Transform your small apartment living room with these space-saving ideas.
8 Small Apartment Living Room Ideas
Updated on Jul. 29, 2025
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Smart Furniture Choices
In her 610-sq.-ft. home, @shoebox.designs knew choosing right-sized furniture was essential. This small sofa in the living room is only 62 inches wide, but deep enough so there’s no sacrifice on comfort.
The other elements in the room, including the orange armchair, dark wood accents and stunning gallery wall, prove that even a small living room can be brimming with rich, vintage style.
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Colorful and Compact
Make a big statement in your small apartment living room with plenty of bright colors, like this example from @the_flat_that_rosie_built.
If your rental agreement prohibits painting the walls or changing the flooring, there are still plenty of opportunities to add color with throw pillows, furniture, rugs and artwork. The blanket ladder is a great way to store extra throws without taking up too much space.
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Embrace Maximalism
It’s tempting to limit the amount of stuff in a small space, but that’s not always necessary. There’s no reason your small apartment shouldn’t match your maximalist style.
This bold living room by @thefrankiedlc features dark walls, neon trim, a bright pink sofa, and even a mini refrigerator. But thanks to the clever layout, the room feels welcoming and cozy instead of cramped.
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Accent With Pattern
This small-but-chic living room by @katelynsailor is mostly done in white, including the walls, sofa and coffee table. White can make a small space feel bigger and brighter. Bold patterns in the pillows, accessories, rug and artwork create the perfect balance of sophisticated and fun. No one would ever call this room bland. Even a tiny apartment can be tidy and organized with these creative and renter-friendly storage solutions.
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Minimalist Design
This small apartment living room by @kate_aubrey_creative is all about minimalist design. Limiting the amount of accessories and artwork in a small space makes it feel open and airy.
Allow your room to breathe by selecting furniture with clean lines and solid colors instead of busy patterns. To avoid the room looking too stark, layer textures, add a plant and use a pop of color like the red cabinet and light fixture seen here.
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Create Calmness With Neutrals
Although there’s nothing wrong with a colorful living room, sometimes decorating with neutrals can help a small space feel calm and relaxing.
This living room by @katnay_ uses wood tones and soft, neutral textiles to create a serene haven to enjoy after a busy day. Hanging baskets on the wall offers an easy and inexpensive way to add interest while staying true to the boho-natural style.
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Extra Small and Simple
Even an extra-small apartment living room can be beautiful and functional. This lovely space is technically a second bedroom, but @mycityapartment converted it into a living room by adding a simple white sofa and a narrow bench that serves as the TV console. To cut back on clutter, the books under the bench hide the TV cords and cable box.
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Thrift Store Finds
Outfitting your small apartment living room on a budget? Take a page from @quirinebrouwer‘s playbook by decorating and furnishing your space with thrift store treasures.
This eclectic living room is full of character and color — a style that she calls “grandmotherly with a hint of fortune-teller circus tent.” Remember, limited square footage does not mean holding back on expressing your personality!
FAQ
How can I add color to my apartment without painting the walls?
There are many ways to add color to your apartment without painting the walls, including using peel-and-stick wallpaper, choosing colorful furniture or painting furniture, using vinyl backsplash stickers, adding a pattern to the walls with washi tape, or adding colorful touches with decorative or useful items like paintings, blankets, etc.
Is maximalist decor suitable for small spaces?
Yes, maximalist decor is suitable for small spaces, as long as some fundamental maximalist interior design principles are kept in mind. For example, try to ensure that the items that make up your maximalist decor are above average in quality and/or collected over time, as in the case with objects obtained through travel.
How can I make my small living room feel more spacious?
One way to make a small living room feel more spacious is through choosing strategic paint colors that make small spaces look bigger. Additional ways to make small spaces look bigger include choosing leggy furniture, opting for sheer curtains, using mirrors, and going vertical with storage.
How do I use color strategically?
Interior designer and founder of CRAFT by Anika Anika Tarasiewicz shares, “Paint is one of the simplest and most powerful tools for changing how a space feels.” She goes on, “Choose colors that reflect how you want to feel. Warm tones to invite relaxation, cooler ones to bring calm. Always sample paint in different lights before committing and give swatches time to settle.” She adds some insight about how to make color feel cohesive throughout the space: “Repeating color across pillows, art or accessories can tie areas together without overwhelming the room.”
How should I balance style with comfort?
Balancing style and comfort is so important when it comes to creating a space you love and feel good in. “Prioritize texture and material,” says Tarasiewicz, pointing out that “a beautiful chair means little if it isn’t comfortable.” She details, “Blend softness with clean lines to keep the space elevated but livable. Add personality through styling choices that reflect your everyday life rather than relying on too many decorative pieces. Keep what adds beauty, warmth, or purpose and let the rest go.”
About the expert
Anika Tarasiewicz is the founder and CEO of CRAFT by Anika, a full-service interior design firm based in Staten Island, NY. She specializes in residential and boutique commercial design, project management, holiday decorating, and professional organizing.
