33 Apartment Decor Ideas for a Truly One-of-a-Kind Space

Looking to inject some personality into your living space? You’ve come to the right place

January 30, 2023

Whether you live in a rental or you own your pad, exciting apartment decor ideas can be hard to come by. Oftentimes square footage is limited, so you have to get creative and chances are you can’t do much to combat the existing framework of the building. Whether the issue is as minor as ugly radiators or as major as ultra-tiny bedrooms, it’s unlikely there’s much you can do to radically change your apartment’s bones. Whatever the preexisting problem with your space is, fear not because there are plenty of ways to at least minimize those eyesores. Below, we draw from some of our favorite apartment tours to figure out the most impactful solves for the most common apartment design woes. From simple additions (like displaying your book or record collection) to more complicated ones (like creating a statement wall), these should at least minimize your decor-based pains.

Photo: Simon Brown
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Conceal your radiators
Sometimes the easiest way to spruce up your apartment is to conceal the irremovable elements. For many of us, that means figuring out clever ways to cover radiators (which are plain at best and total eye sores at worst). The problem only intensifies when your radiator happens to be in a living area or some other prominent spot in your home. Never fear, though—it’s possible to not only eradicate the eye sore, but also amp up the room feel. If you doubt it at all, simply take a gander at this Beata Heuman–designed London apartment’s living room, where caning panels were used to cover the radiators. Green trim was employed to match the other green highlights in the apartment, and as it stands now, you couldn’t be blamed for missing the presence of a radiator entirely.
Photo: Yohann Fontaine
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Add open shelving
Whether it’s in a bathroom, bedroom, kitchen, or living space, open shelving offers the double advantage of providing storage space and adding visual interest. Even if you’d prefer not to have everything you own on display, or if what you have to store isn’t the easiest to keep tidy—we’re looking at you, discolored stainless steel pots and floppy T-shirt collections—there are plenty of visually interesting containers and bins you can use. Open shelving, whether it’s filled with bins or not entirely filled, adds dimension to a space that closed-off cabinets and drawers never could. We’re particularly keen on this Hoch Studio–designed Paris apartment which uses open shelving to separate the bed from the rest of the bedroom.
Photo: Charlie Schuck
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Mix and match chairs
In a small apartment, where every square inch must be accounted for, surprising design decisions are all the more welcome. Rather than going for a set of matching chairs for your dining room or lounge space, mix and match pieces. New York–based architect Corey Kingston did just that for her own small space that measures 400 square feet. Whether you have your eye on a few brand new chairs, thrift different ones over time, or you’re able to do some DIY upholstery to add variation between pieces you already have, mixing and matching chairs can add a lot of personality without necessarily requiring you to make a big expensive purchase or dramatically change the layout of your space.
Photo: Jenna Peffley
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Try low shelving
If you don’t have an expansive book collection but still like the look of bursting bookshelves, low shelving is a great way to get that sophisticated library-like appeal without going on a book buying bender (though neither us nor Ashley Tisdale would judge you for that). We love the way this low shelf frames the view of LA in Fanny Singer’s Silver Lake apartment. A similar piece could easily be used in an entryway to offer seating and storage too.

Photo: Rory Gardiner
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Add sconces
Whether you’re a devout minimalist, an ultra-maximalist, or you’re not yet sure what home decor styles speak to you most, adding sconces to your space is sure to make it feel well-thought out and refined. Sconces can also be a major space saver, and they work well in areas where a floor lamp just wouldn’t work, like in the hallway of this 300-square-foot apartment designed by architect Vincent Appel.
Photo: Steve Freihon
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Get a magazine rack
You don’t need to be a magazine collector in order to make use of a magazine rack—in fact, the pieces tend to look best when they’re only holding a few. As shown in this apartment designed by Ryan Brooke Thomas, a magazine rack can add visual interest closer to the floor while providing additional storage. There are plenty of new ones available, but vintage pieces will add an even more unique look to your apartment. Depending on the style you buy, you can even use the pieces to store coffee-table books or TV remotes.
Photo: Kyle Knodell
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Add a pop of color with a rug
An area rug can help tie together even the most unruly of spaces. They can also help you add color to a space if you prefer neutral furniture. The Moroccan Berber rug shown in this 650-square-foot apartment redesigned by architect Brett Masterson for a single mom and her daughter is a perfect example of how a rug can serve as an adventurous focal point. The rug adds a number of different colors to the space without resulting in a sense of chaos since those colors are limited to the floor.

