways to incorporate little pops of color into your living space – and plants are an amazing way to do just that.
These are especially great in small spaces because there are sooo many different ornamental plants, and even more ways to display them in your home.
You can hang them from the ceiling, put them on walls, have them drop over window sills, and place them on bookshelves.
13. Adding Books to Walls
Dedicating an entire wall in your small apartment to your books is a great way to utilize storage space, while still keeping it aesthetically pleasing to the eye.
Not only can this be applied to a bookshelf concept, but it can be used for storing other items as well.
By taking up the entire wall with your bookshelf, alllll the way to the top, you are really making the most of the limited space you have.
14. Decor Cabinet
When you first look at this image, it might look like a normal cabinet – but it’s not!
If you look close enough, it’s actually just for aesthetics, and isn’t used for storage at all.
I love this idea so much, particularly for spaces that could benefit from the extra space over storage.
While still looking pretty and providing the opportunity to display photos and decors, it takes up less than half the space of a normal storage cabinet!
15. Letting the Light in
Since natural light helps to reduce stress levels in comparison to artificial light, this is especially important in small spaces so that you don’t feel all cramped up and a victim of cabin fever.
Never ever underestimate some good ol’ sun rays shining down on you while you make your morning coffee.
16. Making the Most of Storage Space
Multi-purpose storage spaces are a must-have in all small apartments.
Not only does this help with your organization and overall cleanliness, but can also look really really aesthetic as well!
Don’t forget – a clear space is a clear mind!
Just because you’re working with a smaller living space, doesn’t mean your mind should suffer the consequences.
17. Mirrors to Open Up the Space
I’m sure that everyone and their mom knows this neat trick – but it’s still worth mentioning. One word. MIRRORS.
If you are struggling with major cabin fever in your small apartment, these beauties will be your life savers.
Not only can you get creative with the sorts of mirrors you want to use, but they open up the space so incredibly much. Definitely a ‘must have’ in allll small apartments.
18. No Bed Frame
This might be a controversial one – but hear me out for a sec.
When we use super low bed frames, or no bed frame at all, it gives us so much more wall space in our rooms.
This extra wall space helps make the rooms feel much bigger, and can even be used for extra storage if you so please!
I personally love the no-bed-frame look.
It feels elegantly simple, while also having a super edgy feel to it at the same time.
What more could you want?
19. Using Hanging Hooks for Storage
The great thing about hanging hooks is that they are suitable for any kind of room, and are extremely versatile in terms of placement.
Depending on your style and go-to aesthetic choices, there is bound to be a hanging hook out there for you, and will do much more for your space than just hanging your coat!
20. Clear Coffee Tables
You didn’t think I would leave this one out, did you?
The classic clear coffee table moment.
There’s definitely a reason this one is so popular, and you can see why.
You cannot go wrong with this one.
Not only does it match any theme you have in mind, but it also opens up the space so much (which is absolutely perfect for small apartments).
21. Wall of Shelves
I love this idea of utilizing storage space in areas that would otherwise be left blank – like this one above the couch!
Even though this look might look too cluttered for some people, the extra storage space can be life-changing for others.
With some aesthetic storage containers, and some darling plants, I assure you that you would be able to incorporate a concept like this one while still prioritizing an aesthetic-looking space.
There you go.
I hope these de-cluttering and small apartment living hacks will do wonders for your space as well.
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