New Yorkers know this better than anyone: In a small apartment, the best solution is to make your space feel bigger and brighter. So how do you decorate for small spaces? While many petite apartments feel cluttered and dark, the best thing you can do with limited space is to give it the appearance of airiness. Think of all-white modern apartment décor with textured fabrics and little clutter.
This can be achieved with a minimal color palette, clever window treatments, and multipurpose furniture. There are also a few things to avoid—dark and bulky furniture, too many decorative accessories, and inadequate lighting. To achieve the simplistic look, you'll have to let go of unused items and hand-me-downs that don't perfectly fit your layout.
Your space is about to feel 10 times bigger: Read on to learn 8 modern décor tips for small apartments.
White walls aren't just a trend for clean, bright spaces—they're also a designer trick to make a room feel more open. By pairing sleek white paint with natural colors in the furniture, Becca Interiors makes this apartment feel larger without sacrificing the warmth of earthy tones. When it comes to choosing colors, stick to neutral palettes like tan leather, wood, and woven textures while keeping more colorful accents contained in artwork and décor.
If you have low ceilings, opt for the Brushed Brass Finish Capiz Shell Ceiling Light. This elegant flush mount fixture features beautiful Capiz shells and brushed brass, making it the perfect choice to enhance your space without adding visual clutter. By seamlessly blending into the ceiling, this light fixture draws the eye upward, creating an airy and spacious feel in your dining room, bedroom, kitchen, or entryway.
Another long-lasting interior designer trick is the use of mirrors in small spaces. By bouncing natural light across the room, large mirrors cleverly make your space appear larger when you're working with low-light areas.
You don't have to have a green thumb to bring beautiful greenery to your space. In apartments that lack those lush, leafy views, bring the outdoors inside by incorporating plants in your interior. If you're not the plant parent type, opt for faux leaves staged in attractive vases for a touch of color without the upkeep.
Keep a small bathroom's color palette to a minimum. Even if you want to go bold with a single tone, be sure to keep other accents in the room like towels, floor mats, and vanity storage simple. In this bathroom by House Nine, white tiled walls complement a natural wood mirror and dark vanity without overwhelming the space with color.
Keep all your linens white to make your bathroom feel like a five-star hotel. It's also helpful to mix different textures for visual effect when working with white rooms, like pairing fluffy rugs with sleek towels and sheer curtains.
Blown Glass Steel Frame Single Sconce Collection- Stylish Wall Light Fixture, Bathroom Sconce
To save space on side tables and other valuable surface areas in a small apartment, mount your lighting directly on the walls. Not only does it make more room for plants and other décor (goodbye, floor lamps!), it also creates a sleek, modern look.
If you're lucky enough to live in a space with plenty of large, bright windows, use them as your focal point. Organize the room to place furniture near windows for an open, airy look that won't feel closed-in (even if you're working with limited space). In this living room, a green couch styled in front of floor-to-ceiling windows complements outdoor greenery and houseplants.
