Designing for a small space, like an apartment can be challenging, but not impossible.

 First decide on a "style", like rustic, modern, traditional or country French.  Keep in mind that some styles are easier to find and cost less than other styles.  If you stay with the same style and basic color scheme throughout your apartment it will give your look continuity, harmony and balance.  The goal is to create a sense of space to make the apartment feel larger.

 When considering a color scheme choose three or four of your favorite colors and use them throughout.  Too many different colors in a small space can be visually distracting.  Change the hues and intensities of your selected color scheme from room to room, adding a splash of a complementary color for variety.

 The scale of your furniture becomes very important in a small space.  Buy one or two upholstered pieces that are medium scale, nothing with flared and overstuffed arms that take up space.  Be sure to measure your doors and small hallways so you can get your new furniture in the room you bought it for.

Stay focused!  Carry fabric swatches and paint chips with you everywhere.  You never know when that perfect piece will appear.  Make a list of the pieces you are looking for, along with dimensions; it will help keep you on track and buy only the pieces you need.

Now it's time to get your accessories out and call an interior re-designer.  Interior re-design is the art of transforming your home, using the wonderful - and not so wonderful things you have accumulated over the years, with the assistance of a talented person who has a passion for making your home look beautiful  Actually you don't need to wait to hire a re-designer; they can be very helpful in buying new furniture and pulling color schemes together.

Don't worry about a designer coming in and telling you to get rid of everything. They are people with unique skills and professional training with an eye toward balance, scale, texture and color.  They do not judge your belongings. Rather, a designer will place your things throughout your apartment to enhance the overall feel.  A designer will use and move your belongings in ways you would never have imagined.