Tips to make your small apartment look bigger

Rugs can assist in making each space its own | Image by Sven Brandsma

Do you live in a small apartment? Do you feel as if you live in clutter and would like to learn how to use your available space to your advantage? 

Here are effective tips to help you create functional, liveable, as well as visually appealing spaces, by making smaller spaces seem bigger.

Let's start by painting your walls white. White assists with giving an apartment a spacious look. We can use other decorative items to add colour to the spaces.

The next tip would be to utilize your bed space, as well as other organizational systems to create storage space. An example of this would be to use the space beneath your bed to store items that you do not have room for, like suitcases. The suitcases themselves could be used as storage units that could then go beneath the bed. If you would like more space beneath your bed, purchase bed risers. Bed skirts or long duvets will hide whatever you have stored beneath your bed.

Floating shelves | Image by Dane Deaner

Another organizational system would be to use floating shelves, which leads me to the next tip. Using floating shelves has two advantages. One being the fact that you can use that storage space and the second advantage would be assisting in the illusion of having a bigger space. Having floating shelves on your wall will draw the person's eye upwards, which creates the illusion of having a bigger space. You want your guest's attention to be drawn upwards as well as around the room. 

There are other items that can be used to draw your attention upwards, which includes artwork. When choosing an art piece for your wall, I would recommend using a large piece for your wall. This is where you can add colour to your walls, assisting in visual appeal as well as drawing the eyes upwards. Using other larger decorative items will also make your space seem bigger. Using smaller items would make your apartment seem cluttered. Declutter every room. Get rid of items and clothing that you do not need or want anymore. You will immediately see the difference. 

Mirrors reflect light, making small spaces look bigger | Image by Minh Pham

When it comes to selecting furniture, consider purchasing lighter toned furniture, which will reflect light and brighten the space up. Darker tones will absorb light. Speaking of reflective items, using mirrors in small spaces is a must! Consider using large mirrors. Mirrors reflect light and will make any space look bigger. Placing them across windows would give the best effect. 

When it comes to small apartments, rooms are usually combined by using an open floor plan. Allowing each space to be its own will also help make spaces seem bigger. You can section spaces off by using rugs. For example, sectioning the living area from the dining area, by using a rug in a room, will make it look like each space is its own. 

Poufs can be stored beneath these coffee tables for extra seating | Image by Hannah Busing

The next tip would be to purchase a coffee table where you can use the space beneath it for extra seating. For example, storing poufs beneath the coffee table. This idea looks great with a glass coffee table. Not only do glass items look elegant, but they also take up less visual space and reflect light. 

Regarding lighting, consider spreading lamps throughout your rooms, which will focus light on certain areas instead of relying on your overhead lights alone. Using lamps will make your rooms look more spacious as well as give spaces a cozy feel. 

Texture display | Image by Taylor Hernandez

Lastly let's add life to your apartment by adding texture and plants. You can add texture with textiles and fabric. This could be introduced to your apartment on cushion, rugs, throws, blankets and other decorative items. Now you can finally add plants to your apartments. This will liven up your spaces. 

Be creative with your spaces and remember to keep functionality as well as visual appeal in mind. I hope these tips will help you create beautiful and liveable spaces for your home.