Did you know that 80% of renters live in apartments under 500 sq ft? However, that doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice style or comfort (Learn how to balance style and comfort here). So, in this post, I’m sharing 20 of my best budget-friendly small apartment decorating ideas to help you create a stylish and functional space. And you know what? They’re amazing!
You can always turn your small apartment into a cozy, functional and luxurious space – with a little bit of creativity and some smart decorating strategies. The best part is – you can do it on a budget!
No matter if you’re a renter, a city dweller or just someone who works in a very small office, these tips will help you maximize your space and express your personal style. So, let’s dive in and discover 20 small apartment decorating ideas on a budget.
Want to learn how to maximize luxury in a tiny home? Read this post.
1. How to Create a Design Plan: Small Apartment Decorating Ideas on a Budget
Before we start decorating, it’s always great to have a plan – especially if you’re doing this on a budget. So, take a moment to assess your space. I know how much of a difference it does – and how much cheaper it gets if you just have a plan!
- What are its strengths and limitations?
- What do you need the most?
- How do you want it to feel? – Cozy, spacious, multifunctional?
By asking yourself these questions, it’s much easier to create a plan for your decorating journey. And by creating a plan and sticking to a budget, it’s much easier to avoid unnecessary purchases – but also ensure that every item in your home serves a purpose.
2. How to Maximize Natural Light in a Small Apartment
As always – lighting – it’s soo important to make a space feel larger and more inviting. This might also be the reason your home feels as small as it does.
When it comes to curtains, there are one main important thing you shuold think about and that is the color. If you choose light, airy curtains instead of heavy drapes it can make the biggest difference. You can also try sheer fabrics that will allow for natural light to filter through. Small apartment deocrating ideas like these can make a huge difference in creating a bright and open space.
However, if your natural light is limited, you should consider getting a mirror to reflect the light and create an illusion of more space. I promise you – you will see a difference immediately! You can find a perfect mirror choice under $20 here.
3. Best Multi-Functional Furniture for Small Spaces
Another key factor in decorating a small space is using multi-functional furniture. This is especially important if you have little to no storage.
Look for and invest in pieces that serve multiple purposes, such as a storage ottoman that can double as a saeting and a place to stash blankets. It cuold also be a dining table you can use both as a workspace and an eating area. These kinds of smart choices are essential when it comes to small apartment decorating ideas.
Smart furniture ideas for small spaces:
- Murphy beds – Fold away during the day.
- Sofa beds – Dual-purpose sleeping.
- Nesting tables – Compact & stylish.
4. Small Apartment Decorating Ideas: Creative Storage Solutions
Okay – storage, something most small apartments lack. That’s why you need to get a little creative here, you need to think outside the box. For instance:
- Use vertical space: Install shelves high up on walls to store books, plants or decorative objects.
- Opt for under-bed storage: Store seasonal clothes, shoes or extra bedding in bins under your bed.
- Hang hooks and racks: Wall-mounted racks in the kitchen can hold utensils, while over-the-door hooks can store bags and coats.
- Use baskets and bins: Stylish baskets can be placed on shelves or under furniture to keep clutter at bay.
You can find my top 16 home organization essentials here.
5. The Best Color Schemes for Small Apartments
This is so much more important that some people think. You might want to get darker colors in order to make it cozy – and that works of course. However, if you want your space to look bigger, it’s very important to choose lighter colors.
Want to know more about the psychology behind colors? Check out this post.
So, choose neutral colors such as white, beige or pastels. All of these colors will create an open and airy feel to your space, which is key when it comes to small apartment decorating ideas. But if you are someone that loves bold colors, such as orange and yellow, you can use them as accents.
For instance, you can get a yellow pillow, artwork or even rugs. However, I would recommend getting a light rug, but with touches of your bold favorite color. This will add personality to the space without overwhelming it.
6. Small Apartment Decorating Ideas: How to Use Mirrors for a Bigger Look
Mirrors are not just good for reflecting the light and staring at yourself in – it’s also a decorator’s secret weapon for small spaces. Placing a large mirror opposite to a window can reflect light and make a room feel bigger – as we discussed before.
However, you should also consider what kind of mirrors you are placing. You could of course get a plain full body mirror if that’s what you want. But, you could also consider mirrored furniture or gallery-style mirror walls to enhance the sense of space. It’s a beautiful and different way to add depth and interest to your space. Small apartment decorating ideas like these can make your home feel much larger and more open.
7. Best Low-Maintenance Plants for Small Apartments
Now, let’s talk about one of my favorite small apartment decorating ideas to make a space feel alive – plants!
So, bringing in greenery to your home will add a sense of freshness and of course a natural element. Even if you consider yourself being bad at taking care of plants – there are several low-maintenance plants that will thrive in small spaces.
It could be something like a snake plant, pothos and succulents. All of these plants love to be in small spaces and are very easy to take care of. At least consider getting a real plant!
8. Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper for Small Apartment Decorating Ideas
Renters, rejoice! I think we’ve all moved into an apartment and hated the way the tiles look and the way the walls look. Also, we don’t always have the option to really do any renovations to the space – and it’s expensive! That is where peel-and-stick wallpaper comes in handy.
This is an easy and affordable way to add personality to your space without causing any damage. When exploring small apartment decorating ideas, you could easily choose bold geometric patterns, but also subtle texture. However, remember what I said about colors and small spaces.
I think this is such a smart thing and it can really transform your walls, furniture or even a kitchen backsplash.
9. Smart Space-Saving Furniture Ideas
When choosing furnitures – choose smart! You might not have thought about this before, but furnitures with exposed legs or acrylic furniture actually creates an illusion of an open space. That’s why you should consider adding a floating desk, wall-mounted nightstands or maybe even a clear acrylic coffee table.
