How to decorate a studio apartment
With the everything-in-one-room design and the characteristically compact dimensions, decorating a studio apartment poses a somewhat unique challenge to renters and homeowners alike.
Yet, the best studio flat ideas can instantly transform any type of cramped quarters into a comfortable and stylish space. In this article, we will talk through our favourite small studio apartment ideas, from clever storage solutions to colour scheme tips and tricks.
Read on to find out how to furnish a studio apartment and really maximise those limited dimensions.
1. Opt for a minimalist aesthetic
While minimalism can be a sleek design choice for larger spaces too, this idea for decorating a studio apartment plays with your perception of space, completely changing the way you look at your small studio apartment.
Essentially, by paring back your décor and leaving only the essentials out on display, you can effortlessly open up the square footage. Too much furniture or too many ornaments can clutter your studio flat design, making it feel like you’re living in a much smaller space.
But of course, how do you decide which items make the final cut? Each one will likely have some sentimental or practical value, otherwise you wouldn’t have added them to your studio decoration!
Our advice is to be ruthless, only keeping the furniture you use on a regular basis or the items you always notice in your home. We know it won’t be easy, but the result of more space in your studio apartment design is more than worth it.
Living room furniture
Accessories
2. Limit your colour scheme
With an entire colour wheel at your disposal, it can be a bit overwhelming when choosing a colour scheme for your studio interior design – not only in picking the perfect palette, but also in how you co-ordinate it with other shades. Well, do we have some good news for you!
As décor ideas for studio apartments are all about making the space seem bigger, you only need to choose one or two similar shades for your walls and furniture. That’s because a consistent colour scheme makes your studio’s interior design feel much larger, with no contrasts to clearly define the limit of the flat.
We’d also recommend opting for a light and neutral colour scheme, which can better reflect the natural light flooding in through the windows. Think the likes of soft greys, sage greens, off whites, and warm beiges to maximise this studio decorating idea.
3. Add multi-purpose furniture
Studio and small apartment interior design is all about maximising the limited dimensions of your space, letting you live comfortably in stylish surroundings.
So, when picking furniture for a studio apartment, you need to think about how that new addition can serve multiple purposes. For example, if you’re trying to fit a desk to work from home on and a dining table to host friends and family, then opt for a table that can comfortably cover both uses - like an extending dining table.
Similarly, cosy studio apartments are very unlikely to have the space to fit a second bed for overnight guests, but a sofa bed fits seamlessly into your décor. Fold out – provide sumptuous sleeping quarters; fold in – you get your space back. It’s a win-win!
For small studio apartment ideas on storage, think practical meets pretty. After all, you’re unlikely to be blessed with tons of wardrobe or cupboard space, so you’ll need to get creative.
Maybe you buy a footstool or ottoman that opens up for storage? Or perhaps you’re thinking of using a sideboard as a coffee table? It could even be as simple as storing items out of sight under your ottoman bed or sofa with built-in storage.
4. Pull furniture away from walls
Now we’ve covered how to furnish a studio apartment, let’s talk about the best placement of your new additions.
And while it might seem to make more sense to push all furniture for your studio apartment right up against the wall, you are actually creating a visible boundary on the room’s restrictions. You may also be creating cramped pathways that require you to contort around awkward angles in your cosy studio apartment.
Instead, you will want to pull your sofa and other furniture away from the walls, where possible. This small apartment idea creates a sense of depth, making the space feel bigger and look more visually interesting to boot. You can also create different zones and improve the traffic flow in your small apartment, letting you navigate your space with oodles of ease.
What’s more, this décor idea for a studio apartment can create a more intimate seating arrangement – especially with a corner sofa – inspired by a conversation pit, which was hugely popular back in the 70s!
5. Use a room divider
While you may not be able to entirely escape the all-in-one-room studio apartment design, there are ways to subtly separate the flat into different segments.
For example, if you wish to partition your living area from your kitchen countertops, then you can place a bookcase between the two sections. This studio layout idea seamlessly separates the two functions of your flat, making it feel like you have two individual rooms. As an added bonus, the bookcase is also a great storage solution for the bits and bobs you just couldn’t wave goodbye to when de-cluttering.
You can also achieve a similar effect in separating your bedroom area from the rest of the apartment. A shelving unit or folding room divider offers a bit of privacy while you’re relaxing in bed without taking up too much space. Plus, the separation from the rest of the room can also encourage a better night’s sleep. We like the sound of that!
6. Think vertically
Once you’ve got your floor plan perfected, you can turn your attention upwards to those lofty details that can make your tiny studio apartment feel bigger.
After all, while you may have every inch of floor space mapped out, the vertical empty space is just waiting to be utilised. Hang up wall art, add towering plants that tickle the ceiling, install statement lighting fixtures on up high; anything that grabs your attention and demands you to look up!
Lighting
Art
The thinking behind this studio flat idea is that adding tall features can make a room feel bigger and more expansive. The ceiling will look higher than it actually is, as it draws the eye naturally upwards, creating that all-important sense of depth.
Looking for more ideas around decorating a small space? Head over to our inspiration page for tips on how to decorate a small living room and how to maximise a small dining room.
Alternatively, if you’re ready to put our small studio flat ideas to the test, start shopping for suitable sofas and home furniture today!
