If you’re in need of the BEST small apartment ideas ever, you’re in the right place! Because these 17 small space ideas will literally change your life & transform your tiny home into an beautiful, expansive space that feels GREAT to be in!
Coming across useful small apartment ideas is not the easiest thing to do! Of course, there are tons of resources available, but most of them are not REALLY tailored to small spaces.
That’s why I’ve created this extensive guide for you! These 17 valuable small apartment ideas & small space ideas are tried & true hacks you can start incorporating into your small home design right now!
They all help you preserve the functionality of your small apartment, enhance its beauty AND save as much space in it as possible!
You’ll find tips & tricks for every room in your apartment & similar products to shop to make it even easier for you to recreate them.
So keep reading, because these ideas are guaranteed to change your life & transform your home!
the best small apartment ideas
01. Scale down your entryway
When it comes to entryways, small apartment owners often tend to go to extremes. They either eliminate it all in all, or they try to fit a regular entryway into their tiny homes.
But let me tell you, entryways are SO important! Not only because they’re functional, but also because they’re nice to look at if designed right. So you definitely should NOT commit either of these crimes!
The key to having a full-value entryway that serves all your needs in a small space is to simply scale the whole thing down!
So opt for a narrow console table, put a woven basket with a cute throw blanket in it under the table. Decorate the surface with a stoneware vase full of dried pampas, a decorative bowl for your keys, some stick candle holders, as well as a table lamp on top of a few decorative books for great illumination.
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02. Use storage solutions that have a slim structure
Providing enough storage space for yourself is essential, no matter the size of your home! But when you have constraints on space, you really gotta think of what kinds of storage solutions will suit your tiny home best.
And the answer to that is right here! The absolute best storage solutions for small spaces are those that have a thin frame & a slim structure. These will look SOO good in your small home! They also make you perceive your space to be more expansive, due to their slim silhouette that doesn’t really catches one’s attention.
So definitely go ahead & invest in tall metal frame bookcases like the one under, or a similar console table.
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03. Choose the right size rug
One of the most important small apartment ideas you’ll ever come across is to make sure you choose the right size rug! Most people go wrong here. And no wonder why, because it’s super easy to do so.
But with the help of this guide, you’re guaranteed not to fall victim to this!
Here’s what you really have to know to make the perfect decision for every area rug in your home: too small is just as bad as too big!
When you choose a large rug, you’ll make your home feel disproportional. But a small rug is going to be just as unpleasant visually: it’ll draw the eyes in instantly, therefore narrowing down your space even more.
As a general rule of thumb, it’s recommended that you go with a rug that’s only a few inches bigger than the layout of furniture (sofa + armchairs / dining table + dining chairs) it’s on.
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you might also want to read:
| Small apartment living room ideas: 13 inspirations you can easily recreate |
04. Go vertical with decor
When you have a small space, it’s really easy to waste your valuable space with decor. To avoid cutting down the floor space you have to yourself, go vertical with decor!
This means installing floating shelves for more decor surface, as well as using your dressers, console tables & even window sills to decorate. This will help you utilize surfaces that are already at hand for your decorative purposes, as well as save TONS of floor space for essentials & furniture.
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05. Incorporate mirrors
The more mirrors you have in a tiny space, the better! Mirrors have really advantegous properties that help create the illusion of a larger space.
Namely, their reflective properties will make you perceive twice as much as there really is! Not only that, but because of that, they also brighten up any room instantly!
So if you want both an expansive AND airy feel to your home, you should definitely try hanging a few mirrors above your bed, sofa or dining table, or placing a few standing mirrors into empty corners!
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you might also want to read:
| Small apartment sofas: 35 of the best small space sofas for every budget & style |
06. Prioritize furniture with storage
Buying furniture that have a hidden storage compartment is one of the most life-changing small apartment ideas ever!
No matter if it’s a storage ottoman, a lift-top coffee table with storage, a sleeper sofa or a platform bed with storage, you’ll be really thankful when you accessorize your home with such useful items! They can save you SO much space!
And they neatly hide your clutter away from the eyes as well. That’s such a huge advantage in small spaces!
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07. Save space with lighting
Your lighting choices can basically make or break the look! You wouldn’t even think how much power your lamp/chandelier choices have over how your space turns out!
Why is that? Because some are more space-consuming than others. A few examples would be table lamps & floor lamps. Of course, they are gorgeous, but they take up an unnecessary amount of space! Therefore they make your apartment look overcrowded!
So try to stay away from those types of lamps! Prioritize wall sconces, vanity lights, pendant kitchen island lights etc.
Thanks to their overall smaller & slimmer design, you’ll be able to fit them wherever you’d like, without having to sacrifice much space for that. And they’re also much easier on the eyes, so you’ll never ever feel like your home’s cramped.
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08. Create a round dining area
Sometimes round is better in small homes! Both when it comes to functionality AND aesthetics. And the most perfect place to incorporate this small apartment idea is your dining area!
Instead of your regular rectangular dining table, try a round one! It’s even better if it’s extendable, it’ll seamlessly adapt to YOUR needs & will be perfect for gatherings!
