27 Modern Apartment Ideas With Decorating Tips

By Interior Designer Tracy Svendsen | Published on August 13, 2024 | 

Transform your apartment into a stylish and inviting oasis with these inspiring design ideas. This comprehensive guide offers a wealth of inspiration, catering to a variety of tastes and apartment sizes. From minimalist elegance to bold, vibrant spaces, you’ll find creative solutions to maximize your space, incorporate statement pieces, and add the perfect finishing touches. Whether working with a limited budget or seeking to indulge your design passions, these modern decorating ideas will help you create a home you’ll love. Feature image courtesy of 63 London Design.

Here are a few modern apartment ideas to get you started: 

Modern Apartment Living Room
Image courtesy of Elicycon Luxury Interiors

1. Establish a Neutral Color Scheme

Neutral palettes form the cornerstone of contemporary apartment design. Their versatility in creating serene, sophisticated spaces is undeniable. Whites, grays, and beiges offer a timeless backdrop that enhances a room’s sense of openness and light.

This neutral canvas is a perfect foundation for introducing color or bold accent pieces, infusing the space with personality. Ultimately, neutral palettes promote tranquility and balance, making them a timeless choice for contemporary living spaces.

Sophisticated & Glamorous Apartment Living Room
Image courtesy of 63 London Design

2. Go Bold with Vibrant Colors

While minimalist interiors offer a serene foundation, incorporating pops of color can infuse your space with personality and vitality. Bold hues can transform a room and reflect your unique style.

Accent pieces like throw pillows, artwork, or decorative vases are ideal for introducing color without overwhelming the space. Select a few complementary hues and incorporate them throughout your apartment for a cohesive look. 

Consider a vibrant accent wall or colorful tiles to create a focal point that draws attention and elevates the overall design. Harmonize these bold elements with the existing neutral palette, balancing the colors with natural materials and textures for a sophisticated and inviting atmosphere.

Contemporary Living Room | David Scott Interiors
Image courtesy of Architectural Digest

3. Incorporate Green Hues

Green hues infuse modern spaces with tranquility, vitality, and a connection to nature. Symbolizing growth and renewal, green creates a calming ambiance. Whether through plants, accents, or nature-inspired decor, green enhances the appeal of a large or small apartment space. 

Green Window Trim and Throw Pillows
Image courtesy of 63 London Design

4. White Walls as a Neutral Canvas

White walls are the quintessential foundation for modern interior design. Their ability to illuminate spaces, creating an illusion of grandeur, is unparalleled. As a neutral canvas, they offer infinite possibilities for layering colors, textures, and art. White walls instill a sense of clean, airy sophistication, making them an enduring choice of top interior designers for contemporary living.

White Walls in an Apartment
Image courtesy of Jeremiah Brent

5. Mix Different Design Styles

Embrace eclecticism to create a truly distinctive living space. Blending diverse styles infuses your home with personality and character. A minimalist foundation can serve as a canvas for vintage or industrial accents, resulting in a dynamic and timeless interior. Successful mixing of design styles hinges on harmonious proportions, colors, and scales. Experiment to create a space that truly reflects your unique style.

Mixing Different Design Styles
Image courtesy of Elicycon Luxury Interiors

6. Incorporate Statement Pieces

Elevate your modern apartment with the power of statement pieces. While minimalist aesthetics create a serene foundation, incorporating bold accents infuses your space with personality and visual interest. A captivating piece of artwork, lighting fixture, or sculptural furniture piece can instantly transform a room, becoming its focal point. Carefully select these statement elements to complement your overall design aesthetic, creating a space that is both stylish and uniquely yours.

Statement Artwork & Lighting in a Contemporary Apartment
Image courtesy of Elicycon Luxury Interiors

7. Create a Minimalist Design Aesthetic

Minimalist design has surged in popularity, particularly in modern living spaces. Its emphasis on clean lines, neutral palettes, and functionality creates a sophisticated and practical aesthetic.

Central to minimalism is the creation of open, airy environments. Furniture with clean silhouettes and minimal clutter enhances a sense of calm. Multifunctional furniture like storage-integrated coffee tables or sofas maintains a clutter-free and visually appealing living space.

A neutral color palette of whites, grays, and blacks forms the minimalist foundation. Strategic pops of color introduce visual interest while preserving the overall harmony. Incorporating natural materials like wood, stone, or metal adds depth and texture, elevating the minimalist aesthetic.

