Not all home spaces are created equal …and while more square footage can provide greater decorating options, an apartment can still showcase beautiful décor with a thoughtful, space-conscious touch. "Decorating an apartment is fundamentally about making space feel intentional and expansive, even when the square footage is limited,” explained Catherine Shuman, founder of The Intentional Design Studio. “Unlike larger homes, apartments often come with fixed architectural constraints — low ceilings, awkward layouts, limited storage — but they are also a great deal of fun to design due to the need to be incredibly creative and resourceful.”

Decorating an apartment also differs from a house because the space is often yours temporarily. “Most renters know they won’t be there forever, so it changes what’s worth investing in,” said Courtney Batten, owner of Paige Studio. “I always recommend focusing on pieces you can take with you — like furniture, rugs and accessories — and avoiding permanent upgrades like complicated wall treatments or custom drapery.”

You can still personalize your space even if your lease contains decorating constraints like no nails or painting allowed.  Batten recommended using peel-and-stick wallpaper, switching out cabinet hardware or even replacing a light fixture temporarily (just replace the old one before you vacate) to freshen things up without permanently changing anything.

Here are a few things to consider when decorating an apartment:

Be Mindful of Scale

Scale is critical when decorating an apartment. Too often people try to make the space seem bigger by using small furniture, but this rarely works, according to Shuman. Instead try to anchor the room with pieces that fit into the space without making it seem cluttered. “While there’s no one-size-fits-all percentage (since layout and flow matter just as much as square footage), a good starting point is to aim for key furniture pieces to occupy around 60 to 70 percent of the room’s usable floor space, leaving 30 to 40 percent open for circulation and breathing room. This helps the room feel grounded — but not crowded,” she said.

Every item you choose should be essential. Shuman recommended doing a “circulation check” before incorporating pieces into the room. “Can you comfortably walk between furniture?” she asked. “Can doors and drawers open freely? Do your furnishings leave breathing room around walkways, windows, and transitions between zones?”

Photo credit: Paige Studio

Find the Light

Shared walls, fewer windows and a smaller space allows less light to infiltrate your home. “Apartments typically have limited or uneven natural light,” explained Alex Smith, manager and co-owner of Render3DQuick.com. “Some windows face shaded areas or other buildings, which changes how the space looks throughout the day. This variation affects more than illumination alone. Light shapes how colors appear on the walls, how surfaces like metal or wood respond and how the atmosphere transitions as the day moves forward.”

The solution? Nancy Dow, an interior designer at Sierra Living Concepts, suggested layering lighting, using a combination of ceiling fixtures, sconces and floor lamps to creates depth, warmth and balance no matter the time.  “For example, a living room that receives decent light in the morning usually turns dim by early afternoon, especially in apartments where windows face shaded areas,” said Smith. To avoid a gradual drop in brightness, he suggested, adding an overhead fixture to provides consistent illumination. “This keeps the lighting even, supports the room’s function across different times and prevents darker areas from interrupting the visual flow,” Smith explained.

Reflective surfaces such as mirrors and glass furniture can help to enlarge a small space. Their ability to reflect light and provides the feel of airiness. “Mirrors help bounce natural light around, especially across from windows,” explained Ivy Sbaiti, owner of Ivy Home Solutions.

Photo credit: Danilo Rios/Unsplash

Use Vertical Solutions 

When you have a small space with low ceilings, every square foot counts. Try using wall-mounted shelving and tall bookcases to lead the eye upward. You’ll not only have additional storage, but the set-up offers an illusion of height, according to Dow.

You can also use wall-mounted storage and curtain rods placed high above the window to create the feel of more volume. “Even artwork hung at the right height or long, vertical mirrors can stretch the space visually,” said Shuman. Try using a large statement piece or create a gallery wall with several of your favorites. “Art is one of the best ways to bring life and color into a neutral apartment,” said Batten “It’s easy to take with you, and it instantly makes a space feel like home.”

Photo credit: Nancy Dow/Sierra Living Concepts

Find an Aesthetic That Supports Your Space

Décor in an apartment should offer an aesthetic and utility. Furniture should be functional and visually light.  Look for pieces with open legs, light frames and reflective surfaces.

In general, neutral colors and soft patterns open up the room. Bold pieces can work, but don’t overwhelm a space with them. “One big, framed piece or a vertical gallery wall will create impact without swallowing it,” advised Dow. “Think curated, not crowded. Limit yourself to a handful of standout knick-knack or sculptural items. Your personality should shine through in decorative items, but decoration needs to be visually cohesive.”

Storage is important, too, and you’ll want to find smart ways to find more space by using multi-functional furniture. Try a bench that provides storage and seating, a bed with built-in drawers, or an ottoman to put extra blankets, pillows or toys in.

Give yourself time to understand your space before making decisions. When Jessica Wade, a New York-based designer, moved into a 450-square-foot apartment in the Meatpacking District with her husband and two daughters, she gave the space three months before makinig major renovations.  “We acted like we were living in a hotel, and I didn’t make any personal decisions,” she said. “I wanted to entirely focus on how we were functioning first. As a result, I developed ways to incorporate storage of what we could [not] do without into our interior.” For example, the family’s extensive book collection became a design element, placed underneath the coffee tables and in various nooks and crannies. “Additionally, I stacked bookshelves behind our long couch, which displays important art books and objects above the couch while becoming storage for art and school supplies below the couch,” she explained.

Photo credit: Deborah Cortelazzi/Unsplash

When it comes to apartment decorating, Shaiti advised that ultimately less is more — “one well-placed piece of art or a correctly sized rug can go much further than a bunch of tiny accessories,” she said.  

Decorating an apartment is a creative endeavor. But, according to Shaiti, “with a little planning and flexibility, even the smallest space can feel stylish, functional and completely your own.”

Read more on how to use the correct colors and decorating to create the feel of a larger space. Fabric and Home offers custom design so you can make bedding, window treatments and more - perfectly sized for your apartment.

Featured photo by Rafael Hoyos Weht/Unsplash