How to decorate a small apartment

^
that's a great way to work an otherwise bothersome feature in. I think ultimately, there are no 'rules', just what you like and what you don't. I lived in a very small apartment, and used the standard Ikea Billy bookcases as a room divider by stacking 3 of them horizontally one on top the other to keep my bed separate from my desk area, and also to give me extra storage for books and things. And I totally believe in painting rentals. It's cheap and can be quick and makes such a huge difference. People will spend $60 on a round of drinks but not on painting the place they might live in for the next year or so? I think it would be harder to live in a small space though if I didn't have hardwood floors or some interesting quirky details. then it would just feel cramped.
 
How to decorate a small apartment?

...very carefully.
 
^
that's a great way to work an otherwise bothersome feature in. I think ultimately, there are no 'rules', just what you like and what you don't. I lived in a very small apartment, and used the standard Ikea Billy bookcases as a room divider by stacking 3 of them horizontally one on top the other to keep my bed separate from my desk area, and also to give me extra storage for books and things. And I totally believe in painting rentals. It's cheap and can be quick and makes such a huge difference. People will spend $60 on a round of drinks but not on painting the place they might live in for the next year or so? I think it would be harder to live in a small space though if I didn't have hardwood floors or some interesting quirky details. then it would just feel cramped.

Agreed ... love the palm!

I lived in a 590 sq ft apartment for 7 years before I bought my house, and it had great details. Angled walls, moldings, big open kitchen, big dressing room ... and I added my own wallpaper and fixtures. It's definitely worth it to add some of your own touches ... especially if you're staying awhile.
 
I think the key to decorating a small apartment is finding furniture that is to scale with the size of the rooms. You don't want to over power any room and make it seem even smaller.
 
I agree. I am about to tackle re-decorating my room in my dad's (very small - 980 sq feet) house. Unfortunately, the room is small and has a LOT of furniture in it. Not sure how to work it just yet. I've got this AWESOME art-deco style dresser that needs to be re-finished, and another art-deco style dressing table that was function as my desk but with the bed, it feels very small. However, I need a desk area or something in my room.....
 
you are actually lucky to have white walls. makes it easier for you to decorate the apartment. :smile:
 
My apartment is an extremely "cozy" 400sqft studio. I used a bookshelf/desk to divide the bed from the rest of the apartment. I also tried not to clutter the space with too many furnishings or wall-art. These pics were taken a year ago (I've rearranged since then:(

2808778854_91ef983e22_b.jpg


2807928343_1d3be12bd5_b.jpg

pics from my flickr
 
oo, your studio looks really really nice. I like you separated your sleeping space from your desk area. It almost looks like there are two rooms. Nice job!!
 
Nothing makes a narrow hallway seem bigger and lighter than a good ol' mirror.
 
^^^ I like the divider ... very Eames inspired.

I agree, Ida, love mirrors ... and it's fairly cheap to get them custom-made and beveled the exact size you want.
 
great use of the bookshelf geostud! very smart.. your place looks great.
 
geostud, you say you have a studio apartment? I thought studio apartments were like in "I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry." Jessica Biel's apartment was pretty much one big space. I didn't even notice if there was a bathroom separate or not.
 
Thanks for the compliments, guys!

^A studio apartment just means that the living space and bedroom are in one room. I'm not familiar with "I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry." I think some people confuse studio apartments with lofts.
 
^Geostud

you can be actually proud cause it seems like a peace environmental place...
(one second myself there and it would be a messy one:blush::lol: kidding but real like life... places for me are like hotels... i just go like an earthquake...:o)

ive been at rented apartments and i did never changed much... but just trying to focus into not going on chaos... cause i did in a couple and its horribly get rid of that...i think a bunch of English friends taught me how to be specially trendy messy hahahah :lol: true story!
 
Geostud, an inspiration.
Love your sense for decoration. And lighting. :smile:
 
BUMP. I'd love to see more ideas. ^_^

Today I bought some lovely [faux] jade elephants. They aren't that big, but they are my first purchase towards decorating my future NYC apartment. ^_^^_^ Of course I don't have a desk or bed or dresser to fix it up with, but I'd like to see other ideas of how people have utilized their furniture in little spaces. :flower:


They CLEARLY won't take up a lot of space, but it's a start.
(Elephants with trunks in the air is a symbol for good luck, fortune and optimism.)
 
^thanks for the bump
- and I love those elephants :wub: they are adorable...

Apparently I live in a studio as well.. And I'm in the process of decorating it, but it's a long process.. And I still need some furniture.. Well it's okay ATM - but not precisely as I want it.. ^_^

Will take some pics later.. :smile:
 
Geostud, I love your apartment! :D It looks so neat, warm and welcoming!
 

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