How to Make a Small Apartment Feel Bigger: Practical Tips for Spacious Living

Living in a small apartment, whether a cozy studio or a compact one-bedroom, can feel restrictive without the right approach.

However, with thoughtful design, strategic organization, and clever hacks, you can make your space feel larger, more functional, and inviting.

This article addresses the common question, “How to make a small apartment feel bigger?” by offering 22 practical, budget-friendly tips to maximize space and enhance aesthetics.

Why Making a Small Apartment Feel Bigger Matters

Small apartments often come with challenges like limited square footage, tight layouts, and minimal storage. Without proper planning, these spaces can feel cramped, cluttered, and overwhelming. By implementing smart strategies, you can:

Create the illusion of space: Make rooms appear larger and more open.
Enhance comfort: Design a welcoming environment for daily living.
Improve functionality: Optimize storage and layout for practicality.
Elevate aesthetics: Achieve a stylish, cohesive look that feels airy.

Below, we explore 22 actionable tips to make your small apartment feel bigger, covering design, furniture, organization, and decor. These solutions are affordable, renter-friendly, and designed to transform your space into a spacious-feeling home.

1. Use Light Colors for Walls and Furniture

Light colors reflect natural and artificial light, making rooms feel brighter and more spacious.

How to implement: Paint walls in whites, creams, or soft pastels. Choose light-colored furniture like a beige sofa or oak table.
Examples: Behr’s Ultra Pure White paint or IKEA’s Ektorp sofa in light gray.
Price range: $30–$100 for paint; $200–$800 for furniture.

Pro Tip: Add colorful throw pillows or rugs to avoid a monotonous look.

2. Incorporate Mirrors to Reflect Light

Mirrors amplify light and create the illusion of depth, instantly making a room feel larger.

How to implement: Place a large mirror opposite a window or use mirrored furniture like a console or nightstand.
Examples: IKEA’s NISSEDAL full-length mirror or West Elm’s mirrored tray.
Price range: $20–$200.

Design Tip: Opt for frameless mirrors for a sleek, modern aesthetic.

3. Choose Multifunctional Furniture

Furniture that serves multiple purposes reduces clutter and frees up floor space.

How to implement: Select a sofa bed, storage ottoman, or a coffee table with shelves.
Examples: IKEA’s Friheten sofa bed or Target’s Threshold storage ottoman.
Price range: $50–$800.

Pro Tip: Look for pieces with clean lines to maintain a streamlined appearance.

4. Utilize Vertical Space with Shelving

Vertical storage draws the eye upward, creating a sense of height and openness.

How to implement: Install floating shelves or tall bookcases for books, plants, or decor.
Examples: IKEA’s Lack floating shelves or The Container Store’s wall shelves.
Price range: $15–$150.

Pro Tip: Style shelves sparingly to avoid visual clutter.

5. Declutter Ruthlessly

Clutter makes small spaces feel chaotic and confined. A minimalist approach opens up your apartment.

How to implement: Adopt the one-in, one-out rule and donate unused items. Use the KonMari method to keep only essentials.
Tools: Donation bins, storage containers, or apps like OfferUp for selling items.
Price range: $0–$50 for storage solutions.

Pro Tip: Schedule weekly decluttering sessions to maintain a tidy space.

6. Opt for Furniture with Exposed Legs

Furniture with visible legs allows light to flow underneath, creating an airy, open feel.

How to implement: Choose a sofa, bed, or chairs with raised legs in slim designs.
Examples: Article’s Sven sofa or IKEA’s Malm bed with raised legs.
Price range: $200–$1,000.

Design Tip: Pair with a light-colored rug to enhance the spacious effect.

7. Use Transparent or Glass Furniture

Transparent materials like glass or acrylic reduce visual weight, making rooms feel less crowded.

How to implement: Incorporate a glass coffee table, acrylic chairs, or lucite shelves.
Examples: CB2’s acrylic dining chair or IKEA’s Vittsjö glass-top table.
Price range: $50–$400.

Pro Tip: Keep glass surfaces polished for a clean, airy look.

8. Maximize Natural Light

Natural light brightens and opens up small spaces, making them feel more expansive.

How to implement: Use sheer or no curtains to let light flood in. Clean windows regularly to maximize clarity.
Examples: IKEA’s LILL sheer curtains or Amazon’s linen-blend curtains.
Price range: $10–$50.

Pro Tip: Avoid placing furniture in front of windows to keep light unobstructed.

9. Create Zones with Rugs or Dividers

Defining separate areas in a small apartment prevents it from feeling like one cramped room.

How to implement: Use area rugs or folding screens to separate living, sleeping, or work zones.
Examples: Wayfair’s folding room divider or Target’s woven area rug.
Price range: $30–$200.

Design Tip: Choose rugs with subtle patterns to maintain an open feel.

10. Hang Curtains High and Wide

Hanging curtains above and beyond the window frame makes windows appear larger, adding height and width to the room.

How to implement: Mount curtain rods 6–12 inches above the window and extend them past the frame.
Examples: Amazon’s adjustable curtain rods or IKEA’s VIDGA curtain system.
Price range: $20–$80.

Pro Tip: Use lightweight, flowing fabrics for a breezy aesthetic.

11. Choose a Cohesive Color Palette

A unified color scheme creates visual continuity, making the space feel larger and more harmonious.

How to implement: Stick to 2–3 colors, using light neutrals as a base with one accent color.
Examples: Sherwin-Williams’ Agreeable Gray with navy accents or beige with soft green.
Price range: $30–$100 for paint or decor.

