Looking for the BEST ideas on how to make a small apartment look nice? You're in the right place! Here are 18 easy ways to make a small apartment look expensive that have never EVER not worked!
Want to make a small apartment look expensive? Easy-peasy!
I know EXACTLY how tacky a smaller size apartment can look if you don't know the right tips & tricks!
Not only do you have to choose the right size furniture & decor for your home to keep your space looking proportional, BUT you also have to pay attention to the tiniest details: materials, shape & so much more. This is VERY overwhelming.
But know that you're not alone! This guide will help you out! I made this specifically for YOU, because I also had that same problem!
So read & learn my top 18 tried & true ideas on how to make a small apartment look nice that are foolproof, budget-friendly & super effective!
HOW TO MAKE A SMALL APARTMENT LOOK NICE
01. Hang curtains in an elegant way
If there's one thing you should be doing to make your small apartment look much more lavish, it's definitely hanging your curtains in the most elegant way possible: from floor to ceiling!
Floor-to-ceiling drapes just elevate any room so much! Not only will they instantly draw your eyes in, making you forget about the small size of your home, BUT they'll also help keep your home looking proportional!
How exactly? By elongating your space, which will perfectly counteract the narrowness of it, contributing to a very harmonious, balanced small apartment design!
02. Layer rugs
When it comes to decorating a small apartment, a single rug is just NOT enough! It is, if you want your space to be purely functional, but since you're here, I suppose you'd LOVE to know how to make a small apartment look nice as well!
The key to that is to start layering rugs! Especially in a room as central as your living room! This simple idea will add SO much to your apartment aesthetically!
You'll essentially be creating a focal point, which is very important in small spaces, because they help make your home look bigger!
There are tons of resources out there on how exactly to layer your rugs, but I think the ultimate foolproof way to do so is to get a basic cotton / rattan area rug that's very minimal in pattern & color. Layer a faux cowhide rug on top of it & you're good to go!
03. Decorate with throw pillows
I always say that it's better to work with what you've already got than to buy things you don't ACTUALLY need! That's why I think that one of the BEST small apartment decor ideas is to decorate with your throw pillows - both in your bedroom & living room!
You'll want to get yourself a nice-looking set of throw pillow covers similar to those that you can see on the photo above! Get a solid colored one, one that has no pattern, but is textured, AND one that has an intriguing pattern!
This way, you'll make sure that you have both eventful, and simple elements in your design.
And here's my tried & true method that'll result in the most STUNNING throw pillows EVER: go one size down on your pillow inserts! This will make your pillows look fluffy & will also make it easier for you to style them (I'm thinking karate chop, of course!).
04. Add a touch of elegance with metallic accents
The easiest & most effective way to make a small apartment look expensive, is to incorporate metallic accents into your design!
Whether it's a metal frame coffee table, a metal frame mirror, a silver, gold or black metal floor lamp or a wooden dining table with metal legs, metallic details will make any small room feel bougie!
Due to their reflective properties, they'll make your space feel much more expansive, but you also won't be able to take your eyes off of them! They're statement pieces, really!
05. Hang oversized artwork
You might already know that going vertical with decor is essential! But here's how to make a small apartment look nice: you'll want to get OVERSIZED pieces of art for your home!
Why? Simply because small ones don't work in smaller size homes! They just make everything feel disproportional & dwarf your space even more! So don't even think about getting those tacky hanging frames or tiny, A4 or under frames! Just don't!
Instead, opt for oversized artwork: large textured canvas art, large abstract painting, oversized plaster wall art or even extra large horizontal paintings! These will catch the eyes right away, making you focus on the size of your apartment less.
06. Style your coffee table well
One thing that could make OR break an expensive look is how you style your coffee table! I honestly can't think of ONE item in my apartment that has a more central place than my coffee table & this is probably true for you as well!
And because of its central place, a coffee tables become an accentuated point in your apartment that should be decorated with style! Here's how:
First, you'll want to get a few decorative books & stack them upon each other. Then, you'll need one tiny decorative element - a sculpture, a candle, a bowl or anything, really!- to place on top of the books, so that they don't look so empty.
Lastly, you'll need a cute little tray as well! Place it next to the set of books & fill it with beautiful goodies: candles & a vase with fresh flowers.
So easy is that! Super simple, but you'll NEVER go wrong with this!
YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO READ:
| Small apartment coffee table : the top 23 picks for small spaces for every budget & style |
07. Mirrors are your best friend
Mirrors are honestly game-changers in small spaces! They not only make your space feel much bigger, but they make it feel airier & energized as well!
There's lots of possibilities around mirrors, really! You can either prop them against an empty wall (this works mostly with full-length mirrors, but wall mirrors can look nice this way too!), place them in an empty corner, or hang them somewhere!
Make sure each room has at LEAST one mirror for maximum beauty!
08. Invest in a statement chandelier
Once again, here comes the "work with what you've already got" principle into play! You'll want to prioritizing statement chandeliers instead of basic, boring pendant lights!
They'll make your living room, kitchen, dining room, bedroom, you name it look SPECTACULAR without breaking the bank! They're literally the perfect addition to any space & they'll complete any design so effortlessly!
09. Only buy frames that come with a photo mat
This one might not be the most important idea on how to make a small apartment look nice, but it's surely a great way to elevate the design you already have.
And that is, to exclusively buy photo frames that come with a photo mat!
