How to Furnish a Small Apartment or Studio

Furnishing a small apartment or studio requires creativity and planning. Every piece of furniture needs to serve at least one function without being too obtrusive. Try these simple tips to choose the best furnishings to decorate a small space.

Scale matters
Before falling in love with that overstuffed armchair, think about how it will fit into your home. Oversize or high-profile furnishings can visually shrink a room. To avoid feeling cramped, consider smaller furniture like a cozy loveseat or chairs, instead of a traditional sofa.

Disappearing furniture
Make the most of a small space by choosing furniture that stows away or closes to occupy less room. Modern Murphy beds come in a variety of styles that fold into the wall when not in use. Some styles also incorporate lighting and shelves into the design.

Small desks, tables, or entertainment centers that retract, fold down, or close allow you the flexibility to use the furnishings as needed.

Simple is better
Pay attention to the patterns, colors, and details on furniture. Busy prints, dark colors, and heavy details such as ruffles can overwhelm a small space. Keep the primary furnishings simple and use smaller accent pieces like lamps and throw pillows to add color and texture.

Furniture arrangement
Practicality and space constraints typically determine the furniture arrangement in small spaces. Keep the apartment open by nestling furniture close together along the walls. Try not to block windows because the natural light helps make the room seem bigger. Consider the flow of traffic and leave ample pathways to navigate the apartment.

Dual-purpose furniture
Even the bare essentials can make a small living space seem cluttered, but you can save space by choosing furniture that serves multiple uses. Consider ottomans, coffee tables, captain's beds, or benches with hidden storage compartments.

A daybed or futon provides an area for seating and sleeping. Many daybed models are also compatible with trundle drawers, providing additional storage space.

Vertical space
A tall armoire or shelves add storage space and draw the eye upward, making a small apartment seem bigger.

You can also find creative ways to use the walls. Use a corkboard to display photos and corral bills and reminders. Instead of a coat rack, try using hooks to hold coats and purses.

Optical illusions
Research decorating tricks to make your small home seem bigger. A classic tactic is to use light colors and hang mirrors to create the illusion of space. Lucite or glass furnishings, such as a glass top table, also add an airy feel.