How to Maximize Space in Your Studio Apartment and Get the Most Out of It
Living in a big city with rents shooting through the roof, we’re often left with no choice but to go with a tiny box of a studio apartment. While you may feel like you’ll never be able to make a home out of a 300sqft space, we have a few tips that might change your mind.
Your studio may be tiny, but it doesn’t actually have to be cramped. With the right layout, organization and décor, you could make it not only practical and functional, but also charming, lovely and cozy. That 15’x20’ box could actually become more than just your ‘humble’ abode!
Here are a few examples of different studio layouts within the same 300sqft space but for different use cases. Use them as inspiration to make your own custom layout that suits your specific needs. It’s important to keep in mind that because space is limited, reflecting on what your space needs are would be a great place to start.
Different layouts in the same 15’x20’ (300sqft) studio apartment
Bedroom-focused studio apartment layout
What’s wrong with wanting nothing more than a glorified bedroom out of your studio! Especially if you’re out working and traveling most of the time, and you use your studio as just as a place to crash, right? Why not make your studio like a warm and lovely luxury hotel room?
For the perfect R&R zone, prioritize a nice, big and cozy bed with layers of bedding, high thread-count sheets and covers, blankets and pillows of all sizes. While you can eliminate the sofa altogether, you may still benefit from a small corner table and a kitchenette with a breakfast bar.
Living room focused studio apartment layout
On the other hand, if you’re a total homebody who loves to spend time in your studio flat, it might be a good idea to separate out the bed from the living area. Do you love having friends over? Is the whole binge Netflix-and-chill your thing? If yes, this layout might suit you better.
While the bed takes up a corner, most of your studio space could be well-utilized with comfy sofas, recliners, bean bags and chairs. You could also take the separation a level further with a divider, temporary wall, or even a curtain.
The kitchenette could flow freely into the living area (yes, you’ll have to be extra careful about the clutter!) While it might not be big enough for an all-out cooking scene, it’ll sufficiently house all the essentials and even double up as the bar for those party nights. Add a few big plants in the corners for that added softness and coziness to your studio.
Studio apartment cum home office
If your studio apartment also doubles up as your remote workplace, it goes without saying that you will need to dedicate some of that precious real estate to a work station. Since we’ve all been through the WFH during the pandemic, we now know how staring at the bed all day long can be detrimental to work productivity!
Set up your work desk in a quiet corner of your studio – away from the clutter and temptations of the bed. It might even be a good idea to set up a solid separation with a temporary wall partition to add a clear workspace definition. This can be especially useful if you share your studio with your partner or a pet, and you want to keep all distractions away.
Rent-sharing focused studio apartment layout
Sharing a studio is a great hack to save on expenses, especially for college students and young professionals for whom finances is always a struggle. Rents can be a true nightmare in areas near colleges and city centers that house most offices. However, sharing a small space of 300sqft is easier said than done. Constantly being in each other’s space and hair can get tricky and feel even oppressive and frustrating at times. Who hasn’t had to deal with an annoying roommate!
Dividing the studio into common and private areas can be a saving grace. Temporary partitions and dividers can be really useful in creating physical barriers to define private zones for a more peaceful studio apartment rent-sharing experience.
Design tips to make the most of your studio apartment layout
Designing your studio’s layout can be a tricky affair given the space limitations. But on the bright side – limitations also drive us towards creative solutions. Here are a few handy points that can help you maximize your 300sqft studio apartment space so that it never feels too tight.
1. Divide up your spaces
While it’s great to have all spaces flowing into one another for a roomier feel, it’s also essential to demarcate zones for better functionality and a cleaner aesthetic. Your dividers don’t have to be real hard walls though! Let your furniture do the dividing. Place your sofa or storage units to automatically define movement. Plants could also serve as soft dividers. You can even use something simple like rugs and carpets to demarcate zones.
A modular temporary wall like this Pony Wall can also be immensely useful if you’re looking to create a clear separation between your bed and living area.
For a visual divide, consider moveable modular room dividers like this Abstract Room Divider. Simply assemble it in a couple of minutes to add privacy or divide work and living areas. When you want it out of the way, dismantle and store it for future use.
If you’re looking for more solid dividing - like real walls to create that privacy for work or to hide away from that annoying roommate - consider temporary walls like this L-Shaped Partition with Door. Yes, you can actually create a room with it! And that too within minutes! They’re also usually not a problem legally (but best to check with the landlord, always).
2. Downsize and declutter
Clutter can make small spaces look even smaller and more haphazard and disorganized. Studio apartments suffer from bad rep because they’re often associated with clutter and mess. Get rid of all your extra possessions – furniture, clothes, décor items, kitchenware, etc. and strip your apartment down to the basics. With every single item you keep, ask yourself – do I really need this? When it comes to tight studio apartments, remember – less is always more.
3.Put furniture on double-duty
Dual-purpose furniture can be a life-savior in small spaces. For example – a sofa that opens up into a bed or foldable tables that can be used as shelves, pull-apart cabinets that can be used as stools, tables with hidden storage, etc. Get creative with your furniture use. Minimize the number of items and maximize the use from each of them.
4.Use large mirrors
One of the best ways of making a small space look larger is by using the magic of mirrors. Set up huge mirrors to reflect the natural light in your studio flat to make it look roomier and more spacious.
5.Use light colors
Did you know that the color of walls can play a massive impact on the way we perceive the space? Light colors make spaces feel larger and brighter by reflecting more light and making the walls recede.
If you want to do more than playing it safe with the classic white, go for pastels or light-neutrals with undertones of blue, pink or even green.
6. Maximize space with storage
Storage can be especially crucial in tight spaces like small studios. It isn’t just practical but also helps keep the space more organized, neat and clutter-free.
If your apartment hasn’t come with enough built-in storage, make the most of your furniture instead. For example, use the space under your bed and tables and go for vertical storage on your walls. Get over-the-wall organizers and hanging shelves for personal items. Rent a storage unit if needed.
7.Decorate with peel-and-stick wallpaper
Don’t let the limitations on renter renovations hold you back from giving yourself the perfect studio. If you’re not allowed to paint, simply go with peel-and-stick wallpapers. They come in thousands of colors, patterns and designs, and are super easy to use.
Decide a theme for your studio and go crazy! The best part? You can peel the wallpaper and take it with you when it’s time to move. No damage, no threats to your security deposit.
Set up your studio apartment with the right layout
It may seem like a mighty task setting up a small studio apartment, but it doesn’t quite have to be! The above layout ideas and tips should give you a great starting point to sketch out your own layout with your specific space needs. Once you have the general layout in place, then comes all the fun with decorating your studio to personalize it and make it your home.
Stuck with the layout planning of your studio apartment? Can’t figure out the perfect layout to fit your needs? Reach out to us!Our space design experts will be more than happy to help you with personalized layout solutions. Need help dividing your studio for better functionality? Our modular temporary walls and room dividerswill offer all the creative solutions you need!
