17 Small Apartment Living Room Ideas for a Cozy Home Makeover
Personalize your rental with these budget-friendly design tips.
Whether you rent or own, decorating an apartment living room isn't easy — from arranging furniture to buying an area rug and hanging artwork. In a small one-bedroom or studio apartment, the living room may be more than just a living room; it may also be a dining room, bedroom, playroom or home office. To help you make the most of your space, we've rounded up inspiring apartment living room ideas you'll love recreating, even on a budget.
"Little rooms can function exactly like bigger rooms when thoughtful considerations are put in place," says Jenny Williamson, principal designer at West Rose Design, who suggests space-saving solutions like coffee tables with concealed storage, side tables that double as floor lamps and pull-out sofas. "There’s no room for items with only one purpose in apartment living." Give a couple of these ideas a go!
Install Renter-Friendly Shelves
Take note from designer Anastasia Casey and decorate a blank, white wall with tall bookshelves. Then, layer in decorative items like books, artwork and thrifted knick-knacks. Installing shelves may require a few screw holes, but overall no major wall damage.
Decorate With Greenery
Houseplants are the easiest way to enliven your small apartment. Here, designer Anjie Cho includes a mix of small succulents, floor plants and trailing plants. A few of our favorite hard-to-kill houseplants include snake plants, ZZ plants, rubber plants and English ivy.
Get a Colorful Couch
If you don't have time for a paint job, use bright furniture to distract from neutral walls. In this design from AMMOR Architecture, small, colorful plates bring personality to the neutral walls and complement the vibrant couch.
Hang Curtains High
These washed linen curtains with a classic French pleat are hung nearly a foot above the windows, making this apartment living room feel much larger.
Install Removable Wallpaper
Wallpaper is a great way to make a small space feel glam. Here, designer Megan Hopp opts for a gold speckled wallpaper, then layers in gold accents for a cohesive feel. For a temporary solution, go for peel-and-stick wallpaper — which is easier to apply and remove.
Turn an Ottoman Into a Coffee Table
Swap a traditional coffee table for a spacious ottoman, which doubles as extra seating when guests are over. Take a cue from designer Andrea May and choose a chic, fringe ottoman for added style.
Consider Bright and Bold Artwork
Most renters have to deal with boring, white walls — making artwork and accessories that much more important. Hang colorful artwork and decorate with patterned fabrics to bring personality into your apartment.
Create a Gallery Wall
Again, don't let simple white walls make your space feel impersonal. Here, designer Ali Budd arranges a black-and-white gallery wall to create a contrast-filled interior.
Arrange a Spacious Sectional
Sometimes a great sectional can actually make your room look bigger. Ground your living space with a modern sectional, even better if you settle on a deep blue velvet fabric.
Bring in a Bar Cart
When you're decorating an apartment, it's all about maximizing every space you've got. Roll a bar cart into the living room — the perfect place to display your liquor collection and make drinks for friends. Take inspiration from designer Ruthie Staalsen and find a gold bar cart that pairs effortlessly with a gallery wall.
Mount Your TV
Create the appearance of a larger and less cluttered space by mounting your TV on the wall, ideally over a chic media console table. We love how Curated Nest adds white bookshelves on each side of the TV for symmetry.
Embrace a Boho Style
Even if your apartment is a temporary home, you should make it your own. Source artwork, throw pillows, rugs and decorative items that reflect your personality — like these boho accents that exude a happy, whimsical style.
Take Advantage of Vertical Space
If your apartment is short on floor space, make the most of your ceiling height. Molly Torres Portnof of DATE Interiors installs shelving units that are great for storage, but also showing off prized possessions — namely that growing record collection.
Go a Little Maximalist
Here, Blessed Little Bungalow proves more is more, even in a tiny apartment. Don't shy away from whimsical patterns, funky wall art and cute knick-knacks just because you've got limited space.
...Or Keep it Minimal
If you want your space to feel clean and modern, keep decor at a minimum. Choose a simple, white sofa topped with a few throw pillows and hang only your favorite artwork on the walls.
Layer in Pattern and Texture
We'll say it again: Don't let white walls dictate your home style. To decorate this bright space, designer Marie Cloud of Indigo Pruitt hangs geometric curtains, lays down a patterned area rug and opts for a pink velvet sofa.
Introduce Pops of Color
A trendy green sofa is a great way to elevate a neutral interior. Tie the rest of the space together with patterned curtains, nature-inspired wall art and fresh greenery.
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) leads Good Housekeeping’s gift guide strategy. She writes and edits commerce content, where she analyzes lifestyle trends, shopping data, and works closely with the Good Housekeeping Institute to recommend top-tested products. Previously, she was the associate lifestyle editor for GH and wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, BobVila.com, and Unique Homes Magazine. When she’s not tracking down buzzy products, you can find her walking her dog, Skye, around Jersey City.
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