Design Guidelines: Studio Apartment (2024)

A studio apartment is a standalone living quarter that often consists of a single room serving as the kitchen, living area, and bedroom. Studio apartment design calls for careful planning to maximise the available space while assuring comfort and utility.

Design Guidelines: Studio Apartment (1)

It might be difficult to create a studio apartment that is both practical and visually beautiful due to the constrained space. But there are many inventive methods to maximise the small space in a studio apartment.

Various design strategies and techniques may be employed when working with a tiny space to generate visual interest and make the most of a constrained area. Using multi-functional furniture, creating discrete zones within the space, and incorporating storage solutions to maximise storage are some decorating suggestions for studio flats. A studio apartment may be a comfortable and elegant place to call home with the appropriate design strategy.

Define Different Areas | Studio Apartment

Design Guidelines: Studio Apartment (2)

Even though a studio apartment is one large open area, it’s crucial to designate specific places for various activities, including sleeping, cooking, dining, and relaxing. Using furniture, rugs, curtains, or screens can achieve this.

In a studio apartment, installing room divider drapes is an easy way to split the space. Sliding doors look elegant while giving a sense of privacy in a studio apartment. They only occupy a little space, unlike regular doors. Avoid clutter because it will get in the way and make it difficult to move about in the studio apartment because the area is separated into different functionalities. Moreover, a disorganised home will look crowded and difficult to live in.

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Use Multifunctional Furniture

Design Guidelines: Studio Apartment (4)

The selection of multifunctional furniture aims to increase flexibility, allow various activities to occur in the same space, and offer a personal touch. Making it more easily reachable for more individuals.

An Under-Bed Storage that also functions as a bedside table accomplishes two tasks simultaneously: a bedside table and a place to store clothes, books, or other goods.

A sofa bed offers a cosy spot to sit in during the day and a bed to sleep on at night, making it the ideal furniture for tiny flats or guest rooms.

Nesting tables may be kept inside one another when not in use, which is a terrific way to maximise space in a living room or bedroom.

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A storage bench is a piece of furniture that serves multiple purposes. It can serve as a seat, a table, or a storage space.

Employ Light Colours

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A small space can feel bigger and brighter by using light colours. A neutral colour scheme would be a good strategy to add colour pops to the walls and flooring.

Darker colours tend to absorb light instead of neutrals, which reflect it, making spaces appear smaller and darker. Lighter colours are a better option for filling a tiny space with colour. A bolder colour scheme might be used for all the walls or just one statement wall in a larger area.

Maximise Storage | Studio Apartment

Design Guidelines: Studio Apartment (11)

In a studio apartment, storage is crucial. Furniture with built-in storage, such as a bed with drawers underneath, and vertical spaces with shelves or cabinets are amazing space savers. Investing in furniture with concealed storage choices is one of the finest methods to increase storage space. Using hidden storage furniture is a clever and useful approach to organise a home while retaining a classy and stylish appearance.

Hidden storage furniture can do wonders, whether a little apartment or a decent-sized house. One may store their stuff out of sight using hidden storage choices, making the area look orderly and clean. Items not frequently used but must be kept on hand can be stored in hidden storage furniture. The ottoman is also a common choice for furniture with concealed storage.

Let In Natural Light

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A room may appear larger and airier when it has natural light. Using sheer curtains or shades may be preferable to utilising thick, light-blocking blinds and curtains. Another tactic is to select doors with windows, allowing more light into the space. Lighter hues, such as light greys, can help open up a tiny area and make it feel bigger.

Another fantastic way to bring natural light into small rooms is through mirrors. They increase the sense of space by reflecting light. Lamp shades should be kept straightforward, and dark colours should be avoided because they can absorb light and make a room appear smaller.

Create Visual Interest | Studio Apartment

Design Guidelines: Studio Apartment (13)

Creating visual interest is vital, even in a tiny area. Consider putting up some artwork, buying a piece of statement furniture, or getting a striking rug to give the room character and flare.

All the unique accents and accessories that entice guests into each section of the little space could occupy and amuse them.

References:

Studio apartment vs. 1-bedroom: Differences & How to choose (no date) Beam Living. Available at: https://www.beamliving.com/guides/renters-guide/studio-vs-1-bedroom-apartments#:~:text=What%20is%20a%20Studio%20Apartment,used%20as%20a%20sleeping%20area. (Accessed: March 13, 2023).

These paint colors can make small spaces appear way larger (2023) House Beautiful. Available at: https://www.housebeautiful.com/room-decorating/colors/g300/paint-small-rooms-0408/ (Accessed: March 13, 2023).

10 small space design secrets from Interior Decorators (2022) MYMOVE. Available at: https://www.mymove.com/home-inspiration/trends/illusions-interior-decorators-create-in-small-spaces/ (Accessed: March 13, 2023).

