Designing the interior of a small apartment is always more challenging. You need to consider both aesthetics and functionality, while also taking into account the preferences of all family members, providing space for work, creativity, hobbies, and ensuring room for potential guests. Are you struggling with questions about re-planning and choosing a style? Don’t know where to start? We’re here to help you figure it out!
Choosing an Interior Style
In small apartments, simple and modern styles are a better fit. They are less bulky and have fewer details and decorations compared to traditional classic styles. Simplicity and functionality are the trends of recent years, and they are especially valuable for small apartments.
Minimalist Style for a Small Apartment
The easiest solution is minimalism. Its main features include light shades, bright accents, simple forms, clear geometry, an abundance of light, and a minimum of things.
Even the smallest apartment can feel spacious. All objects are highly functional. There is nothing unnecessary! A minimalist interior is a great opportunity to finally sort out the old clutter.
Scandinavian style is also based on minimalism and simplicity. The difference is that it leans towards natural materials and textures, textiles, an abundance of wood, and handmade items.
While regular minimalism can feel more cold and restrained, Scandinavian style is more homely and cozy. But at the same time, it is still very simple.
Small Apartment in Loft Style
A classic loft design requires a lot of space. However, its elements can be effectively used in a small apartment.
An open floor plan allows for experimenting with zoning. Rough finishing saves precious square meters that would otherwise be spent on surface leveling and polishing.
You won’t have to worry about hiding pipes and radiators in a small apartment. And the furniture can be simple yet functional.
Small Apartment in High-Tech Style
If you’re looking for something more modern and creative, consider high-tech style. It features a white-gray color palette, an abundance of light, chrome details, gloss, and glass.
Reflective surfaces always create an illusion of space. Lightweight plastic and metal structures are often more compact than massive wooden cabinets and shelves.
Moreover, high-tech style is perfect for incorporating ultra-modern technology, which often stands out in classic and romantic interiors.
Small Apartment in Classic Style
Full-scale classic style with various elements of antiquity, Baroque, Rococo, and national styles will not fit into a small apartment. However, it doesn’t mean that you can’t borrow some of its elements. Classic interiors are a well-thought-out composition with central elements and symmetrical arrangement. Simple straight lines and clear geometry are highly functional.
Natural materials prevail in the design. The feeling of luxury is conveyed through exotic types of wood, natural stone, and expensive textiles.
Layout and Zoning
It’s better to approach the arrangement of a small apartment comprehensively. Planning all the rooms at once makes it much easier to think through the arrangement of furniture, appliances, and other details.
First, determine the layout: can you demolish or move partitions, relocate the kitchen or bathroom, or combine the balcony with a room? Only after that, start working with each room separately.
Designing a Small Apartment Entryway
In a small entryway, first and foremost, ensure adequate lighting and reflective surfaces. This makes it more comfortable and convenient. Avoid open hooks, sharp edges, and other elements that can cause injuries.
If possible, install a closet in the entryway, such as a wardrobe with a full-length mirror door. Of course, it takes up space, but it saves you from having to place it in the living room.
Bathroom Design in a Small Apartment
If the bathroom is very small, consider installing a shower cabin instead of a bathtub. Modern models are very versatile and interesting.
Try to fit a washing machine into the bathroom. There are models available that combine a washing machine with a sink to save space.
If there is any space left, install a small, narrow cabinet for cosmetics and household items.
Kitchen Design in a Small Apartment
When arranging a small kitchen, integrate everything you can into the cabinets. Pay attention to small separate refrigerators and freezers.
Plan ahead whether you need a dishwasher, oven, and microwave. If you live alone, you can replace the stove with a small two-burner cooktop.
Easily convert a windowsill into a dining table or use folding and expandable constructions. And don’t forget about the range hood! In a small apartment, good ventilation and a range hood are especially important.
Bedroom Design in a Small Apartment
If the bedroom is very small, lighten its load as much as possible. Don’t skimp on the bed! Let it take up more space, but be comfortable. Good sleep is the key to health and a good mood.
But choose models with built-in drawers instead of legs. Then you can confidently do without dressers and only use bedside tables.
Children’s Room Design in a Small Apartment
In a children’s room, there are three main areas needed: sleeping, working, and playing.
