Apartment Staging Ideas: Tips and Tricks for Making Small Spaces Shine

Do you think hiring a staging company is only valuable in attracting potential buyers to traditional, single-family homes or new-build communities? Think again! Staging can be just as valuable for property managers or private owners when attracting renters to an apartment complex.

In fact, apartment staging can almost be more valuable than home staging because it highlights the most appealing features of a small space and gives potential renters creative ideas about how to utilize every nook and cranny of a cozy apartment. Ready to be inspired? Let’s jump right into our best apartment staging ideas from our team of professional home stagers at THE STAGING COMPANY!

Practical, Creative Apartment Staging Ideas for Property Managers and Private Owners

Make a Positive First Impression

Even though you won’t have a garage to spruce up or a front yard to manicure, don’t underestimate the power of curb appeal in apartment staging.

Think about how to greet potential renters warmly and invitingly. Freshen up the front door with a new coat of paint, find an eye-catching welcome mat, hang a wreath on the door, or add some potted plants next to the door, and sweep up any dust or debris. All these small touches will leave a positive impression on potential renters before they ever step foot inside!

Highlight Natural Light Sources

Natural light makes small spaces appear larger, so throw open the curtains, pull back the shades, and let as much sunlight into each room as possible! Even the smallest apartment will feel much larger and less crowded when the windows are open and natural light is streaming in.

Don’t have many windows? No problem. Utilize table lamps, floor lamps, wall scones, and other light fixtures and lighting tips to create a warm, welcoming, and well-lit apartment (pro-tip this is also a great condo staging idea as well).

Think About Your Audience

Most landlords have a “dream tenant” in mind when renting out an apartment. Staging your apartment to appeal to this potential renter can make all the difference.

For example, if your apartment is located downtown in a city with a booming technology industry like Austin, you might want to target young professionals. Consider creating an office-living room hybrid with a desk against the couch to maximize space. Or, in a family-friendly suburb like Round Rock, you might want your staged apartment to appeal to young families. Think about making one of the bedrooms a nursery with a crib or a child’s bedroom with a twin bed and a toy box.

Utilize Neutral Colors

Whether you’re staging a home for a potential buyer or an apartment for a potential renter, it’s always a good idea to stick to a neutral color for the walls, like white, cream, or gray. This makes it easier for potential tenants to imagine their own style of furniture and decor in the space.

However, that doesn’t mean you need to steer clear of colors and patterns altogether! Consider adding a “pop” of color and design with throw pillows on the couch, an eye-catching rug in the living room, cozy blankets or throws on the bed, or beautiful artwork on the walls.

Choose the Right Furniture

When it comes to staging an apartment, it’s important to remember that less is often more.

While it’s essential to include key furniture pieces in each space, like a cozy couch in the living room, a small dining table in the kitchen, and a bed and dresser in the bedrooms, you want to keep each room from feeling overcrowded by adding too much furniture.

Also, when you choose furniture, be sure to select appropriate pieces for each space. For example, a queen bed might be better suited than a king bed in the bedroom, and a dining table with four chairs might fit better than a table with six. And, when possible, incorporate multifunctional furniture!

Use Furniture Placement to Define Spaces

Most apartments have an open-concept living room, kitchen, and dining area. Some studio apartments have one single space for cooking, dining, sleeping, and hanging out.

That said, apartment staging can help add purpose and definition to each space. For example, a couch and a chair around a coffee table, on a plush rug, and angled around a TV can feel like an intimate living room — even if the oven and dishwasher are just a few feet away. And even if there isn’t a designated dining room, consider creating a “nook” for meals by placing a small table next to a panoramic window or underneath a light fixture.

A professional stager can help you get creative and define each space with the right furniture placement and thoughtful additions.

Add “Homey” Touches

The small details really add to a home’s appeal, and the same goes for an apartment!

Add a vase of fresh flowers to the kitchen countertop, place potted plants on the windowsill, or have a batch of chocolate chip cookies sitting on the dining table (and, better yet, bake them right before a showing to capture that irresistible freshly-baked smell!). These tiny details can turn a rental apartment into an inviting space and make it feel like a cozy dream home.

Turn an Emotional Connection into a Signed Lease with Apartment Staging from THE STAGING COMPANY

Thoughtful apartment staging is an investment that will pay dividends for years to come!

By staging one rental with cozy, well-defined spaces for living, dining, and sleeping in a complex with hundreds of units, you can collect hundreds of signed leases (and, therefore, thousands of dollars!). The small investment for apartment staging feels minimal when you think about it like that, right?

Learn more about apartment staging with our team of skilled stagers and interior designers to discover how we can add distinctive style to any apartment!