Beautiful Room Ideas and Decor for a Timeless Look

Whether you own a rental or condo, decorating an apartment living room isn’t easy—from arranging furniture to buying a rug to hanging art. In your small one-bedroom apartment or studio apartment, the living room may be more than just a living room. It can also be a dining room, bedroom, playroom or home office. To help you make the most of your space, we’ve put together inspiring ideas for the living room in your apartment that you’ll love to recreate, even if you’re on a budget.

“Small spaces can work just as well as larger rooms if thoughtful consideration is given,” says Jenny Williamson, principal designer at West Rose Design, who suggests space-saving solutions like coffee tables with concealed storage, side tables that double as floor lamps, and pull-out sofas. “There is no room in the home for items that serve only one purpose.” It may seem counterintuitive, but a larger piece of furniture – like a deep sofa – can make a small room feel larger. Light colors, mirrors that reflect light, and the use of vertical spaces are other great ways to optimize the design of a modern living room.

If you own the apartment, you can tackle major renovation projects like installing built-in bookcases, knocking down walls, or choosing a new color for the living room—but renters don’t have that luxury, and, frankly, home openers might, too not the time or the money. Keep scrolling for more affordable and achievable design tips to help you redesign your apartment’s living room with minimal effort.