How to Furnish a Small Apartment to Maximize Your Space

How to Furnish an Apartment to Maximize Your Space

Just because you live in a one-bedroom doesn't mean it can't be comfortable and chic. Check out how you can furnish an apartment to maximize your space.

Congratulations! You are now the owner/renter of a beautiful one bedroom apartment in Houston Texas.

Are you worried that because it's a one bedroom, it won't feel spacious? Stop worrying and get excited.

Furnishing an apartment should be a fun experience. Just because you live in a small space doesn't mean it can't be cozy and chic. Check out ten ways you can furnish an apartment to maximize your space without sacrificing an ounce of style.

1) Think Big

Large furniture can be overwhelming in a small apartment. Say no to the oversized sofa and get a regular sized one instead. Replace the big sofa with a sofa with big personality! This will help center the space. Choose one or two regular sized furniture pieces. Also, pick furniture that has tall legs to give the impression of more space.

Tip: always have your room measurements ready when you are furniture shopping.

2) Window Treatment

Hang beautiful curtains from ceiling to floor. This will give the illusion of extra height and making the room appear large. Add curtains with vertical stripes to look even higher.

The window treatments should be a similar color to the walls. Having contrasting colors makes your eyes stop when looking at a room. You want fluidity so that everything flows throughout the room.

3) Use Multi-functional Pieces

Pieces that serve multiple functions are great to have when you furnish an apartment. Furniture with drawers, cabinets, or space for baskets are a great addition to a small space. These hidden storage areas can help eliminate clutter.

You can even find beds that have storage space beneath. Have you seen the stackable bed? Think of it as the adult bunk bed. You can store the second mattress under the main bed. Genius.

Some other ideas are a drop leaf console table that can also serve as a small table for meals, sleeper sofas, and ottomans with storage.

5) Murphy Bed or Sleeper Sofa

Speaking of beds, Murphy beds are back.

Remember the old TV shows when a character would lay on the bed and then flip into the wall? That's a Murphy bed. Now, you don't need to worry about being thrown into the wall, but you can utilize your space with this bed. You can hide it when you don't need it but can be confident knowing that it will still look beautiful when it's out.

Another option aside from a Murphy bed is a loft bed of Sleeper Sofa. Loft beds aren't just for kids. You can make them adult and chic. By adding a loft bed to your space, you leave lots of room for storage and living beneath. Sleeper sofas are also a great multi-use furniture for small spaces. 

6) Lighten Up

Using light colors when you furnish an apartment will make the space seem bigger and brighter. Paint the walls a soft color or add a plush, light-colored rug to the floor.

The right lighting can do wonders too. No room for floor lamps? No problem. You can find beautiful pieces that will hang on the walls or from the ceiling. Instead of lamps on nightstands, have them placed on the wall on either side of the bed.

7) Floating Shelves

Floating shelves are a great way to organize and furnish an apartment without taking up valuable floor space. Floating shelves are great for any room from the kitchen to the bathroom.

When you add floating shelves, you can eliminate bulky bookcases and armoires. Want to get more creative? Try hanging wall pockets. You can use different fabric textures or leather.

Forgo the TV stand and mount your TV then place floating shelves beneath for a faux mantle. Add them to the corner of a room for decor or to display magazines or books. These shelves would be a great addition to a kitchen for dinnerware storage and hanging coffee mugs or wine glasses.

8) Have Fun

When it's time to furnish an apartment, you should enjoy the process. Have fun. Get creative. What is the feel or vibe you are going for?

This is your home. Let the space represent who you are. Just because it's a smaller space, doesn't mean that it has to be boring. Think texture, colorful artwork, throw pillows, a luxurious throw over the back of the couch, or a mid-century modern floor lamp. A few fun pieces can go a long way.

No space for framed pictures on tables? No problem. Make a collage on the wall with pictures of people and things that make you happy.

The key is to think outside the box. No room for your office? Get a fold-down desk that will attach to the wall. Pull it down to work and then put it up when you're not working. No room for a vanity? Put up a floating shelf with a mirror hanging above.

Remember when it comes to painting color, keep it simple and cohesive. Use your accent pieces to liven up the room.

9) Mirror, Mirror on the Wall

Decorating small spaces is all about manipulation. What simple piece can help manipulate the space of a room that is probably already in your apartment? A mirror.

Add a mirror directly across from a window. This will give the illusion of a larger space and double the amount of light in the room. The bigger the mirror, the better to give the apartment an open, airy feel. Use different size mirrors and collage a wall. Lean a big floor mirror against a wall. Steer clear of large, bulky frames. Simple is better.

10) Add Life

Add some life to your apartment with living plants. Plants can make a space feel lighter. Don't have the floor space for a planter? Opt for a hanging plant instead. Hanging plants draw the eye up giving the illusion of more space.

Just because you live in an apartment, doesn't mean that you can't bring some outdoor living inside. Have a vertical garden on your wall with herbs.

Tip: Do your research and choose plants that will thrive indoors.

Ready to Furnish an Apartment?

If you are ready to furnish your apartment and maximize your space, contact us. We would love to help you find the right pieces for your place.