Decorating your apartment is always exciting. Whether you live in a big city and are looking to create a calm and soothing space inside or if you live in a small town and are looking to make your apartment feel big, creating a home-like feel is essential.
However, there can be restrictions due to size or apartment guidelines that can make this task feel daunting and less fun. Fear not, because we've some tips and decorating ideas for apartment living rooms.
Whether you decorate with a comfy couch, futons or bean bags, furniture is essential for any living room unless you're going for an empty, minimalist vibe.
A great place to start is the couch. Once you nail that down, you'll have the centerpiece of the room in the place. When thinking about your couch, really think about the functions you need out of it and go from there.
It's wise to invest in one that is not only comfortable but will last a long time. There are many great options for couches and you can even get them delivered in a box. This is a great option because carrying a large couch up the stairs of an apartment complex can be difficult. And if you live alone, it can be hard to assemble it on your own.
If space is an issue, there are alternatives to a couch, such as nest chairs, love seats or futons. These are equal in comfort but half the size and usually half the price.
A coffee table can help round out the room. Coffee tables are functional and can work as a footrest, a place to put your coffee or additional space to decorate. Add some of your favorite books to the table, a plant, candle or family photo. Between the couch and the coffee table, you've got yourself a nice set up to sit back and relax.
If the whole off-the-grid thing works for you, great. But, if you're like most people, you own a TV. How else are you supposed to Netflix and chill? Unless you want your TV on the ground, you'll need a place to set it.
A media stand doesn't have to be boring either, pick out a fun one that holds your TV. Media stands also provide additional storage space for your books, DVDs (yes, some people still own them!) and video games collection.
Another way to decorate your living room is to add additional furniture like accent chairs. These provide extra seating, as well as balance to the living room. If you place them next to the sofa, they create a cozy corner that makes a nice space for chatting with guests. It's fun to entertain but even better when everyone has a place to sit down.
A well-lit living room is a happy living room. In addition to making use of natural light, a few well-placed lamps can create a cozy, warm feel to your apartment's living room. Overhead lighting or table lamps can add targeted lighting to the room. If you're crafty, you can even make your own lamps.
Throw pillows are not only a great way to add some personal flair to the living room but they also add some comfort and back support. The great thing about pillows is you can easily switch them out to update the space.
Pillows can be a great way to decorate for the holidays, too. Choose a variety of sizes and place them on the couch and accent chairs to help add personality to your apartment living room.
A rug can really tie a room together. It's a great decorating tool for any space. A fun rug can add some color, life and uniqueness to any living room. They're also a great way to anchor a room.
If you start off by first picking a rug, you can then tie little pieces of the furniture back to the design or color of the rug, making the entire room feel cohesive. Likewise, you can choose a neutral-colored rug and let the other accents brighten up the space. You can also use a rug as a way to define spaces, such as the living room or dining room. This is especially helpful in smaller spaces that need more definition.
Plants are a great way to bring life to any living room. Buy a variety of plants, layer them and you'll add depth and life to your space. Use a nice vase and some flowers as accent pieces, as well.
Flowers are also easily changeable so you don't feel too committed to one thing. You can also add edible plants, such as basil or thyme to your space. Then, you not only have a beautiful plant but you also have a snack.
Scrapbooking may be a thing of the past, but decorating with photos is not. Decorate your living room with your favorite photos as a way to create memories in your living room. Not only will it make you feel more at home but it also adds a unique touch that makes your space your own.
You can put them in frames and place them around the space, or place them directly on the walls creating a photo collage wall. If nailing into the wall is an issue in your apartment building, a great alternative is command strips.
Similar to a rug, a piece of art can really center the room. You can use it as a statement piece that brings all the other elements together. Another great option is removable wallpaper, which can bring some color and life into the room without damaging the walls.
This is where you can really add touches that add character and flair to your living room. Some great examples are books, cake stands, letter boards or vases. Maybe add a blanket for that person that's always cold to your living room, too.
Small living rooms can be hard to decorate because space is limited but there are ways to make your smaller living room feel more spacious. If your living room has access to natural light, make sure to take advantage of that as natural light will make the living room feel larger and more open.
To do this, open the curtains and blinds during the day to let the sunshine in. Or, if your apartment is furnished with heavy drapes, consider removing the drapes and swapping them out for a lighter, airier option. Natural light is available to everyone and it's a sure-fire way to liven things up in your living room.
It may seem counterintuitive, but adding bigger furniture in a smaller space actually makes the room look larger than it is. Have fewer pieces but larger furniture rather than lots of small pieces to enlarge the space. Leave some space between each piece of furniture to make the room feel more open and less cluttered.
Tall shelves are also a way to make your space feel bigger than it is. It creates the illusion of height in the space and also adds places to store your adorable accent pieces. Look into furniture that's multi-purposed because these are great options for smaller spaces.
Your living room is your space to relax, unwind and have fun. Therefore, the items you use to decorate should speak to you and make you smile every time you enter the room. These decorating ideas for apartment living rooms will help you do just that.
Ashley Singleton is a writer who loves following and writing about current lifestyle, DIY and home improvement trends. You can read some of her other work on the Lady Spike Media website. In her spare time, she performs stand-up comedy in Los Angeles.