A lot of renters understand the challenges of living in small spaces, but an apartment’s size doesn’t always determine how spacious it feels. When done well, the right design choices can make any home feel more open and functional.
Whether you’re furnishing a studio apartment in San Diego, CA, or making the most of a one-bedroom home in Richmond, VA, understanding which features create the feeling of more space can help you design a home that feels comfortable and livable. We asked industry experts to share their small apartment ideas to make a limited space feel larger. Let’s get started.
In this article:
1. Prioritize open floor plans
An open layout maximizes space, creating a sense of flow between different areas of the apartment. As the team at Goldmark Property Management in Fargo, ND shares, “An open layout that connects the kitchen and living area often makes a smaller apartment home feel bigger. Without walls interrupting sightlines, the space appears more seamless and functional, despite limited square footage.”
The Q Topanga in Woodland Hills, CA echoes this idea, noting that an open floor plan works best when it’s paired with well-thought-out design. “Open layouts can make a home at our newest development, The Q De Soto, feel more expansive from the moment you walk in. Thoughtfully designed floor plans, high ceilings, abundant natural light, and well-planned storage help create a brighter, more open feel while keeping everyday essentials neatly tucked away. The result is a space that feels functional, polished, and comfortably larger than its square footage.”
2. Aim for multi-use furniture
As you start decorating your new place, multipurpose furniture is key. Ezra Gershanok, Co-founder of Ohana Housing Co. explains, “Ohana has become the largest subletting marketplace in New York City, and after seeing hundreds of apartments, one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that less is more. The apartments that feel the largest are the ones without clutter, where each piece of furniture serves multiple purposes.”
This approach is especially important when styling studio apartments and one-bedroom rentals, where every piece of furniture makes a difference. Gershanok continues, “I live in a small NYC apartment myself, and instead of trying to fit more into the space, I’ve focused on a few versatile items, like a TV that’s visible from both my couch and my bed, which makes the apartment feel both functional and open.”
3. Place your furniture with intention
In a small apartment, how furniture is arranged can be just as important as the pieces themselves. An intentional layout can help define different areas of a home, creating better flow.
The team at Stage & Fold in New York, NY explains, “Thoughtful staging can make a small apartment feel more spacious by demonstrating how each area can be used effectively. Well-scaled furniture and intentional layouts help define spaces without making them feel crowded, allowing buyers and renters to better appreciate the apartment’s size and functionality. While traditional staging isn’t always within every budget, alternative staging solutions, like the ones we offer, can help achieve a similar effect without the higher cost.”
4. Keep the decor simple
“When you’re working with a small space, good design comes down to editing. The goal is to declutter anything that adds visual weight and keep only the pieces that bring in light and depth,” shares the team at Month2Month. “Start with the big offenders. Swap that bulky media console for a slim wooden tripod TV stand – it holds everything you need without eating up floor space. A glass coffee table is another easy win, since it sits in the center of the room without turning into one more solid block.”
They also recommend thinking beyond the pieces themselves. “When you do add something, choose the right piece first, then think about where it goes and how it plays with the room’s colors. Lean a full-length mirror against the wall opposite a window instead of mounting it; it bounces the daylight around and reflects the view outside, almost like a second window. A rug in the same color family as your flooring, just a shade or two lighter, can soften the edges of the floor, draw the eye outward, and catch a little extra light.”
5. Add floor-to-ceiling design elements
Drawing the eye upward with vertical elements is a simple way to create the illusion of height and openness. Kimberly Sektnan from Performance Properties in Portland, OR recommends using these elements strategically, explaining, “Hang curtains close to the ceiling and extend them slightly beyond the window frame. This draws the eye upward and makes windows appear larger. A large decorative mirror will emphasize vertical space, making ceilings appear higher and the room feel less confined.”
Sektnan adds that a large mirror can also add to the effect. “Leaning one slightly against the wall can create a stylish, designer-inspired look while maximizing this effect.” It’s the perfect way to create a sense of openness without major renovations.
6. Look for uniform flooring
A cohesive design creates a sense of continuity from one area to the next. When flooring and finishes flow throughout the space, there are fewer visual breaks, helping the apartment feel larger and more connected. As the team at Goldmark Property Management explains, “Using uniform flooring and straightforward finishes further enhances a clean, spacious appearance.”
7. Layer your lighting
Lighting is an underrated design element that can actually make a place feel more expansive. When lighting a room, layer floor lamps, table lamps, and wall sconces to add depth. By using multiple light sources at varying heights, you reduce harsh shadows in the corners of a room. These overlapping pools of light draw the eye across the space, creating a sense of openness that a single overhead light cannot achieve.
Small apartment ideas for your new place
Transforming a small apartment into a spacious-feeling home doesn’t require massive renovations or a total overhaul. With any type of apartment, you can create an environment that’s open, airy, and truly your own. Ultimately, it’s about balancing functionality with light, allowing you to maximize every square foot of your space.
