When you live in a small apartment and you’re looking for decorating ideas on a budget, it can feel like a tough challenge. How can you decorate in a way that makes the most out of your space and makes your apartment feel like feel home, without turning it into a cramped space you can’t relax in? And without costing the earth. Relax. It’s not impossible.
Embrace your new space, get to know how it feels and what you do every day, then start decorating. In small spaces, no matter the budget, you always need to know how you realistically use your space before you can decorate. This is how you can work out what you need to get the most from your space.
Measure your small apartment
First things first before you jump in to adding décor to your small apartment. Measuring! You need to measure your space and not just go on the dimensions you have which may not be accurate. Know the size of your space before you spend a penny, especially when you are on a budget. What you buy needs to be right and work for you. That’s why you need to always measure both your space and what you want to buy.
Measuring avoids mistakes and helps you budget
Items can be deceptive on the internet and in shops and you can think items will fit, that won’t. There is nothing worse than spending hours finding something you love only to get it home and find it doesn’t fit or takes up all of your space. You then spend the rest of your time falling over it, stubbing your toe, or wondering where all the natural light went because your new piece of furniture blocks it out. When you’re on a budget you don’t have the free cash to redecorate next season, so it needs to be right.
Another reason to measure is to prevent all of your items blurring into one another. Decorating ideas on a budget for a small apartment needs to include finding items to help you distinguish different areas. If everything blurs into one space this can lead to things feeling more cramped as you have no clear distinctions and zones in your small apartment. Losing the definition and purposes of different areas can lead to your apartment feeling cluttered and cramped. Having distinct zones for kitchens, living rooms, sleeping areas is really important in a small space.
Measuring Top Tip
When measuring our top tip is to always use the same tape measure to measure things in the house and in shops. Sometimes different tape measures don’t measure the same. When every millimetre matters a miscalculation can be a problem when decorating a small apartment on a budget.
Always Start With A Plan
Before you jump in to decorate your space, stop! Think about how you use the area. When you are working with a small space you do have to prioritise how you use spaces. A well-thought-out plan prevents clutter and ensures that every piece of furniture or décor adds functionality to your space, as well as your personality. It’s crucial your space works to meet your needs, as well as looking good. If it doesn’t, you just end up feeling frustrated and constantly looking to escape home as clutter builds and nothing works quite in the way you want it to.
Consider how you use your space
Decorating ideas for a small apartment on a budget need to include how you use your space. For example, in a small living room, consider using multipurpose furniture. Sofa beds can be useful if you have people stay over, just make sure you have the space to open them up. Storage pouffes, modular sofas with built in storage sections all provide hidden storage that helps prevent clutter and save space.
Small spaces look cluttered very quickly making it hard to relax and clean, which means you tend to find yourself easily distracted and never truly settled. Always find places for things in a small living room and see if you can opt for storage and multi-purpose options when choosing what to put in your space. Be sure to include this when making your plan. Practical, comfortable and space-saving furniture with hidden storage should be high on the list and worked into the plan for your space.
When making your plan, also consider your layout, the natural light in your space, and the amount of time you spend in each section of your small apartment. Identifying high-traffic areas where you walk up and down a lot moving from one space to another will help you decide where to put things. You want to keep these areas clutter free, but be sure to think about all of your space. You can use corners wisely, in small apartments they are important spaces you can optimise with both décor and storage.
10 Small Apartment Decorating Ideas On A Budget
Now you have your measurements and a plan of how you use your space, let’s look at 8 ideas you can use when decorating a small apartment on a budget. It’s important to get the most from your space without sacrificing style and personality. No matter the size of your space or your budget it always needs to feel like home.
1: Get The Most From Your Vertical Space
In small apartments, floor space is precious, so it’s essential to think vertically. Your walls are storage spaces, they are not only there for decorative purpose. Installing shelves or pegboards on walls allows you to store items and save floor space so you can still walk round. Just be sure to choose narrow shelves and not overfill your pegboard, otherwise the walls start to feel like they are coming in.
Floating shelves or wall-mounted organizers and hooks are great for displaying personal items like art, plants, and a few light books without adding bulk to the room. These options are also typically renter-friendly because they don’t always need to be mounted using nails and screws if your lease prevents it. Command hooks and adhesive strips are damage-free solutions that can hold reasonable weights. They are excellent alternatives for mounting your lightweight floating shelves, wall-mounted organisers, and hooks, just remember not to exceed the weight limit and follow the application instructions.
2: Skinny furniture
Choose furniture that isn’t bulky with lots of overhang around, it may look pretty but it isn’t needed. If it takes up space and doesn’t serve a purpose, avoid it when choosing the décor for your small apartment on a budget. Skinny furniture offers a modern look and is a practical use of your space, making sure you have as much space as possible in your apartment. Plus, it doesn’t overwhelm the space, reduce light and make furniture feel like it is pushing your walls inward.
Skinny bookshelves for example, help to free up surfaces and provide storage in an aesthetically pleasing way that doesn’t take up a lot of space. This is a great way to add vertical depth and maximise vertical space without putting a hole in your wall. Go for narrower bookcases in both depth and width. A good way to choose is to avoid shelving systems wider than your widest book. This will help you maximise your floor space, keep clutter at bay and optimise your small apartment space. Slim bookcases that don’t have thick sides will help tidy and maximise all of your limited space, while tending to be more budget friendly too.
3: Mirrors Create Illusions of Space
One of the simplest yet most effective small apartment decorating tricks is to use mirrors to create the illusion of more space. Strategically placing a mirror across from a window reflects natural light, making your apartment feel brighter and more open. In a small bedroom or living area, oversized mirrors can visually expand the space while serving as a stylish décor element.
