When it comes to small spaces, it’s important to design them carefully and make sure you’re staying functional and stylish at the same time.
This guide will give you 10 great small studio apartment design ideas for your own studio apartment, from picking out great furniture pieces to making your space feel bright and open with the right decorating choices.
Even if you don’t have a ton of money or space to work with, these stylish smart studio apartment design hacks can help you create the ideal space to spend time in while living on your own!
But very firstly let’s talk about –
What is a Studio Apartment?
Studio apartments are great when you want to live in the city and you want to save money while doing so. They’re also perfect if you want to live alone or if you don’t have any other option than to move into one of these limited-space homes.
A studio apartment, also known as a studio flat, studio unit, or studio house, is a single-room apartment with an integrated kitchen and bathroom.
But, that doesn’t mean that studio apartments are small and boring – you can actually make your small place work just as well as any other type of apartment would, without having to break the bank on an unnecessary amount of space.
For that reason, you’ve to know —
How to decorate a studio apartment?
If you’re looking to decorate your studio apartment, but lack the budget to make it look beautiful, then this guide is perfect for you! It will walk you through how to arrange furniture to create the illusion of space, how to choose paint colors that won’t make your small apartment feel cramped, and how to use smaller furniture and accessories in order to make your small place feel cozy and welcoming and much more stuff.
Without any delay, let’s dive into the 10 most stylish smart studio apartment design hacks you were searching for.
1) Use Bright Colors
To add some spacious illusions to your studio flat design ideas, opt for bright colors on your walls. When you live in an apartment with dark-colored paint, it feels like there’s less space to move around. Lighten up your space by using pale yellow and light blue on your walls—the neutral shade of these colors makes any room look more spacious.
Also, avoid heavy drapes and curtains as they tend to make rooms feel smaller. Instead, use sheer fabrics that let natural light come through. This studio apartment design concept will give your apartment a clean and airy feel while still providing privacy when needed.
If you can afford it, replace some or all of your windows with glass doors or large windows to maximize ventilation and sunlight. Windows are great sources of natural lighting—and more lighting means better interior design!
Even if you don’t have access to a window, installing track lights is another way to bring more natural light into your home. It may seem counterintuitive, but track lights provide the ambient lighting that doesn’t shine directly into your eyes (like ceiling lights do).
As a result, they won’t bother you while you’re working or relaxing at home. They also offer different levels of brightness so you can adjust them according to how much illumination is required in a given area.
2) Follow The Golden Ratio
This Golden Ratio of a studio apartment design plan says that when an object’s length and width are in a 1:1 ratio, it will be considered aesthetically pleasing to our eyes. This can be used to determine where furnishings should go in your apartment for a streamlined and open floor plan.
For example, if you have a couch that measures 3 feet wide by 6 feet long, you could place it against one wall of your studio and have another piece of furniture (such as a coffee table) across from it on another wall. That way there would be no clutter or wasted space between them.
When making your studio apartment design concept, try to follow these proportions. It may not look exactly like something out of a magazine, but you’ll find that it feels more comfortable and inviting than one with lots of empty space.
3) Mix Upholstery and Solid Fabric
It’s easy to get stuck in a rut when you live in a studio apartment, but mixing up your fabric selection is an easy way to add interest and style.
Try adding and mixing solid fabrics to your studio flat design ideas with more statement-making upholstery pieces such as patterned scatter pillows or even wood or metal stools. This studio apartment design plan can also help disguise any smaller spaces in your apartment. This mix of patterned chairs and a striped throw pillow creates visual interest while still allowing for plenty of light to enter through the windows.
The result is a bright space that feels big despite its small size. A well-placed mirror can do wonders for making a room feel larger than it actually is. In addition to reflecting natural light, mirrors make spaces appear brighter by reflecting artificial lighting back into their surroundings.
Mirrors are also great for creating a sense of depth, which helps create an illusion of spaciousness. If you’re feeling adventurous, try painting one wall with a bold color to give your studio apartment some added character.
Just be sure not to paint over windows or doors, as it’s a mistake for studio apartment layout ideas that many people make.
4) Add Storage Space With Open Shelving
When you live in a studio apartment, storage is at a premium. Open shelving in your kitchen offers functional storage that doesn’t take up valuable wall space.
