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Looking for apartment decorating ideas for your small living room?
Decorating in an apartment or condo can be especially challenging because you want to create a cozy, homey feel, but without overloading the small space with knick-knacks that make it seem cluttered.
What to do?!
Below, explore a range of living room design themes that will take any space from basic to beautiful!
Best of all, you can get most of these pieces and accents for a REALLY low price. That way, you can get the look you want without breaking the bank.
Be sure to read through all six design styles to get a feel for what speaks to you. Of course, possibilities are endless when it comes to decorating — that’s what makes it so fun! That said, these six design styles are a wonderful jumping off point.
Ahead, check out six design styles and apartment decorating ideas for your small living room:
Design Theme 1: ECLECTIC MID-CENTURY MODERN
With clean lines, an approachable retro vibe and fun shapes, there’s a reason why mid-century modern style is so wildly popular.
Of course, the “mid-century” part of it is actually pretty specific, and people tend to generalize anything that’s abstract-looking or funky as modern. Even so, there are many fun ways to work this style into your living room — even if it’s pretty small.
In furniture, look for simple, structured legs and unfussy upholstery. Juxtapose shapes (like the circle mirror and rectangle coffee table pictured above!)
Add your own spin by incorporating a pop of your favorite accent color or displaying your own unique collection in an interesting way.
(Vintage records? Old Cracker Jack prizes? Your own abstract painting, framed? You do you!)
Shop this mid-century modern eclectic living room below!
SHOP MODERN COFFEE TABLES ON AMAZON
SHOP MODERN POT HOLDER ON AMAZON
Design Theme 2: MINIMALIST
A minimalist design is ideal for a small apartment for many reasons. Namely, the less *stuff* you have in a space, the bigger it looks.
Logical, right?
Bust out your inner Marie Kondo and eliminate everything that does not spark joy.
Keep smooth furniture lines and a fairly monochromatic palette, and let subtle texture shine through things like rugs and blankets.
Isn’t the minimalist living room pictured above just so serene?
RELATED READ: 26 Things You Need to Declutter Literally ASAP
Shop similar minimalist living room decor below!
SHOP OFF-WHITE THROW (less than $26!)
Design Theme 3: BOHO CHIC
When it comes to apartment decorating ideas, there’s nothing more spot-on trend than Boho Chic!
Boho living rooms typically involve a myriad of fun textures and dreamy patterns. Wood. Rattan. Macrame. Mustard. Cognac. Twinkle lights.
Take an earthy boho vibe and elevate it with chic elements like a sleek coffee table, a monotone color palette, and expensive-looking fabrics like leather.
Of course, no boho home is complete without some woven macrame action! Check out the cute versions below — SO inexpensive on Amazon, but such a cute touch for wall decor!
[NOTE: The “Contrast Eyes” black and white blanket pictured above is from Sackcloth & Ashes — an amazing, mission-focused company with products made in the USA. This isn’t a sponsored link, I just really love what they’re all about! For every blanket you purchase, they give a blanket to your local homeless shelter! Check them out.]
Shop the rest of this boho chic living room below!
SHOP MACRAME WALL HANGING ON AMAZON
Design Theme 4: FRENCH COUNTRY
French Country is a style that encompasses many things, including old-world-charm and elegant pieces.
People who have a love for classics and cozy tea-drinking weather will love the homey French country style.
NOTE: If you’re in a small space, it can be easy to overstuff the room with too many competing pieces.
Even if you want to go with a more ornate look, choose a few stand-out elements that will really shine, then pare back the “extras.”
Think whitewashed wood, paisley and floral upholstery, intricate furniture lines, and vintage elements.
Shop a similar French Country look below!
SHOP SIDE TABLE (comes in other colors)
OK, so this isn’t pictured but I LOVE this blue and white vase by Lenox, and it would fit in so well with this French Country theme:
SHOP BLUE AND WHITE LENOX VASE
RELATED READ: 11 Genius Organization Hacks You NEED If You Have a Small Bathroom
Design Theme 5: MODERN FARMHOUSE
We can all give a tip of our hat to Joanna Gaines for igniting the modern farmhouse craze. Again, this look is popular for a reason!
You, too, can achieve this cozy, fresh take on country chic!
Go for industrial elements like metal table legs, wall decor full of rustic charm, neutral colors, and natural textures like like woods, cotton bolls, and baskets.
Shop this exact modern farmhouse look below!
SHOP INDUSTRIAL WOOD COFFEE TABLE
Blanket ladders are both cute AND practical! Throw an inexpensive blanket on there that matches your living room’s color scheme as an added pop.
SHOP ANTIQUES WALL DECOR (less than $9!)
Design Theme 6: TRANSITIONAL
Transitional living room decor is somewhere in the middle of modern and classic. We’ll call this style the in-betweener. It’s a look that is modern and fresh, but happily incorporates more traditional design elements and decor.
It says, “I simultaneously love clean lines and country classics, but don’t want to feel like a starkly cold art museum OR have four layers of dainty doilies spread across floral couches.”
A transitional living room strikes a happy balance. Best of all, it’s a blank canvas for truly personalizing your space to YOU.
Mix and match more modern elements like mid-century couch legs and interesting lamps with more traditional pieces like quilted patterns and lush greenery.
Shop this exact transitional look below:
SHOP BLUE AND WHITE RUG (over 3000+ 5-star reviews!!)
SHOP RATTAN SERVING TRAY ON AMAZON
BUY JOANNA GAINES COFFEE TABLE BOOK
BUY ARTIFICIAL DOLLAR EUCALYPTUS
RELATED READ: 7 Clever Ways to Look Nicer (Without Paying More for Clothes)
There you have it: Six functional, gorgeous, Pinterest-worthy apartment decorating ideas for your small living room.
Which style is hitting close to home (pun not intended 😉 ) for you?
There are so many elements to love about each design style … but the most important tip for creating a stunning living room is to decorate it in a way that feels true to YOU. Otherwise, it’ll never quite feel like home.
Which one will you run with for your own living room? Drop your answer in the comments!
