Easy Ways to Make Your Apartment More Aesthetically Pleasing

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Living in an apartment naturally limits your interior design opportunities because you don’t own the place. However, despite some design constraints, there are many easy and affordable ways to make your apartment more aesthetically pleasing. Give these 15 simple tips a shot and you’re sure to have the apartment of your dreams.

1. Create an Entrance Drop Zone

Start at your apartment’s doorway, where you can establish a small “drop zone” to spruce up the entrance. Hang a few hooks for jackets, hats, and purses, then put up a mirror for last-minute outfit adjustments on your way out the door. You could also hang a small shelf for your keys, wallet, and other essentials to ensure you never forget them.

2. Get More Houseplants

Getting more houseplants is one of the simplest ways to make any apartment more visually appealing. They bring a splash of green and many other colors to liven up dull corners or take up empty wall space. Plus, houseplants serve as natural air filters that absorb carbon dioxide and other contaminants.

3. Incorporate Complementary Color Schemes

Finding the right color scheme is always a challenge, so you need to think outside the box sometimes. Instead of only using neutral shades, try incorporating bold complementary color schemes.

Red and black, blue and orange, purple and gold, and gray and yellow are just a few examples. The vibrant hues will be sure to grab your attention.

4. Switch to a Nature-Inspired Coffee Table

The coffee table is the centerpiece of the living room, so it needs to look the part. Take a natural approach by introducing a hardwood or woodgrain coffee table to put the “living” in living room. Complete with decor items made from natural materials, like wood, bamboo, or wicker.

5. Put Up a New Wallpaper

If your apartment walls look uninspiring, peel-and-stick wallpaper is a perfect solution. You just need a measuring tape, ruler, pencil and box cutter. First, clean the walls with a damp sponge or towel, and wait 12 to 24 hours for it to dry. Then, you can measure, peel and stick the new wallpaper wherever your heart desires.

6. Mount Some Floating Shelves

Keeping the focus on your apartment’s walls, you can also mount some floating shelves to take up empty space. These standalone decor pieces are perfect for showing off personal mementos, small photographs, and decorative objects. You can also stagger a handful of shelves to create a rotating display of items.

7. Clean Regularly

Maintaining a regular cleaning schedule is key in achieving a picture-perfect home. Small spaces like apartments can quickly get messy when you don’t have a lot of storage space–especially if you have roommates. Tidy up after yourself as you go about your day, and dedicate at least a few days a month to deep cleaning. A clean home will impress any guests you have over, as well as enhance your wellbeing and happiness. 

8. Throw Down an Area Rug

An area rug is a must-have for apartments — the only question is where to put it. The living room floor seems like the most practical option, but you can also put a rug under the dining table, in the hallway or in your bedroom. Rugs are crucial to any apartment’s color scheme, so make sure they match your wallpaper and other decorations.

9. Hang New Curtains

Most apartments have window coverings that give the building uniformity. With your landlord’s permission, you can hang new curtains to spice up the areas around your windows. These additions will also allow you to control natural light exposure and create more privacy.

10. Upgrade Your Mirrors

Mirrors are powerful decorations that make a room look larger and brighter, and allow people to view it from multiple angles. Full-body mirrors are perfect for bathrooms and bedrooms, while circular wall mirrors are better for communal areas.

11. Add Unique Seating Options

Apartment seating is naturally limited due to the small space, but you can still add unique options. Get rid of those cookie-cutter chairs that come with every apartment, and upgrade to beanbag chairs, wicker furniture, fancy recliners, and other fun ideas. Be sure to pick furniture with unique colors and textures that will stand out in your living room. Consider incorporating a spacious deep sectional couch, which offers ample seating and adds a bold statement to your space.

12. Bring in a Bar Cart

If you want your apartment to look more “adultish” and sophisticated, a bar cart is an excellent addition. This decor item is aesthetically pleasing and says a lot about your social life. It shows you know something about alcohol and entertain regularly. Even if you’re not a big drinker, a bar cart will create a more relaxed atmosphere when guests are over.

13. Switch to Softer Lights

Lights that are too bright can easily overpower a small apartment. If yours feel like too much, you can always switch to softer light tones. For example, mood and ambient fixtures with LED bulbs will introduce a more calming light, and change colors on command. This setup allows you to create different lighting depending on how you feel.

14. Shift to Linen Bed Sheets

It’s hard to keep bedrooms aesthetically pleasing because of how messy they get, but that shouldn’t stop you from trying. Swapping out your old sheets for soft and colorful linens is a great place to start. Linen’s thick and naturally rumpled appearance will add volume to your bed and create a greater sense of comfort. Off-white, light gray, and charcoal are great color choices.

15. Style Your Nightstand

Your nightstand presents a great decorating opportunity. A stylish bedside table has a lamp, clock at the minimum. You can also put a basket of books or magazines on the floor next to the nightstand if you enjoy reading before bed. A cool wastebasket or small plant are other nice touches.

Apartment Styling Made Simple

Although your apartment has limited space to make aesthetic improvements, these 15 simple renovations will make a huge difference. Apartment styling doesn’t have to be complicated. A splash of color here and some new textures there can turn a dull living space into a vibrant, welcoming setting in no time.