8 Small Apartment and Condo Decorating Ideas for Big Style

Living in a smaller apartment, condo or house has its charms, but you may struggle to decorate rooms without making them feel cluttered or wish there was more light inside. Discover eight practical and stylish tips to make your small space feel grand. 

1. Maximize Natural Light

A naturally lit space typically feels more spacious than a dark one, and it offers numerous psychological benefits. Natural light can enhance mood and improve cognitive performance, notably by regulating your circadian rhythm. As a result, daylight exposure is critical in contemporary design. 

There are many small home interior design ideas to enhance natural light. Avoid blocking windows with furniture, and strategically place mirrors to reflect sunlight from those across the room. Sheer curtains or decorative window films can provide light without sacrificing privacy.

2. Create a Color Palette

A cohesive color palette ties a room or even your entire home together.  Many designers recommend the 60-30-10 rule, in which 60% of the room features a dominant color, 30% incorporates a secondary color and the final 10% adds an accent color. For example, you might have a living room with 60% tan walls and furniture, 30% blue blankets and rugs, and 10% red vases and photo frames.

Determine the colors that best suit your small condo design ideas. Light and neutral palettes can help create a space that feels soothing, while bolder ones can make it feel energetic. 

3. Choose Furniture That Fits

Oversized furniture can make a small room feel cramped, so choose pieces that fit in the space. Small condo bedroom design ideas often include minimalist bed frames and hanging light fixtures. In the dining area, you might opt for an expandable table and sturdy hooks to hang pots and pans. The bathroom may feature a practical over-the-toilet shelving unit. 

Multifunctional furniture is essential for low-budget small house interior design. Shop for storage ottomans, tables with hidden compartments, sofa beds to accommodate guests and chairs that are easy to move around. 

4. Define Functional Zones

In open-concept spaces, it can be especially helpful to create distinct zones for cooking, relaxing, working and more. For instance, some apartments or condo kitchens have counters or built-in cabinetry that separates the cooking area from the rest of the space. There may be interior glass doors, which separate spaces while allowing natural light to pass through. 

For a renter-friendly divider solution, consider foldable panels made of wood or fabric. These can be moved around or folded when not in use. Additionally, you can use furniture to create zones. Very small living room ideas include using a large area rug to define a space or a bookcase to separate a work-from-home corner from the rest of the area. 

5. Utilize Vertical Space

Utilizing vertical space effectively is crucial in small apartments and condos. Rather than placing necessities and decorations on floors or tabletops, consider what you can attach to the walls. This might include planters that hang from the ceiling, floating bookshelves, hooks for coats and bags, or wall-mounted flat-screen TVs. Install racks in the bathroom and kitchen, which allow the towels to dry while adding a pop of color to the space. 

When shopping for dressers or shelving units, opt for ones that are tall rather than long to maximize space. Cube shelves can be positioned horizontally or vertically, providing you with more flexible room design options in a small apartment or condo. 

6. Keep Things Tidy

Environments have been proven to influence how you feel. A beautiful, clutter-free home is more likely to be associated with higher life satisfaction and better psychological well-being than a messy one. However, things often accumulate more easily in small or already disorganized spaces.

Your small home interior design should support simple organizational and cleaning habits. It should have plenty of drawers — built into the walls or furniture pieces — to store items. Spice racks, jewelry boxes and other tabletop organizers give everything a designated space to go when not in use. Consider using a cleaning caddy that can be wheeled into each room and easily stored in a closet. 

7. Rethink Rooms

In a small apartment, condo or house, you must work with the rooms you have. Part of your clothing closet may be dedicated to storing seasonal decorations, or your dining table will double as a laptop workspace. If you have children, consider bunk beds that take up less floor space in their shared bedroom. 

If you have a personal garage, consider using it as an additional room and parking your car in the driveway. Popular transformations include art or influencer studios, home gyms and storage rooms. 

8. Personalize Your Space

A significant factor in making your small home feel grand is turning it into one you enjoy living in. While there are many organizers and practical furniture pieces to choose from, you should select the ones that best serve your needs. Obtain furniture and decor from various sources, from department stores to thrift shops, to find things that reflect your style.

Find a recliner that fits the limited space and is perfectly comfortable for reading or watching TV. Choose floating shelves in your preferred wood stain and wall sconces that complement your style. Add final touches, such as a gallery wall or a beautiful area rug, to make the space truly feel like home. 

Experiment With Low-Budget Small House Interior Design

There are many ways to use furniture, storage and decor for a small apartment. You should maximize light, choose multifunctional furniture, create distinct zones and design with your personal needs in mind. With a little creativity, you can effectively transform your small home into a spacious and inviting space. 

Ready to visualize these ideas in your own space? Download the DecorMatters app to explore real apartment and condo designs, browse the Explore page for inspiration, and experiment with layouts, furniture, and styles before you decorate.