Photo: Melanie Landsman
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Pick an accent color
One way of adding personality to your apartment decor without a major makeover or any drastic changes is by picking an accent color and bringing it in with small pieces. Megan Hershman and Noah Venezia’s Carroll Gardens apartment brilliantly executed this strategy, with pops of yellow coming in through displayed cookware and artwork.
Photo: Kirsten Francis
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Add a gallery wall
Adding a gallery wall may be one of the most common apartment decor ideas, but that’s just proof of how much it can do to spice up a space. Whether you go the black-and-white route, as designer Margaret Costello did in her Greenwich Village apartment, or you go for mismatched frames that tie into your overarching color scheme, you really can’t go wrong with a gallery wall.
Photo: Joe Kramm
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Add a pouf or ottoman
Want a place to put your feet up? Want a place for extra guests to sit when you’re having an especially populated party? A pouf or ottoman can accomplish both, and their small size will make them suitable for even the teensiest of studio apartments. We love that the pouf in this Project AZ–designed 820-square-foot space could easily be perched upon to make flipping through those records all the more enjoyable.

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Add a statement wall
Especially in a small bedroom where there’s not much space for personalization, a statement wall can make a major impact. You can opt for something natural, like this wood veneer wallpaper in a Ken Fulk–designed West Village apartment, or you can go for a bold print wallpaper. If you live in a rental, or you’d rather not commit, removable wallpaper is here to help.
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Put the ceiling to work
You don’t have to go as dramatic as designer Alexander Doherty did in this penthouse apartment, which features a tobacco-colored venetian plaster covered ceiling, but it would serve you well to use the ceiling of your apartment. Whether this means painting it or hanging a chandelier, it’ll quickly make the space feel all the more lived-in.
Photo: Sean Litchfield
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Emphasize the outdoor space
If your apartment happens to have a balcony or patio space, be sure to draw all eyes toward it. Decorator Becky Shea did so for this modernist New York City apartment, making the apartment feel immersed in the city without diluting its oasis-like energy.

Photo: David Mitchell
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Match the ceiling to the walls
Maybe this is among the more daring interior design ideas, but if you’re willing to take the plunge, it’ll take the pressure off of just about everything else in your room. British designer Charles Mellersh did so in this apartment’s home office space, and it feels both intimate and impressive.
Photo: Jacob Snavely
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Add an office nook
Whether it’s a gap at the end of a hallway or a former bathroom (as in this Manhattan apartment by designer Aamir Khandwala), practically any small space can be put to use as an office nook. Building your desktop between walls creates a cozy space that’s easy to focus in.
Photo: Tim Lenz
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Consider a slim bar area
For both utility and style, a slim bar area is one of the most foolproof living room ideas. The glassware and the bottles can provide much of the decoration when paired with a charming bar cart, or in the case of this apartment designed by Hadley Wiggins, an enclosed wet bar.

Photo: David Mitchell
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Employ low seating
If coziness is your endgame, low seating is sure to get you there. We love the look of the low seating in this Nolita apartment, which allows visitors to bask in all its high-ceilinged and hot pink glory. In a space with low ceilings, low-slung seats have the added benefit of distracting from what could otherwise feel cave-like or claustrophobic.
Photo: Max Burkhalter
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Add loads of mirrors
When the natural light in your space is super limited, adding plenty of mirrors can help bounce that light around, like in this Fifth Avenue apartment designed by Rachel Chudley. Even beyond the extra light, there’s something comforting about the repetition of the arched mirrors leading to the window.
Photo: Lenny Guetta
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Add a ceiling fan
You might think ceiling fans are only useful from a functionality perspective, but they can also add a lot to the style of a room when chosen wisely. The ceiling fan in this 344-square-foot Paris apartment by Hugo Toro matches the nearby closet doors and headboard, and draws attention to the soothing green ceiling.

Photo: William Geddes
20/33
Use built-in seating for your dining table
Another multi-purpose decorating idea is adding built-in seating to your dining area—it will immediately elevate your space. In Sophie Lou Jacobsen’s apartment, a built-in bright blue bench utilizes space that might otherwise be difficult to work with. If you want to add yet another layer of functionality, use the space under the seat for hidden storage.
Photo: Seth Caplan; Styling: Mariana Marcki-Matos
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Add textured wall art
For a bit of an extra kick, textile artwork can add more dimension than typical framed pieces, as this space by Molly Torres Portnof of Date Interiors shows. An added bonus: Soft artwork is ideal for above a couch or seats, where you might worry about guests bumping their head or otherwise knocking framed pieces askew.
Photo: Serena Eller Vainicher
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Install a subtle divider
Whether it’s a standing divider or something built-in, like this unique Valentina Frasghini–designed convent turned apartment’s version, adding separation in your space can do wonders. Never fear closing things off: Subtly dividing your space will just add mystery and structure to the apartment.

