How to decorate a living room in an apartment

15 Apartment Living Room Design Ideas and Examples

Be Strategic With Artwork

Jonny Valiant

This Chicago apartment living room by interior designer Devin Kirk is a masterclass in well-proprotioned pairings. The marbled sectional fits nicely in the corner while the round ottoman slash coffee table brings a softer, less boxy look. And instead of adding a side table or console, which might look too large here, Kirk opted for a low stool. The eye-catching gallery wall is another great touch (and hanging it over the decorative millwork visually expands the room).

Break the Room Into Zones

Gieves Anderson

David Frazier made his small NYC apartment living room feel formal and polished, despite the limited space. He divided the main room into two distinct zones, one for lounging and visiting, and one for dining and working. The large pendant light and antique pieces personalize the more generic bones of the building.

Work Around Building Rules

Karyn Millet

A super light shade of pink applied in a plaster-like finish makes a statement in this small New York City living room designed by Celerie Kemble. The faux finish channels the texture of wallpaper, which she wasn't allowed to use, per the building's rules. This was a great solution.

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Convert a Closet

Robert McKinley

If you have an extra coat closet in your living room but don't need the extra storage, convert it into a bar. This will help you make it feel more prepped for entertaining and also adds depth and dimension, especially when painted a contrasting color, as seen in this one by Robert McKinley.

Match the Sofa to the Walls

Nicolas Gourguechon

Devin Kirk painted the walls Bird’s Egg by Benjamin Moore to flatter the sofa, a sectional from Jayson Home revamped in a Robert Allen Schiele fabric (which also hangs on the curtains). A jute rug brings texture and dimension without filling the small space with too much color.

Make Room for Work

Sarah Solis

Designer Sarah Solis carved out a home office within the living room by installing a floating desk in the corner. The other part of the room is dedicated to lounging and visiting.

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Strike a Balance

Jacob Snavely

This small and sexy living room designed by Zia Priven was painted in Farrow Ball’s Stiffkey blue. The stacked coffee tables are slim and low-profile, which balances out the plush carpeting and voluptuous sectional.

Mix Patterns

Read McKendree

For a small city apartment, Lisle McKenna employed soft, colorful shapes but didn't shy away from fun contrasting prints. She also opted for a settee by the timing dining table so that it could function as extra seating for guests or be a comfortable place to dine and catch up on emails.

Add Greenery

Read McKendree

If you live in a city apartment, you probably crave nature every now and then. So why not bring it into your living room for a dose of greenery every day? Designer Elizabeth Cooper placed a lush citrus tree in the corner for an extra pop of life and color and then staggered topiaries on the windowsill.

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Use Enclosed Storage

Shapeless Studio

Enclosed storage is a godsend in a small living room apartment. In this one designed by Brooklyn-based firm Shapeless Studio, stacked of coffee table books animate the room without making it feel cluttered. Everything else is tucked behind closed cabinet doors.

Shrink Furniture

Robert McKinley

This simple living room designed by Robert McKinley Studio incorporates tons of texture, from the rug to the shades and the sofa. These casual materials make it feel breezy while still being fresh and stylish, and though all the furniture is smaller than your average living room stuff, it looks right at home here.

Make It Extra Homey

Heidi Caillier

Use every chance you get to add character and homey vibes to your apartment living room. In this case, Heidi Caillier created a cozy window seat in the corner.

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Embrace Low Ceilings

ERIN KELLY

Don't let awkward ceiling slopes turn you off from an otherwise perfect apartment. With the right approach, you can make it work! Take this living room designed by Leane Ford Interiors for example. The neutral tones and modern shapes make it feel extra cozy.

Stay True to Your Style

Maude McEvoy

"I love the juxtaposition between the traditional space and the modern staircase," says Eliza Crater of Sister Parish Design. The rich kelly green accent wall and decorative floral curtains help bring some fullness and warmth to otherwise all-white surfaces in her apartment living room.

Use Sophisticated Neutrals

Stephen Kent Johnson / OTTO

A quirky indoor tree is s fun surprise in this polished and cosmopolitan living room designed by Shawn Henderson. And, instead of a classic white or warm off-white paint color, he opted for a cooler gray neutral. It's the perfect fit for a pied-a-terre.

Hadley Mendelsohn

Senior Editor

Hadley Mendelsohn is House Beautiful's senior design editor and the co-host and executive producer of the podcast Dark House. When she's not busy writing about interiors, you can find her scouring vintage stores, reading, researching ghost stories, or stumbling about because she probably lost her glasses again. Along with interior design, she writes about everything from travel to entertainment, beauty, social issues, relationships, fashion, food, and on very special occasions, witches, ghosts, and other Halloween haunts. Her work has also been published in MyDomaine, Who What Wear, Man Repeller, Matches Fashion, Byrdie, and more.

