Just because I live in a compact New York apartment, it doesn’t mean I have to compromise my decor or how comfortable I am. You can really get the most out of any space and not feel confined, especially if you plan strategically and incorporate some clever design ideas.

1. Find Furniture That Does More

Multipurpose furniture is essential when you're working with limited space.
Multipurpose furniture is essential when you’re working with limited space.

Go for furniture that can do multiple things, like futons or storage benches. I’ve used them in my own projects, and they’ve always been super useful for getting the most out of a space without losing style.

Check if these fit your needs:

Adaptable Sleeper Sofa
Adaptable Sleeper Sofa
$289.98
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Collapsible Coffee Center with Storage
Collapsible Coffee Center with Storage
$118.73
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2. Consider an Open Concept

Open layouts make small apartments feel more spacious.
Open layouts make small apartments feel more spacious.

Make your living areas one big open space to get the most out of your square footage. I often tell people to get rid of unnecessary walls to make the space feel bigger and flow better.

Consider these options:

Adaptable Sectional
Adaptable Sectional
$289.98
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Folding Wall Table
Folding Wall Table
$52.99
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Open-Shelf Display
Open-Shelf Display
$40.99
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3. Look for Smaller Seating

Compact seating helps maximize comfort and space.
Compact seating helps maximize comfort and space.

Find seating that fits well in your space, like loveseats or chairs with thinner frames. I’ve realized they provide a lot of comfort without taking up too much space.

Explore these options:

Streamlined Loveseat
Streamlined Loveseat
$79.99
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Folding Cafe Chairs
Folding Cafe Chairs
$62.10
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Sleek Armless Chair
Sleek Armless Chair
$39.99
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4. Experiment with Textures

Textures can add richness and personality to your space.
Textures can add richness and personality to your space.

Play around with different textures in your fabrics and materials to add depth. I like doing this to make things more visually interesting without adding clutter.

Some ideas to consider:

Patterned Woven Rug
Patterned Woven Rug
$80.99
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Cozy Knit Throw
Cozy Knit Throw
$18.95
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Knotted Wall Art
Knotted Wall Art
$35.99
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5. Decorate Thoughtfully With Art

Thoughtfully chosen decor can really give your space some personality.
Thoughtfully chosen decor can really give your space some personality.

Make it personal with art and decor, but don’t go overboard. I think it’s better to pick a few standout pieces instead of covering every wall and surface.

Check these products out:

Simple Line Art Prints
Simple Line Art Prints
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Standing Lamp
Standing Lamp
$56.99
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Braided Baskets
Braided Baskets
$56.99
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6. Add Some Green

Greenery adds a refreshing touch to urban living spaces.
Greenery adds a refreshing touch to urban living spaces.

Put in some house plants to bring in a bit of nature. I’ve found that plants not only make things look nicer, but they also make the air better and improve your mood.

Possibly helpful picks:

Indoor Gardening Set
Indoor Gardening Set
$56.99
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Chic Plant Holders
Chic Plant Holders
$16.13
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Plant Grow Light
Plant Grow Light
$20.49
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7. Make the Most of Your Walls

Walls are great for displaying art and adding storage.
Walls are great for displaying art and adding storage.

Use your walls for art and shelving to take advantage of vertical space. I use this idea a lot because it can turn your walls into something decorative and useful.

These products might help:

Wall-Mounted Shelves
Wall-Mounted Shelves
$21.99
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Artwork Collection
Artwork Collection
$11.99
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Woven Organizers
Woven Organizers
$56.99
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8. Add Storage to Your Walls

Built-in storage keeps your apartment neat and tidy.
Built-in storage keeps your apartment neat and tidy.

Add shelves and storage to your walls to keep your apartment neat and tidy. In my experience, built-in storage helps things look sleek while also giving you lots of space to store things.

