Easy Ways to Make a Small Apartment Feel Bigger
Light, sightlines, and fewer but better-sized pieces. Renter-friendly ideas for making a small place feel open, with no walls knocked down.
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A small apartment doesn’t need to feel cramped. Much of how we perceive a room comes down to how far the eye can travel, how much light there is, and how much floor we can see.
Most of the ideas below are renter-friendly, but read your lease before you make any changes, and ask your landlord if you’re not sure.
Start with the floor
Visible floor is one of the strongest signals of space. Walk through your apartment and notice where you have to step around something. That’s where to begin.
Fifteen-minute floor clear
- Move shoes to one tray or rack
- Take bags off chairs and the floor
- Get cords off the walkways
- Remove any furniture you only use for piling things on
- Return or donate the one big item you’ve been meaning to get rid of
Work with the light
Raise the curtains
Hanging rods closer to the ceiling and wider than the window frame makes windows look larger. Choose light-colored fabric that lets daylight in, and pull the curtains fully off the glass. Tension rods or no-drill brackets may work if you can’t make holes.
Layer your lamps
One overhead fixture flattens a room. Add a floor lamp in a dark corner and a table lamp at seating height. Lighting the corners helps a room feel wider.
Use mirrors with intent
Place a large mirror across from or next to a window, where it can bounce daylight around the room. One large mirror usually works better than a cluster of small ones. Secure it properly so it can’t tip.
Choose furniture that gives space back
- Pick pieces on legs. Seeing the floor beneath sofas and cabinets makes a room feel airier.
- Choose fewer, right-size pieces. One proper sofa can look better than an oversized sectional or several small chairs.
- Look for double duty. A storage ottoman, a bench with baskets, or a bed with drawers can do the work of two pieces.
- Try see-through. Glass or open-frame tables have less visual weight.
- Measure before you buy, including your doorway, stairs, and elevator.
Go vertical, gently
Tall, narrow shelving draws the eye up. Keep the upper shelves lighter and less crowded. Tall furniture needs securing to the wall to prevent tip-overs, especially with children in the home, so ask your landlord about anchors. Adhesive hooks are fine for light items, but weigh what you’re hanging against the product’s rating.
Divide without building walls
In a studio, zones make one room feel like several.
| Zone | How to define it |
|---|---|
| Sleeping | A headboard, a low shelf, or a curtain panel |
| Living | A rug big enough for at least the front legs of the furniture |
| Working | A narrow desk and a dedicated lamp |
| Eating | A drop-leaf table or a counter with stools |
Open-backed shelves can separate areas while still letting the light through.
Keep the palette calm
You don’t need an all-white apartment. A limited set of related colors, used throughout, helps rooms flow into each other. Let a few pieces provide contrast, and use texture such as wood, linen, and woven baskets to keep things from feeling flat.
A simple weekend plan
- Clear the floor. Use the checklist above, and take donations out of the apartment right away.
- Rearrange before you buy. Move your largest piece so that the path from the door to the window is as open as possible.
- Fix the light. Open up the curtains and add a lamp to the darkest corner.
- Add one mirror, if you have one, and secure it properly.
- Live with it for a week before deciding what, if anything, you still need.
Control the small stuff
Open storage only works if it’s kept fairly tidy. Keep things you don’t want to see in closed boxes or baskets. Follow the one-in, one-out rule. And take a look at the fullest areas: a small closet or kitchen counter often relieves pressure on the rest of the home.
Frequently asked questions
What colors make a small room look bigger?
Lighter colors reflect more light, but a consistent palette matters as much as the shade itself. A darker room can still feel good with careful lighting.
Can I put up shelves in a rental?
Check your lease first. Freestanding shelves are simplest. If you want to anchor a piece, ask your landlord, and get the answer in writing.
How big should a rug be in a small living room?
Larger than you might expect. A rug that reaches at least the front legs of the seating tends to make a room feel more connected than a small rug floating in the middle.
This guide is general information. Your home, appliances, and products may differ, so follow manufacturer instructions and product labels. Spot an error? Tell us, or read our Editorial Policy.
