How to Decorate a Studio Apartment With Ease
Simple tips and tricks for decorating a studio apartment.
Knowing how to decorate a studio apartment can make your rental feel more like a home. From choosing the right rug size to hanging wall mirrors, we've gathered a list of tips and tricks that you can use to elevate your space with comfort and style. Keep reading to find affordable ways to make decorating a studio apartment easy.
Tip!
Need help picking the right furniture for your studio? Check out our guide How to Furnish a Studio Apartment to find space-saving ideas.
1. Reflect Natural Light
If one of your decorating goals is to make your studio apartment appear more spacious, using mirrors is a top design trick. Mirrors reflect natural light, so the space often feels brighter and more inviting. They also reflect the inside of your apartment, which can create an illusion that your apartment feels larger than it is. Lean a long floor-length mirror to brighten your studio, or hang a wall mirror above a dresser to create a spot for getting ready.
The right lighting is an effective way to boost the ambience of your apartment. Even if your apartment has unsightly flush mounts, there are easy ways to incorporate mood lighting without having to replace existing fixtures. For a simple fix that you can move from one spot to another, a table lamp is an excellent option. Table lamps are affordable, require no installation, and come in a wide variety of designs to match your aesthetic.
If you're looking to add ambience overhead, try adding a swag light to your space. These ceiling fixtures don't need to be hardwired – instead, the cord-and-plug configuration makes it easy to install. Simply install a hook into the ceiling or wall, fasten the cord to the hook, and plug the light into an outlet. These simple and chic pendant lights are perfect for illuminating a dining nook or adding a warm glow above a bed.
Tip!
Pair your lamps or swag lights with smart light bulbs for optimal convenience. These light bulbs can be connected to an app for a seamless experience where you can remotely turn the lights on and off, adjust the brightness, and switch the color of the light.
Throw pillows are another simple way to infuse your space with color, texture, and pattern (especially if you have a neutral sofa). They're affordable and easy to switch up when you're ready to try a new style or are prepping for a new season. Amp up the coziness with a soft throw blanket. Either keep your throw blankets draped over the side of your sofa for quick access, or tuck the folded throws in a storage ottoman for a double-duty space saver.
With limited wall space, you might think that smaller wall art is better. However, hanging one piece large art can add a grand feel to your space and avoid the feeling of visual clutter. The single piece works as a focal point above a sofa, bed, or console table and provides a chic backdrop for your studio.
Area rugs are a great (and cozy) way to keep different areas of your studio separate. This helps you make various zones for sleeping, eating, or lounging without disrupting the sight lines of your space. Roll out a soft area rug to define your living room, lay a rug under your dining table for a makeshift dining nook, or place a rug beneath your bed to create separation from the rest of the studio.
To ensure the rug feels proportional, make sure to measure the space you plan on placing the rug or the pieces of furniture that will be paired with the rug. Read our guide How to Choose the Right Rug Sizes to find diagrams for each type of zone in your studio, from the living area to the bedroom.
Just because you're decorating a studio apartment, doesn't mean you have to be afraid of patterns. Removable wallpaper is a great way to infuse your space with color and pattern without the commitment. Plus, it comes in a wide variety of stylish designs so that you can switch up the look of your studio whenever you want. Start small with a patterned accent wall behind a bed, or take the leap and wallpaper your entire studio for all-over style.
Because your space is limited, it's important to think creatively when it comes to storage and decor. Keep surfaces like your desk or coffee table clutter-free by hanging wall shelves. You can use the shelves to stash important items (like keeping your keys by the front door) or to display your favorite trinkets. Best of all, wall shelves make it easy to swap out your decor so that you can always stay on trend.
The bed is often the focal point of a studio since it takes up the most space. So why not make a statement with your bedding? Whether you've found a duvet cover you love or you're starting from scratch, try to build your bedding setup around a color palette or a theme to keep the layers cohesive. In the photo above, we love how the focus on primary colors adds a vibrant touch to the studio apartment.
Tip!
If you want to learn how to style layers of patterned bedding, read our guide How to Style Patterned Bedding With 7 Simple Tips.
9. Go for a Gallery Wall
Gallery walls are another chic way to experiment with scale and show off your personal style. With so many styles, themes, and configurations, the options for gallery walls are endless. To make it even better, your gallery wall can be an ever-evolving part of your studio apartment by swapping out photos and prints. Check out our guide How to Make a Gallery Wall to find step-by-step tips on building your own.
Plants are the perfect addition to liven up your space. They're known to improve air quality, boost your mood, and reduce stress levels. Not to mention, the bright green hue works as the perfect pop of color. Stick with small houseplants to line your windowsill or top your nightstand, or tuck a tree in a sunny corner of your studio to add some height and leafy dimension.
Tip!
Don't worry if you don't have a green thumb. Faux plants and trees can help you achieve the same look without any of the gardening know-how.