15 apartment living room ideas whether you own or rent

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On the hunt for some inspiring apartment living room ideas? Well, we have you covered, no matter what size you are dealing with, or awkward layout, or what your budget might be, hey, even if you rent, you are sure to find a ton of looks you can copy right here.

Apartment living rooms tend not to be stand-alone spaces and often they have to double up as other rooms too – a dining room, a home office, a second bedroom when needs must. We work those spaces hard.

So before all else they need to be functional, but that doesn't mean they can't look stylish too. We've rounded up all our favorite on-trend living room ideas to prove just what can be done with an apartment living space so you can be inspired to give yours a refresh...

1. Zone your apartment living room with paint and pattern

Carpetright Dynasty Twist Plain Carpet in Light Pink and Lustrous Duck Egg Rug

(Image credit: Carpetright)

If your space is limited, a room divider idea might not be an option without crowding the living room even more. One clever space-saving hack is to use your color on your walls to segregate areas.

My Bepoke Room 's Head of Interior Design, Lucy Henderson and Lick 's Lead Color Specialist, Tash Bradley explain, 'A lick of paint can make all the difference. There are multiple different approaches you can take when designing a studio apartment. We recommend zoning your room with different patterns, prints and colors.'

'Painting the walls and furniture isn’t the only way to zone your space. You can also select rugs to section parts off as well as using different lighting intensities in each section depending on its purpose. For example, bright lighting will be needed in the kitchen but the living room can have a more cozy and ambient lighting scheme.'

(Image credit: Lick )

2. Add a patterned carpet or rug

(Image credit: Brintons)

Jodie Hatton, Design Manager at Brintons explains, 'Similar to how dark walls can transform a small room or a patterned wallpaper can bring interest to an otherwise dull space, a patterned carpet is an inspired way to make a feature in an apartment adding interest and character. However it is important to choose the right patterned carpet depending on the size of the room.'

'Rugs create a feeling of warmth, depth and textural emphasis when laid over carpeting, wooden floorboards, or ceramic floor tiles. It’s an opportunity to introduce a bold color or pattern to your space. The unexpected shape of the rug will give an artistic aesthetic to the room.'

3. Choose multi purpose furniture

(Image credit: Dreams)

You can't go wrong with multi purpose furniture. The most obvious is to invest in the best sofa bed you can buy that'll be a statement piece in your living room and convert to a comfy bed for guests to come to stay. Another living room storage idea would be multi tasking built in storage.

'Built-in storage is always a massive help but it either comes with the apartment or you have to spend a fair amount of money building it. However, you can solve this by purchasing multi-purpose furniture,' explains Bradley.

4. Think about your apartment living room layout

(Image credit: Ikea)

When it comes to configuring the layout of an apartment living room it can be a bit of a tricky task, especially if you are working with an open-plan space or a room that has to double up as something else. But there are plenty of living room layout ideas to make the most of your space that are way more interesting than just pushing everything up against walls.

We would actually start by drawing up a plan of your space and then deciding on what furniture you can actually fit in the space, then start planning its location. Remember it's okay to float your furniture, it can actually make the space feel bigger than if you just go for the layout that shows the most floor.

5. Make your room multi-purpose

(Image credit: Ikea/Lisa Cohen)

Often in an apartment, you have no choice but to make your living room multipurpose, but embrace that, and rather than see it as you have a one-room apartment see it as an open-plan space.

Carve out space to create a little dining area that can double up as a workspace too. If you have the room add in screens in the form of curtains or furniture to make the living space feel like it's made up of different zones.

6. Separate your space with a sectional

(Image credit: Ikea)

In an open-plan apartment or a studio, it can be tricky to decide on the best sofa. You don't want it to look like it's just floating in the middle of the room. Opting for a larger sectional sofa (even if your space isn't massive) can solve that problem, acting as both a sofa and a 'wall' between your living room and the rest of the space. We love that this one is double-sided, adding a sofa to both the living room and the dining room.

P.S. even if your space isn't as big as this living room, don't be afraid of choosing a large corner sofa. Let it hug the walls of your room and create a cozy, inviting ambiance, plus plenty of seating.

7. Opt for wall storage to save on space

(Image credit: String Furniture)

When your floor space is at a premium but you need to add storage to your apartment living room, open shelving is the way to go.

'We suggest you use all the available space you have, including your walls. You can use shelves, but also use your walls to store your dining chairs for easy access and to not clutter your floor space,' explain Henderson and Bradley.