To save valuable space, consider using transformable furniture. There are interesting combined systems that combine a bed, a desk, a wardrobe, shelves, or even a sports corner into one module.
Then the remaining space can be confidently used for games, creativity, and active leisure activities.
Materials and Finishes
For decorating a small apartment, it’s best to choose materials that harmonize with each other. This gives the space a certain unity. Due to excessive eclecticism, small rooms look too heavy and overloaded.
Flooring
Focus on functionality. If you want to save money, it’s easiest to put the same type of flooring throughout the apartment. For example, laminate.
Laminate is the most foolproof option. The main thing is to choose the right wear resistance class. And consider the humidity in the kitchen.
As for the bathroom, it’s best to lay tiles. An interesting decorative technique is to use the same tiles on the floor and on part of the walls. This makes the bathroom seem larger.
Walls
In a small apartment, it is important to save space. Therefore, complex gypsum cardboard structures and voluminous panels are often not an option.
However, simple painting can do the job. Moreover, it is easy, practical, and budget-friendly. It also allows for maximum experimentation with shades and can be easily repainted if you get tired of the current color.
For an accent wall, you can use wallpaper or even photo wallpaper.
To decorate the workspace in the kitchen, experiment with tiles of different sizes. You can even use a small intricate mosaic. It’s not very expensive for a small area, but it will be a standalone decorative element.
Ceiling
To save space, avoid overly bulky constructions. However, this is not a reason to abandon stretch and drywall ceilings. They hide communications and lighting fixtures.
If the ceiling in the apartment is even, simply paint it with paint. For example, in the same tone as the walls – this is another standard technique for visually expanding the space.
Color palette for a small apartment
It is believed that white should always be used in small spaces. This is true, but not white alone, as too much of it can create a sterile hospital-like atmosphere instead of a cozy home.
Light tones
Light shades of all kinds are suitable for designing a small apartment. Instead of pure white, consider cream tones, ivory, or light gray.
Looking for more color? Then the whole pastel palette is for you. Or consider distressed whitewashed colors, which fit so well with the Provence or Scandinavian styles.
Dark Tones
An excess of dark colors will make a small apartment appear even smaller and visually heavier. Stylish black interiors require a large area.
But contrasting elements are not canceled. Dark furniture, decor, and textiles look fresh and creative if not overused.
Dark vertical stripes on a light background visually lift the ceiling. One wall with geometric patterns widens the room.
A sofa with a dark frame and light upholstery is an eternal classic. And black appliances have always been at the peak of popularity.
Bright Accents
Designs for small apartments often rely on accents. Colorful pops on a neutral background immediately give the space mood, atmosphere, and individuality.
Orange kitchen facades awaken the appetite. Blue textiles in the bedroom promote relaxation. Green vases in the living room are invigorating. And yellow tiles in the bathroom make it brighter and more vibrant.
Furniture Arrangement
Choosing furniture for a small apartment is a separate task. Here are a few main options:
- If you have the option to arrange a small storage room – use it. With a competent interior filling, you can hide appliances, clothes, dishes, equipment, bedding, and other things that usually take up several bulky cabinets. Unlike a cabinet, a storage room does not have to be fitted into the interior;
- Pay attention to built-in modular structures. A modern trend is multifunctional storage systems integrated directly into the partitions between rooms. Their installation is more expensive and complex, but it saves a lot of space.
- Arrange furniture along the walls. This is convenient if you need a lot of free space, for example, for sports activities or active games with children.
- Use island layout. This is a good option for the kitchen or living room, where each area has its own purpose.
Proper Lighting
Proper lighting is the key to comfort in a small apartment. To save space, avoid bulky chandeliers and voluminous decorative floor lamps or table lamps.
Use spot ceiling lighting. It visually expands the room. And at the lower level, use lighting for niches, cabinets, and mirrors.
Choose small, compact lampshades that fit tightly to the surface.
Another trick is to use swiveling light fixtures. You can turn such sconces toward the ceiling for comfortable diffused light or lower them to the table for workspace lighting.
Small Apartment – Real Interior Photos
In reality, there are numerous design ideas for small apartments. We recommend considering as many options as possible to choose the perfect one for yourself. To do this, take a look at our selection of photos and get inspired!
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