Items that may come in handy:

Mounted Shelving Systems
Mounted Shelving Systems
$29.98
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Customizable Cabinetry
Customizable Cabinetry
$159.49
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Discreet Storage Options
Discreet Storage Options
$37.99
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9. Go for a Soothing Color Story

Soft colors help make a small space feel more open.
Soft colors help make a small space feel more open.

Go with light and airy colors to give your apartment a feeling of spaciousness and light. From what I’ve seen, giving a place a fresh coat of white or a soft beige can really make it feel more expansive.

Try these:

Gentle Hued Cushion Collection
Gentle Hued Cushion Collection
$17.99
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Creamy Neutral Rug
Creamy Neutral Rug
$58.98
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Ethereal White Window Coverings
Ethereal White Window Coverings
$13.95
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10. Add Bold Art as a Focal Point

Bold art can serve as a stunning focal point in any room.
Bold art can serve as a stunning focal point in any room.

Add some bold artwork as a focal point to catch the eye and make the room seem bigger. A striking piece of art can be a great conversation starter.

You might give these a try:

Abstract Wall Art
Abstract Wall Art
$233.99
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Colorful Art Print
Colorful Art Print
$12.99
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Typography Wall Decor
Typography Wall Decor
$12.97
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11. Think About a Lofted Bed

A lofted bed is a smart way to maximize vertical space.
A lofted bed is a smart way to maximize vertical space.

If you have high ceilings, think about adding a loft bed to free up floor space. It’s a fun idea that can make your home more practical.

May just do the trick:

Loft Bed
Loft Bed
$269.99
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Under-bed Storage
Under-bed Storage
$19.99
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Bedside Clip-On Shelf
Bedside Clip-On Shelf
$17.99
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12. Pick a Statement Rug

A bold rug can tie your room together beautifully.
A bold rug can tie your room together beautifully.

Use a statement rug to highlight specific areas and bring in color. I’ve found that a good rug can really tie a room together.

Some handy options:

Geometric Rug
Geometric Rug
$99.99
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Vibrant Abstract Rug
Vibrant Abstract Rug
$59.99
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Boho Rug
Boho Rug
$65.99
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13. Use Glass and Mirrors

Mirrors and glass can effectively make your space feel larger.
Mirrors and glass can effectively make your space feel larger.

Add glass and mirrors to reflect light and make the room feel bigger. I’ve always used this trick to make spaces feel more open.

You might like:

Large Accent Mirror
Large Accent Mirror
$137.99
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See-Through Coffee Table
See-Through Coffee Table
$139.99
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Mirrored Dresser
Mirrored Dresser
$249.99
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14. Bring in Natural Light

Natural light can make your apartment feel brighter and more spacious.
Natural light can make your apartment feel brighter and more spacious.

Let as much natural light in as possible by keeping windows clear and using light, airy curtains. I’ve learned that this simple change can really make a small space feel better.

A few choices to try:

Light Filtering Curtains
Light Filtering Curtains
$7.92
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Privacy Window Overlay
Privacy Window Overlay
$5.61
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House Plants
House Plants
$18.77
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15. Mount Lighting on the Walls

Wall-mounted lighting frees up valuable tabletop space.
Wall-mounted lighting frees up valuable tabletop space.

Choose lights that mount to the wall to free up space on tables and counters. I think sconces are great for lighting and adding a stylish element.

A few suggestions:

Adjustable Wall Sconce
Adjustable Wall Sconce
$32.99
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Modern Industrial Wall Sconce
Modern Industrial Wall Sconce
$42.99
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Vintage Style Wall Lamp
Vintage Style Wall Lamp
$49.99
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16. Install Floating Shelves

Floating shelves keep the floor clear while providing storage.
Floating shelves keep the floor clear while providing storage.

Put up floating shelves to create storage without using floor space. I always use this to keep things looking clean and modern.

A few helpful options:

Wood Floating Shelves
Wood Floating Shelves
$42.99
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Sleek Wall-Mounted Shelves
Sleek Wall-Mounted Shelves
$21.99
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Durable Wall-Mounted Shelves
Durable Wall-Mounted Shelves
$29.99
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