Small apartment decoration: ideas, tips, and mistakes to avoid

If your home is one of those where square meters are not exactly abundant, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed thinking about how to make the most of it. Decorating a small apartment to make it visually appear larger is quite a challenge. Small spaces require good ideas, and let’s be honest, they don’t always come to us easily.

The fact that decorating small apartments is complicated doesn’t mean it’s impossible. And it’s not! We have the tips and tricks you need to help you make the most of your rooms and have them "grow" visually almost automatically. Our success formula is very simple: when centimeters are scarce… unleash creativity!

So, stop lamenting and start saying goodbye to that suffocating feeling you get every time you look at your tiny apartment. Take note of our tips and tricks and bring out everything your home has to offer (and trust us, it’s much more than you think).

Textures, materials, furniture, layout... there are many elements to consider when decorating a small apartment. Let’s get practical. We’re making it very easy for you! Don’t worry, there are options for every budget.

13 foolproof ideas to maximize space when decorating small apartments

Minimalism is one of the most popular styles in interior design, especially at home. A style that champions "doing more with less", reducing decoration to the basics while still being equally impactful. Even in large apartments! Contradictory, right? Or perhaps not so much?

That’s exactly what we suggest for decorating your small apartment. Do a lot with very little. Because the key is in the small details, not in the space’s surface area. The limited square meters, which may initially seem like a handicap, are actually an advantage. A "weakness" turned into a strength: creating a space that is even cozier. The possibilities multiply to transform the home into one that overflows with personality.

You don’t need to give in to the temptation of tearing down walls to create more open spaces with better natural light. There are many other alternatives. Want to know them? These are the 6 foolproof and affordable ideas to maximize space when decorating small apartments. Take note!

1. Think of your small apartment’s decoration as a whole

Don’t choose a color palette for each room. Instead, opt for a unified decorative style with a consistent color and texture scheme for the entire apartment. By providing uniformity, the space will flow better. Mixing styles will only result in chaotic decoration. Choose the style you like the most and commit fully to it for the entire home.

2. A murphy bed: the best ally if you have kids at home

Small children need plenty of space to play, study, and grow. This can be hard to achieve when square meters are in short supply. In truth, rooms in new constructions are increasingly smaller, so it’s a “problem” many families face.

If this is your case, we recommend a Murphy bed so you can make the most of the space. With this bed, there’s not only more room to move around but also extra storage space for clothes or toys, and you can even incorporate a small desk. Functionality above all!

3. Add small touches of color in small apartment decoration

If you like color, you don’t have to give it up. Use it in small doses and in elements that are easy to replace. For example, don’t go for a green sofa. Instead, choose wall art in that same shade. That way, you can change it whenever you get bored without spending too much.

On the other hand, if strong colors aren’t your thing and you prefer a completely neutral palette, you can break up the monotony with plants. Plants in small apartment decoration add color and texture naturally. Use them sparingly, and you’ll win.

4. Choose seamless materials for floors and walls

There are numerous materials to cover your floors and walls, but the best option is to go for microcement when decorating small apartments. This seamless coating creates continuous spaces, making rooms appear much larger than they are.

In addition to giving the home a sense of spaciousness, it also enhances natural light. This coating has many more advantages: it’s easy and quick to apply since it doesn’t require major renovations; it’s water-resistant, abrasion-resistant, sun-resistant, and impact-resistant; it offers non-slip finishes and is compatible with underfloor heating, among others.

But here’s the best part: you can apply it yourself! Well, with Smartcret, you can. We manufacture ready-to-use microcemento, fully pigmented.so all you have to do is open the can and get to work. You’ll create spaces brimming with personality affordably and without the hassle of major renovations. Smartcret is a total win-win.

5. Think vertically to gain space when decorating small apartments

Don’t limit yourself to horizontal decoration and complain about not having enough square meters. If your apartment lacks space, add floating shelves as bookcases, but avoid over-decorating to prevent a cluttered look. A popular option for small apartments is to add a shelf behind the sofa. This creates a sense of verticality and visual movement while adding extra storage to your small space.

6. Use rugs to separate spaces

Don’t build walls that make the space feel smaller. If you want to separate the living room and dining area, use rugs to visually frame the space without creating barriers. Adding rugs also provides warmth and comfort to the rooms without taking up space with unnecessary visual blockages when decorating small apartments.

