30 Charming Ideas to Make Your Apartment Feel Cozier and More Inviting

Make an Entrance

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.

Mix Bold Patterns

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.

Curtain Off the Bed

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.

Decorate with Plants

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.

Define Space Using Color

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.

Use Moody Earth Tones

Lobster and Swan chose dark forest green paint, mustard-colored linen, and dark wood tones to create a warm, earth-toned palette. 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.

Hang Photos and Art

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.

Plant a Mini Kitchen Garden

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.

Incorporate Vintage Pieces

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.

Swap the Couch for a Daybed

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.

Accent with Warm Metals

Touches of gold-toned metal help to warm up this bright and stylish apartment from Desiree Burns Interiors. The rose gold tones of the bar stools, floor lamp, and cabinet pulls happily coexist with stainless steel appliances, proving once again that you should never hesitate to use mixed metal accents.

Create a Cloud-Like Bed

Warm up a contemporary apartment bedroom with soft textures. 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 create a cozy perch from which to admire the city skyline.

Use Mismatched Seating

Use mismatched seating to create a cozy feel in a small apartment eat-in kitchen. This space from Fantastic Frank includes a pair of stools that 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.

Use Warm Colors

Swapping white walls for a softer, warmer color is an easy DIY that will make your apartment bedroom feel more personal. 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.

Repurpose Existing Surfaces

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.

Add a Wallpaper Accent

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.

Hang an Antique Mirror

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.

Layer Rugs Over Carpet

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.

Don't Neglect Tiny Spaces

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.

Use Outdoor Space

If your apartment comes with an outdoor space such as 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.

Create a Landing Area

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. 

Use Area Rugs to Define Space

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.

Use Everday Objects as Decor

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.

Create a Bonus Space

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

Decorate Your Outdoor Space

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. 

Try an Accent Chair

If your apartment living room is too small for a sofa, or you need to add extra seating, add an accent chair.

Interior designer Alvin Wayne chose a fluffy faux fur number and placed it beneath the window of this New York City apartment to create an extra-cozy reading spot.

Add a Breakfast Bar

Make a small galley kitchen feel like more of a room with a breakfast bar and a couple of stools. This space from deVOL Kitchens is built next to the window to maximize natural light.

Paint an Accent Wall

Make your apartment bedroom feel cozier with a painted accent wall. Interior designer Alvin Wayne warmed up this industrial New York City apartment with a sage green accent wall that is easy to repaint before you move out.

Choose Warm Tones

A colorful area rug will help define the seating area and make your apartment feel instantly cozier.

Most Lovely Things chose a vibrant overdyed vintage rug, and added pink, gold, and orange tones on throw pillows and wall art for a warm feel.

Choose Modular Furniture

Choose low-slung furniture to give a modern apartment living room a cozier feel. Interior designer Alvin Wayne chose a modular sofa for this New York City apartment living room that gives the contemporary space a boho-style feel.