Photo: Zachary Gray
23/33
Accessorize your kitchen
Even if you can’t do much about the aesthetics of your appliances, your kitchen can easily be spruced up with some fun small additions. Linens (like these Dusen Dusen dishcloths), oven mitts, and a playful mat or rug (like the Ugly Rugly one in this Silver Lake rental apartment) contribute plenty.
Photo: William Jess Laird; Styling: Martin Bourne
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Slide in a slim coffee table
Sometimes a space isn’t big enough for a large coffee table. Sometimes you have room to spare, but you’d rather save the square footage. Either way a slim coffee table is a sleek addition to any living room. Designer Carly Berlin’s living room features a wood coffee table that perfectly matches her apartment’s tranquil vibe.
Photo: Meghan Marin
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Opt for an unusual bookcase
A bookcase with shelves of various heights, shapes, and sizes adds loads of personality to a space that could otherwise be entirely utility-driven. An atypical bookshelf takes the pressure off of your curation abilities so you can focus on the rest of the apartment decor—just take Alex Bass’s 800-square-foot apartment as proof.

Photo: Kirsten Francis Photography
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Add floating nightstands
Floating nightstands for a bedroom or side tables for a small living room are a simple way to save square footage, making even small rooms feel spacious, as designer Margaret Costello’s bedroom proves.
Seth Caplan
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Put some books and records on display
Oftentimes media plays the biggest role in forming our interior styles or preferences, so why not highlight your favorite books and records in your space? Jacqueline Joblonski’s loft features shelving that allows records and books to stand on display, at the ready for guests to flip through. The best thing about this decor idea is that it doesn’t require you to buy anything new—just reconsider how to display what you already own!
Photo: Jacob Snavely
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Roll out a hallway runner
A hallway runner can zhuzh up a space that is often hard to decorate or sometimes even forgotten entirely. This Park Avenue apartment by designer Young Huh stands as a particularly luxe example of the power of a good runner, but even in much less grand spaces, a hallway runner can still accomplish a lot.

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Add a loveseat
Want a place to cozy up but don’t quite have the space for a sprawling couch? Add a loveseat to your space to instantly create an adorable reading nook. The limited remaining square footage in this Benjamin Wood–designed Paris pied-à-terre’s bedroom is occupied by a loveseat. The snug-factor was amplified with those surrounding bookshelves, and a mirror was added behind the loveseat to create the illusion of extra space.
Photo: Max Burkhalter
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Shelf to the ceiling
If your apartment is blessed with high ceilings, put that extra height to use! In her 500-square-foot studio apartment, Sky Ting founder Krissy Jones did just that. In her cozy space, those tall shelves are used for kitchenware that wouldn’t otherwise have a storage spot in her small kitchen. If you’re concerned about being able to access what you have at the top of the shelves, you can use that space for purely decorative items, like vases, framed artwork, or spare coffee-table books.
Photo: Nicolas Mathéus
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Use your headboard as a shelf
To keep some cute things close at hand—or if you want to just skip nightstands entirely—consider getting a headboard that can double as a surface for decor or storage. Inside Clara Cornet’s Paris apartment, candles, a vase, and a Steven Meisel photograph from Loewe’s campaign archive (inspired by a 1970s Alex Katz painting) sit atop the headboard, which adds extra flair to the bedroom.

Photo: Max Burkhalter
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Use wallpaper as artwork
You might think the work behind the bed in Erica Boginsky’s 394-square-foot apartment is a regular artwork, but it’s in fact just a slice of a beautiful custom wallpaper by Calico, a Brooklyn-based duo that specializes in handcrafted wallpaper. If you’re not ready to make the commitment to wallpapering a whole room but you love the artistry, let the beauty of Boginsky’s above-the-bed wallpaper serve as your next great apartment decor idea inspiration.
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Add a pedestal
Want your apartment to feel fancy? Interior designer Armando Aguirre’s 250-square-foot home is shockingly classy due in no small part to refined touches like the wood pedestal that stands next to the apartment’s front door. Aguirre’s potted arrangement proves that you don’t need to have some unimaginably unique artwork in order to make use of a pedestal. We especially appreciate the placement that perfectly blocks the unappealing intercom box.