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Living in an apartment doesn’t have to feel stifling, so long as you have a few space-saving tricks up your sleeve.
We spoke to three interior designers who all live in apartment units in New York City full-time and have done so for years. They also work on many client projects in apartments and are chock full of valuable knowledge for how to decorate small rental spaces stylishly and maximize their minimal square footage.
We’ve rounded up six of their top tips below, which will come in handy no matter your layout or design style.
Meet the Expert
- Charli Hendler is the founder of August Black Interior Design.
- Adnan Anwar is the founder of Adnan Anwar Design.
- Madelaine Mayer is the founder of AD: ROIT.
Choose Multipurpose Furnishings
One key trick for allowing your small space to work for you is shopping for multifunctional furniture pieces that will add value time and time again.
“For example, a desk can function as a bar when you have guests over, where people can gather to chat while refilling their refreshments,” Charli Hendler, the founder of August Black Interior Design, says.
Hendler recommends opting for stools, ottomans, and small benches which are useful mobile pieces that can serve as a resting spot for purses or extra seating. Better yet, Hendler adds, some of these portable seating options even come with hidden storage, meaning that they can truly serve a wide range of functions.
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Say Goodbye to Builder-Grade Lighting
If your rental apartment is full of boring builder-grade lighting that just doesn’t speak to you, don’t be afraid to swap it out for something more reflective of your personal design style, Hendler says.
Hendler explains how people often shy away from swapping light fixtures in a rental. But, it’s actually worth it because you can take them anywhere and just replace them with their original fixtures when you move.
August Black Interior Design / Photo by Margaret Rose
Install Window Coverings
By all means, do not leave the windows in your apartment bare, Adnan Anwar, the founder of Adnan Anwar Design.
“Naked windows make a rental feel so temporary to me,” he says. “There are so many very affordable store-bought options available for drapes and shades available now.”
You can even design your own curtains if you’re handy with a sewing machine.
New to hanging drapery? Madelaine Mayer, the founder of AD: ROIT, weighs in with some installation tips. Mayer recommends taking the drapery floor-to-ceiling and wall-to-wall because it will make the window and the whole room look larger and brighter.
Jazz Up the Walls
Your apartment walls will likely be a bland white or off-white color upon move-in, but that doesn’t mean you have to leave them in this state if it doesn’t appeal to your style.
“Don’t shy away from peel-and-stick wallpaper or painting,” Anwar says. “Some landlords will even let you do it at no charge since they need to paint it after anyway.”
You can even opt for a two-toned look with paint, as seen in the apartment living room pictured below.
Measure Carefully
Do not order extra large furniture pieces for your small apartment when more streamlined options will function just as nicely, Mayer says.
“In a small space, especially one where you can’t move the walls, every inch counts, so measure carefully and purchase accordingly,” she says.
When designing a studio apartment for a client, she scaled down to a full-sized bed and a 68-inch long sofa, which her client can still lie down on, to free up square footage for other necessities, such as nightstands on either side of the bed.
Design by AD: ROIT / Photo by John Neitzel
Store Items Under the Bed
In a small space especially, you will not want to let the space under your bed go to waste.
“Whether it’s a pullout footboard, integrated drawers, or a hydraulic lift top, do not forgo hidden storage,” Mayer says.
The space underneath your bed can be a valuable spot to tuck away items that you want to keep on hand but do not need to access frequently—this includes everything from out-of-season clothing to travel bags to seasonal decorations.