How to Make an Apartment Look Bigger

It is possible to make a small apartment look bigger

Space can affect mood; a tiny, cramped living area can make anyone grumpy. Living in a small apartment, especially a studio, makes even small tasks feel like physical and emotional challenges. Try some inexpensive -- and landlord approved -- ways to remedy bring light and space to a small apartment and make it look bigger.

Difficulty:

Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Medium-size furniture
• Mirrors
• Lighted features
• Vertical elements

1. Resist filling your small apartment with small furniture. This size may seem more appropriate, but small pieces will make the space feel cluttered. Instead, choose a few medium-size pieces that accent the apartment.

2. Use mirrors to reflect light into dark spaces and create the illusion that there is more space and rooms. A mirror made to look like a window placed across from an actual window will give you an outdoor view on more than one apartment wall.

3. Use simple lines and uncluttered paintings/photographs to decorate the walls. Try to stick to a few colors that complement each other.

4. Use furniture and colors to create separate spaces, even within the same room. Use a couch, screen or indoor plants on stands to section off distinct living areas. Or, designate the areas by switching color schemes or wall colors if you are allowed to paint the walls.

5. Avoid positioning all of the furniture around the perimeter of the apartment. Instead, place some pieces at angles.

6. Place lighting features or lit animal aquariums in dark corners to bring them to life.

7. Use space-saving measures, such as under-the-bed storage or wall hooks, to keep clutter off of the floor and furniture.

8. Use vertical elements, such as a tall, skinny plant or a sleek, narrow touch lamp to make any areas that are usually ignored, stand out.

Tips & Warnings

• Don't be afraid to experiment when it comes to making your apartment look bigger.