Have you ever thought that living in a small apartment means sacrificing style? Well, if that’s the case, then you’re wrong. In fact, creating a beautiful small apartment living room can be incredibly rewarding. It will challenge your creativity and encourage intentional design choices.
As an interior design enthusiast myself (and a former small apartment dweller!), I know how overwhelming it can be to try and fit everything into one small space. However, if you have the right approach, you can turn it into the most cozy and functional rooms you’ve ever had. So, let’s dive into the best tips and tricks that will help you turn your small apartment living room into an incredible space.
Also, if you want more tips on how to decorate an entire small apartment, then check out this post.
1. Plan the Perfect Small Apartment Living Room Layout
Creating a thoughtful layout is the key to making a small apartment feel both stylish and functional. So, before you dive into decorating, it’s important to take your time to understand your space and how you will actually use it. By doing a good and smart plan, it’s much easier to turn even the smallest living rooms into a cozy and open space.
1.1 Define Living Zones (Lounge, Work, Eat, Sleep)
In a small apartment living room, it’s best to define how you want to use the space. Will it be only strictly for lounging and watching TV? Or do you also need space for a desk or a dining area? Is it only a living room or does it also work as a bedroom? All of these questions are crucial to answer before you do anything else.
1.2 Measure Before You Buy: The Key to a Functional Layout
Now, once you know how you should use the space, then you can start thinking about where you should put the sofa, the TV bench, the coffee table and so on. That is because you now should start measuring your space.
If you know where the sofa should be, then you can measure and see how big sofa you can get. And the same goes with the rest of the furniture that should fit in the living room. If you know your dimensions it will help you avoid getting pieces that are too bulky or too small, and then also save some money.
A little tip is to use an app like MagicPlan or Planner 5D to make a simple sketch.
2. Best Furniture for Your Small Apartment Living Room (Stylish & Space-Saving)
It’s important to choose your furniture wisely since it can completely transform the room. The key here is to find pieces that are both space-savers and stylish. So, with the right selections, your furniture won’t just fit in the room, but it will also make the most of every inch without sacrificing style or comfort.
So, ask yourself these questions:
- How will I use this space on a daily basis? (Think about whether you’ll need room for lounging, working, dining, or entertaining.)
- Can this piece serve more than one function? (Look for furniture that offers storage, converts for guests, or adapts to different needs.)
- Is it the right scale for my room? (Make sure the dimensions suit your space and won’t overwhelm the layout.)
1.1 Choose Multi-Functional Furniture with Storage
When your space is limited, every piece of furniture should do a double duty. It could be ottomans with hidden storage, sleeper sofas or even nesting tables that can be tucked away when not used. There are so many options for small furniture nowadays, so there’s really no need to sacrifice style or function – just pick pieces that truly work for your space.
One of my favorite furniture pieces that works both as storage and a design element, is a coffee table with storage – such as this one. I think it’s such an amazing and minimalist piece. It has lots of storage and looks amazing. You can also use it without its legs to give it more of a low-profile, Japandi-inspired look.
If you want more inspiration on minimalist furniture pieces, then check out this post.
1.2 Find the Right Furniture Scale for Small Spaces
It’s important to avoid overstuffed or oversized furniture pieces since this can make the whole room look bulky and crowded. Instead, look for low-profile sofas, armless chairs and narrow side tables that will keep the open feeling in the room. This actually makes such a huge difference to how the whole room feels.
3. How to Use Color and Natural Light to Make Your Apartment Look Bigger
Let’s move on to light and color, which actually have a very powerful impact on how spacious and inviting a room feels – especially a small apartment. So, by choosing the right colors and making the most out of natural light, you can instantly open up your space to create a fresh and airy atmosphere. A well-balanced color palette can add personality without overwhelming the room.
3.1 Neutral Color Palettes That Brighten Small Rooms
But what colors should you choose then? Well, light and neutral colors can really make your small apartment living room feel much larger and brighter. For instance, whites, creams and soft greys will reflect natural light and really open up the space.
However, you might not want everything to be in neutrals, then it won’t be any dimension or interest in the room. So, go for neutrals on the bigger furnitures, such as the sofa. Then, add pops of colors through throw pillows, artwork or even a bold rug. For instance, a beige sofa with emerald green velvet pillows and a rust-colored throw blanket – a cozy and elevated look.
3.2 Maximize Natural Light in Small Apartments
One thing that makes a small apartment living room feel much larger is natural light. So, if you have the luxury to have large or many windows you have to use that. That means to not cover them with heavy drapes, instead use sheer curtains or hang them high and wide to let the light pour in. This will make your ceiling feel much taller.
Another amazing designer trick is to add mirrors opposite to your windows. They will reflect the light to make the room appear much bigger without you really doing anything. An amazing tip!
4. Use Vertical Space in Your Small Apartment Living Room Like a Pro
One thing that is very underrated in small apartment living rooms, is the vertical space. When you’re short on square footage, the key really is to look up. How can I work with the vertical space? Take advantage of your walls by adding storage and display decor. It will create a visual interest without overcrowding the floor.