Opting for a mirror with combined storage is a great idea as this will also add a functional element to the space. These are ideal solutions in small bedrooms and they save the cost of buying another storage solution for small items like jewellery or make-up.
Mirrored furniture, such as a reflective side table or mirrored closet doors, can also help to create the illusion of spaciousness. A closet with a full-length mirror door will save space and money as you won’t need to buy an additional mirror, which is ideal when you are decorating on a budget.
4: Multifunctional Furniture prevents clutter
One of the keys to small apartment living is choosing furniture that serves more than one purpose. Here are some of the decorating ideas and options you can choose from for a small apartment when you’re on a budget:
- ottomans with built-in storage
- foldable, drop leaf tables
- convertible sofas
- murphy beds
- wall mounted tables
There is so much on the market today that you can choose. Look for furniture that fits the scale of your apartment. Large, bulky pieces can overwhelm a small space, while sleek, modern furniture helps the room feel open and airy. The right furniture can significantly improve how efficiently you can use your square footage. It also makes you feel better when the walls don’t feel like they are coming in.
5: Mount your TV
Another way to maximise your vertical space is to mount your TV to the wall. The only problem with this solution is the need to drill the wall, and the holes you make are pretty big. This is a solution that is often not possible for people renting their small apartments. If you can use this solution, it will save you space and the need to have a piece of furniture to put your TV on. If you own your small apartment putting your TV on the wall is a wise plan. It provides a central focus for your living room and you can decorate the space underneath with a storage ottoman to keep remotes, throws and any other items out of the way.
6. Use Light Colors and Neutral Tones
When decorating a small apartment, color choices can make a big difference in how spacious the area feels. Lighter shades of paint, such as pastels or soft neutrals reflect more light, making a small space appear larger and more welcoming. Dark colors tend to absorb light, making rooms feel smaller and cramped.
If painting the walls is not an option due to rental restrictions, consider adding light-colored curtains, rugs, and furniture. These additions can brighten up a room and provide a more airy atmosphere. For a pop of personality, you can add colorful throw pillows, artwork, or decorative accents to inject life into the space without overwhelming it.
7: Peel and stick wallpaper
Another way to decorate without making permanent changes is to consider peel and stick wallpaper. If you have smooth walls this option provides renters with a no mess way to inject personality into a small apartment on a budget and opens up the possibility of an accent wall in a ditzy print. As it is easy to take down too, it means you can decorate with confidence. Adding personality with wallpaper means you can really make your space feel like your own. Wallpaper can be a great way to also separate areas, just be sure not to go too crazy if your apartment is really small.
8: Create Zones for Different Activities
In a small apartment, particularly in open-concept layouts, it can be helpful to create distinct zones for different activities. This makes the space feel more organized and purposeful. For example, define a living room area with a cozy rug and a coffee table, and set up a small desk in a corner to serve as a home office. Consider using a shelving unit to hide the desk when you are not working. This will help prevent work from seeping into your mind when you are trying to relax. You could also get a desk that folds away so you can literally put work away at the end of the day. This can help to keep work clutter at bay and encourage you to keep your work space tidy and productive.
Textiles can create zones
Rugs, curtains, and lighting are potential inexpensive ways to help differentiate between zones in your small apartment. Hanging curtains to divide a sleeping area from a living space can create a sense of privacy without the need for permanent walls. Use light curtains and a thin pole to help maximise your light and space.
If you use area rugs to separate the function of your space, you can keep cohesive flow by choosing the same base colour like taupe. Then pick rugs that are different textures, different sizes and perhaps have different colours in to create the division. Match the texture and colour to the feel of your space and to the other items used in that area. Match plates or kettles in the kitchen, throws in the lounge area, and bedding in the bedroom area. They are also a great way to hide flooring which may not be to your taste but you can do nothing about.
Using floor lamps or pendant lights over specific areas can further enhance this sense of division. You can opt for changes in the warmth of your lighting, different lamp shade designs and colours and different styles of lighting. Standing lamps provide a statement and add a level of lighting that can replace turning on the main light if your want a warm ambience. Led strip lighting can offers remote control settings, the opportunity to add colored lightning and shape to the flow of your light.
9: Add Temporary, Removable Décor
You may not have the option to paint walls or make permanent changes to your small apartment if you rent it. However, removable décor is a way you can make a big impact and help your apartment feel like home. Aside from removable wallpaper, consider peel-and-stick tiles and adhesive hooks to personalize your space without damaging the walls.
These temporary design elements come in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and textures, so you can inject your personality into the apartment. You can easily update the look to suit your style or design trend on a budget.
10. Plants
Adding plants to your apartment can instantly make it feel more vibrant and welcoming. Even in small spaces, plants can fit into a variety of spots. Windowsills, shelves, or even hanging from the ceiling can be perfect plant homes. For renters with limited floor space, vertical gardens are ideal options.
You can also consider hydroponic planting if you fancy turning your hand at growing your own herbs to cook with in a low light kitchen. If you want a statement plant, opt for a tall, large indoor plant that won’t grow wide and would be ideal in a corner. Some plants don’t need much light so even if your small space is dark a lot of the day, you can still add that relaxing touch of greenery.
Not only do plants add a decorative element, but they also help purify the air and can even improve your mood. Low-maintenance, budget options like succulents, snake plants, and pothos are perfect for small apartments, requiring little upkeep but adding a touch of greenery. They can also be added fairly quickly and on a low budget. They also make excellent house warming gifts for friends moving into small apartments.
Conclusion
Decorating ideas on a budget for your small apartment involve focusing on multifunctional furniture, vertical space, light color schemes, and removable décor to help create your perfect look. The goal is always to make a functional apartment you enjoy spending time in and embracing beautiful home moments. Remember to always begin by measuring, have a plan, and know how you use your space. That way you can successfully decorate your small apartment on a budget.
