Designing an inviting living space can be a daunting task for students who are planning to live on their own in a small apartment. When you want to decorate your college apartment, you need to consider budget, function, and style. Try these amazing tips to make your small apartment feel more comfortable and spacious.

Since most college students rarely spend money on lighting, they should do something to make the living area look brighter. You can brighten up a dimly lit dining room corner with a second-hand floor lamp, or place small desk lamps on end tables. If lamps don’t match, use a variety of unique pieces that offer a chic and eclectic look. To get a festive style year-round, hang string lights from the ceiling or drape them in the corner of the dining room or bedroom.

Mirrors make any small space look bigger, whether it's a college apartment or a luxury home. Since mirrors offer “space-doubling” properties, they can reflect light to brighten your bathroom, bedroom, living room or hallway. If you want to get the best light-catching advantages possible, position the mirrors on the wall opposite windows.

When you are sharing your apartment with a roommate, personalize your space to differentiate it from your roommate. When you follow this tip, your bedroom can stand out. Display your favorite photos or favorite artworks on your wall with colored twine and paper clips or miniature clothespins. Try to also hang bold curtains from the ceiling in place of a headboard, or fashion a pretty canopy with flowy fabric, hooks, and string. If you don’t have the budget, you can add a colorful comforter and a few throw pillows to make your room look more personalized.

Your college apartment may have limited space, but don’t worry. Add to your small space with a few dorm furniture ideas. Choose dual-purpose pieces like an adjustable table that turns into a desk, a futon sofa that becomes a bed, or a storage ottoman that can double a stool, a seat, or coffee table. Furniture that can be stored easily is also a great option. You can also get foldable moon chairs or stackable poufs.

If it’s not possible for you to have a big bookshelf, you can stack books vertically up the wall next to your desk. Declutter your apartment regularly. Make the most of unused space with corner shelves, under-the-bed storage units, and over-the-door pocket organizers.

A floor-to-ceiling fitted shelving unit can make the most of every inch in a small living space. It can be incorporated into your room and be used for multiple tasks, You can use the shelves to display trinkets or books, the drawers to tuck away small of personal items, and the flat surfaces can act as a bedside table for charging your phone or a reading light.

Most often the bed is tucked neatly at the end of the small apartment, rather than blocking the center of the room. Vertical blinds have been made to give some privacy and to block daylight. But in the daytime, open the blinds to allow the natural light to help brighten the space or use the sunlight for reading a book.

Getting custom furniture for your small space can be a very worthwhile investment. A twin bed is designed to fit under the eaves perfectly, leaving plenty of space in the rest of the room. Built-in drawers or a wall-mounted bedside table are ideas to help maximize every inch of your space.

Use your headboard for storage. It’s a clever way to make the most of your space. This custom solution can be useful as a bedside table or bookcase.

If you want to live on your own in an apartment, you may find it challenging to design the small space, but don’t worry! Use these amazing tips to help make your apartment look more spacious and personal.