4.1 Best Vertical Storage Solutions for Small Living Rooms
So, when working with a compact layout, it’s smart to think beyond traditional floor-level furniture, as we covered before.
So, use vertical solutions such as tall shelving units, stacked storage cubes or even wall-mounted cabinets. These will help you store many more things without taking up valuable walking space. It could even be only a hook, pegboards or a hanging organizer. All of these things will help you free up your floors.
4.2 Where to Hang Wall Art to Make the Room Feel Taller
One amazing tip I learned not too long ago is hanging your art a little higher up than you might think. This will actually draw the eye upwards and create the illusion of height. So, consider a gallery wall that spans from mid-wall to ceiling for more of a dramatic look.
Love this post? Do you want to know how to decorate a small apartment bedroom? Check out this post for more inspiration!
5. Declutter Your Small Apartment Living Room with These Smart Storage Tips
If you don’t have that much space to work with, it’s even more important to keep your clutter under control. A small apartment living room can really go from cozy to chaotic very fast if clutter starts piling up. That is why smart storage and mindful styling are essential in these small spaces.
So, by keeping your things organized and by being selective with your decor, you can really create a calm and breathable space that feels much bigger and more intentional.
5.1 Stylish Storage Ideas for Small Spaces
But what are the different storage solutions? For instance, you can use storage baskets, decorative boxes or even benches with hidden compartments in order to keep your space organized. One thing that helps me a lot is the mindset that everything should have a home, even a small pencil.
Honestly, this has helped me feel so much less overwhelmed. I used to lose almost everything I owned – until I finally gave each item a designated spot. So, if you’re as confused as I am, then this is a dealbreaker.
5.2 Decluttering Tips: Keep It Minimal Yet Cozy
The best thing to go by in a small living room is minimalism. Too much decor can quickly overwhelm the space and make it feel crowded and small. So, be intentional with what you display.
Also, keep your surfaces clean and uncluttered for a much more visual calm. It makes the biggest difference.
Use the “one in, one out” rule when adding new items – if you bring something new in, consider donating or storing something else.
Want even more decluttering tips? Then check out this post!
6. How to Add Personality to a Small Apartment Living Room Without Clutter
Even though your living room is small – it doesn’t have to be boring. The key here is to really express your style in a subtle and intentional way so that you don’t overwhelm your space. So, use the right textures, colors and accents to make the room feel exactly like you.
6.1 Use Texture to Add Depth in Small Spaces
I mentioned earlier that you should not cramp your space with decor. What you can do instead to express your style is to mix textures. For instance, mix different knits, woven baskets, matte ceramics, glossy plants and even metallic accents. All of these different textures will add interest and personality to your space.
This is actually one of my favorite designer tricks, to layer different textures. Also, try to be creative with the colors and patterns, but keep it minimal to keep the open feeling.
6.2 Stick to a Cohesive Color Palette (Without Being Boring)
So, if you want to mix colors and patterns, it is really important to keep a consistent color palette. This doesn’t mean that everything has to match, but it should feel harmonious. For instance, if you love earthy tones, choose warm wooden furniture, rust pillows and olive green accents. It’s not the same palette but it goes in the same tones to make the look complete.
7. Make Your Small Apartment Living Room Feel Cozy & Functional
While choosing the right furniture and colors is key, what truly makes a space feel like home is how much you enjoy being in it. That’s why these final touches matter so much – thoughtful lighting, a smart layout, and the little details can transform your small apartment living room into a warm, inviting home.
7.1 How to Layer Lighting for a Warm, Welcoming Feel
One thing that really makes the space cozy is the lighting. So, think about how you want your home to look when the natural light disappears. Do you want your living room to shine bright with only one lighting in the middle of the room? Or, do you want it to be cozy with different types of lighting?
For instance, you can include table lamps, floor lamps, sconces and even string lights. This will add dimention and make the space feel so much more warm and welcoming.
If you’re interested in knowing more about how our lighting choices affects us, then check out this post.
7.2 Use Area Rugs to Define Spaces in Small Apartments
One thing that’s actually a little underrated are the rugs. These both add lots of warmth, but they also can help anchor different parts of your small apartment living room. For instance, a large area rug under the sofa can help define the lounging area, while a runner next to your window can highlight a reading nook.
Go back to the different zones in your living room and see how you can work with different rugs in your living room.
7.3 How to Style Your Small Apartment Living Room with Indoor Plants
Last but not least – the greenery. This will add so much lige and softness to your living room. But since we’re working with a small space, then we can’t include the biggest plants. So, in your small living room you can go for vertical or hanging planters, or even small pots that can sit on shelves or windowsills.
A few examples on plants to include are: pothos, snake plants and ZZ plants. All of these are low-maintenance and great for beginners as well.
Final Thoughts
So, in conclusion, designing a small apartment living room is alla bout intentionality. With that I mean that every piece matters, every inch counts and every design decision matters. Each of these factors will help you transform your small apartment living room.
I hope these small apartment living room ideas gave you tons of inspiration and confidence! Remember, it’s not about the size of your space – it’s how you design it. Let me know in the comments which tip you’re trying first!
Have questions or want help styling your own space? Drop a comment or reach out – I’d love to hear from you!