7. Don’t forget the bathroom when decorating small apartments

You may not give it the importance it deserves, but the bathroom plays a significant role when it comes to decorating small apartments. Proper planning here is essential. Organizing a small bathroom isn’t all that complicated; you just need to know the exact dimensions and requirements to decorate it in the most functional way possible.

Shelves, hooks, and organizers are mandatory in the bathroom to organize towels and other products such as soaps, sponges, etc. They instantly become auxiliary pieces that provide that much-needed storage space you’re always missing. Have you heard about suspended sanitary fixtures? They’ve recently become trendy because they take up less space than conventional ones.

8. Trust in tradition: paint to decorate small apartments

Not everything has to be about innovation. Sometimes, traditional methods are the most practical and effective. This is the case with tile paint, which could be the solution you need to decorate the bathroom and kitchen of a small apartment. With Smartcover Tiles, you don’t even need a primer. This paint is very easy to use, dries extremely quickly, and is highly durable, providing professional results.

9. Extendable tables: it’s what’s inside that counts

What would Christmas dinners and large gatherings with friends be without extendable tables? You don’t need a 150-square-meter house to be the heart of the party. An extendable table will be your new best friend – and that of your loved ones too!

10. Remove walls to decorate your small apartment

An idea that is gaining more and more followers in small apartment decoration is undoubtedly the "open concept". Removing walls and partitions, or replacing them with other elements, will allow you to achieve an open layout that increases the feeling of spaciousness. You’ll gain usable square meters and enjoy a more versatile space, especially in smaller areas like the kitchen or entryway. If your tiny apartment has too many useless partitions, get ready – you won’t be able to resist putting this idea into practice.

Even if you have annoying load-bearing walls, while you can’t remove them completely, you can create strategic openings. However, for this, you’ll need an expert to handle all the necessary calculations.

11. Replace walls with glass panels and win with the change

Regardless of your apartment’s condition, replacing traditional walls with glass panels will divide the spaces without sacrificing lightness and brightness. You can choose opaque glass if you want more privacy in your small apartment’s decoration or add a curtain that you can draw or pull back depending on the time of day.

12. Modular sofas to adapt to small apartment decoration

The living room is the star room of your small apartment and, practically, of any home. But what is the centerpiece of the living room? The sofa, of course. Choose a modular sofa that adapts to the available space and doesn’t force you to give up other elements when decorating your small apartment.

There are also modules that can be moved and separated to meet your needs at any given moment. For example, if you have a footrest, add a tray on top, and you can use it as a table when needed.

13. Built-in closets that blend with the wall

If, in any room, the stars align and you find yourself with a few extra square meters, opt for built-in closets integrated into the walls. How? Coat them with microcement in the same color as the wall and choose small, discreet handles. You’ll gain a significant amount of storage space, and they’ll go completely unnoticed.

Tips for decorating a small apartment

If you thought we had told you everything, you’re wrong. We have even more tips to help you decorate a small apartment and find the balance you’re looking for. Starting with something very simple: buy only what you really need.

Think long-term when decorating a small apartment

We often get obsessed with all kinds of furniture and accessories: pictures, shelves, armchairs, plants… You’d buy half the store, and you know it. But we rarely ask ourselves the big question: Does my apartment need it, or is it a whim? Will I change it in a couple of years? Or is it not a decorative piece that follows any trend?

Many people mistakenly think that the more items used to decorate a small apartment, the better. The result is exactly the opposite: the space feels overloaded and, consequently, even smaller.

Match materials and colors

We love combining elements in decoration – we’re the first to admit it – but it’s not the best idea when decorating a small apartment. Contrasts are detrimental to achieving the sense of spaciousness we want. Uniformity is key, so stick to similar tones. For example, if you add several wooden furniture pieces in the living room, make sure they are lacquered or in similar shades.

If there’s one color that will help you tremendously in maximizing the space of your tiny apartment, it’s white. It adds spaciousness and brightness in equal measure. Plus, it’s a color that never goes out of style.

Make use of wall space to decorate your small apartment

Take advantage of your wall space and fill it, but in moderation. Replace artwork with hooks, shelves, and ledges—elements you can use to store important items and free up floor space. It’s all about proper distribution.

Exploit ceiling height, if you have it

If your small apartment has a high ceiling, you’re in luck! Take advantage of it and build a loft where you can store storage boxes, plants, or anything else you like.

