25 Charming Ideas to Make Your Apartment Feel Cozier

If you find yourself living in a cookie-cutter apartment that feels cold and impersonal, don't blame it on the size. Treat your small space with the same love and attention that you would devote to a larger space and you will soon discover how easy it is to make a smaller space feel warm and inviting. Whether you're renting a temporary apartment or are committed to small-space living, there are plenty of affordable and accessible ways to make your apartment feel like home. From small space solutions to easy DIYs, here are some simple ideas for making your apartment feel cozier.

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Make an Entrance

Neva Interior Design / Photo by Picthouse - Patrick Mancliere

In this 388-square-foot Parisian apartment from Neva Interior Design, the entryway is painted in a warm mustard yellow that gives it a welcoming feel. The color also creates a sense of depth and dimension when viewed from the main room, helping the small space feel more expansive.

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Use Bold Patterns

Travis Londons / Studio London

Travis Londons / Studio London makes a case for using bold patterns to add personality, energy, and life to a railroad-style NYC apartment that energizes the space without overwhelming it. Going bigger with pattern means that you can do less with the decor and create a space that feels full of life. A large Moroccan-style area rug with a diamond-shaped pattern adds softness underfoot while filling the space without blocking the flow. Graphic black-and-white zigzag wallpaper on the wall behind the sofa adds movement.

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Curtain Off the Bed

Fantastic Frank

If you live in a studio with an alcove for the bed, turn it into a feature by adding inexpensive tie-back curtains that will give it a sense of presence and define the space, like this light and airy Scandinavian space from Fantastic Frank.

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Decorate with Plants

Becca Interiors

You don't need a massive collection of plants to add a feel-good green factor to your apartment. In this small bathroom from Becca Interiors, a pair of stylish wall-mounted planters adds life without taking up any floor or shelf space, and complements the black-and-white color scheme and vintage elements.

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Use Color to Define Space

Neva Interior Design / Photo by Agathe Tissier

This small Parisian apartment from Neva Interior Design is full of color and life, from the wall of sage green cabinetry to the patterned wallpaper hung above the banquette, to the multi-colored throw pillows in solid shades of pink, green, yellow, and neutrals in the built-in seating that make the tiny space feel joyful and intentional. Source inexpensive throw pillows online or make your own used upcycled fabric from the remainder bin at your favorite fabric shop or thrift shop or spare clothing that no longer fits.

The 20 Best Throw Pillows of 2023

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Incorporate Moody Earth Tones

Lobster and Swan

Lobster and Swan chose dark forest green paint, mustard-colored linen, and dark wood tones to create a warm, earth-toned palette, while a vintage bistro table and chairs, brass candlesticks, an eclectic gallery wall, and a few plants in terracotta pots add a cozy cafe vibe that will make nights in feel special.

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Hang Photos and Art

K Shan Design

Make your apartment feel cozier by hanging art and photography on the walls that capture your imagination, like this feel-good space from K Shan Design. Use an online service to blow up and frame your favorite vacation photo, hang that oil painting your grandmother bequeathed you, or look for inexpensive framed prints on your favorite online marketplace.

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Plant a Mini Kitchen Garden

Neva Interior Design / Photo by Agathe Tissier

Neva Interior Design added a soft green backsplash to this small Parisian apartment kitchen, then planted a mini herb garden on a wall-mounted shelf and utensil rack that adds a natural element that is both decorative and practical when mealtime comes around.

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Incorporate Vintage Pieces

Design by Emilie Fournet Interiors / Photo by Caitlin Mogridge

If you have room in your budget, investing in a piece of classic furniture that you can take with you even if you graduate to a larger space can make your apartment feel more like a home. In this London apartment from Emilie Fournet Interiors, a vintage sofa, coffee table trunk, and a mid-century modern bookshelf unit that fills the side wall together creates a cozy space that isn't short on style.

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Swap the Couch for a Daybed

Fantastic Frank

In this light and airy Swedish apartment from Fantastic Frank, a daybed is wedged into the corner to create a cozy spot to lounge or entertain thanks to the addition of simple cushions and linens. It's also a stylish alternative to a pricey sofa that can also serve as a place to sleep for you or your guests.

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Accent with Warm Metals

Desiree Burns Interiors

Touches of gold-toned metal help to warm up this bright and stylish apartment from Desiree Burns Interiors. It's perfectly acceptable to mix metal accents.

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Create a Cloud-Like Bed

Design by Alvin Wayne

NYC-based interior designer Alvin Wayne added a soft fabric bed frame, a chunky knit throw blanket, soft round throw pillows, and puffy, cloud-like linens to this high-rise apartment bedroom. The look warms up this contemporary space.

