How to Perfectly Decorate a Studio Apartment
There’s nothing more hip than a studio apartment. No matter what area you live in, a chic studio apartment will make you feel like you’re living the high life in the big city! But even though you’ll feel like a minor rock star (okay, at least a rock star’s manager), living in a studio apartment does have a few drawbacks. For one, decorating your new place can be a real challenge if you don’t know how to work with all that open space.
If you’re pulling out your hair trying to figure out how to jigsaw everything into your new apartment while keeping the space comfy and functional, don’t worry. Our team has put together these simple tips for decorating a studio apartment to perfection, and making a small space feel like home.
Divide and Conquer
The first mistake that many studio newbies make when decorating a new apartment is treating the space like one giant room. It is one big room, of course, but think of the possibilities! With a little imagination and the right tools, you can transform your space into a functional (but cozy) single bedroom apartment.
The first thing you’ll want to do is create a separate place for sleeping. Nothing screams “amateur design” like a bed out in the open for all to see! Make creative use of curtains to divide out the sleeping area from the living area, or hide the bed behind a large bookshelf.
Creating the illusion of separation doesn’t just make the space more aesthetically pleasing, it makes it more comfortable and functional for both you and your guests.
Level Up Your Storage
Storage is king in a studio apartment, and you’ll want to really flex your creative muscles when it comes to arranging your belongings. The smaller the space, the worse the clutter, so make sure there’s a place for everything and that everything goes back in its place. If you’re not careful about tidying, a small space can quickly turn to chaos!
If your apartment allows it, invest in some high-quality built-ins that can hide away personal items and create overhead storage space. You might even want to consider a stowaway bed that folds into the wall during the day, opening up more floor space for entertaining and relaxing. If you get stuck, or just want an expert opinion, come talk to our sales associates about which type of storage and bedding would work best for your place! We are all ears and ready to help.
How to Hue
The best way to make small spaces feel naturally roomier is by keeping your wall color light. Whites, greys, light beiges and blues are all safe bets for your studio apartment. Steer clear of dark colors and jewel tones—they might look classy, but in such a small space, they can make an apartment feel claustrophobic.
If painting isn’t an option in your space, consider using curtains, tapestries, or light-colored furniture to soothe a chaotic color palette. Carefully placed mirrors can also help open up the space and make the whole apartment feel bigger. Like magic, the illusion of more space will appear with properly placed decorations!
Let There Be Light
Lighting is another vital way of keeping the space…well, light! Color scheme is step number one, but you’ll want to make sure your space is well-lit too. Soft-white incandescent bulbs can give your apartment a warm, open feeling, and creative ceiling fixtures draw the eye upward, giving the illusion of higher ceilings and a larger space.
Don’t forget about natural light either! If you’re lucky enough to have large windows in your studio apartment, make them a focal point of the room. The natural light and the view will make the space feel bigger. Try using long, sheer curtains, again, to give the ceiling the illusion of being higher, and to maximize the light you can let in. Now, go open up those windows and let in that summer sunshine!
Functional Furniture
Make use of every inch of space by getting furniture that does double duty. Slidable, hidable, and customizable pieces can help maximize your living space: For example, a bed that doubles as a couch in the daylight hours. Modular seating that can be arranged any way you want. Shape-shifting surfaces. Any and all of these options can work wonders for making a limited space functional.
Look for chairs and ottomans that double as tables or storage spaces, and coffee tables that expand into fully-fledged dining tables. The right furniture can let you adapt your space to your needs every day, so home can mean a cozy retreat in the evenings, or a hot spot for dinner parties and holiday hosting.
With these tips in mind, you’re ready to hop to it! Decorate your new studio apartment just right, and all your friends will be wondering why on earth they haven’t moved into a studio apartment yet. Come check out our selection for all the furniture you need to make your apartment perfect!