But what’s even more important is that the round design will save you so much space! They are smaller & easier to fit into tinier spaces than rectangular dining tables, so at least consider getting one.
Accessorize it with round-back chairs for maximum aesthetics & you’re good to go!
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09. Learn to organize your kitchen
One of the most essential skills you’ll have to develop in a small space is kitchen organization! Therefore, this is one of those small apartment ideas that are worth trying out!
Why would kitchen organization be so important though, you might ask. See, a tiny kitchen is the hardest room to organize & fit into. Most people have to use their countertops for storage as well, simply because they couldn’t fit into their cabinets. Not realizing how this will make their apartment look cluttered & overcrowded!
So make sure you use versatile kitchen cabinet organizers, like an extandable pots & pans holder, mug hooks, corner shelf organizers, turntables or magnetic spice racks for your fridge. This way, you’ll minimize clutter & maximize the beauty of your space!
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you might also want to read:
| The perfect small apartment refrigerator : 13 best small space fridges to choose from |
10. Use decorative baskets for extra storage
If you feel like you just can’t fit into your small apartment, don’t give up! There’s still hope: decorative baskets will provide you with that much needed extra storage space!
And how beautiful they look while doing that! Place them under your coffee table, next to your sofa, into an empty corner, under your entryway bench or in front of your bed.
Hide all your unused stuff in them & gently lay a throw blanket & add some pillows on top, just to beautify your mess.
11. Utilize every inch of space
It would be a shame if you didn’t utilize every inch of space you have in your apartment! When you have constrainst on space, you’ll want to take every opportunity to somehow expand your storage/decor/living space.
Whether it’s a reading nook, a simple bookshelf or a home office, it’s always good to establish functional areas in otherwise empty spaces. Not only corners, but whole walls as well!
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12. Turn heads with statement chandeliers
Need one banger tip to make your small space jaw-droppingly beautiful? This is definitely it!
Statement chandeliers in your living room & bedroom are not only great for enhancing your small apartment design, but because they are strong focal points, they visually enlarge your space.
Sputnik chandeliers, rattan pendant lights, black hat chandliers, multiple ring LED chandeliers are all great options for small homes, but as long as your choice of chandelier is eye-catching, nothing can go wrong!
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you might also want to read:
| Small apartment kitchen design : 13 inspiring ideas to try |
13. Make your sofa look extra comfy
This one might just be the most subtle, yet impactful small space tip out there! Creating an inviting composition of throw pillows & blankets on your sofa is not only good for a snuggly movie night, but it’s also a great way of working with what you’ve already got!
And what I mean by that is that it doesn’t require you to sacrifice more space for a stunning decor! If you decorate your sofa right, you’ll be able to achieve the same eye-catching results as you would with regular, space-consuming decor items.
Try to mix & match textures, patterns & sizes for a very fun, exciting look that is sure to make your home feel more lived in!
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14. Get floor-to-ceiling curtains
There’s not one tinier, yet mightier detail to include into your small home design than putting up floor-to-ceiling curtains & drapes! It’s honestly one of the most life-changing small apartment ideas ever, even if it doesn’t really seem like that.
But trust me, you’ll be IN LOVE with the subtle final touch curtains can provide for your apartment! Not only will they make your home feel less rigid, but they’ll also help create an airy, cozy atmosphere that just feels great to be in!
Complement a simple flowy, white curtain with a warm neutral drape & you’ll be able to elevate any interior effortlessly!
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15. Tuck away your home office into your bedroom
If you only take one advice from this extensive small apartment guide, this should be it! Finding the perfect spot for a home office in a small apartment is a real struggle. Nothing seems to work: it’s too noticeable in your living room, it reduces functionality & space when you place it against an empty wall & so on.
It’s best if you hide it as much as you can! And what would be a better space for this than your bedroom? Utilize an empty corner next to your bed or closet as your office setup. Out of sight, out of mind!
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you might also want to read:
| How to furnish a small apartment | 12 brilliant solutions for small spaces |
16. DIY wall to wall shelves above your bed
Looking for extra decor surface, but don’t want to take away much space from yourself? Create a DIY wall-to-wall shelf! And do so in your bedroom, it’ll look best there!
Of course, it gives you tons of extra space for your decor to work with. But it also lends your small bedroom such a streamlined look! It’ll be a stunning focal point in your otherwise pretty focusless bedroom, which is great if you’d love to make it look more expansive.
So grab your favourite printables, candle holders & decorative vases for a beautiful composition. Illuminate your shelf with wall sconces, so that is has an even more accentuated role in your home decor!
17. Use proper mood lighting
Without proper mood lighting, a small apartment can rarely look its best! So make sure you go the extra mile & invest in different kinds of cute string lights & candle holders!
You can start incorporating them into your design right at your doorstep for a jaw-dropping outcome! Use caged lantern candle holders under your entryway bench, for example!
Scatter as many of these mood lighting options all over your apartment, like you see in the video above. They are so good both for the eyes AND for the soul! They’ll help create such an inviting ambience in even the smallest of spaces.
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