How To Design Your Small Apartment To Embody Southern Charm

Sometimes, you might feel limited with what you can do with a small space, especially when it comes to jumping on design trends that embody fullness in the way large Southern homes do. So much of the trend is traditionally rooted in large external facades, like wrap-around porches, outside columns and pillars, internal formal dining rooms, high ceilings, and grand staircases. But despite what you might think, you don't need a large space to embody Southern charm in your own home — it can even be incorporated in little ways in your small apartment. When it comes down to the fundamentals, where some of that grandness of Southern charm ends, the coziness kicks in. At its core, the trend is about warmth, hospitality and timeless elegance — things that aren't limited to space or geography.

If you're looking to decorate your apartment like a grownup and want to incorporate Southern style into your home, there are simple ways to do so. Leaning into warm colors to make your home feel as welcoming as possible is a good place to start. Emphasizing the kitchen is another way to put the spotlight on key Southern style aesthetics, like wooden, open shelving and exposed ceiling beams. These are typical of an inviting country-style kitchen that can be replicated in a small space. And since your apartment most likely didn't come with a wrap-around porch, you can bring the garden inside with potted plants to bring in that touch of nature that comes with Southern living.

Southern style leans towards classic furniture that has a sense of history attached to it. When decorating your apartment, opt for timeless, sturdy pieces that have a traditional, antique feel — a well-worn leather armchair or a beautiful wooden coffee table that will make your small home feel more cozy and refined, for example. Since space is an issue, you can focus on one or two statement pieces to build the look around. When thinking about fabric for curtains, throws and upholstery, consider linen, cotton, and velvet that will add texture and comfort. Since scale is so important in small rooms, you also need to make sure you're choosing pieces that are proportionate to the space.

While most apartments may not be able to accommodate antique, grand chandeliers that are synonymous with Southern charm, you can opt for a vintage light fixture that can simulate the style without consuming the room. Adding touches of Southern style to the rest of your apartment is simple. Decorate with vintage finds that will embrace the aesthetic without taking up too much space. Finding artwork to hang that incorporates the style can be a fun and easy way to add character. Searching secondhand markets for oil paintings of animals, flowers, or a portrait of a stately person in an elaborately decorative frame can be the perfect touch. Decorative pottery and vases that double as storage will pull in the aesthetic as well, all while helping you to maximize your kitchen countertop space and reduce visual clutter on your shelves.