How to decorate a small apartment

[Meg]

^
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.

 

[b9409]

How to decorate a small apartment?

...very carefully.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^
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.

 

[Kora]

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.

 

[Meg]

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.....

 

[waxy]

you are actually lucky to have white walls. makes it easier for you to decorate the apartment.

 

[Geostud]

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

pics from my flickr

 

[macaroonie]

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!!

 

[The_Ida]

Nothing makes a narrow hallway seem bigger and lighter than a good ol' mirror.

 

[fashionista-ta]

^^^ 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.

 

[adorefaith]

great use of the bookshelf geostud! very smart.. your place looks great.

 

[papa_levante]

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.

 

[Geostud]

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.

 

[vitasenzafine]

Geostud, your place looks great. the lighting is so warm!

 

[ediewho]

^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 kidding but real like life... places for me are like hotels... i just go like an earthquake...)

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 true story!

 

[Melisande]

Geostud, an inspiration.
Love your sense for decoration. And lighting.

 

[papa_levante]

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.


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.)

 

[Tinetush]

^thanks for the bump
- and I love those elephants 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..

 

[michyed]

Geostud, I love your apartment! It looks so neat, warm and welcoming!

 

[papa_levante]

I can't wait, TineTush. Thank you for taking the time.