10 Stylish Apartment Decorating Ideas

Decorating an apartment instead of a house can be challenging because of the compact space and how all the rooms are broken up. You can still make a stylish statement, but you will just need to think outside the box a little.

1. Stick with Lighter Colors

Lighter hues on the walls can really make a room appear bigger so stick to lighter colors when painting the walls and picking out carpet patterns. And if you have wood floors in most of your apartment stay away from dark stains.

2. Mirrors Are Not Just for the Vain

Don’t let any myths or stereotypes about mirrors fool you. They are so much more than just a way for you to stare at your face constantly. When you hang a mirror opposite a window, it will actually bounce light around the room, giving it an airier feel. Consider placing mirrors not just in your bedroom and the bathroom but also in the living room/family room areas and the dining room.

3. Add Touches of Metal & Glass

Metal has the same effect mirrors do. Light reflecting off of metal adornments in your furniture or off the metal in your light fixtures can really brighten up your apartment.

4. Choose Floating Shelves

What really can cramp up a space and subtract from its stylishness, whether a small apartment or a home, is clutter and all the organizational pieces we buy to try to wrangle it all. One way to save space is to install floating shelves instead of buying bookcases or chests. Paring down all the clutter can certainly help too.

5. Utilize All Corners

You’d be surprised by how much unused space there is in an apartment. When you have limited square feet, it is a smart move to get creative with your interior design. Look to all corners to see if there is enough space for an accent chair or a corner bookshelf, or even both to create a little reading nook. You will feel like you just scored an extra room.

6. Create the Impression of Bigger Windows

If you are not lucky enough to score an apartment with stellar views, don’t worry. You can create the illusion of taller windows by securing the curtain rods higher, closer to the ceiling instead of right at the window frame. This will draw the eye upward. If you want to make your window look wider instead then just hang the curtain rods a few inches past the sides of the windowpanes to create an illusion of width.

7. Pick Furniture Style and Size Carefully

Large, heavy furniture pieces in a small space can appear clunky and make you feel claustrophobic. When shopping for new furniture look for more petite pieces or pieces that have see-through element or an open design. Your apartment will look stylish but also more spacious.

8. Bring Nature Indoors

A little bit of nature is good for all of us and it can really brighten up your apartment too. Strategically plant some potted plants, choosing flowers whose colors complement the colors of the walls and furniture. A hanging plant works great in the kitchen as a way to soften a more utilitarian space.

Consider also decorating with nature. Using branches, acorns, stones etc. to create seasonal decorations.

9. Create Unique Wall Displays

Framed photographs and artwork are not the only way to decorate your walls. Give your apartment a unique vibe by creating your own artistic wall displays using jewelry or other special mementos.

10. Decorate with Cowhide

Cowhide and calf hide rugs can complement any style aesthetic you have going on in your apartment because it is very versatile and comes in different shapes, sizes, colors and patterns. Most commonly natural cowhide and calf hide rugs come in black, white, brown and white, tri-color, brown-white and black, and brindle. If you are more adventurous, you can even get cowhide rugs dyed a bright color like pink or one that is acid metallic washed. They even come in patchwork.

Because the hide is so soft and supple and the colors are so rich and vibrant, a cowhide or calf hide rug can give your apartment a sophisticated feel, whether you are going for a modern look or something more traditional.

Another thing that makes cowhide and calf hide rugs so great is that they can be used in just about any room in the house from the living room to the bedroom and work on top of a carpet or on a hardwood or tile floor. And they are very durable and last a long time often being passed down has family heirlooms which would be an added plus. Don’t be afraid to think outside the box and have some fun with your decorating.

Cowhide rugs can also do double duty as wall coverings and as throw rugs. For a more subtle look stick to a black and white or all white rug, but if you want to play around with color go with a brindle or spotted cowhide rug. This way you are adding some extra colors and patterns without it being an overkill.

For instance, if your kitchen is nothing to write home about and is either all white or neutral monochrome, try a soft tricolor cowhide or calf hide rug underneath the kitchen table or by the sliding glass door can definitely add some texture and color to the space. Cowhide can also come in placemats which would be a fun, quirky addition to any kitchen.

Cowhide can also be used to bring in a pop of color. For example, if you are really gun shy about color, but know your living room needs a little something extra, then use a cowhide rug to add that little pop of color. A brindle or tri-color rug can bring in some different shades of black, white and brown that will bring some interesting contrast to the space without going with a really bold color like orange or purple. If you want something a little on the funky side, you can include acid wash or dyed calf hide rugs.

Cowhide furniture can also bring some pizzazz into a small apartment too. Just watch the dimensions so you don’t buy big pieces that will be overpowering.

For more information about stylish apartment decorating tips using calf hide rugs, call Cowhide Outlet today.