Studio apartments pose a challenge for any decorator. Not only do you need to consider that the room has to be suitable for sleeping, cooking and relaxing, but you’re unlikely to have a huge amount of space left. So how do you make the most of it? Here are 5 tips when decorating a studio apartment that will make the best of the space you have.
5 tips when decorating A studio apartment
Create ‘rooms’ when decorating a studio apartment
You may not have any walls, but that doesn’t mean you can’t create rooms. This can be as simple as grouping your furniture so that you have a space for sleeping, a space for cooking and space for relaxing. Or you can add dividers to help block out the various areas. (Wardrobes or room dividers can be great for this). Beds can also make an impact if you choose the right one for your space. Check out a great range here www.andsotobed.co.uk.
Multi use furniture when decorating a studio apartment
If you can, get furniture which also has space to store things. For example a hollowed out sofa into which you can put cushions or a bed with drawers underneath. This will not only help to save space, when decorating your studio apartment but also make it easier to clean. You can also get items which double up in use. For example desks that can fold out to create a table or a bookcase which can be used as a divider. You can find some great furniture ideas here at David Phillips online store.
Have a focal point when decorating a studio apartment
If you have a TV or an entertainment system then it can create a natural focal point, and help to make the apartment feel bigger. If you don’t, then there are other options. In my apartment I use the view over the city - provided by my oversized windows. A friend of mine uses their dinner table. Not only will this make the apartment feel bigger, but it will also help you keep organised by having somewhere around which to fit and plan the rest of your furniture.
Use light in clever ways when decorating your studio apartment
You should keep your window blinds or curtains open as much as possible to ensure that you get sufficient light. In addition, some cleverly placed mirrors can not only help reflect the natural light you get in your apartment, but also make it feel bigger. Use light colours when painting your walls because they reflect more light. However, if you love colour, why not use a vibrant colour on a feature wall.
Decluttering is important when decorating a studio apartment
Last but not least; make sure you are ruthless when it comes to disposing objects and decorations you don’t need. (Here’s a brilliant article on decluttering you may want to read). Or just ask a friend to look after them! This will not only give you more space but will make it far easier to clean your apartment. Of course you need to keep a few decorations such as posters to make the place feel like home rather than like a hotel. A regular clean will make all the difference in helping your apartment feel open and spacious - hopefully turning your flat into a stress free sanctuary.
This is a guest post by Daniel Frank. Check out our home improvement page for more ideas and DIY Projects.
My friend owns a studio apartment and it looks really great, I will advice her to visit this article for more ideas. Thanks for sharing Anne! I enjoy your post. I hope I could get to add some tips but I am still on the first step of appreciating ht work of art. Hope I could the chance to manipulate my Mom to let me do the decors my own. She couldn’t just let, she loves her designs a lot, so I’d always let her.
I was asked to help a friend’s daughter re-decorate her studio apartment near my place. She moved due to her studies, and she was lucky enough to be given a studio apartment by her parents. Because of the limited space, she has a hard time thinking on how to design or re-arrange the pieces of furniture that she has. When I went over to see the space and items she has for myself, I was shocked to see that she has old-looking furniture that do not really fit for her age. But she was courteous enough to tell me that it was not her idea but her mother’s, and she could not bear to disappoint her. I had to ring my friend and let her know of the situation. After the entire chaos, my friend was able to get the old pieces of furniture and allowed her daughter to choose her own. Even my girlfriend, who was there to help out as well, was stunned by what she saw.
Hi Dear, This post for information about studio apartments will take time thinking about the right furnishings for your property. So it’s very important when decorating a studio apartment because you need to keep a few decorations such as posters to make the place feel like home rather than like a hotel.
Thanks
I have a studio apartment, and I thought at first that is very difficult to have different sections clearly defined in such a very limited space. However, the ideas that were bounced off by this article perfectly sums up what I have done to my own studio apartment. I have also build storage for items that blend well with the entire design, with mirrors to accentuate it. The space I have looks even bigger than I have imagined. Also, having a studio apartment does not need to have a lot of items, hence, I saved a lot of money by not putting pieces of furniture that I, otherwise, could not use in the end.
Lighting in a studio apartment can create a dramatic effect. It can make your apartment look more classy and edgy.
I’m not an interior designer nor good in designing but I like the idea of this post. It entails a refreshing studio apartment that is very convenient to live with.
I Like Your Tips, I Mostly Like One Of The Tips Is “Use light in clever ways when decorating your studio apartment” Its Most Important Factor Of Decorating The Studio..! I will apply your tips here to look more space in our unit. thanks for the heads off!
Thanks,
Nick.
Multipurpose furniture is so important when floor space is at a premium! You don’t want the room to feel cramped, but that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice on storage. A few clever storage solutions can make all the difference.
That’s what I do to make our rooms bigger. We have huge mirrors installed on the walls. It’s practical and decorative and created the illusion of space which will be perfect for the studio apartments. Also, it’s great that you highlighted that rooms can be made without walls. I see lots of studio apartment owners just not bothering about that.
Hi Reese.
Even in bigger rooms, mirrors are the number one element for making them stand out. I’ve used a mirror in all of my rooms. I just like the way they reflect the light - as you pointed out.
I like the idea here of focal point,we used to have a small space because of very expensive monthly rent. I will apply your tips here to look more space in our unit.
thanks for the heads up!
You’re welcome, Becca. Perhaps you could take some before and after pics? I’ll be happy to post them here.
In a studio apartment or bedsit a lot depends on the space and the light that there is. I was looking to buy one as an investment property a while back and I found one that was a huge room, but because of the shape of it it would have been very hard to make it work. Actually living all in one room can be good though - as long as you can master the art of simplicity like you say.
Susan recommends you read..Why the world still loves the Mini
Good idea about the focal point - I have a studio flat and I guess it does sort of have a focal point (the TV). Also, if you have a studio flat, consider getting a loft bed. I have one and it saves so much space! It’s a double bed, so underneath it I have a desk and a wardrobe. This way, I have my one room divided into three ‘areas’ - the bed is ‘upstairs’, and the desk area is separated from the lounge area. Studio flats can be great if you decorate them well!
I love that idea, Liz. I think it’s a great one. One of the most useful tips when decorating small spaces is to make what you have work harder. A loft bed is ideal for this.
Those are some great tips. I’ve never had a studio apartment but wanted one when I lived on my own since I traveled a lot and it would have been the perfect size.
Squirrel Queen recommends you read..Spring Sneaks In
I had one when I was at college, but I was so poor, I could hardly afford anything for it 🙂