15 Clever Things You Need to Decorate If You Have a Teeny-Tiny Apartment
No matter how many stars we wish upon, most of us remain without our mansion at the top of the hill. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t appreciate our small spaces just as much as the massive ones in our dreams. In fact, there are tons of decorating tips to keep your tinier dwellings feeling like the palace you’ve always wanted. Whether it’s furniture with hidden storage, slim versions of appliances you can’t find the space for, or accents and details you can invest in to make your room feel larger no matter what you fill it with—here are our 15 favorite home decor ideas for small spaces.
1/15The Printed Walls
Before you fill your home with anything, consider the walls. A fun print will work wonders at instantly opening up a space, no matter how small it might be. And if you're not ready to fully commit to plastering on a pattern, consider removable wallpaper rolls.
Wallflora Monstera Leaves pattern removable wallpaper, $64. amazon.com.
2/15The Upholstered Storage Solution
Include some living room furniture that you can fill with items that otherwise clutter—with guests being none the wiser. Shop for for an upholstered bench with a top that lifts to reveal a large storage area inside.
Madison Park Shandra tufted-top storage bench, $170. amazon.com.
3/15The Invisible Furniture
Tables (or chairs!) that you can see right through will decrease visual clutter, making a small space seem more open. This console is A++ in a tight entryway—you can stow shoes in storage bins underneath—or put a pair side-by-side behind your couch.
Clear Console Table, $270.99. amazon.com.
4/15The Nesting Tables
How can you triple your table space without adding more clutter? With nesting tables. Not only do they add unique detail and shape to your space when nested, but when you have guests over, you can pull them out from one another and spread them around the room.
Kings Brand Antique Finish three-piece nesting table set, $110. amazon.com.
5/15The Carryalls
In convertible spaces, like a coffee table, trays are a godsend. They're a fun and decorative way to keep all of your trinkets and table knick-knacks in one place—and they make for easy moving when you want to use that space for something else once guests show up.
Paras Udaipur black bone inlay tray, $90. amazon.com.
6/15The Magnetic Storage Strip
Why waste space on your kitchen counters with a huge knife block? Not only will a magnetic wall strip save that precious counter space for all your cooking needs, but it looks pretty cool, too!
wooDsom walnut 16” magnetic knife strip, $40. amazon.com.
7/15The Open Bookshelf
The cubed bookshelf is a must-have in all small spaces. Not only is it a great way to stow everything from beautiful coffee table books to unmentionables in closed bins and baskets, but it's also a great way to separate spaces. Consider a cubed bookshelf in a studio apartment for an airy way to give your bedroom a little more privacy from your living room without a heavy wall or curtain.
Better Homes & Gardens 8-cube organizer, $85. amazon.com.
8/15The All-in-One Tool
It's easy to amass quite a collection of kitchen tools. And guess what: They take up a ton of space. How great is this eight-in-one tool that doesn't take up more space on your counter than a bottle of wine? And we know you've found space for a few of those in your kitchen.
Butefo 8-in-1 kitchen tool set, $9, amazon.com.
9/15The Folding Furniture
Maximize space by investing in furniture that can be easily stored when you're not using it. Fold-up chairs don't have to look like the eye-sores that your high school spread out at the gym for graduation day. In fact, we'd venture to say that this bamboo style is even chicer than most non-folding chairs we've seen.
Flash Furniture American Champion bamboo folding chair, $37. amazon.com.
10/15The Storage Bed
Anyone living in a tiny apartment knows the value of storage space. Make use of the empty space beneath your bed—a.k.a., the one piece of furniture we can bet is a nonnegotiable taker-up-of-space in any living situation. Opt for a frame with drawers underneath or go crazy with a style that boats a headboard bookshelf as well.
Prepac espresso queen Mate’s platform storage bed with 6 drawers, $205. amazon.com.
11/15The Size Small Refrigerator
Did you know that retro appliances take up decidedly less space than modern ones? Ditch that wide fridge for a narrower retro model. While you may think your only two options are a massive icebox or miniature that fits little more than a six-pack, it's worth digging a little more for slimmer full-size options.
Smeg 50’s retro style aesthetic refrigerator with freezer compartment, $1,999. amazon.com.
12/15The Wall-Mounted Lighting
Don't waste precious floor or table real estate for light. Brighten up your room with sconces placed over tables, couches, you name it! Not to mention that you can shop for some awesome styles that will allow you to direct maximum light to the area of the room with the most action.
Sunsbell swing arm wall lamp, $44. amazon.com.
13/15The Floating Shelves
Anything that doesn't have to be on a tabletop shouldn't be. Leave that space as clear as possible for other less-static items—especially when entertaining. Floating shelves are easy to install—no matter what room needs a little extra boost. And they allow you to display much more than just a single hanging image.
Kiera Grace edge picture frame ledge, $13. amazon.com.
14/15The Oversized Mirror
Mirrors will instantly open up your room, giving the illusion that it's worlds larger than it actually is. Instead of a smaller hung mirror, try an oversized style that leans against the wall. Not only is it functional, it's also a beautiful piece of art.
Coaster Home Furnishings mirror, $174. amazon.com.
15/15The Space-Dividing Rug
Keep a small space open, while also partitioning off separate useable spaces, with a great rug. Perhaps you live in a studio apartment and want to make your bedroom area look different from your living room; or maybe your tiny house requires that your dining table sits in your kitchen. A rug—no matter how large or small—is a simple way to visually organize your smaller space from the ground up (literally).
Surya Tasman hand woven shag area rug, 8x10 feet, $1,424. amazon.com
