By Justyn Harrison
July 12th Need apartment decorating ideas?
We have curated the best design ideas for your small space.
Sourcing affordable furniture pieces or finding easy ways to optimise your floor plan can be hard, especially in a tiny space. Don’t worry, we know the stress all too well. From DIY projects to built-in bookcase bargains, we have you covered. After this, you will feel empowered to create the micro apartment of your dreams.
Need DIY Decorating tips? Check out our Ultimate DIY Decorating Guide.
Living Room
For most people their living room is the most used place in the house, meaning it is always in desperate need of a makeover! Looking at an average living room’s floor space, and the massive couch every new homeowner just “had to have”, we often find little room to incorporate your signature style and make your apartment feel authentically yours!
Hack #1 – Bookshelves on a budget!
The goal is to make your space feel larger than life. Optimising your storage space is key to this! Bookshelves are a great addition to any home (who doesn’t like to read?), but usually, they take up way too much room. Lucky for you we have just the hack!
This Ikea BESTÅ / EKET cabinet combination perfectly blends function and style. It can be a divider to segment your living area or a TV cabinet with built-in storage options for blankets, books and pillows in your living room.
Hack #2 – Optimise your Coffee Table
A small living room is everyone’s pet peeve (You can admit it – this is a safe space). Our next hack is to have a multifunctional coffee table. Fabric Coffee tables can easily count as extra storage, or options like the Southerland coffee table from Temple & Webster (pictured) have removable seating.
Dining Room
In a tiny apartment or small home, it’s often hard to remember to create a designated dining zone. But with smart storage solutions and purchasing decisions, you can ‘have your cake and eat it too’ – especially now that you have a space to eat it in.
Hack #1 – Folding Dining Table
Find a dining table that can fold, trust us, this is a good one. Most foldable dining tables have built-in shelving, making them the perfect two-in-one. It helps to reduce the square footage of your allocated dining space without taking up much-needed floor space.
Hack #2 – Organise everything!
Turning everything into a storage solution is the key to perfecting small-space living. This desk organiser is perfect for storing sauces, cutlery and more in your dining area, reducing the need for shelving.
Bedroom
Let’s be frank, in Australia, you are more likely to buy a home with a small bedroom making home decor very challenging. As you gathered by now, we have the top tips for you!
Hack #1 – Try a day bed.
Small? ✅, Storage? ✅, Stylish? ✅. A day bed in your space might be the solution to your apartment’s interior woes.
This Ikea HEMNES day bed has 3 drawers and is only 2.9 meters wide!
Hack #2 – Bedroom storage
Have space for a full-size bed? We suggest you utilise the floor space under it as well. This is a smart way to design a small bedroom as shelving sometimes blocks natural light from coming in.
Amazon has some great under-bed storage solutions, some even come on wheels for easy access to your items!
Home Office
Hack #1 – Mount your Desk
If you are concerned about the square footage of your current apartment or house, we recommend mounting your desk. Small, chic, desks can be popped on your wall and are the perfect way to integrate a designated work/study zone in your home without taking up too much room, some even have shelving to display your home decor items!
Hack #2 – Decorate with plants
Plants are a fantastic way to bring a tiny house to life. They add a touch of nature, improve air quality, and can make any space feel more vibrant and inviting.
Our top pick is a snake plant, they are suitable for any environment, drought tolerant and don’t take up too much room!
Moving with plants? Find out how to here.
Small Apartments or Studio Apartments
When it comes to small apartments—those 500 square feet or less—smart shopping is key. It might sound straightforward, but the best way to make your tiny home look stylish is by investing more in staple items that are always on display. Think along the lines of chic coffee table books or a cool vase for the shelf. On the flip side, don’t sweat the less visible stuff like storage boxes, organisers, and bed frames. Prioritising the right pieces can make a huge difference in creating a stylish and comfortable space!
Here’s a gallery wall of our favourite design trends.
From Parisian, Minimalist, New York/Manhattan style or the London look, we love them all. Share yours in the comments below!
