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Viviana Agostinho’s small apartment living room shows how personal details and thoughtful DIY projects can give a compact home a distinctive feel. In her 950-square-foot Mountain View, California, apartment, the living and dining areas share one open space that serves as the center of daily life.
Viviana lives in the apartment with her husband and their two cats. When they bought it in 2007, the rooms had beige walls and carpet, a popcorn ceiling, and little character. They handled the renovation themselves, gradually shaping the space into a home that reflects their tastes. The project was still evolving when she shared her home, a reminder that decorating does not have to be completed all at once.
Small apartment living room with a standout accent wall
A narrow, freestanding wall in the middle of the living room is actually the back of the apartment’s very small kitchen. Rather than leave this less functional surface plain, Viviana turned it into an accent wall with vintage wallpaper sourced by the roll from a German website. A wooden deer head, given to her as a birthday present by her husband, adds another memorable detail.
The wall is the first feature visitors see when they enter the apartment, so it gives the open-plan space a clear focal point. For a similar approach, consider using one wall to add color or pattern when a room has limited space for decorative furniture. Before choosing a bold design, check how it will look from the entrance and from the main seating area.
The living and dining areas function as one shared room and are where Viviana and her husband spend time together after work. Their routine includes watching television and DVDs, often with one of their cats nearby. A makeshift vintage-style bar adds a practical, decorative touch: it began as a collector cabinet, with mirrors placed at the back to give it extra visual interest.
Decorating an open living and dining area
When a living room and dining room occupy the same open space, a consistent mix of furnishings and accessories can help the areas feel connected. Viviana’s cabinet serves both as storage and as a feature in the room, illustrating how one piece can contribute to a space’s function and character. Mirrors can also reflect light and add depth, though it is worth positioning them carefully to avoid unwanted glare.
The apartment had changed considerably during the six years Viviana and her husband had lived there at the time of the feature. They enjoyed decorating and taking on DIY projects, so they did not expect the home to ever feel permanently finished. Their enthusiasm for experimenting with paint and making gradual updates kept the space evolving.
Why this small apartment living room feels personal
Viviana’s home brings together an open living and dining layout, a striking entry-facing accent wall, and practical pieces adapted for display and storage. The result reflects the people who live there rather than following a single decorating formula. For anyone planning a small apartment living room, the useful takeaway is to identify the room’s everyday purpose, make the most of prominent surfaces, and add details that suit how the space is actually used.
Thank you to Viviana Agostinho for sharing a look at her home.