All of these options will create a visually light and uncluttered space – the most perfect example of small apartment decorating ideas.
10. Decluttering Tips for a Tidy Small Apartment
There is literally nothing that could make a small apartment feel more cramped faster than clutter. When thinking about small apartment decorating ideas, keeping your space organized is key. This is something that should always be an ongoing process in your home. You should keep only what you truly love and need.
If you don’t know where to start when decluttering your home, check out this post of 10 decluttering strategies. Also, if you want even more help getting started and actually getting through your whole home – I have made this 5 week decluttering challenge that you can find here.
Okay, so how do you maintain it you may ask. Well, it’s actually kind of simple – use the one-in, one-out rule. This is one of the best small apartment decorating ideas to keep your space organized. As soon as you bring something new in, remove something else to maintain a balance. The things you get rid of, you can also sell. This way you will also get a little money in, which is great if you’re on a budget.
11. DIY Small Apartment Decorating Ideas on a Budget
One thing I love is a little DIY project. For instance, if you found a designer coffee table that you LOVE, but it is very expensive. Ask yourself it there is a way you can make it yourself? I did it and so can you!
This is also a great way to personalize your space, here are a few examples:
- Frame your own artwork or photographs.
- Create a gallery wall with thrifted frames.
- Repurpose old furniture with a fresh coat of paint.
- Sew your own cushion covers to refresh a sofa or bed.
12. How to Create Separate Zones – Small Apartment Decorating Ideas
So, even in a studio apartment, you can create the feeling of separate rooms by just defining different areas, for instance:
- Use a bookshelf as a divider to separate your sleeping and living spaces.
- Add a rug to define a seating area.
- Use curtains or a folding screen to add privacy.
13. Budget-Friendly Lighting Ideas for Small Spaces
Another very important thing to consider when thinking about small apartment decorating ideas is lighting. I’m not a fan of overhead lighting – it often feels too harsh, no matter the room. Instead, consider using layered lighting. Here are a few things to keep in mind for when you choose your lights. What kind of feeling do you want to achieve?
- Table lamps and floor lamps create warmth.
- String lights add coziness.
- LED strip lights under shelves or cabinets add depth.
14. Floating & Foldable Desks for Small Home Offices
If you live in a small apartment and you also work from home, it could be hard to find a great spot for your work. You can of course use the dining table, however it might be small and a place you want to separate from work which is totally understandable.
There are of course other options, for instance a foldable or wall-mounted desk is an amazing space-saving solution. You can then pair it with a comfortable but compact chair to maintain functionality without taking up too much space.
15. Genius Small Apartment Decorating Ideas to Use Every Nook & Cranny
I think we can all agree that almost every single one of us have at least one unused corner or an awkward space that can actually be turned into functional areas.
This could be a great spot for example a small corner desk, a reading nook with a cozy chair or even a floating shelf for some extra storage. This way you maximize ever single inch of your apartment.
16. Adding Personality to Small Spaces with Textiles
If you want to add even more personality to your space, you can easily do that with textiles. By layering different textiles, you will add both warmth and character to your space – especially when considering small apartment decorating ideas. I actually love this trick and am always playing around with different textiles to make the most of my space. If you’re looking for small apartment decorating ideas, this is a great way to add personality! For instance, you could:
- Mix and match throw pillows.
- Use a textured rug for added comfort.
- Drape a cozy blanket over a sofa or bed.
17. Thrift Store & Secondhand Decor Finds for Small Apartments
One thing that I have fallen in love with the last couple of years are actually secondhand and thrift stores. You can find soo many things here and unique things!
I also love a little DIY project so I guess these to go hand in hand. I get something where I can see a potential, in either a thrift store or on secondhand. Then I bring it home and give it new life by either changing the fabric or repainting it.
You can also check out flea markets or online marketplaces for unique and affordable decor finds.
18. Flexible Furniture Ideas for Small Spaces
If you are like me – I get bored easily and want a change – then you might want to choose furniture that can adapt. With that I mean stackable stools, nesting tables and rolling carts. All of these picks offer flexibility and can be moved easily, meaning that you can rearrange your furniture easily.
19. Small Entryway Ideas for a More Functional Apartment
One great tip is to actually create a small entryway. Often, when you get a smaller apartment you might not have an entryway, you might just step into the kitchen directly. However, it will make a huge difference by just adding a small little entryway. If you’re looking for small apartment decorating ideas, this is a simple yet effective way to make your space fel more structured. You can easily do it by just a few simple touches:
- Add a small bench or stool for putting on shoes.
- Use a wall-mounted hook rack for coats and bags.
- Place a decorative tray to hold keys and essentials.
20. How to Make Your Bed the Focal Point in a Small Bedroom
Now for the bedroom – here it’s important to keep the bed the focal point. This will make the bed look bigger compared to if you choose to put your bed agianst the wall. If you put the bed in the middle of the room, then you may also fit two small bedside table on each side.
However, when placing it in the middle of the room it is also important to make it look intentional. Here are a few tips on how to do that:
- Use a stylish headboard (or DIY one).
- Layer bedding with cozy textures.
- Add wall art above the bed to complete the look.
Final Thoughts
Okay, so I hope you are now feeling that it is actually possible to make your small apartment look and feel a little bit bigger. Decorating a small apartment on a budget is all abuot maximizing space, choosing versatile furniture and also adding personal touches that will make your home feel like you.
So, with a little creativity and smart choices, you can easily transform your small space into a stylish and fnuctional home.
Do you have any small-space decorating tips that worked for you? Share them in the comments below! This way we can learn from each other.
Also, don’t forget to share your favorite pictures on Pinterest!
