How do you feel when you are given a blank canvas? Does it ignite your creative soul or evoke a knotted feeling of dread in the pit of your stomach? I feel the same way about both – but that’s why I’ve learned to embrace them. I first ventured into the world of design with great fear and self-destructive thoughts. I’m not a designer; who do I think I am? However, after working as a design editor for many years and decorating my own apartment twice (see my first attempt ), I’ve accumulated a ton of small apartment decorating ideas along the way.
I sharpened my vision and developed confidence in the things I liked, and just as importantly, I also developed confidence in the things I didn’t like. I’m very instinctive now. I know immediately if something will fit in a space. My confidence in design decisions didn’t happen overnight. I am still and always learning. Today I’m sharing some tips and small apartment decorating ideas I’ve learned through my recent remodel to help you.
7 Small Apartment Decorating Concepts to Transform Your Space
First, let me give you a little background. Our little family—my husband, Troy, son, Neon, Frenchie, Cosmo, and I—moved from Australia to the trendy Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles about six years ago. We have been living in this apartment ever since. When we see a modern rental, we know it’s just that.
It was the perfect stage to showcase my budding designer skills – white walls, concrete floors and lots of natural light. The living/dining areas are combined into an open space, and the kitchen is approximately 350 square feet. Small spaces bring challenges, but I love working within constraints. It forces you to think outside the box!
Read on to learn more about the design process and some small apartment decorating ideas to help you build your dream home.
Set a budget
First, we have to create a budget. Of course, this is never the fun part of any project. However, it’s crucial to outline the maximum amount you’re willing to spend decorating your space. Thankfully, we already had most of the basics from our first remodel—dining table and chairs, sofa, rug, accent chairs, coffee table—so this time we looked for decorative items, art, antique vessels, and Vases, as well as sculptures, add warmth, depth and texture while also incorporating the European old world style we were hoping to achieve.
Our largest budget was allocated to our master bedroom. The space had been untouched since we moved in and was in dire need of a complete overhaul. We knew we wanted a custom bed with luxurious linens (thanks Bed Threads) and ultimately decided on a custom bookshelf after not finding one we liked.
The custom project ended up being beyond our budget, but we knew the investment would last forever. So while the initial outlay is painful, the value will continue to increase over time.
Create design conversations
One of the many lessons I learned from Athena Calderone of EyeSwoon is to create a design conversation in your home. You want each piece to have its own voice so that when they are all designed together, they sing. (Or, at least, have an interesting conversation.) As an editor, my job is to bring stories to life. Storytelling is at the core of everything I do – whether that’s literally putting words on paper or telling stories in the physical realm through design. So, it makes sense what I want Each piece in this space weaves a narrative about our lives and who we are as people and as a family.
On one of our many shopping trips, we stumbled upon an antique store filled with trinkets (both good and bad). My husband and I were immediately drawn to this incredible painting. Its paint was peeling and had a small hole due to age, and the ornate gilded frame had seen better days and had cracks and chips. But we all took one look and agreed it had to go home with us. When we hung it in the dining room, it changed everything about the space. This is truly transformative. I feel like this is the missing piece that ties all the other pieces together. The room was filled with singing!
personalization
As I mentioned before, my husband and I are travelers at heart. After meeting in the romantic city of Nice and falling in love in Venice, we wanted to bring European emotions into this space. My husband is also a big fan of bringing in meaningful pieces or adding context to a space based on travel or emotional connections. They must have a reason to be there and integrate with the existing decor.
You want to design a space that feels visceral to you, so that when someone walks into the room, they immediately feel who you are, what you love, and what you stand for. Of course, when you’re like me and love a variety of styles, eras, and designers, narrowing down and editing your space can be challenging. I like to create mood boards on Pinterest and keep folders on Instagram and collect as many images as possible. This helps me get my bearings because I can see patterns around textures, tones, eras, and moods.
Search resale sites
An important part of making it personal is finding pieces that tell your story. This is why I love vintage so much. From furniture to decor and even clothing, there’s nothing I love more than diving down the rabbit hole of resale sites to find those one-of-a-kind pieces. In fact, Facebook Marketplace has become one of my favorite places to hunt for unique finds. You have to be willing to dig and use multiple keyword variations to find the treasure.
After reading Athena Calderone’s tips on keywords, I became slightly obsessed with buying clay, pottery, and terracotta ware. The antique vases on our table and next to the couch were purchased on eBay for $25. There’s nothing more exciting than finding the perfect piece at a bargain price.
Consider customization
Since we were renting, I couldn’t make any major changes, although my favorite thing was gutting out the kitchen and bathroom. Instead, we focus on the decorative aspects and work with local manufacturers to create personalized and unique styles. This wooden bed became the inspiration for our master bedroom design. We commissioned our friend Omar to create a beautiful birch bedroom suite, complete with bed frame and bookshelf. It was an investment but we’re glad we did it
take your time
Good design takes time. Resist the urge to rush, create your mood board, sit with your collection of images and pieces, and consider what moves you emotionally. This is especially important before making a large investment. We are bombarded with inspiring images on social media every day that can overwhelm our senses and cause us to become confused about what we love. Ask yourself a few questions beforehand:
- Will I still enjoy this in five or ten years?
- Will this beautiful piece meet my practical needs?
- Am I attracted to it because it’s fashionable, or does it resonate with my innate sense of design?
When you figure these things out, you can move forward with confidence and create a space that is truly your own.
adventure
Don’t be afraid to dive into the unknown and explore the unfamiliar. It’s in those moments, when you feel uncomfortable, that you’re forced to explore new things. It’s not always easy, but inevitably you’ll work your magic and stumble upon something unexpected. I love those moments—the creative divide is where it all happens. A well-designed room should have a sense of ease and comfort, with a touch of tension and juxtaposition to keep things interesting. But most importantly, have fun!
