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Whether you rent or own, decorating an apartment living room isn't easy — from arranging furniture to buying an area rug and hanging artwork. In your small one-bedroom or studio apartment, the living room may be more than just a living room; it may also be a dining room, bedroom, playroom or home office. To help you make the most of your space, we've rounded up inspiring apartment living room ideas that you'll love recreating, even if you're on a budget.
"Little rooms can function exactly like bigger rooms when thoughtful considerations are put in place," says Jenny Williamson, principal designer at West Rose Design, who suggests space-saving solutions like coffee tables with concealed storage, side tables that double as floor lamps and pull-out sofas. "There’s no room for items with only one purpose in apartment living." While, it may feel contradictory, a larger piece of furniture — like a deep sectional — can make a small space feel larger. Bright colors, mirrors to reflect light and making use of vertical spaces are other great ways to maximize a modern living room layout.
If you own the apartment, you may choose to tackle bigger home renovation projects like installing built-in bookshelves, knocking down walls or choosing a fresh living room paint color — but renters don't have that luxury and frankly, home openers may not have the time or money. Keep scrolling for more cheap and attainable design tips that will help you revamp your apartment living room with minimal effort.
1
Swap in Statement Lighting
Replace your landlord's dated overhead light with a fixture that'll elevate the entire space — like this sputnik globe chandelier chosen by designer Kati Curtis. Tip: Be careful to put the old fixture into storage and make the swap again before moving out.
2
Install Renter-Friendly Shelves
Take note from designer Anastasia Casey and decorate a blank, white wall with tall bookshelves. Then, layer in decorative items like books, artwork and thrifted knick-knacks. Installing shelves may require a few screw holes, but overall no major wall damage.
3
Decorate With Greenery
Houseplants are the easiest way to enliven your small apartment. Here, designer Anjie Cho includes a mix of small succulents, floor plants and trailing plants. A few of our favorite hard-to-kill houseplants include snake plants, ZZ plants, rubber plants and English ivy.
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4
Get a Colorful Couch
If you don't have time for a paint job, use bright furniture to distract from neutral walls. In this design from AMMOR Architecture, small, colorful plates bring personality to the neutral walls and complement the vibrant couch.
RELATED: 10 Best Modular Sofas to Fit Every Space Perfectly
5
Hang Curtains High
These washed linen curtains with a classic French pleat are hung nearly a foot above the windows, making this apartment living room feel much larger.
See more at Style by Emily Henderson »
RELATED: How to Hang Curtains the Right Way, According to an Interior Designer
6
Divide the Space Into Zones
When designing an open-concept space, designate a living "room" by intentionally arranging furniture and rugs. Here, Jenny Williamson of West Rose Design uses a deep sectional and patterned area rug to craft a cozy living area.
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7
Install Removable Wallpaper
Wallpaper is a great way to make a small space feel glam. Here, designer Megan Hopp opts for a gold speckled wallpaper, then layers in gold accents for a cohesive feel. For a temporary solution, go for peel-and-stick wallpaper — which is easier to apply and remove.
RELATED: Latest Wallpaper Trends That Designers Are Loving
8
Find Furniture to Fit the Layout
To make the most of your small space, be intentional when shopping for living room furniture. Here, designer Kerrie Kelly fits a console table into a small alcove, meanwhile the sofa and armchair combo provide plenty of seating without overcrowding the room.
9
Turn an Ottoman Into a Coffee Table
Swap a traditional coffee table for a spacious ottoman, which doubles as extra seating when guests are over. Take a cue from designer Andrea May and choose a chic, fringe ottoman for added style.
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10
Carve Out Space for a Home Office
Reserve a corner of your living room for your work-from-home setup, which hopefully includes a stylish home office desk and comfortable desk chair. Get inspired by this airy layout from AMMOR Architecture, which features a desk off to the side under a nearby window.
11
Consider Bright and Bold Artwork
Most renters have to deal with boring, white walls — making artwork and accessories that much more important. Hang colorful artwork and decorate with patterned fabrics to bring personality into your apartment.
12
Create a Gallery Wall
Again, don't let simple white walls make your space feel impersonal. Here, designer Ali Budd arranges a black-and-white gallery wall to create a contrast-filled interior.
RELATED: Unique Photo Wall Ideas to Display Family Photos and More
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13
Let the View Be a Focal Point
If your city apartment features large windows overlooking high-rise buildings, take advantage. Opt for shades over curtains, so you can ensure the view is always visible.
14
Arrange a Spacious Sectional
Sometimes a great sectional can actually make your room look bigger. Ground your living space with a modern sectional, even better if you settle on a deep blue velvet fabric.
15
Bring in a Bar Cart
When you're decorating an apartment, it's all about maximizing every space you've got. Roll a bar cart into the living room — the perfect place to display your liquor collection and make drinks for friends. Take inspiration from designer Ruthie Staalsen and find a gold bar cart that pairs effortlessly with a gallery wall.
RELATED: Best Bar Carts to up Your Hosting Game
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16
Mount Your TV
Create the appearance of a larger and less cluttered space by mounting your TV on the wall, ideally over a chic media console table. We love how Curated Nest adds white bookshelves on each side of the TV for symmetry.
17
Embrace a Boho Style
Even if your apartment is a temporary home, you should make it your own. Source artwork, throw pillows, rugs and decorative items that reflect your personality — like these boho accents that exude a happy, whimsical style.
18
Stick to a Color Palette
Without building a home from scratch, you won't have complete control over the color palette. If the kitchen already has blue cabinets, embrace it! Here, interior designer Christine Vroom pairs the gray-blue kitchen cabinets with a deep blue sofa — the end result is so chic.
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19
Take Advantage of Vertical Space
If your apartment is short on floor space, make the most of your ceiling height. Molly Torres Portnof of DATE Interiors installs shelving units that are great for storage, but also showing off prized possessions — namely that growing record collection.
20
Go a Little Maximalist
Here, Blessed Little Bungalow proves more is more, even in a tiny apartment. Don't shy away from whimsical patterns, funky wall art and cute knick-knacks just because you've got limited space.
Alyssa Gautieri
Associate Lifestyle Editor
Alyssa Gautieri (she/her) is the associate lifestyle editor for Good Housekeeping, where she covers all things home and interior design. Prior to joining GH in 2022, she wrote for publications including ELLE Decor, Chairish, BobVila.com, Unique Homes Magazine and LODGING Magazine, in addition to crafting product copy for home brands like BrylaneHome and VIGO Industries.
