Looking for small apartment interior design ideas that go beyond white walls? Think olive-green seating, little dining corners and shelves filled with your favorite books.
These rooms give you plenty to work with, whether you’re decorating a studio or making more of a narrow kitchen.
You can keep things simple or go all out with color. I especially love the pink and yellow details below.
Start with the corner that needs a little attention, then pick an idea that fits your space.
Small apartment ideas to try at home
an olive sofa and brown cabinets
We’re starting off strong with this pretty olive-green and brown pairing. I love the little green lamp beside the TV.
The tall cabinet and open shelves give this small apartment interior a mix of tucked-away storage and space for favorite things.
Read also: 20 Ideas for Cabinet Colors With Honey Oak Trim and Other Wood-Tone Pairings
Try repeating the green with a vase and a few trailing plants, just like this.
a screen beside the bed
How cute is this little studio setup? The grid-patterned screen sits between the bed and pink sofa, with small hanging planters adding a bit of greenery.
If you want to separate your sleeping corner without adding a full wall, a room screen is an idea worth considering. Keep those pale blue-green cushions for a similar color mix.
a mirror wall and rust chairs
I am obsessed with these rounded rust-colored chairs. The huge gridded mirror behind them reflects the windows and the rest of the room.
Those pink flowers are so pretty beside the striped cushions.
For a smaller take on this look, try one large wall mirror behind a pair of chairs.
a little corner desk
If you are looking for a desk idea that uses an empty corner, this one is for you. The wall-mounted desktop has shelves rising above it, with books and plants filling the narrow space.
The green pegboard is my favorite detail. Try one beside your desk for small shelves and a spot to hang your scissors.
cream seating and pale cabinets
Don’t want to go overboard with color? No problem!
This cream sectional, pale brown coffee table and white kitchen keep things simple. I love the three little pendants above the counter and the arched mirror beside the sofa.
Read also: 20 Christmas Decorations for Small Apartment Spaces to Try This Year
a wall full of books
Calling all book lovers, this is such a pretty way to use a living room wall. Long open shelves hold rows of books, framed pictures and little plants.
Read also: 20 Collection Display Ideas for Your Bedroom, From Books to Little Keepsakes
You don’t have to fill every shelf the same way. Try a few upright books beside a leaning print, then leave room for a trailing plant.
big leaves and botanical prints
If you love lots of greenery, then this one is for you. There’s so much to enjoy, from the tall leaves beside the TV to the ferns spilling over their pots.
I especially love the botanical prints above the screen. Pick a pair of leafy pictures if you want to bring this look into your own room without adding more plants.
a tucked-away dining bench
This dining nook may just be one of my favorites here. The cushioned bench sits between the cabinets, with a little round table and two curved-back chairs in front.
The scalloped rug is adorable. Add a few framed photos above your own dining bench if you want that same personal touch.
navy walls and patterned pillows
Who says you have to stick to pale walls? This deep navy bedroom looks gorgeous with the gray headboard and brown bedside furniture.
I love how the patterned pillows pick up the colors in the rug. Try pale bedding with your dark walls if you want a similar combination.
basket storage under the tv
If you’re looking for a simple storage idea, go with a low cubby unit like this one. Baskets fill the bottom row while books and a small plant sit above.
The tall mirror and dark green stool are lovely extra touches. I’d keep the baskets matching if you want to follow this look.
green hallway cabinets
I am obsessed with this green hallway storage. The tall paneled doors and little gold-tone knobs look so pretty opposite the oval mirrors.
There’s a dark rounded console on the other side too. If your hallway is narrow, check the space between furniture before borrowing both parts of this setup.
a bedroom above the kitchen
This loft gives the bed its own level above the kitchen and entry area. I love how the black stair railing matches the coffee table below.
Already have a loft apartment? Try repeating one dark accent upstairs and downstairs, like the railings, bedding and furniture here.
an olive chair and bold stripes
How cute is this rounded olive chair? Not gonna lie, the little mushroom-shaped lamp on the coffee table is a favorite too!
The cream sofa sits beside a black-and-cream striped rug, with open shelving along the back wall.
Keep the patterned cushions if you want a little more going on than plain neutrals.
a narrow breakfast counter
Don’t have space for a separate kitchen table? This narrow wall counter is worth a look.
Two stools sit beneath open shelves filled with mugs, bowls and plants.
Try a shallow counter along an unused wall, but leave enough room to pull out the stools and move past your appliances.
red and cream checks
The checkerboard fans are going to love this! Red-brown and cream squares cover the backsplash, with a similar pattern continuing across the floor.
I love the little reddish pots on the shelf above. For a smaller dose of this color combination, try checked kitchen accessories before changing your whole backsplash.
a round table by the window
This is another pretty way to fit a dining area beside your kitchen. The white pedestal table has four brown chairs around it, with a little green pendant hanging above.
Those narrow book ledges beside the doorway are such a good detail. Try a short stack of ledges if you have a spare strip of wall.
a breakfast bar with overhead storage
There’s a lot tucked into this kitchen and living area. A slim breakfast bar separates the gray sofa from the cooking space, with three stools lined up underneath.
I especially love the green cushions beside the orange throw. The overhead rack adds another place for a basket, small boxes and hanging kitchen pieces without putting them on the dining surface.
checks and a slatted divider
This darker studio setup is another favorite. I love how the green sofa looks beside the rust-colored bed and black-and-white checks.
A tall slatted divider marks the edge of the sleeping area. Little lamps on the shelves and beside the seating bring spots of light throughout the room.
pink yellow and wavy shapes
The pink checked cushion and yellow dining chair are such a cute pairing. My favorite detail is the mirror with its wavy pink frame!
Start with a pink-and-yellow rug if you want to try this combination. Then bring one of those colors onto your sofa with a cushion or throw.
ceiling-high white curtains
Last but definitely not least, we have these pretty white curtains. I love the long folds running from near the ceiling down to the floor.
The panels stretch across the whole window wall.
Try hanging your curtains high for a similar look, then measure the drop so the hems land where you want them.
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And as you know, I seriously love seeing your takes on the looks and ideas on here - that means the world to me! If you recreate something, please share it here in the comments or feel free to send me a pic. I'm always excited to meet y'all! ✨🤍
Xoxo Giulia