Are you moving into a studio apartment or redisigning your space? Here are the best studio apartment ideas you should try!
So, you’ve found yourself with a studio apartment in need of a face lift.
With a smaller canvas to work with, slip-ups are easier to spot, which can make decorating the tighter space a little more intimidating than usual.
Oftentimes, studio apartments can feel overcrowded, or, on the opposite end of the spectrum, pretty bare and not homey whatsoever.
Because of this, your home sweet home may require a bit more planning and intention when it comes to decorating them.
Worry not – we’ve got you covered!
Here are the best studio apartment ideas that will help you.
STUDIO APARTMENT IDEAS
1. Go For Light Colors
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Accentuating your living space with light colors is the golden rule you must abide by when it comes to decorating tight quarters.
Sticking to the light side of the color wheel helps open the space and gives the impression that there is more room than there actually is.
Dark colors transform studio apartments into small and cramped caves, whereas whites, tans.
And light shades of greens, pinks and blues produce a vibe that comes off as clean, fresh, and organized.
2. Big Area Rug
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Laying down an area rug breaks up the monotony of a sprawling studio apartment floor.
The rug will cover a specific area of the apartment – that being your bedspace, living space, or desk area.
This gives the impression of having separate spaces without having to construct a whole other wall or buy any room dividers.
Pro tip: check Amazon’s Prime Day deals for killer discounts on huge area rugs!
3. Opt for Transparent Furniture
Get this decor:
I love this trend for a studio apartment idea!
Transparent furniture opens up a space in the same way that leaning into lighter colors does.
Clear, plastic furniture unclogs the room and makes it more digestible for the human eye.
This type of furniture is super easy to clean and is less expensive than bulky, expensive furniture.
Amazon seems like the place to go for this style of furniture!
4. Hang Curtains Higher
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I wish I knew when I was calling a studio apartment home!
Propping your curtains just a few inches higher than they normally hang allows the ceilings to look just a little taller.
And you already know, taller ceilings are a wonderful way to make a space look much grander and less, uh, closet-ey.
5. Create a Cozy Nook
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Studio apartment ideas are inherently cozy due to their sheer compactness.
Designating a specific corner of your apartment to be your own personal nook piggybacks off the whole cozy atmosphere already built into the vibe of your apartment.
I find that nuzzling my bed in the corner of a room, lining it with pillows and decorating the walls around it is a great way to create a little nook.
I also like the idea of having a nightstand nearby for holding a cute lamp and wine.
Read: 12 Smart and Simple Small Apartment Storage Ideas
6. Use Hidden Storage Solutions
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Storage is a luxury not often granted to those who call a studio apartment home.
Like happiness, we must create our own storage!
Amazon has a ton of creative products with built-in storage spaces, including beds or coffee tables that open up.
Even narrow bins for under the bed, dish drying racks for hanging above the sink, the list goes on and on.
7. Designate a Work Area
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If you are a remote worker, I beg you, don’t get into the habit of working from your bed!
It’s important to find studio apartment ideas that suit your lifestyle.
Instead, have fun cultivating a fun workspace in your studio. Find a desk (with optimal storage, of course) that you can tuck by a window with heaps of natural light.
Accentuate the space with plants and a few cute knick knacks.
But be sure not to over-decorate or the space will feel cramped and uncomfortable.
8. Embrace Mirrors
Get this mirror:
Adding mirrors to small spaces is the classic decoration hack for tighter squeezes.
If your apartment has a long, blank wall, consider breaking it up with a horizontal mirror that spans a large portion of the wall.
There are also stick-on mirror cut outs.
You can find one online or in stores like Target or Hobby Lobby that come in all sorts of fun shapes like flowers, suns, moons, etc.
9. Invest in Multi Functional Furniture
If you do your research, you can invest in furniture that serves more than one purpose.
Murphy beds, for example, can be folded against the wall when they aren’t being slept on, creating more floor space for movement and activities.
Coffee tables also can be converted into dining tables and benches and ottomans can double as storage bins.
Practicality is key!
10. Opt for Open Closets
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Instead of taking up precious space with a bulky, most likely unattractive wardrobe to store your clothes in…
Consider hanging your favorites in an open closet.
Open closets can be fixed to a wall with a pole and a few screws, or you can grab a clothing rack with rolling wheels from the store.
If your apartment is already leaning into the industrial vibe, studio apartment ideas with open closets are perfect for you!
Read: 17 Small Living Room You Can Easily Incorporate In Your Home
11. Create an Efficient Layout
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To maximize your space in a studio apartment, be sure to arrange the furniture in efficient and streamlined ways.
If you are one of those people who frequent the fridge while lounging on the couch, avoid placing any bulky items like a dining table in your path to the kitchen.
It is important to think about your most common walking paths before putting any heavy pieces in their place.
Don’t make moving around in a small space an annoying hassle!
12. Incorporate Natural Elements
Get this table:
As the saying goes, less is more!
Let the characteristics of your apartment do all the talking.
If there is great natural sunlight, be sure to lean into that. Keep your furniture minimalistic, like this simple round table.
If you have exposed brick, don’t cover it up with needless picture frames.
Work with what you have and make its natural features glow!
13. Floating Furniture
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Floating furniture is basically furniture that is situated on the wall.
Usually by a series of screws, so that the base of the piece doesn’t touch the ground, i.e. “floats.”
This extra several inches of air goes far and makes even the smallest space look much sleeker and grander.
You can find floating shelves, TV stands, benches, or console tables on the market.
14. Use Room Dividers
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Sometimes having a kitchen, couch and bedroom all in one square box is too much for the human eye to take in.
So having room dividers is one of the best small studio apartment ideas I can give you.
If you get the impression you need a little more of a physical divide for these spaces, using room dividers is a great option.
You can purchase an actual divider with folding doors, or situate certain furniture…
Like high top counters or high backboards of beds to mark the end of one boundary and the beginning of the another.
15. Vertical Storage is Key
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Just how skyscrapers save precious space in a crowded city by building upwards, storing your items vertically accomplishes the same task in a studio apartment.
Look for tall dressers, bookshelves, and high top tables to save some square footage.
Read: 16 Small Bedroom Ideas To Create A Cozy Space
16. Hang Framed Art On Your Walls
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Bare walls can sometimes be dizzying, especially in smaller spaces.
Hang your favorite art pieces on the walls, but be sure not to go too crazy or else your room will begin to feel stifled and overcrowded.
I like the idea of stacking photos vertically instead of next to one another horizontally.
This makes the ceilings look taller and the apartment look more spacious.
17. Black Accents Like a Couch and Drawers
Get this couch:
To prevent the look of everything blending in together, choose a few pieces of furniture or decorations that can stick out distinctly from the rest.
Using black as an accent color is a wonderful way to achieve this.
And gives the room an overall look of structure and flow.
18. Add a Big Pendant Light
Get this pendant light:
Since you’re living within four walls, take it upon yourself to treat yourself to a super fun light fixture!
The fixture can be the center of attention for the room and can give the whole feel a fun, funky vibe.
There are so many options out there to sift through!
And you can add this to most studio apartment ideas and styles.
19. Build an Elevated Area
I looove this idea!
If you’re handy (or know someone who is), why not build a lifted area for your bed or couch?
This is a fun way to separate the space and gives your apartment a unique touch.
20. Choose Slim Furniture Pieces
If you’re moving into a studio, say goodbye to the bulky couches and dining room tables you have in storage.
Instead, lean into daintier looking furniture to lighten the room and give more space for walking.
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