How to Design Your Chicago Apartment Like a Pro

Decorating an apartment can feel like a puzzle – you want it to be filled with personality, but not chaotic and cluttered.

Coming up with clever solutions to designing a space that’s visually appealing is a big challenge, but that’s what makes apartment design so fun! 

Whether you’re starting out in a studio, one bedroom, or two bedroom apartment or ready for a new change, you don’t need to sacrifice style. We’ve gathered our top 6 ideas for decorating small spaces that will make it feel so much larger while maintaining aesthetics.

And if you’re a current Chicago resident (or looking to be one soon ), check out the list at the end to find a few of our favorite places in Chicago to buy unique home décor pieces for your dream living space!

Make Mirrors Your Friend

Either large or small, mirrors will help you make the most of your space by reflecting it around your room and giving the illusion of a larger, lighter, and airier space.

Try lining a wall with a large, full-length mirror or creating a gallery wall of various sizes and shapes. While choosing the perfect mirror, it may be a good idea to pair the frame (silver, gold, bronze, etc.) with the other accents in your space to tie all of the decor together.

To boost brightness in a room and add extra dimension, you can even pair a mirror with a light source like a lamp or candles. If you’re shopping around in Chicago, stop by Jayson Home on Clybourn Ave for a unique selection of decorative mirrors, lighting, and other home goods staples.

Use Multipurpose Furniture

Pieces that can serve several purposes are key because they limit the amount of furniture you need in your home while providing multiple uses.

Instead of a separate, formal dining table, find one that can serve as your dining table, desk, and all-purpose workspace. 

When shopping for a new couch, try to buy one that can double as a guest bed when someone stays over. If you’re feeling adventurous and creative, Interior Define in Chicago’s Lincoln Park offers custom-made sofas so that you can choose everything from the specific length, depth, and leg styled cushion to make the ultimate dream sofa that’s perfect for your space.

Even couch ottomans and poufs can be used as both your coffee table and extra seats when friends and family come over.

Mount Your TV or Try a Beam Projector

If you feel that a TV console is wasting precious floor space, consider mounting your TV to free up space for other furniture. 

Recently, beam projectors have also been making their way into people’s homes as they ditch TVs altogether. Not only are beam projectors easily portable and can display high quality resolutions of 720p and above, you wouldn’t even have to go through the challenge of mounting your TV. 

This alternative would work best if you’re someone who doesn’t watch TV often. When you’re in the mood to view something on the big screen, just pull out your beam projector and display it on a blank wall or on a makeshift projector screen using a plain white sheet. 

Opt for Foldable Pieces

While you definitely don’t need accent chairs or a full set of 6 dining chairs in a smaller space, you may want to have enough seating for when guests and friends come over for dinner. 

In this case, having extra seating that can fold up and be stored away when they aren’t being used can create additional floor space and provide comfortable seating for everyone. 

On a similar note, foldable room divider planners can be effective and stylish solutions for spaces that you’d like to cover up and conceal the clutter when not in use. Choose from neutral and earth-toned dividers like bamboo or natural woven ones, or go bold and pick one with designs and fun colors. 

Create Extra Storage Spaces

In a small space, every piece needs to pull its weight. Make the most of your space by finding furniture that also boasts storage. 

Opt for a bedframe with built-in drawers to store clothes that don't fit in your closet, such as the Avers Bed – With Drawers conceptualized and designed by local Chicago furniture brand 57st. design. Another tip is to find ottomans with space to hide away throw blankets when they aren’t being used.

In your bathroom, an over-the-toilet shelving unit can store plenty of skincare, toiletries, or cleaning supplies that don’t need to be out in the open 24/7.

Adopt a Less is More Mindset

Sometimes, you may have to edit both your space and your mindset. Remember that you don’t have to display all of your décor pieces because after all, nothing can make a space feel smaller than clutter. 

Let pieces breathe and play around with scale when displaying fewer décor in the room overall. 

Choose a couple statement pieces that draw the eye, whether that may be a piece of furniture or framed art, and curate some smaller décor throughout the room that can complement each other through cohesive color palettes and textures. 

Our Favorite Places to Find Unique Furniture In Chicago

Home to a culturally-diverse community of artists, designers, and creators, Chicago boasts a wide selection of popular décor shops and hidden local gems.

The best places to find furniture and décor in Chicago are as varied as the neighborhoods the architecturally significant city is known for, so we’ve helped you pick out a few favorites to start with.

Scout

Located on Clark Street in the Andersonville neighborhood, Scout is a mid-century modern paradise. They mix vintage furnishings with contemporary style for an interesting and sophisticated experience. They’ll occasionally host pop-ups, like the time they salvaged furniture from the Skidmore Owings and Merrill office, a renowned Chicago architecture firm.

Humboldt House

Humboldt House was founded in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood by artist Claire Tibbs as a way to combine her love for art, design, and vintage finds with a welcoming and community-oriented neighborhood shop. From vintage Turkish rugs to modern ceramics and textiles, Humboldt House is a magical place to browse for accessories and design inspiration.

South Loop Loft

River West’s South Loop Loft sells modern furnishings and decor hand-selected from around the globe. With prices on the higher end, it’s perfect for that one-time splurge with jaw-dropping pieces like the Travertine Dining Table in the style of Mario Bellini.

Asrai Garden

Asrai Garden is a bold and dramatic floral showroom and home goods store that feels quite magical the moment you step in. It’s the perfect place to pick up a stunning bouquet, browse original home and personal goods, and soak up the lush, joyful atmosphere. They have two convenient locations in Fulton Market/West Loop and Wicker Park in Chicago.

Jayson Home

For a truly unique mix of modern and vintage furnishings, Jayson Home showcases some gorgeous pieces and even offers an accommodating floral department. Their high-end furniture range consists of one-of-a-kind vintage finds, tableware, textiles, and more that are popular among interior designers and architects around Chicago.

 

Make Your Space Yours

Using the tips and tricks outlined above, you can create a cozy and aesthetic space that feels like home. 

Decorating a small space, just like decorating a large one, simply requires ingenuity of design and a good eye for what works and what doesn’t. Small spaces can be a fun challenge, and we hope that the tips and ideas we shared here can inspire your next redesign.

If you’re hoping for a change from your current apartment, check out some of the unique Chicago apartment homes with vintage styles found at Reside Living to spark your own creativity.

Some of our personal favorites are Irving Courts by Reside and Park Fullerton by Reside , both featuring a blend of contemporary city living and unique vintage character. In-person and virtual tours of our apartment communities are also available, so come Reside with us!