Pattnaik, D. and Chinurkar, K. (2021) A complete guide to studio apartment, The Design Gesture. Available at: https://thedesigngesture.com/studio-apartment/ (Accessed: March 13, 2023).

5 small studio apartments with beautiful design (2015) Home Designing. Available at: http://www.home-designing.com/2015/12/5-small-studio-apartments-with-beautiful-design (Accessed: March 13, 2023).

How to decorate a studio apartment (2022) The Nordroom. Available at: https://www.thenordroom.com/how-to-design-a-studio-apartment/ (Accessed: March 13, 2023).

Silvia (2023) Studio Apartment Layout Ideas: Your Ultimate Guide to Efficiency Apartment Floor Plans, Decorilla Online Interior Design. Available at: https://www.decorilla.com/online-decorating/studio-apartment-layout-ideas/ (Accessed: March 13, 2023).

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Design Guidelines: Studio Apartment (2024)

FAQs

What is the layout of a studio apartment? ›

A studio apartment, or studio flat, is a living space containing a single main room, plus a bathroom. The main room functions as the kitchen, living room, office, and bedroom for the unit, with no walls separating the rooms.

Is a studio apartment big enough? ›

While the size of the typical studio apartment varies from city to city, renters can usually expect to find a place that's between 400 and 600 square feet. Due to their small size, studios are usually well-suited to a solo occupant; though larger studios and those with an L-shaped floor plan could work for a couple.

What are the disadvantages of a studio apartment? ›

Cons of Studio Apartment

The combined living, sleeping, and dining areas can feel cramped, especially for more than one person. Lack of Privacy: There's little room for privacy in studio apartments. The sleeping area is typically not separated from the living areas, which can be challenging when having guests.

How to make the most out of a studio apartment? ›

Best tips for studio layouts
  1. Carve out zones. ...
  2. Use room dividers to create privacy. ...
  3. Float the sofa to create a divide. ...
  4. Maximize every inch of space. ...
  5. Move the bed as far away from the door as possible. ...
  6. Skip the traditional bed. ...
  7. Choose multifunctional furniture. ...
  8. Bring in poufs for extra seating.

Where is the best place to put a bed in a studio apartment? ›

Ideally it would be placed as far from the door (and also as far from the kitchen) as possible. If there's a little nook or secluded corner in your apartment, that's an ideal spot. 2. Lofting your bed can save you a ton of space, but it is not for the faint of heart.

Is 300 square feet small for a studio? ›

This might seem small, but with clever design and layout, it can comfortably accommodate all the essentials of a home. In practical terms, a 300-square-foot studio apartment could include a small living area, a compact kitchen or kitchenette, a sleeping area or loft bed, and a modest bathroom.

How small is too small for a studio apartment? ›

The thing that distinguishes studio apartments is the lack of a separate bedroom, not square footage. There may be local minimum square feet required for a dwelling, with around 300 square feet in the small range. There is no upper limit. They commonly fall in the 450 to 700 square foot range.

What is the studio apartment concept? ›

The studio apartment is an apartment with a single room. They are also known as single-room dwelling places or studio flats. A studio apartment typically consists of one large room that serves as the combined living, dining, and bedroom.

Why do people love in studio apartments? ›

Studio apartments are a smart choice financially. Because your space is smaller, it will take less time and energy to heat and cool in the winter and summer. It will also take less light to illuminate your space and you will have less room to place electric-sucking gadgets around your apartment.

What is the point of studio apartment? ›

Not only will studios be less expensive to rent than a one-bedroom, but they're also less expensive to heat and cool. This means spending less on utilities and more money in your pocket. Less square footage also means spending less money on furniture.

Is a studio apartment big enough for 2 people? ›

In most cases, you can have a roommate in a studio apartment. Most occupancy standards state that two people per bedroom is acceptable, and a studio apartment is considered to be a self-contained unit with a bedroom.

What defines a studio apartment? ›

A studio apartment, by definition, is a single-room dwelling that combines the bedroom, kitchen, and living area into one large room. The open floor plan does not have walls separating the sleeping and living areas, and the kitchen area may or may not be separated by a wall.

What is the standard area of a studio apartment? ›

A studio apartment may be 350 to 600 square feet in size, a one-bedroom home is typically 550 to 1,000 square feet, a two-bedroom home is 1,000 square feet and up, and a three-bedroom home will be 1,200 square feet and more.

How much space do you need for a studio apartment? ›

Most studio apartments have about 300 to 400 square feet of floor space. This is compared to about 700 to 1,000 square feet for a one bedroom apartment.

How do you section a studio apartment? ›

You can divide up space in a studio apartment using freestanding room dividers such as wood or fabric screens, open bookshelves, temporary walls, or floor-to-ceiling curtains. Another way to create different zones in a single space is to use transforming furniture such as a Murphy bed.

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