The Top Ten Myths About Apartment Decorating

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The advantages of living in a small apartment are manifold, including lower rent, proximity to busy downtown areas, and a certain irreplaceable cozy charm. Assuming, of course, that you have some skill in interior design.

It's a common mistake to think that less is more when decorating a small space like an apartment, but this is far from the truth. This assumption is completely false. While you may be limited in square footage, that doesn't mean your apartment has to be lacking in style.

Rather, it's all about striking a balance between the two to make a home that you'll be happy in for years to come. What you need to do is furnish your home in a way that serves your needs while also showcasing your own unique sense of style. Use the space you have effectively while still expressing your individuality by implementing these decorating suggestions. Decorating a small apartment can seem daunting, but these suggestions will show you how to make the most of even the smallest space.

(1) Draw distinct boundaries between spaces.

On the surface, it might appear that open floor plans are the best option when furnishing a studio or one-bedroom apartment. However, this can be visually overwhelming, and a lack of space definition can make things appear cluttered over time. Try to carve out distinct spaces and assign meaningful functions to them. The finishing touch on any entrance is a set of coat hooks and a set of shoe shelves. You can save space and make serving and storage a breeze by putting a buffet between your kitchen and dining room. Put your couch at the foot of your bed to make your bedroom look more like a living space. Take a look at these 30 innovative home office ideas to maximize efficiency and minimize clutter if you and your home office are sharing a room.

Don't be shy about letting your interests and hobbies take center stage as a means of defining your space and expressing your individuality. This bike rack from the studio of Thomas Walde makes your bicycle blend in with the decor of your home rather than looking like an afterthought. Alternately, you could use indoor garden plants to illustrate shifts in room configuration.

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Second, buy pieces of furniture that can serve more than one purpose.

When working with limited quarters, every inch matters. Get the most out of your space by purchasing items that can serve multiple purposes. Buy furniture that complements your lifestyle rather than the other way around. One of the best places to have versatile pieces of furniture is in a bedroom. Take a look at these 22 tips for making the most out of your limited bedroom space.

Think about a trundle bed that converts to a sofa for movie night, an ottoman with hidden storage space, or a dining room table with an extension leaf for effortless hosting.

Always consider the scale of your room when purchasing dual-use furniture. Excessive stuffing of furnishings will make the room appear even more cramped. Many companies, including Smart Furniture and Apt2B, focus on making furniture that is suitable for micro-living situations, so you don't have to worry too much about finding sofas that are appropriately sized.

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Third, Reconsider Empty Rooms

It's easy to get into a routine with how you use your home after you've been there for a while. You know that when the oven is not in use, baking dishes are stored in there, candles are kept in a prized drawer, and fresh sheets are kept in a box under the bed. But have you ever thought that perhaps you aren't making the best use of the space available to you?

Make it a goal to survey your apartment and catalog all the areas that aren't being put to good use. Imagine all the wasted space and empty walls you can fill. Next, consider some potential uses for that extra room.

When you need to take work home with you, set up shop at a large windowsill. Get yourself a corner shelf unit to put all of your bar supplies on display and easily accessible. You can hide your less-used serving plates in baskets on top of the fridge.

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Storage Spaces: Make the Most of Wall Space

To make the most of a room, it's important to visualize it from every angle. To maximize storage potential in a limited area, vertical racks and cabinets are your best bet.

To create the illusion of built-in shelving, position two parallel bookcases on either side of the entrance. Alternately, a tall, freestanding entertainment center can separate your bedroom from the rest of the space in the home.

Folding furniture can be stored away in the walls if you want to take storage to the next level. There was a time when Murphy beds were only found in seedy motels, but this space-saving innovation has come a long way since then. The LGM Tavolo by Clei is a foldable desk, bed, and shelving system that measures 35 linear feet, 5 feet, and 5 feet, respectively. Folding each component separately gives you complete control over how your space is utilized.

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5. Create a Method of Disciplined Storage

When it comes to a limited amount of space in an apartment, storage is paramount. As annoying as clutter is, it's inevitable, and you'll need vehicles to help you hide it. When it comes down to it, though, all the storage in the world is useless if the contents are so disorganized that you can't find what you're looking for when you need it. Get yourself some planners to keep you on track.

One can store anything from cleaning supplies to extra snacks in the pockets of a shoe hanger mounted to the back of a door. Using small baskets to line shelves creates a uniform appearance while concealing any visible clutter.

