How to Make Your Small Apartment Look More Expensive Than It Is
Having a multimillion dollar home with luxurious amenities and an abundance of space is sadly just a dream for most of us. Instead, you might be one of many who is living in a small apartment that could use a good makeover to bring it to life and that’s okay! The elusive notion of luxury often comes with a hefty price tag that can leave us disheartened. With a little creativity and extra thought, however, you can make your home look that little bit more opulent without breaking the bank.
8 Ways to Make Your Small Apartment Look More Luxurious
Below, we’re looking at eight ways you can make your small apartment look more expensive than it is, so you can live out your luxury living fantasy.
1. Add Decorative Mouldings
Adding decorative mouldings to your apartment can enhance its visual appeal and give it a luxurious touch. Whether it’s crown moulding, wainscoting, or baseboard, mouldings can mimic the look of traditional or classical architecture, giving your apartment a sense of timeless elegance. Board and batten is a particularly easy moulding to DIY at home – find a quick tutorial online.
2. Paint it
One of the most impactful ways to make your home look more elevated is by giving it a fresh coat of paint. White paint in particular will give it a clean, crisp, and timeless aesthetic. A well-painted room can instantly make your space look more luxurious and put together.
3. Switch up Your Hardware
Luxury is in the detail. Hardware, such as doorknobs, drawer pulls, and faucets, are often overlooked but can make a huge difference to the appeal of your space. Take a look at your hardware and if they look drab or dated, give them an upgrade with more chic designs. This is a particularly good trick for rental apartments where permanent changes can’t be made.
4. Focus on Lighting
Good lighting is one of the secrets of the interior design world. It significantly influences the atmosphere and mood within a home. Many of us will automatically switch on our downlights without considering, but adding some lamps can make a space look soothing and sophisticated. Opt for high-quality fixtures with stylish design elements and finishes such as brass, gold, or chrome, to help to elevate the look of a space and make a statement.
5. Declutter and Organise
If you’re living in a small space, having a cluttered and unorganised space won’t just negatively impact how you function in your home, but can also make it look cheap. A clutter-free space instantly makes your home look put together and creates an impression of elegance and sophistication. Take the time to declutter and organise your space, and you’ll be amazed at the difference it can make.
6. Use Nice Window Treatments
Window treatments are one of the most important parts of every room in your home and there’s no quicker way to make a home look average than with ugly curtains or blinds. Stylish window treatments can take a room from good to great. Sheers are a wonderful choice as they create a bright, soft, and outdoorsy feeling by allowing natural light to enter – they also don’t need to be expensive to look good!
7. Focus on Symmetry and Balance
This interior design trick involves arranging furniture and accessories in a symmetrical and balanced manner to create a sense of order and harmony – something often associated with high-end design. Start by establishing a focal point – be it a fireplace, kitchen island, bed, window, or sofa. From here you can choose items with the same visual weight to flank the focal point.
8. Add a Hint of Luxury
Sometimes the smallest things make a huge difference. A fancy soap in your bathroom, beautiful quality glassware, or a decorative candle will add a luxurious feel without breaking the bank. These small touches can elevate your space and make it feel more luxurious.
Maximising the Impact of Your Small Apartment
When it comes to making your small apartment look more expensive, it’s all about attention to detail. By incorporating some of these simple and affordable design tricks, you can create a space that feels luxurious and sophisticated.
Creating a Sense of Space
One of the biggest challenges of living in a small apartment is creating a sense of space. By using light colours on walls and floors, and keeping furniture and accessories to a minimum, you can create a sense of openness and airiness.
Using Texture and Pattern
Adding texture and pattern to your space can also help to create a sense of luxury. Mix different textures, such as smooth and rough, and incorporate patterns, such as stripes and florals, to add depth and visual interest to your space.
Investing in Quality Pieces
While it may be tempting to opt for cheap, trendy pieces, investing in quality furniture and accessories can pay off in the long run. Not only will they last longer, but they’ll also add a level of sophistication to your space.
Small Space, Big Style
Living in a small apartment doesn’t have to mean sacrificing style. By incorporating some of these design tricks, you can create a space that feels luxurious and sophisticated, without breaking the bank.
Studio Apartment Design Tips
If you’re living in a studio apartment, it can be even more challenging to create a sense of luxury. But don’t worry, we’ve got some genius design tips to help you maximise your space.
- Use room dividers to create separate areas
- Invest in multi-functional furniture
- Keep it light and bright with mirrors and lighting
Small Bedroom Design Ideas
And if you’re looking for inspiration for your small bedroom, we’ve got 12 beautiful ideas to help you create a relaxing retreat.
- Use a light colour palette to create a sense of calm
- Invest in a comfortable and stylish bed
- Add some greenery for a touch of nature
Common Mistakes to Avoid
When it comes to designing your small apartment, there are some common mistakes to avoid. Here are six mistakes to watch out for:
- Not using vertical space
- Using too many colours
- Not decluttering regularly
- Using too much pattern
- Not investing in quality pieces
- Not considering lighting
By avoiding these common mistakes and incorporating some of these design tricks, you can create a small apartment that feels luxurious and sophisticated, without breaking the bank.Q: How can I make my small apartment look luxurious?
By incorporating simple design tricks such as adding decorative mouldings, using nice window treatments, and focusing on symmetry and balance.
Q: What is the importance of lighting in a small apartment?
Good lighting can significantly influence the atmosphere and mood within a home, making it look soothing and sophisticated.
Q: How can I create a sense of space in a small apartment?
By using light colours on walls and floors, and keeping furniture and accessories to a minimum, you can create a sense of openness and airiness.
Q: What are some common mistakes to avoid when designing a small apartment?
Not using vertical space, using too many colours, not decluttering regularly, using too much pattern, not investing in quality pieces, and not considering lighting.
Q: How can I add a luxurious feel to my small apartment without breaking the bank?
By adding small touches such as a fancy soap, beautiful quality glassware, or a decorative candle.
Q: What are some design tips for a studio apartment?
Use room dividers to create separate areas, invest in multi-functional furniture, and keep it light and bright with mirrors and lighting.
Q: How can I make my small bedroom look relaxing and luxurious?
By using a light colour palette, investing in a comfortable and stylish bed, and adding some greenery.