Open shelves allow you to display favorite dishes, appliances, and countertops—and provide easy access to frequently used items like pots and pans. In a studio, it’s important to think creatively about how you can use every inch of space.
Open shelving gives your small kitchen an airy feel and helps keep everything within reach. Plus, it keeps clutter off your counters and floor!
That’s the reason it’s one of the best studio apartment layout ideas for many people. Because of its simplicity and effectiveness.
And because they tend to be more open than enclosed cabinets, open shelves also let light into your space. That’s one reason why they work so well in studios; natural light will always help make a tiny place feel bigger.
If you have little ones running around your home, you might want to consider installing gates on top of open shelves or securing them with brackets or other hardware designed for keeping little hands away from potentially dangerous objects.
5) Use Patterned Rugs
Patterns add color and visual interest to any studio flat design ideas, and they also serve as a great way to create a bigger-looking space. In spaces with low ceilings, especially studio apartments, floor-length rugs are an excellent idea.
Pile them in front of windows for an unexpected burst of color and pattern, or use them in lieu of chairs in your kitchen nook to create a more seating area around your countertops.
We love a rug that has geometric patterns like squares, diamonds, triangles, and other shapes that will make any small apartment feel larger than it is. They’re easy to clean and super affordable—the perfect combo!
If you have pets, opt for a jute rug. The thick fibers can stand up to claws better than sisal rugs can. Plus, they’re inexpensive and durable.
6) Showcase A Large Piece of Artwork
Think of a great piece of artwork you’ve purchased. If you’re going to do something similar in your small apartment, get creative and find different ways to display it.
This studio apartment design concept will add lots of elegance to your room.
For example, if you have a large framed painting that needs to be hung on a wall but there isn’t enough room for an entire frame, try framing only one side or just part of it. This way, you can still show off your favorite work without taking up too much space.
And if you don’t want to leave anything behind because you can’t fit it into your new home, look into affordable options like clip-on frames or poster frames.
If you know how to decorate a studio apartment, you also know they might not be as attractive as regular frames, but they will help keep valuable pieces intact during your move. It’s also important to make sure you hang any artwork at eye level—or slightly higher—so you don’t strain your neck while admiring it.
7) Play With Lighting
Lighting is something you should think about from day one. It’s an easy and inexpensive way to liven up a small space, plus it can even help boost your mood and productivity.
Whether you choose overhead lights, sconces, or something else entirely as your studio apartment design plan, make sure you add enough so you can see everything easily; there’s nothing worse than needing a lamp just to do your makeup!
If you have any windows, consider adding sheer curtains for privacy without blocking natural light. In addition to lighting, also consider storage solutions that are both stylish and functional—you don’t want to feel like you’re living in a dorm room!
Consider installing shelves along every wall, which will help declutter your space and keep things organized. And when choosing paint colors, go with lighter shades—they tend to be more welcoming and less overwhelming as the best small studio apartment design ideas you were searching for.
8) Don’t Forget A Decorative Throw Pillow or Two
A pop of color in a room can do wonders for its aesthetic. Plus, decorative pillows—throw or accent—can add some visual interest and comfort to your living space.
And don’t forget about large accessories as your studio apartment design plan, such as vases and mirrors, which can really make an area feel complete. When shopping for decorative items and furniture, it’s all about choosing pieces that work with each other while maintaining a cohesive look within your space.
Keep these tips in mind when choosing studio apartment decor. A throw pillow is more than just a decorative piece; it can also serve as extra seating or even a comfy place to rest your feet.
Add several different colors and patterns to keep things interesting.
A very effective studio apartment design concept is: adding geometric prints on solid-colored cushions, solid colors on patterned cushions, black-and-white stripes on colorful prints, etc to your resting areas.
If you want to go bold, try combining two very different styles or patterns together. For example, if you have a bright floral pattern on one cushion, try adding another floral print in a completely different color scheme.
This will create a unique style statement without being too overwhelming.
9) Maximize Natural Light with Windows and Mirrors
Windows and mirrors are your best friends when it comes to maximizing natural light in your home. With their help, you can brighten up even a dark studio apartment.
Glass is always an option when it comes to stylish smart studio apartment design hacks, but consider using mirrored walls on opposite sides of a space to reflect natural light through double windows—this trick also works well in kitchens, so you can see what’s going on outside while preparing dinner.