Peter Erlandsson, Co-Owner of String Furniture agrees, 'In a small room, it’s great to be able to change the design once in a while. Sleek wall shelving provides you with plenty of flexibility both practically and aesthetically, meaning you can achieve a completely new look whenever you like. There is an age old doctrine of using light colors on walls to make your home look bigger. This is true, and your shelves need not detract from this.' You can invest in this String System in ash at Utility Design .

Opt for something slimline in the same color as the wall it's going to sit on, so you can maximize the storage space and so your shelving idea doesn't dominate the room too much.

8. Embrace an all white color scheme

(Image credit: Benjamin Edwards/Ikea)

If you are renting, chances are you have inherited a sea of white walls, so why not embrace them and go for an all-white living room idea. Even if you aren't at the mercy of a landlord's tastes, white is a classic that creates a very serene, calming vibe, plus it's really versatile so you switch up your decor as your styles change without having to paint all your walls.

Pair your white walls with a sofa in a similar hue, and pile up the white pillows and blanks too. Choose white window treatments too to maximize the natural light in your apartment. Add a touch of contrast in the form of prints and houseplants.

9. Mix and match style for an eclectic vibe

(Image credit: Iben and Niels Ahlberg/inagency.dk)

We love the whole vibe of this Copenhagen apartment. By mixing so many different styles and textures this room is so unique and full of personality. Recreate that in your living room by picking out furniture that means something to you (even if you think it won't go, that's part of the look).

Start collecting objects and decor that feel personal to your style and layer them up with new pieces to create a very eclectic cozy space, that still has a stylish, contemporary feel.

10. Or keep things simple and linear

(Image credit: Interior Fox)

Or if you like a more contemporary look and like for your room to have some structure, pick furniture and decor that have a linear look to them.

And by that, we mean clear lines, so a modern coffee table with a metal frame, a straight-backed sofa with square arms, even simple prints in black frames will add to the very clean vibe. You can add in some softness with cushions, rugs and blankets in you still want the soft to have a comfy feel.

(Image credit: Fiona Murray)

If your living room is in an open plan apartment, a rug is a super easy way to create a 'zone'. See your living room rug idea almost as like walls of which you can arrange your living room furniture around to create a space that feels slightly separate from the rest of the room.

Pick a large, plain-ish, short pile rug to act as an anchor, and then you could always layer up a smaller rug in a more intricate pattern on top to be a focal point in the space.

12. Don't underestimate a strategically placed mirror

(Image credit: Veronica Sheaffer)

It's interior design 101, mirrors make spaces feel bigger. A strategically placed mirror can make the smallest of apartments feel larger and lighter. Go for a simple mirror, nothing too heavy or ornate and go as big as you think your place can handle.

‘It’s incredible what you can do in your studio apartment to make it look like you have more space than you do. Mirrors, glass or tiles reflect not only the space you already have but also the light, which makes all the difference,’ explain Henderson and Bradley.

‘The more natural light you have, the more spacious and soothing your space will feel. Try to keep from blocking this precious light with bulky furniture. Opt for pieces with a slim profile and with legs rather than bulkier options to cover as little floor space as possible.’

Rather than put it high on the wall, behind your furniture, try hanging it just off the floor like in the room above or even get a leaning mirror you can prop against the wall (a great solution if you are renting) and you'll see how it instantly makes the floor space feel much bigger.

13. Add life with plenty of house plants

(Image credit: Ikea)

We've mentioned the room-changing abilities of the best indoor plants many times, and there's no denying that they can add so much... life to a space. In an apartment living room where floor space might be tight opt for a shelving unit you can display your plants on but will also work as some handy extra storage too.

14. Pile up the textiles and textures to create a cozy feel

(Image credit: Ikea)

Sometimes the best thing for a cramped apartment living room is to embrace those small dimensions. Turn a small sad room into a rustic, boho, bang-on-trend dream space just by filling it with plenty of different textiles and textures.

Pile up the throw pillows and blankets on the sofa, cover the walls with prints and memorabilia, stack up your books and fill every surface with decoration. Stop it looking too crazy by keeping the walls white so you have that neutral backdrop, and pick a simple color palette for your decor too.

15. Use your book collections to add color

(Image credit: Ikea)

And if you do want to go adding in some bolder colors, use books. Book storage ideas are great options if you are renting too and can't go nailing stuff to the wall or painting a bright mural. If you've got books, you've got decoration.

Dedicate an empty wall to creating your library and use some simple shelves to display your collection. Mix in some storage too with baskets and add extra interest with prints and houseplants.