Just take a look at the photo above for reference! See how that gallery wall makes everything seem 10 times more expensive? The fact that the photos don't take up the whole frame just makes them look less tacky & more classy, the perfect wall decor for small spaces!
You'll definitely want to recreate the look for yourself!
10. Use wall sconces here & there
Wall sconces are super elegant, but they are sadly super underrated as well! But I'm here to tell you to get a few ASAP, because they are not only pretty, but practical too!
From black metal, through gold globe to LED wall sconces, there are plenty of options on the market for you to choose from! But one thing is given: they are a space-saving alternative to table lamps and they're also much more functional when it comes to surface lighting!
So what's stopping you from embelishing your bedroom or living room walls with them? Use them as substitutes for table lamps, as display / art / picture lighting or purely as wall decor!
11. Change ALL your hardware - like right now!
Changing your hardware might seem like a tiny, futile alteration to your space, but trust me when I say that it's THE most important one you'll ever make!
And no, I'm not kidding! Simply changing old, ugly hardware on all your kitchen cabinets, dressers, bathroom cabinets & entryway console table will result in a very expensive-looking outcome!
Whether you want gold, black or silver, modern, traditional or contemporary, you'll find all the best buttons, drawer pulls & handles in this post!
YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO READ:
| 13 Insanely Good Apartment Hacks for Renters that’ll Transform Any Boring Rental! |
12. Get a tall tufted headboard for your bed
If you're looking for the most important idea on how to make a small apartment look nice, you've just found it! Because there's nothing more impressive you could do to your small space than to get a LARGE tufted headboard!
And yes, your headboard HAS to be large & tufted! Take a look at the photo above! That gorgeous headboard is a very strong focal point in your small apartment bedroom, locking the eyes in instantly!
It makes the whole bedroom design look more put together! You'll feel like you're in a spacious 5 star hotel, not in your tiny bedroom.
YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO READ:
| 23 life-changing small apartment bedroom ideas for an efficient, yet stunning space |
13. Get aesthetic bottles for your kitchen + bathroom
Tired of having to hide all those ugly bottles? I know exactly how disgusting those mismatched bottles can look, especially if you only keep accumulating them & not throwing them out! However, the solution is SUPER easy: get matching eco-bottles!
They'll look extremely cute in on your kitchen sink or bathroom sink! Not only that, but they eco-friendly - & therefore wallet-friendly on the long run!
So you SHOULD be getting those pretty labeled jars for your dish soap, shampoo or conditioner. Don't forget to match your spray bottles as well!
14. Create a hotel quality bed using blankets
Creating a hotel quality bed has its perks both when it comes to a good night's sleep, AND aesthetics! I'm sure you'd love to jump into the bed on the photo above, but see how the bedding & the overall look of the bed just makes the whole room feel much more expensive?
And luckily, achieving the same thing for YOUR apartment bedroom is super easy! Apart from placing nice, fluffy throw pillows of different sizes & shapes onto your bed, you'll need multiple different blankets as well!
First, you'll need a comforter! Lay it at the end of your bed, fold it over nicely. Then, get a chunky knit blanket. Place it right on top of your comforter, as seen above. If you want to, you can tuck the end of the chunky knit blanket under the folded comforter for a hotel-like finish.
And finally, get a throw blanket of your liking. You'll use this one as a purely decorative element: just throw it onto one side of your bed & don't worry much about making it look perfect!
15. Use large vases for your greenery
This is really one of the most underrated ideas on how to make a small apartment look nice, but similar to oversized artwork, getting a set of oversized vases will effortlessly elevate your apartment!
So if you'd love to lend your apartment a luxurious ambience, definitely get tall, large glass vases to put on your coffee table, on a console table, on your window sills or in an empty corner!
Add your favourite dried flower bouquet, fresh, seasonal flowers or branches even, and ta-da! There you have an expensive-looking interior!
16. Play around with shapes
Playing with shapes is essential in creating a lavish apartment interior! If you don't really know what that means, stay tuned! Because it's easier than you think!
Take a look at the photo above! Pretty much any possible shape can be seen there: from the round accent chairs to the abstract sculpture in the back, there are more rectangular and rounder shapes as well!
And small apartments especially love versatile shapes! The rectangular items conflict with the round ones in a very appealing way. This composition is SO nice to look at & so eventful -and it's all thanks to the different shapes!
So get inspired & recreate the look for your own apartment right here!
17. Hide any trace of functionality
There's nothing less appealing in an apartment than remote controls, reading glasses or tissue paper laying around on your coffee / console table! No matter how stunning your small apartment design is, these everyday items can easily ruin it.
That's why it's important that you get rid of ANY traces of functionality right away! Use storage furniture (storage bed or sofa or a storage ottoman), decorative storage baskets or cute storage boxes to hide all your clutter!
You'd be surprised how something so simple could literally transform your space & make it look more luxurious! Try it out for yourself!
18. If you need more storage, get a slim metallic bookcase
If you already have your furniture & can't really get rid of them, and you REALLY need more storage, I highly recommend you get a tall, slim metallic bookcase!
The slim, metallic structure of the bookcase makes it look less tacky & less eye-catching, so no matter your chosen interior design, you'll be able to easily fit it into your space -and provide that very much needed extra storage for yourself!
Decorate it richly using candles, potted plants, storage boxes & sculptures to make it an appealing part of your home.
YOU MIGHT ALSO WANT TO READ:
| 24 clever small apartment storage ideas for the most effective small space ever |
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