Similarly, install mirrored closet doors or kitchen cabinets to reflect any available light back into a room. Mirrors aren’t just for reflecting light; they can also be used as decoration and as part of furniture arrangements.
Try placing a large mirror over your sofa or bed to make small spaces feel larger (and let more natural light shine through). In addition to your small studio apartment design ideas, don’t forget about smaller touches like table lamps with mirrored bases or a wall-mounted shelf with a series of small framed mirrors that reflects light around your living area.
Also, think about adding reflective elements to interior surfaces like tile floors and painted ceilings. For example, place colored glass tiles along bathroom edges where the floor meets the wall to create soft reflections in areas where daylight may not reach.
Or try painting ceiling tiles with different colors for a unique reflection pattern on the walls below. The options are endless!
10) Don’t Forget About Blinds
When it comes to window treatments, you have a few choices. If you choose to go with standard blinds, don’t forget to measure your windows before choosing a size and style—they come in many different sizes and fit many different types of windows.
To add some glamor and drama to your studio apartment design concept, try roman shades. They work especially well in kitchens and bathrooms, where they can help reduce glare on sensitive surfaces like granite or tile. For an even more luxurious look, opt for velvet curtains.
These soft fabrics are often used in bedrooms and living rooms because they provide privacy while still letting light through.
And finally, if you want something that works as both a window treatment and room divider, consider installing shutters.
Whether you want them for practical reasons (like blocking out sunlight) or aesthetic ones (like creating a nautical vibe), shutters are an excellent option that will make any space feel more polished and finished.
In case, you’re searching for some extra in shorts, here it is —
/// Studio Apartment – Living Area Decorating Tips
Decorating your studio apartment is a great way to make it feel more like home. Even if you have a small space, you can use creative design to your small studio apartment design ideas to bring in extra storage while still maintaining stylish decor.
The first thing to consider when decorating a studio apartment is furniture placement. While you may not have much room for large pieces of furniture, there are ways to maximize space without sacrificing style.
For example, rather than using a large sofa or sectional that will take up valuable floor space, choose an armchair with storage or accent chairs that double as end tables or nightstands.
/// Stylish Studio Apartment – Kitchen Designs
You can make your small kitchen feel larger by painting all of its walls white, to increase light. If you have a galley-style layout, opt for an open shelving design so that your kitchen is visible from all angles.
Also, be sure to add a long bar on one side of your kitchen countertop—this will add more space to prep food to your studio apartment design concept.
Lastly, if you live in an apartment building with common spaces like laundry rooms or elevators, consider adding storage in these areas—you’ll save yourself trips up and down flights of stairs!
/// Minimalist Studio Apartment – Bedroom Decorating
When people lives in a studio apartment, space is always an issue to any studio flat design ideas people make. Maximize your bedroom’s appeal by incorporating storage ottomans into your decorating scheme.
You can use them as places to sit or store extra blankets, clothing, toiletries, and other essentials you’d like to have at hand. They are also perfect for storing items that don’t fit in your bedroom closet but don’t need to be out of sights, such as shoes and purses.
These studio apartment layout ideas make it easy for you to always keep your space tidy without sacrificing storage space.
/// Functional Studio Apartment – Bathroom Decorating
The bathroom is a great place to experiment with layering patterns and materials since you can try mixing natural wood or stone tiles with textured ceramic, glass mosaics, or even shiny metallic accents.
Think about using different shapes in your stylish smart studio apartment design hacks as well—you could opt for square tiles on one wall, rectangular ones on another, and so on.
Just be sure to coordinate all of your studio flat design ideas so that they look intentional rather than random.
/// Fashionable Studio Apartment – Bathroom Storage Solutions
If you’re looking for ways to make your small studio feel a little larger, think about how you can utilize every inch of space.
Because bathrooms are so small already, however, it can be hard to find storage solutions that won’t end up overcrowding them even more.
One of my favorite tricks for maximizing space in a small bathroom is folding towels over shower rails or other tub fixtures.
If you’re living in an urban environment, whether it’s in the city or in close proximity to it, chances are that you don’t have much space to work on your studio apartment layout ideas. That doesn’t mean that your apartment can’t be comfortable and stylish, though!
Applying these stylish smart studio apartment design hacks on how to decorate a studio apartment will definitely work on your budget and interests.