How can I decorate my apartment living room on a budget?

(Image credit: Colin Poole)

The best way to decorate an apartment living room on a budget is to shop second-hand. Not only is this going to save you money it's going to add a ton of personality to your space that you won't get if you just fill it with a load of cheap flat-pack furniture.

Also, get DIYing, a lick of paint can make all the difference to a space, or pull up carpets (if allowed) and see if you have anything beautiful underneath, make your own throw pillow out of vintage fabrics. Just think; can I make that/restyle my current space to get that look, before you go spending any money.

What is the best layout for an apartment living room?

(Image credit: Argos)

The best layout for an apartment living room very much depends on the size and shape of your space and what you need to use it for. It is solely a lounge? Or does it have to become a dining room or a home office idea when you need it to? This will obviously dictate the layout, but the best place to start is by drawing up a plan of your living room and trying out different layouts.

Our top tip is to always give your living room furniture some room to breathe, don't have every piece in your room stuck up against a wall. And be creative with your layout too, don't just pick a focal point and angle everything towards that.

How to decorate a living room? 92 photos of stylish design. Tips from the pros

Your dream has come true: you have renovated your living room. The only thing left to do is to arrange a cozy and ergonomic space that would gladly bring together a loving family, a friendly company and at the same time could become a great place to discuss important issues and make constructive decisions.

This can be done with the right selection of accessories. They will allow you to change your cozy nest when you want updates.

Just change the curtains, sofa cushions, add a couple of new touches to the lighting fixtures - and your living room will sparkle with new colors.

We are happy to share with you the nuances of decorating stylish living room interiors in this article.

Simple secrets of decorating a living room

Accessories are an integral part of any interior.

Wanting to update the living room, you can focus on changing the lighting, textiles and carpets, decorating the walls.

At the same time, it is important to observe the main rule - decorative elements should not only be fashionable and modern, but also go well with the main style decision and furnishings.

Do not forget about the sense of proportion.

Let's take a closer look at the main secrets of decorating a living room.

Style selection

Before you go shopping for accessories, decide on your style. This will greatly simplify the choice and will not allow you to purchase too much, saving the family budget.

When selecting attributes, remember that they must first of all complement and combine with the furnishing of the space.

Deciding on a color

The color scheme is perhaps the most important moment in decorating a living room, on which even the emotional state of the owners depends.

When deciding on a palette, do not forget about the rules of three colors: one is the main one, the others are for decorating accessories, flooring and furniture.

Choosing a center

Every room needs a centerpiece that draws attention.

Anything can be used as such an object: furniture, accessories, fashion design tricks.

It is important to arrange the elements correctly so that they complement and decorate the interior, and do not interfere with each other.

Decoration of window openings

The choice of clothing for windows on the modern market is huge: you can stop your eye on various types of curtains or blinds. The most important rule that you should be guided by is matching the style of the living room interior.

Also, you should not forget about such a nuance as color and lighting.

To maintain harmony in the design, consider these points and remember that properly selected curtains will not only become a decorative element, but will also allow you to hide the flaws of window structures.

Flooring design

You can focus on the initial stage of the living room renovation: choose tiles, linoleum, self-leveling structures, parquet with a pattern. It will become a reasonable and stylish decoration.

Carpets are a real decoration of the floor in the living room.

In addition, they also have an aesthetic function: they insulate and protect from dust and dirt.

Carpets can be used in different ways: cover the entire floor or zone individual corners.

Lighting

Lighting fixtures are multifunctional. They are used not only for their intended purpose, but also serve as decorative elements. With it, you can place accents and create functional areas.

The main purpose of decorative lighting is to highlight beautiful accessories and create a special mood.

The best choice is to use several types of lighting while respecting the overall style of the room.

Make the most of furniture surfaces

Countertops, shelves, chests of drawers, window sills are a great place to place various decorative elements. Vases, indoor flowers, photographs, pictures, figurines - not a complete list of items for interior decoration.

With a sense of proportion and harmony of style, decorative details will allow you to breathe fashion trends into your living room interior as often as you wish.

Decorate the walls

It is generally accepted that the best wall decorations are paintings of various types. Feel free to use them to decorate the living room. They will help maintain the balance of furniture and other interior items.

Decorating the walls with photo wallpapers has become a fashionable trend. Remember to respect the same interior style.

Use plants

Indoor flowers will give freshness, originality and liveliness to the interior. Choosing plants, you can show creativity and imagination.

The existing variety of decorative planters and pots will be the perfect complement to classic and trendy designs. Stylish and discreet flower arrangements have proven themselves well.