Minimalist Design Aesthetic
Image courtesy of Rajnia Alex Design

8. Enhance with Nature-Inspired Details

Blending the outdoors in is a popular design trend. Incorporating natural elements infuses spaces with tranquility and organic beauty. Greenery, whether a statement floor plant or a collection of succulents, revitalizes interiors and purifies the air. Natural materials like wood, stone, or rattan introduce warmth and texture. Soft textiles like woven rugs or linen blankets enhance the serene, nature-inspired ambiance.

Large Tree and Branches Arrangement
Image courtesy of 63 London Design

9. Balancing Modernity with Comfort

While modern aesthetics often prioritize clean lines and minimalism, incorporating tactile elements is essential for creating a truly inviting space. Textiles and lighting are vital to achieving this balance.

Luxurious fabrics like wool, linen, or velvet add depth and warmth. To invite relaxation, drape a plush throw over a sofa or introduce a sumptuous area rug.

Keep It Comfortable & Inviting
Image courtesy of 63 London Design

10. Develop a Layered Lighting Approach

Master the art of layered lighting to create a truly inviting space. Combine ambient, task, and accent lighting for a multi-dimensional approach. Dimmable overhead fixtures establish a warm foundation, while strategically placed table and floor lamps provide focused illumination.

Highlight architectural features or artwork with accent lighting, such as wall sconces or picture lights. Experiment with different light sources and intensities to achieve the perfect ambiance for any occasion.

Layered Lighting
Image courtesy of 63 London Design

11. Introduce Textural Elements with Pillows & Throws

Elevate your space with the tactile allure of textiles. Pillows and throws infuse your home with warmth, depth, and visual interest. Luxurious fabrics like wool, linen, or cashmere create a cozy ambiance. 

High End Throw Pillows
Image courtesy of 63 London Design

12. Style the Coffee Table

Elevate your living space by thoughtfully styling your coffee table. Balance varying heights and shapes for visual interest. Incorporate nature with greenery, enhance with personal touches, prioritize functionality, layer for depth, harmonize colors, and reflect light for a polished finish. Remember, experimentation is key to creating a unique and inviting arrangement.

Styling a Coffee Table
Image courtesy of 63 London Design

13. Introduce Reflective Accents With Beautiful Mirrors

Mirrors are transformative elements in apartment design, making a room feel larger. Their ability to expand space and reflect natural light is unparalleled. Beyond functionality, mirrors are exquisite decor pieces, adding elegance and visual interest. Strategic placement accentuates architectural features, adds interest to smaller spaces, and creates captivating visual effects.

14. Add Sparkle & Depth with Metallic Accents

Metallic accents infuse interiors with a touch of luxury and modernity. Their reflective qualities enhance light and space, while their versatility allows for subtle or dominant expressions. Metallic finishes create visual interest and depth from decorative objects to architectural details. Metals elevate any room in the home as a complementary touch or a focal point.

Incorporating Metallic Accents
Image courtesy of Drake Anderson Design

15. Create Visual Height

Elevate your space with the illusion of height. You create a sense of grandeur and spaciousness by drawing the eye upward. Utilize vertical lines in furniture and decor, incorporate tall shelves or drapes, and employ strategic lighting to enhance the room’s proportions and overall appeal.

Creating Visual Height
Image courtesy of 63 London Design

16. Ground the Space with a Large Area Rug

Large area rugs are transformative elements in modern apartment design. They define spaces, add warmth, and unify decor while protecting floors and reducing noise. These versatile pieces introduce color, pattern, and texture, elevating aesthetics and comfort within a living space.

Large Circular Area Rug
Image courtesy of Rajnia Alex Design

17. Choose High-Quality Window Treatments

High-quality window treatments are indispensable for modern apartment living. They offer essential privacy and light control, transforming your space into a serene retreat. Beyond functionality, well-chosen window treatments elevate your apartment’s aesthetic, adding sophistication and style whether you have small or large windows.

High-Quality Window Treatments
Image courtesy of Elicycon Luxury Interiors

18. Create a Focal Point

A focal point is the cornerstone of interior design. It commands attention, enhancing a room’s visual interest and personality. Whether a striking piece of art, a fireplace, a unique furniture piece, or an accent wall, a focal point becomes the room’s captivating centerpiece.
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Creating a Focal Point
Image courtesy of Rajnia Alex Design

19. Apartment Living Room Ideas

This modern living room features a series of grand open spaces and exudes sophistication with its neutral palette of white, tan, and shades of gray. Luxurious crystal chandeliers and contemporary lighting fixtures elevate the space, while plush throw pillows in diverse patterns add textural interest. 

