5 Ideas to Decorate a Small Apartment on a Dime

Savvy Sugar offers their tips on how to spruce up your apartment without breaking the bank.

Don’t despair at your tiny apartment space: There are ways to dress it up and make it seem larger than life. After all, not all of us can live big in penthouses and mansions. Janet Lee, a serial small space nester, shared some unique “out-of-the-box” décor ideas, which she describes as being high on style, yet gentle on pocketbooks. Here are her top five ideas to help you put a personal touch on your small, cozy space:

Couture Stretch

“A tiny abode ‘lives’ larger and looks more luxurious draped in expensive couture fabrics like silk and linen, but most budgets aren’t big enough to keep up with designer tastes. Instead, buy a small amount of silk shantung remnants and line pillows and curtain panels with inexpensive burlap. The contrast between high and low fabric texture is very chic and hints to a French country feel, plus you’ll make your designer fabric budget go doubly far.”

Flaunt It, Don’t Hide It

“Entertaining in tight quarters is no easy feat, especially when you have little or no kitchen cabinet space to work with. That’s why it’s important to embrace to the art of open-shelving displays. Keep dishes and platters out in public but stay true to a solid color scheme and make sure the handles of tea pots and coffee cups are displayed in the same direction. Footed platters give displays added height and interest. A little dab of Museum Gel helps you stabilize taller stacks of dishes and glassware.”

Layer, Layer, Layer

“Layering a small space with fabric, pattern or texture gives a home the sense of depth and richness it craves. If you can’t afford a large area rug, buy a smaller size and layer it at an angle with an affordable shearling throw rug, available at Ikea, for under $50.”

For more tips, and to read this post in its original form, head over to Savvy Sugar.