Pillows

Sofa cushions are a universal decorative element of any living room style, creating a cozy and relaxed atmosphere.

Important points when choosing these decor items are moderation, proportionality, contrast, shape, pattern.

Usually they are selected in combination with curtains, furniture upholstery, accent elements.

When designing a living room, first of all, think about convenience and comfort.

The main rule is to try to make the ordinary unusual, and then your living room will play with new colors every time.

Decorating the hall with textiles

A technique that allows you to update the appearance of the hall at minimal cost is changing textiles. These can be curtains, sofa upholstery, pillows and blankets.

Curtains

When choosing curtains, consider their compatibility with wallpaper or furniture upholstery. Although you can give free rein to your imagination and get the curtains that you have always dreamed of. The main thing is to remember that dark and warm shades will visually reduce the room, while light and cold ones, on the contrary, will increase it.

Pay attention to the floor cushions - tatami.

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Plaid

Another bright textile accessory is a plaid. It can modestly complement the interior, or it can focus on itself due to its rich color or unusual texture.

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Upholstery

. Furniture studios offer natural and artificial materials, you can order upholstery with any pattern. The unusual color and texture of the fabric will transform the interior of the hall.

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Plants

Indoor plants will help diversify the appearance of the living room. It depends on the size of the room whether it will be beautiful indoor flowers in an unusual design or small trees in massive outdoor pots.

If it is not possible to take care of the plant regularly, you can get into the habit of decorating the room with fresh flowers in a vase.

Posters and paintings

When choosing posters and paintings, consider the style of the interior of the living room. It looks good to follow a single theme in all decor items, although you can try to combine elements of different styles.

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wall

If the usual wall decor seems not enough, then you can order from designers or draw a picture with your own hands right on the wall. A less categorical option is wall stickers. They are easy to put on and take off, and they look very stylish.

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Clock

Clock is a popular attribute of the living room. You can choose huge floor clocks, small mantel clocks or wall clocks, but even these can look fresh and unusual. Explore the entire range and find the ones that fit well with your interior.

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Shelves and racks

A great opportunity to diversify the interior and put your favorite accessories in a prominent place. Shelves and racks, even by themselves, can be a bright addition to the image of the living room. To effectively arrange them, follow our tips.

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Lighting

Chandeliers, floor lamps and sconces not only illuminate the room, but also make it more comfortable. It is necessary to choose them, observing the style of the interior: a chandelier that harmoniously fits into the living room in the Rococo style will not look like a Scandinavian interior.

You should also pay attention to garlands and candles. They can be changed and selected depending on the mood.

Chandelier

The chandelier is one of the main touches that create the style of the living room. The first thing to remember when choosing is the dimensions of the room and the amount of furniture. Volumetric chandeliers are best hung in a relatively free space with high ceilings so that there is no feeling of clutter. For a small living room, a compact pendant lamp is better suited, which can be supplemented with floor lamps and sconces if necessary.

Also remember that these lights can be diffused or directional. Therefore, when choosing, consider in which area of the hall and for what everyone will be.

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How to decorate a living room in an apartment

15 Apartment Living Room Design Ideas and Examples

Be Strategic With Artwork

Break the Room Into Zones

Work Around Building Rules

Convert a Closet

Match the Sofa to the Walls

Make Room for Work

Strike a Balance

Mix Patterns

Add Greenery

Use Enclosed Storage

Shrink Furniture

Make It Extra Homey

Embrace Low Ceilings

Stay True to Your Style

Use Sophisticated Neutrals

15 apartment living room ideas whether you own or rent

1. Zone your apartment living room with paint and pattern

2. Add a patterned carpet or rug

3. Choose multi purpose furniture

4. Think about your apartment living room layout

5. Make your room multi-purpose

6. Separate your space with a sectional

7. Opt for wall storage to save on space

8. Embrace an all white color scheme

9. Mix and match style for an eclectic vibe

10. Or keep things simple and linear

12. Don't underestimate a strategically placed mirror

13. Add life with plenty of house plants

14. Pile up the textiles and textures to create a cozy feel

15. Use your book collections to add color

How can I decorate my apartment living room on a budget?

What is the best layout for an apartment living room?

How to decorate a living room? 92 photos of stylish design. Tips from the pros

Simple secrets of decorating a living room

Style selection

Deciding on a color

Choosing a center

Decoration of window openings

Flooring design

Lighting

Make the most of furniture surfaces

Decorate the walls

Use plants

Pillows

Decorating the hall with textiles

Curtains

Plaid

Upholstery

Plants

Posters and paintings

wall

Clock

Photo: Instagram

Shelves and racks

Lighting

Chandelier

Learn more