Once you have a few tools for managing your business, the next step is to put them to use. University College London health psychologist Phillippa Lally found that it takes roughly 66 days to form a habit. For the next 66 days, make it a priority to put away any unused items right away. After getting used to your new surroundings, maintaining an orderly apartment will be a breeze.

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6. Go with a Palette of Pastel Colors

Choose colors carefully for your apartment, but try to keep things bright. The visual effect of darker, richer colors is to make a room seem smaller; lighter colors have the opposite effect. When decorating a small space, like an apartment, it's important to use a well-balanced color scheme.

You should choose a maximum of three colors for your palette, with two of them being light and bright tones used for the bulk of the room's decor. Then, for added visual appeal, use a single, darker accent color.

If you absolutely cannot bear to exist in a world with so little bright color, you can always indulge in your craving with your furnishings. Pick a dominant hue, and then either buy or paint all of the furniture in the room to match that color. Next, select a second, equally eye-catching hue to use as the room's secondary accent. Nonetheless, you should probably keep the colorful accents to one room at the most in the apartment. It can be overwhelming to have too many bold colors in a small area.

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Seven, Round out Your Home's Furnishings and Decorations

Most studio apartments are rectangular, so to counteract this, try arranging your furniture in a more organic way. Libby Langdon, a small-space consultant on HGTV's "Small Space, Big Style," suggests incorporating curvy pieces of furniture to avoid a stark aesthetic.

Consider an L-shaped couch and occasional tables instead of a square table for your next dinner party.

When you've found the right pieces to meet your needs and reflect your personal style, accessorize with complementary curves. Rather than going with a standard square or rectangle, choose a round mirror that will really stand out in the bathroom. Use some round table lamps instead of the standard straight floor lamps.

It's important to emphasize the apartment's natural shape if there is one. Set up a chair and bookcase next to a rounded window for a comfortable reading nook. Bring attention to the exposed beams by using an industrial style.

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8 - Stack for Added Dimension

Because there is a finite amount of visual space in a small area, depth is sacrificed. Thankfully, that depth can be easily made up by layering in your design.

Hanging shadow boxes on the wall is a great idea. Use area rugs to disguise worn or outdated carpeting. Adding dimension and coziness with multiple blankets and throw pillows is a great idea.

It's not enough to simply stack one design element atop another to achieve a layered effect. Making a contrast is also important. Choose furniture, wall art, and throw pillows with a range of materials, textures, and patterns to create a layered look in your apartment. Consider using colorful accents to draw attention to your neutral sofa. If you have builder-grade flooring, you may wish to use a heavier throw rug for the same purpose.

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9 Embrace the Floating Style in Decoration

When you fill a tiny apartment with huge pieces of furniture, it can feel claustrophobic. You can make a room feel more expansive by using floating elements that draw the viewer's attention all the way through the room.

As an alternative to a conventional bookcase or sink cabinet, try installing a set of floating shelves. Furniture that rests on legs instead of the floor will give the impression of taking up less room.

Integrating floating design into your interior design will help everything look more cohesive. Get some floating shelves of varying sizes and arrange them in a grid for a gallery-like display. Experiment with varying their positions to come up with a charming display. Then, browse for a wide range of artwork, photographs, statues, and decorative items to fill the room. You can have your own custom art home installation in no time.

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10 Always keep your apartment clean and organized.

Clutter is inevitable when a person stays in one place for an extended period of time. Clutter is a problem anywhere, but in a small apartment, it stands out even more because there's nowhere for it to go.

Take the time once or twice a year to sort through your belongings and decide what should be kept and what can be discarded. By the time you're done, you'll be astounded at how much clutter you were able to clear out of your home.

Linda Rothschild, a professional organizer, offers advice for those who are having trouble keeping their spaces tidy. She suggests establishing a deadline, focusing on one area of organization at a time, and beginning with the messiest spot. As she sees it, breaking down large organizational tasks into smaller ones will make them more bearable and prevent burnout.

There's no rule that says you have to sacrifice style for practicality just because your apartment is on the smaller side. Rather, you should work toward a middle ground where the two priorities can complement one another. Refer to this article for guidance as you decorate your studio to ensure it serves your needs and looks great. Please feel free to share any small-space design advice you may have with us below.