Pro Tip: Extend the color palette to accessories for a seamless look.

12. Incorporate Wall-Mounted Lighting

Wall-mounted or sconce lighting saves floor and table space, keeping surfaces clear and rooms open.

How to implement: Install sconces or plug-in wall lights in living areas or bedrooms.
Examples: IKEA’s NYMÅNE wall lamp or Amazon’s plug-in sconce.
Price range: $20–$100.

Pro Tip: Use warm-toned bulbs to create a cozy yet spacious ambiance.

13. Use Sliding Doors or Pocket Doors

Traditional swinging doors take up valuable space. Sliding or pocket doors free up room for movement.

How to implement: Replace closet or room doors with sliding barn doors or pocket doors.
Examples: Home Depot’s sliding barn door kit or IKEA’s PAX sliding wardrobe doors.
Price range: $100–$500.

Pro Tip: Choose mirrored sliding doors to combine storage and space-enhancing effects.

14. Keep Floors Clear

A clear floor creates an unobstructed view, making the apartment feel larger.

How to implement: Use wall-mounted or under-furniture storage to keep items off the floor.
Examples: IKEA’s SKUBB under-bed storage or The Container Store’s wall hooks.
Price range: $10–$50.

Pro Tip: Vacuum or sweep regularly to maintain a clean, open floor.

15. Opt for Low-Profile Furniture

Low-profile furniture sits closer to the ground, creating a sense of height in the room.

How to implement: Choose a low sofa, bed, or coffee table with sleek designs.
Examples: IKEA’s Söderhamn low sofa or Zinus’s low platform bed.
Price range: $200–$800.

Design Tip: Balance low furniture with tall decor, like a floor lamp, for proportion.

16. Use Stripes or Patterns Strategically

Vertical or horizontal stripes can elongate walls or floors, creating a sense of expanded space.

How to implement: Add a striped rug or peel-and-stick wallpaper with subtle vertical lines.
Examples: Target’s striped area rug or Amazon’s peel-and-stick striped wallpaper.
Price range: $30–$150.

Pro Tip: Use horizontal stripes on floors and vertical stripes on walls for maximum effect.

17. Incorporate Foldable Furniture

Foldable furniture can be stored away when not in use, freeing up space for daily activities.

How to implement: Use a foldable dining table, chairs, or wall-mounted desk.
Examples: IKEA’s Norden gateleg table or Target’s foldable chairs.
Price range: $50–$300.

Pro Tip: Store foldable items in a closet or under furniture when not needed.

18. Use Open Shelving

Open shelving feels less heavy than closed cabinets, contributing to an airy atmosphere.

How to implement: Install open shelves in the kitchen or living room for dishes or decor.
Examples: IKEA’s Kallax open shelving or The Container Store’s open wall shelves.
Price range: $30–$200.

Pro Tip: Style shelves with minimal items to avoid a cluttered look.

19. Add Large-Scale Art or Decor

A single large piece of art draws the eye upward, making walls appear taller and rooms larger.

How to implement: Hang a large canvas or framed print above a sofa or bed.
Examples: Amazon’s oversized canvas prints or Etsy’s large wall art.
Price range: $30–$150.

Design Tip: Choose art with light colors or abstract designs for an open feel.

20. Maintain Consistent Organization

A tidy space feels larger and more inviting than a cluttered one.

How to implement: Use storage bins, baskets, or drawer organizers to keep items in place. Schedule weekly tidying sessions.
Examples: The Container Store’s clear bins or IKEA’s Sockerbit storage boxes.
Price range: $10–$50.

Pro Tip: Assign a “home” for every item to ensure consistent organization.

21. Use Reflective Surfaces

Reflective surfaces like metallic accents or glossy finishes bounce light, enhancing the sense of space.

How to implement: Incorporate a metallic lamp, glossy vase, or chrome-accented furniture.
Examples: Target’s metallic table lamp or IKEA’s STOCKHOLM mirrored tray.
Price range: $20–$100.

Pro Tip: Use reflective decor sparingly to avoid overwhelming the space.

22. Create a Focal Point

A bold focal point, like a statement wall or unique furniture piece, draws attention and distracts from the room’s size.

How to implement: Paint an accent wall or add a striking piece like a colorful armchair.
Examples: Sherwin-Williams’ Naval accent paint or West Elm’s bold armchair.
Price range: $30–$500.

Pro Tip: Keep surrounding decor minimal to let the focal point shine.

Tips for Making a Small Apartment Feel Bigger

To maximize these strategies, consider these principles:

Measure your space: Ensure furniture and decor fit your apartment’s dimensions.
Prioritize light and openness: Use light colors, reflective surfaces, and minimal clutter.
Balance style and function: Choose pieces that are both practical and visually appealing.
Stay consistent: Maintain organization and cleaning routines to preserve the spacious feel.
Shop smart: Explore retailers like IKEA, Target, Amazon, or The Container Store for affordable solutions.

Conclusion

Mastering how to make a small apartment feel bigger involves combining smart design, strategic organization, and intentional decor choices.

From light-colored walls and mirrors to multifunctional furniture and open shelving, these 22 tips address key questions like “How to maximize space in a small apartment?” and “What are space-saving hacks for small apartments?”

By applying these practical, renter-friendly ideas, you can transform your small space into a functional, stylish, and spacious-feeling home. Start with a few changes, and enjoy a brighter, more open apartment tailored to your lifestyle.