How to decorate a small apartment

[Melisande]

Hi! In general, for a spacious feel, keep furniture low and keep colors light and in a similar tone...unless you favor the cluttered and cozy look of course, which can also be nice but could be overbearing. Don't be afraid of a favorite "impact piece" however, whether it be artwork or a chair. It helps add character and create interest in a small space. Its also a good idea to keep off-season items in storage. Im sure a small studio in Toronto would be considered a huge flat in Tokyo! HTH!

[Kaki]

I agree about keeping the furniture low and the colors light - it will really help open up your space (unless you plan on lofting your bed)! If you get on Flickr and search for small rooms, there are some great suggestions. This person has uploaded some photographs of small rooms that are well-decorated!

[adorefaith]

yeah...good suggestions...light colours and low furniture...another idea would be mirrors...they give the illusion of more space...
* having said that, you don't always have to stick with typical small-space decorating....i once had a really small space and instead of sticking with sleek, low pieces and neutral colours, i opted to make it really cosy and inviting... i used a lot of warm colours, moroccan rugs and wall hangings, lots of polaroids, photos and art... there were little things that i have picked up on my travels all over the place... something to look at and focus your eye on everywhere you turned.. and i LOVED it. it was really 'me' and i felt like i was home every time i stepped into the space.
...i think the best thing to do is to make sure that every piece has a place, and that every piece means something to YOU. that way it doesn't matter if the space is small....if you love it and things have meaning to you, you'll be happy there.

[fashionista-ta]

I small, cozy spaces ...

I'd say to decide on what's important to you & put the priority there ... for example, maybe you want a big cushy sofa. I lived in a 599 sq ft apartment for 7 years. It had a dressing room and a big kitchen, which was perfect for me.

If you're in a small space, it's important to keep clutter to an absolute minimum & not allow anything unnecessary to build up ...

I would say to decorate it just as you would any other space, but it just needs to be very carefully edited to what's useful & beautiful & nothing else.

[LoveBug]

Hello ladies,
Thanks for all the advices !! My place is less than 400 sq ft, it's really really small but at least I will have a nice view from 17th floor! I am planning to bring in plants! I only have 1 small closet basically for coats and shoes so I need to find a space for the rest of the clothes. That worries me! Also I have bunch of books! Should I take a full size bed, instead of a queen? My bf will visit me too ! I think I won't buy a couch, instead I was thinking of a futon. No way I have space for a couch ! haha
That book wall from the flickr is an awesome idea ! I might try that! But I am not sure if to divide my space, or leave it open.What should I put on the walls? I was thinking to buy some frames and put some black and while pictures of my family.Oh and by the way, I bring nothing with me from the old place, but a tv, books and clothes!
I am anxious ! Never lived in such a small space, never lived in a high rise,and never in a big city !!

Thank you !!

[Hebden]

Originally Posted by LoveBug

Should I take a full size bed, instead of a queen? My bf will visit me too ! I think I won't buy a couch, instead I was thinking of a futon. No way I have space for a couch ! haha

Have you considered a convertible sofa-bed? I lived in a tiny studio many years ago and loved the ability to have people over without the only thing in the room being a bed. Plus, it was way more comfortable than a futon...I've never found a futon that was comfortable to sit or sleep on but maybe I was just unlucky

[LoveBug]

I forgot to ask, what does low furniture mean? Also thanks for advising me about light color because actually I was thinking of going to bright red. I like modern furniture !

[LoveBug]

Hebden, thanks for your advice! I am actually thinking to buy a tempurpedic mattress because I been having back problems or if I see that the place is very small I might just get a tatami and roll it up when I wake up lol

[exsupahero]

I know it's cheap furniture, but Ikea has lots of furniture that fits into small spaces. They also give you ideas on how much you can fit into studios and such.

[fashionista-ta]

Another option is to have a day bed ... that way you could use a regular mattress, but use pillows to convert to "furniture." Maybe things have changed, but I've both slept on and sat on various sofa-beds, and my experience was always that they never fulfilled either function well You possibly should measure the boyfriend to see how small of a bed you can get away with

You might also look for books that address this topic--I've definitely seen some inspiring things in the past. I would try not to invest much in solutions specific to this particular space ...

For your clothes, you could either attach hardware to the wall to hang things from, or get a rolling rack. See the 4-5 piece French wardrobe thread for tips about a compact wardrobe ... I would take this opportunity to discard anything that's not working.

I don't hang my coats in a closet, but on the wall in my living room in the corner behind my front door. The hardware is actually vintage window pulls ... So you might look at actually putting your clothes in the closet & your coat & shoes elsewhere. My shoes aren't in a closet either ... I keep them in clear shoe boxes stacked against a wall of my bedroom. They could be in a closet, I just find it more convenient to have them out in the open where I can see them. My coats could be too, but I find it more convenient to have them right where I'm putting them on/taking them off. I keep my umbrella there too ...

I would not divide your space, but I probably would buy a screen to throw up if you want to hide something. If you're a neat freak, skip the screen

[fashionista-ta]

Here's the hardware I'm talking about ... I hung it upside down to make hooks.

[stylehighclub]

I live in the tiniest of studios so I know it's a bit of a challenge. All of my furniture is light coloured (white and grey), except for four 60s Panton plastic chairs in black and red. I also only have a single bed which doubles as a sofa during the day. It's a futon with drawers (where I keep some of my clothes)I've got a low chest of drawers under which I fit all my books (loads). Hope this helps!
x

[fashionista-ta]

bump for merging

[nijuyanah]

Originally Posted by Kaki

This person has uploaded some photographs of small rooms that are well-decorated!

wow, these rooms look great - and quite comfortable to live in!
it's always hard to decorate a small room well, so that it doesn't look overloaded..

[LoveBug]

Hello,

Just to give an update! I moved in finally! The place is really small , I think decorating doesnt even come in mind anymore haha. The double bed I had to get coz of my bf is filling half of the space. But I will go to IKEA this weekend and see if I can get a desk, chair, drawer and a small dining table. I will post a picture for more ideas
Thanks ladies