20 Studio Apartment Ideas to Furnish Your Pad
Make the most of your small space.
Your new studio apartment may remind you of your college dorm now, but a few carefully planned touches will make it feel like home in no time. Check out our 17 studio apartment ideas to make the most of your small space.
1. Separate, Style & Store With a Dividing Book Case
Divide separate spaces within your studio apartment with an open bookcase with no backing, which can be used to store books and display decor!. The open shelving design allows you to see through the furniture, visually extending the space. This not only helps to make the room appear larger, but also gives you the flexibility to store items on both sides of the shelves.
Traditional room dividers are made from light materials like thin rice paper, which let light through and make the space appear more open. We love using this traditional decor piece in a modern studio to divide your space into assigned sections. Choose from materials like wood, bamboo, or metal, and select how many panels you want.
For a room divider that’s more flexible, you can suspend curtains across the room. Use a heavy-duty wire or a tension rod, depending on the width of the space. You can either keep these curtains closed for privacy or tie them off to keep the area open.
Tip!
Create more privacy for your bed by installing a DIY ceiling-suspended bed canopy! Learn how with our guide on How to Make a Canopy Bed.
Designate separate spaces with corresponding area rugs. Give each area its own flooring to help divide the open space into smaller areas like your living room, bedroom, and workspace. Use area rugs that match your preferred aesthetic or style like modern, boho, or traditional.
Similar to using a rug to divide your space, use different wallcoverings on your studio’s walls to help denote different rooms. Use an Accent wall, or mural to denote your kitchen area, living room area, or sleeping area. Don’t be afraid to get wild with patterns or bold colors. Peel-and-stick wallpaper is rental-friendly, so why not try a botanical, geometric, or animal print wallpaper, depending on the aesthetic you’re hoping to portray in your new home.
With limited square footage, it’s important to keep your studio’s floors as clear as possible to help the space appear seamless. Keep any potential knickknacks or items you’d place on a piece of furniture on the ground elevated with floating shelves.
Take away the stress of fitting in a clunky console table and just mount your TV on the wall. For more coverage, opt for a swivel mount so you can see the TV whether you’re sitting in bed or making dinner. If your wall space – or budget – is tight, you can also set up a projector to stream your favorite movies and shows rather than investing in a TV.
Smaller apartments don’t often come with a lot of overhead lighting, and while it’s tempting to fix that with a standing lamp, remember you’re trying to save floor space. Instead, hang string lights around the perimeter of your space to offer an all-over glow. If you need lighting that’s more concentrated, you can hang a pendant light that doesn’t need to be hardwired or set up small table lamps for plenty of layered light.
Taking advantage of secret storage furniture is a great way to reduce clutter in your small studio while maximizing the space you do have. Lift-top coffee tables are great for storage and can double as a workspace since they are height-adjustable. Use a storage coffee table to stash reading material, TV remotes, or board games and puzzles to break out when you have guests.
Carry the previous secret storage tip over into your sleeping space by adding a storage bench at the end of your bed. Keep seasonal items like bulky winter coats or extra shoes stored neatly out of the way, while also giving yourself an extra surface to sit down.
Finding the right dining table can be a challenge when dealing with studio apartment square footage. Opt for a folding dining table to give you some extra space when you have guests vs. dining solo.
If you work from home, you’ll likely need a space to work that offers storage, but may not have the space for a long desk. Make use of vertical space with a leaning ladder desk that props against a wall and stores your supplies and papers above you to keep the sides of your desk free. These desks are designed to be compact while giving you even more storage space – ideal for a studio apartment.
Don’t let your studio keep you from having guests. Opt for a futon sofa or daybed that functions as a sofa during the day and another sleeping space at night. A trundle bed is another great option to offer friends a place to stay over.
Tip!
Learn the differences between types of multifunctional seating and which one is best for your space with our guide: Daybed vs. Futon: What's the Difference?
Mirrors help a space appear larger by reflecting light and creating the illusion of more open space. Hang an accent mirror as a decorative touch that also adds depth and creates an interesting focal point. You can also go for a large full-length mirror, either mounted on the wall or leaned up against it.
Make your studio apartment more of a home by expressing your personal style with wall art and accents. Create a gallery wall with a pre-arranged set you love or curate your own arrangement with the perfect mix of wall art, accents, and personal photos you love to show off.
Studio apartment kitchens can sometimes feel lacking when it comes to appliances and counter space. Only display the small kitchen appliances you know you’ll use almost every day to help you enjoy your tiny kitchen. Airfryers, toaster ovens, and microwaves are great for preparing meals if you don’t have a full-size range or oven. A mini fridge may be all you need to store your essentials, while a coffee maker or electric kettle will be well worth the counter space if you need caffeine to start your morning.
One benefit of living in a studio apartment is that you can easily cool your entire space during the summer with a portable fan or air conditioner. This is especially important if you have pets living with you! Prop a fan on the table, mount it on a wall, or install a portable air conditioning unit in the window to keep quickly cool down your apartment when needed.