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Use Mismatched Seating

Fantastic Frank

In this cozy apartment kitchen from Fantastic Frank, the small dining table has mismatched seating. The stools can be tucked beneath the table to save space when not in use and pulled out when you want to invite the whole gang over.

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Use Warm Colors

Design by Emilie Fournet Interiors / Photo by Kasia Fiszer

Swapping white walls for a softer, warmer color is an easy DIY that will make your apartment bedroom feel more personal and is simple to paint over before you move out if necessary. This London flat bedroom from Emilie Fournet Interiors has soft beige pink walls that complement the natural wood furniture, boho-style wall hanging, and copper exposed Edison bulb reading light.

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Repurpose Existing Surfaces

Design by Emilie Fournet Interiors / Photo by Caitlin Mogridge

In this combination kitchen and living room from Emilie Fournet Interiors, the large casement window is left bare to maximize natural light. The top of the radiator becomes a plant shelf that adds greenery to make the space feel cozier and removes the urge to clutter it up with wet socks or random belongings.

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Add an Accent Wall

Neva Interior Design / Photo by Picthouse - Patrick Mancliere

Neva Interior Design turned a snug bed cubby into an eye-catching design feature by adding vibrant accent wallpaper. If you're a renter and don't want to risk losing your deposit down the line, choose removable peel-and-stick wallpaper that won't damage the walls and can be rolled up and taken with you when you go.

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Hang an Antique Mirror

Designed by Jess Bunge for Emily Henderson Design / Photo by Sara Ligorria-Tramp

An antique or reproduction mirror adds warmth and a sense of history to an otherwise modern space. In this small apartment kitchen designed by Jess Bunge for Emily Henderson Design, a gilded ornate mirror distracts the eye from the stove wedged into the corner, and convex glass not only reflects light but also offers a view of the rest of the space to help make the kitchen feel less cramped.

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Layer Rugs Over Carpet

K Shan Design

If you're stuck with carpet but long for hardwood floors, make the best of a bad situation and layer your apartment carpet with a rug of your choosing that will make your space feel extra cozy underfoot, as well as absorb noise and sound that will make the space more comfortable, like this living room from K Shan Design.

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Don't Neglect Tiny Spaces

Design by Caroline Andreoni Interior Design Studio / Photo by Laura Jacques

One key to making your apartment feel cozier is to shower every square inch of it with attention, like this tiny but ravishing powder room from Paris-based Caroline Andréoni Interior Design Studio.

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Use Outdoor Space

Fantastic Frank

If your apartment comes with any outdoor space including a small balcony, treat it like an extra room and decorate and accessorize it like you would any indoor space. This small Scandinavian apartment balcony from Fantastic Frank is set up like a miniature outdoor living room with cozy seating, an outdoor rug, LED twinkle lights wrapped around the wrought iron railing, and an herb garden that is as practical as it is appealing to behold.

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Create a Landing Area

Sara Tramp; DESIGN: Jess Bunge for Emily Henderson Design

Not every studio apartment has a built-in entry, but if you have some spare wall space in a hallway near the door you can create a landing area with simple wall hooks or floating shelves and a small bench if space allows. Otherwise, install transparent removable hooks on the back of a closet door to store coats, bags, keys, and umbrellas.

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Use Area Rugs to Define Space

Designed by Emily Henderson Design; Photo by Sara Tramp-Ligorria

Add area rugs under your desk, dining table, bed, or sitting area to give each zone a self-contained feel. Don't be afraid to layer rugs in different patterns, textures, and styles, but keep a common color theme for cohesion.

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Use Everday Objects as Decor

Cathie Hong

One key to creating a well-accessorized but uncluttered studio apartment is to treat everyday objects as decor. Take care to select functional and aesthetically pleasing essential items. Natural wood cutting boards in different shapes and sizes and thoughtfully selected dishware, glassware, copper pots, or colorful dishtowels will make even the tiniest kitchenette look homey and effortlessly appealing.

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Create a Bonus Space

A Beautiful Mess

Identify dead or empty spaces that can be transformed into bonus areas like reading nooks, desk corners, or dressing tables, and decorate them with care and attention, like this cute reading spot from A Beautiful Mess.

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Decorate Your Outdoor Space

S.U.S.A.P. / Instagram

If you are lucky enough to have even the tiniest amount of outdoor space, do not let it languish. Outfit a small balcony with a café table and chairs or an oversized pouf and an outdoor rug. Add plants and outdoor string lights or a portable USB lamp and you’ve got an extra room for drinks, reading, or contemplating life.