How To Decorate A Studio Apartment – Six Decorating Ideas And Tips For Small Spaces

6 Studio Apartment Decorating Ideas

Studio apartments present unique challenges when it comes to decorating. How can you, in an apartment with no rooms, create a design that is cohesive while clearly establishing distinct areas in a small space? Although it’s certainly more challenging, decorating a studio apartment is not impossible; it simply requires a slightly different approach.

Firstly, when deciding how to decorate a studio apartment, your focus should be on function first and form second. Since you are working with a limited space, you will need to get creative with your furniture and decorating choices to ensure that the pieces that you choose are both cohesive in design and truly functional in the space.

To help you get started, we’ve put together a few tips and ideas to keep in mind when decorating a small studio apartment. Keep reading for six ideas for small studio decorating to help you get the most out of your space.

My bed corner in my new studio apartment (Philadelphia) from r/AmateurRoomPorn

Studio Apartment in Brooklyn,NY from r/AmateurRoomPorn

Studio Apartment - Winnipeg, MB from r/AmateurRoomPorn

Designate Zones

When all your living spaces have to fit into one small studio, creating distinct areas can be a challenge. None of us want to feel like we’re sleeping in the kitchen, and nobody likes to feel like guests are hanging out in the bedroom. One way to make your small studio feel more like it has distinct rooms is to furniture as a way to “designate” spaces. This does not necessarily mean to create a physical barrier between each space, but little touches like a rug that anchors the “living room” couch will make it feel like a distinct area from your “bedroom”. For areas where you would like more privacy, such as your sleeping area, a strategically placed bookshelf is one of the oldest tricks in the studio apartment decorating playbook. For even more privacy, consider curtaining off your sleeping area during the day.

Studio living room - Columbus, OH. from r/AmateurRoomPorn

Credit: ArchZine

Credit: Barker & Stonehouse

Create Visual Interest

Since studio apartments have little room to spare, taking up real estate for purely aesthetic purposes can feel a bit wasteful. Décor doesn’t have to take up useful space, however. In fact, when done correctly, it can actually make your apartment feel more cohesive and intentional. Instead of leaving large swaths of blank white walls, consider creating an accent wall, hanging a large statement print or painting, or putting together a gallery wall. If you’re able to use it, wallpaper is a great way to turn a wall into a focal point while still keeping a clean and simple design.

Studio apartment in Chinatown NYC from r/AmateurRoomPorn

small studio apartment decorating designs

Credit: Fall For DIY

Credit: A Beautiful Mess

Utilize Vertical Space

You may not have much floorspace in your small studio apartment, but you certainly have plenty of vertical space, likely with untapped potential. Vertical storage is a staple of small apartment living, and doubly so when we’re talking about a studio. Take advantaged of unused walls with floating shelves or even complete shelving units. For more high traffic areas, consider a pegboard for a dynamic modular storage solution to store small items and hang anything from scarves to plants. For less frequently used items like book collections, consider installing wrap around shelves high up, almost against the ceiling, to keep things on display yet out of the way.

Nook in home office/studio from r/AmateurRoomPorn

My tiny dining room in my Los Angeles studio. from r/AmateurRoomPorn

Credit: Marion Alberge

Take Advantage Of Every Nook

Those awkward nooks that are often found in studio apartments are a great way to use the existing layout of the space to cordon off a zone such as a dining room or home office. Every bit of space matters in a studio, and these little nooks offer the unique opportunity to (almost) have a separate room. Take advantage of these little nooks to their fullest potential by utilizing them as you would a separate room. Don’t forget to utilize their vertical space too, for storage or décor.

Someone suggested I post this here! Small studio apartment in Ontario. from r/AmateurRoomPorn

Morning light in the studio, California. from r/AmateurRoomPorn

how to decorate and design a studio apartment

Credit: Zusman

Create Visual Space

Your studio may be small, but it doesn’t have to feel cramped. Invite in as much natural light as possible to give your studio an open and airy feel. When selecting furniture, choose furniture that has a slim profile or that sits low to the ground so as to not add visual weight and block light. If you’ve got corners that feel cramped or don’t get enough natural light, use mirrors to reflect light and add visual depth. Mirrors instantly create a feeling of depth and dimension, and are a great trick for tight and poorly lit spaces.

Studio Living - Columbus, OH from r/AmateurRoomPorn

studio apartment interior design ideas on a budget

Get The Most Out Of Your Furniture

When space is at a premium, your furniture should have as many uses as possible. Before selecting a piece, consider if it can be used for more than its intended purpose. For instance, an ottoman can function as a coffee table, a footrest, and a spare stool. A dresser, with a strategically placed mirror, can function as a vanity as well as provide ample storage; a stool can become a mobile mini desk. Take a look at your existing furniture and see if there is anything that you’re not using to its fullest potential, you’d be surprised how versatile your furniture really is!