Say goodbye to doors when decorating small apartments

Getting rid of doors is an ideal technique to gain space and light. Let’s be honest, how often do we really close the doors in our homes? The bathroom door, of course—but what about the others? So don’t overthink it and say goodbye to doors. You’ll gain visual space and a sense of tranquility.

Also eliminate unnecessary passageways

Hallways are one of the elements that consume the most square meters, especially when they don’t have a second use. The best option is to tear down partitions, but if that’s too drastic, opt for installing a small entryway unit with shoe storage or hang a coat rack on the wall. You’ll make use of every square centimeter.

Pay attention to lighting

The importance of lighting is undeniable; it can completely change the appearance of a room. However, not everyone values it the same way. Choosing the right light adds warmth to a space and gives it character—something especially important in decorating a small apartment where lighting plays an even greater role. Choose proportionate lamps with warmer light for resting areas and white light for work zones.

Custom furniture for small apartment decoration

Both large chains and boutique furniture stores offer pieces with standard measurements. Unfortunately, these dimensions often don’t fit well in small apartments. If you don’t want to sacrifice your limited space or your style, go for custom furniture. It will give your home a unique style.

Custom furniture is undoubtedly more expensive, but you’ll gain versatility and make use of every square centimeter in your small apartment’s decoration. Trust us—it’s worth investing in a quality piece that fulfills its function without overcrowding the space. If your home has many corners, custom furniture will help you make the most of them. Plus, for a distinctive touch, you can coat them yourself with our ready-to-use microcement.

In small apartment decoration, strategic storage is key

Storage space is essential in decorating your small apartment. Choose furniture with built-in storage, like a bed with space underneath for seasonal clothes or a bench where you can store blankets during summer. Anything you can keep out of sight will increase the sense of spaciousness in your home.

Mistakes you must avoid when decorating small apartments

So far, we’ve recommended things you can do to decorate, improve, and fall in love with your small apartment. Now it’s time to discuss the opposite: ideas that, although they might seem helpful, will only make your home feel even smaller. Here are the most common mistakes people make that you should avoid at all costs.

Buying items with limited use

Online shopping can be very tempting. You sit on the couch, open the internet, and are flooded with thousands of offers. You think, this would look so beautiful here. Or even, this other thing? It’s perfect. In the end, you buy items you think you need, but they actually harm the decoration of your small apartment, cluttering it.

Let’s be clear: you don’t need twenty baking utensils, much less an eighth throw pillow for a room where you can’t even fit the ones you already have. Single-use objects are not friends of small apartments. Instead, they’re enemies that eat up storage space without offering anything in return beyond the thrill of hitting the “buy” button.

Creating spaces that aren’t functional

If you work from home, you’ll need a dedicated area for it. But if you only use your computer to watch a series now and then, don’t waste square meters on something you won’t fully utilize.

The same applies to less bulky items, such as a kitchen robot. Yes, it’s a great appliance, but will you use it outside of Christmas cooking? Before making the purchase, stop to think and analyze your lifestyle and what you truly need. Aesthetics are important, but being able to live comfortably in your home is even more so.

Using furniture that blocks light

Optimizing space is great, but if it requires covering part of a window or balcony, it’s not worth it. This often happens with sofas that have backs so high they block windows or with shelves and cabinets that, while offering storage, are simply too large. Nothing in your small apartment’s decoration is worth sacrificing natural light.

Overloading the decoration of your small apartment

When decorating a small apartment, your mantra should be "less is more". If you’re unsure about whether to add an item, don’t. Walk around your home, analyze the space, and you’ll realize you already have 20 objects you could do without—so why add one more? If you struggle to figure out what you truly need, you can follow the Marie Kondo method and say goodbye to anything that has already served its purpose and is no longer used.

Overusing dark colors in small apartment decoration

Using an accent wall is a decorative resource with strong visual impact. Typically, this involves painting one wall a darker shade than the others to make it the focal point of the room. However, for decorating a small apartment, we don’t recommend this because it will make the space feel smaller. Instead, opt for lighter, neutral tones that fill the room with light.

You’ve seen it now—size doesn’t matter! Well, it does, but not to the point of becoming an obsession. Every space can be made functional, regardless of its size, as long as it’s done right. Truly, it’s the small details that make the difference. Because in the end, what really matters is turning your small apartment into a place where you feel good and say to yourself, Home Sweet Home.