Many renters understand the challenges of living in a small space, but the size of your apartment doesn’t necessarily determine the size of your room. With the right design choices, any home can be made more open and functional.
Whether you’re furnishing a studio apartment in San Diego, California, or making the most of a one-bedroom home in Richmond, Virginia, understanding which features create a feeling of more space can help you design a home that’s comfortable and livable. We asked industry experts to share their small apartment ideas for making limited space seem larger. Let’s get started.
In this article:
1. Prioritize open floor plans
The open layout maximizes space and creates a sense of flow between the different areas of the apartment. The team at Goldmark Property Management in Fargo, North Dakota says, “Open layouts that connect the kitchen and living areas often make small apartment homes feel larger. Without walls to block the view, the space appears more seamless and functional despite the limited square footage.”
Q Topanga in Woodland Hills, Calif., echoes this idea, saying open floor plans are most effective when combined with thoughtful design. “With an open layout, The Q De Soto homes, our newest development, feel larger from the moment you walk in. The thoughtfully designed floor plan, high ceilings, abundant natural light, and well-planned storage create a brighter, more open feel while neatly storing everyday essentials. The result is a space that is functional, sophisticated, and feels comfortably larger than its square footage.”
2. Aiming for multi-use furniture
When you start decorating a new place, versatile furniture is important. Ezra Gershanok, co-founder of Ohana Housing Company, explains, “Ohana has become New York City’s largest sublease market. After looking at hundreds of apartments, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that less is more. The apartments that feel the most spacious are the ones that don’t have clutter, and each piece of furniture serves multiple purposes.”
This approach is especially important when styling studio apartments or one-bedroom rental properties, where every piece of furniture makes a difference. Gershanok continues, “I myself live in a small apartment in New York, and rather than trying to fit more into the space, I focused on a few multipurpose items, such as a TV that can be seen from both the sofa and the bed. This makes the apartment feel functional and open.”
3. Arrange your furniture intentionally
In a small apartment, the way the furniture is arranged can be as important as the furniture itself. Intentional layout helps define different areas of your home and creates a better flow.
Stage & in New York, New York The team at Fold says, “Thoughtful staging can make a small apartment feel larger by showing how each area can be used effectively. Properly scaled furniture and intentional layout can help define a space without making it feel crowded, making your purchase more appealing. While traditional staging isn’t always within everyone’s budget, alternative staging solutions like the one we offer can help achieve similar effects without higher costs.
4. Keep your decor simple
“When working with a small space, good design comes down to editing. The goal is to clear out everything that adds visual weight and keep only the pieces that provide light and depth,” says the Month2Month team. “Let’s start with the big question: Replace that bulky media console with a slim wooden tripod TV stand that can hold everything you need without taking up floor space. A glass coffee table is also an easy winner, because it allows you to sit in the center of the room without becoming another solid block.”
We also encourage you to think beyond the work itself. “When adding something, first choose the right item, then think about where it will be placed and how it will blend with the colors in the room. Instead of mounting a full-length mirror, lean it against the wall opposite the window to reflect sunlight and the view outside, as if it were a second window. Add a rug or two in the same color as your flooring. Colors Lighter colors soften the edges of the floor, drawing the eye outward and letting in extra light.
5. Add floor-to-ceiling design elements
Drawing the eye upwards using vertical elements is an easy way to create a sense of height and openness. Kimberly Sektonan of Performance Properties in Portland, Ore., recommends using these elements strategically, explaining, “Hang curtains near the ceiling and extend them slightly past the window frame. This draws the eye upwards and makes the window appear larger. Large decorative mirrors emphasize vertical space, making ceilings appear taller and making the room feel less claustrophobic.”
Sektnan adds that a large mirror can also enhance the effect. “Leaning it slightly against a wall can maximize this effect while creating a stylish, designer-inspired look.” It’s a great way to create a feeling of openness without a major renovation.
6. Look for uniform flooring
A consistent design creates a sense of continuity from one area to the next. When flooring and finishes flow throughout the space, there are fewer visual breaks and the apartment feels larger and more connected. “The use of uniform flooring and simple finishes further enhances the clean and spacious appearance,” explains the team at Goldmark Property Management.
7. Layer your lighting
Lighting is an underrated design element that can actually make a place feel larger. When lighting a room, add depth by layering floor lamps, table lamps, and wall sconces. Reduce harsh shadows in the corners of the room by using multiple light sources at different heights. Overlapping pools of light draw the eye throughout the space, creating a sense of openness that cannot be achieved with a single overhead light.
small apartment ideas for new places
You don’t need a major renovation or complete overhaul to transform your small apartment into a spacious-feeling home. In any type of apartment, you can create an open, airy environment that is truly yours. Ultimately, it’s all about balancing functionality and light so you can make the most of every square foot of your space.