Sleek, sculptural objects, elegant vases, and modern bowls adorn the room, complementing the floor-to-ceiling light taupe drapery. A contemporary round coffee table anchors the space, completing the refined aesthetic.

Modern Apartment Living Room
Image courtesy of 63 London Design

20. Apartment Kitchen Ideas

This open plan modern kitchen epitomizes elegance with a neutral palette of white, tan, gray, brown, and black accents. A crystal drum chandelier illuminates the dining area, while crystal pendant lights grace the brown marble kitchen island. High-end finishes and light wood floors contribute to the refined aesthetic. Contemporary handleless cabinetry and white walls complete the sophisticated look.

Modern Apartment Kitchen
Image courtesy of 63 London Design

21. Apartment Entryway Ideas

Two modern entryways feature striking contemporary artwork above sleek black consoles. These consoles serve as display areas for curated collections of table lamps, books, sculptures, vases, and floral arrangements. A practical stool completes the ensemble.

Modern Apartment Entryways
Image courtesy of Atmosphere Design

22. Apartment Bedroom Ideas

This elegant modern bedroom is a sanctuary of neutral tones. Luxurious bedding and floor-to-ceiling curtains create a refined atmosphere. Two accent chairs offer a cozy seating area, while a large contemporary artwork commands attention above the white and gray marble fireplace. With its cascading satin glass plates, the Ruffle Chandelier by Bella Figura adds a touch of luxury.

Modern Apartment Bedroom
Image courtesy of 63 London Design

23. Apartment Dining Rooms

This modern dining room exudes elegance with its white paneled walls, light wood floors, and sophisticated window treatments. Black and yellow accents create a striking contrast against the neutral backdrop. Stone sculptures on black stands add a touch of drama, while a wood dining table with a black base anchors the space. A large area rug in earthy tones and hints of green completes the sophisticated look.

Modern Apartment Dining Room
Image courtesy of Elicycon Luxury Interiors

24. Modern Apartment Bathrooms

This modern bathroom exudes elegance. Its feature wall and countertop are made of heavily veined marble in white, brown, and gray tones. The sophisticated look is complete with a minimalist black-framed mirror and elliptical pendant lights with alabaster shades.

Modern Apartment Bathroom
Image courtesy of Image courtesy of 63 London Design

25. Home Offices in Apartments

As remote work becomes increasingly prevalent, the home office has evolved into a vital workspace. Even within the constraints of an apartment, it’s possible to create a functional and inspiring workspace. By designating a specific area and investing in ergonomic furniture, you establish a dedicated zone for productivity. 

Modern Apartment Home Office
Image courtesy of 63 London Design

Incorporate storage solutions to maintain organization and personalize the space with artwork or plants to foster inspiration. Adequate lighting is crucial, so consider natural light and complement it with task lighting for optimal working conditions.

Feminine Home Offices
Image courtesy of JFY Designs

26. Keep the Design Cohesive

Keeping the design cohesive while still defining separate living areas is essential for an open-concept apartment. One way to achieve this is using consistent color palettes and design elements throughout the space. Consider using area rugs, strategically placed furniture, and lighting to create distinct zones without disrupting the overall flow of the open layout.

Keeping the Design Cohesive
Image courtesy of 63 London Design

27. The Finishing Details

The finishing details in interior design are crucial for adding depth, character, and personality to a space. Paying attention to small details can elevate a room from stylish to stunning. Incorporating the final touches, such as sculptures, a large mirror, sheer white window shades, floral arrangements, throw pillows, and artwork, makes all the difference.

The Details That Make a House a Home
Image courtesy of 63 London Design

Modern Apartment Decorating Ideas Conclusion

These design ideas offer a wealth of inspiration for transforming your apartment into a stylish and functional oasis with modern apartment decor. Whether drawn to minimalist elegance, vibrant color palettes, or a blend of styles, these concepts provide a strong foundation. Contemporary design features include a high ceiling height, a minimal color palette, natural colors, an eye for detail, sleek white paint on the walls, and multipurpose furniture. 

Start with a clear vision, considering your lifestyle and space. Experiment fearlessly, embracing unexpected combinations. Attention to detail is paramount; thoughtfully curate accessories, lighting, and color schemes. With these principles in mind, you’ll create a space that is not only visually stunning but also a true reflection of your style. Happy decorating!