11 Ingenious Ways to Maximise Space in a Studio Apartment
Follow these tried and tested methods to get more out of studio apartment layout
Whether by choice or by fate, if you find yourself living in a tiny apartment in a big city, you would be hard put to accommodate yourself and all your belongings in the less than 500 square feet of space usually available, unless you’ve trained to be an ascetic. But it’s home, and nothing beats having your own space, no matter the size. If the said apartment comes with an abundance of natural light and an open, airy ambiance, that is half the battle won. The other half can be conquered by incorporating some or all of these tips.
A classic idea for a small studio apartment design is to have a desk situated inside a cupboard. This is another handy space-saving trick. It has lighting, lots of storage above for work supplies and enough space underneath to stash the stool when not in use. The whole set up is fronted by mirrored cupboard doors. Another hidden piece: that’s a wall bed behind the sofa. Who would have thought?
2. Create distinct zones without partitions
Create the illusion of more space by forming discreet boundaries between spaces used for different purposes. Whatever its size, think carefully about positioning your furniture and experiment with different studio apartment layout ideas to create distinct eating, sleeping and living areas. Here, the back of the sofa sections off the dining area, while a rug defines the living room.
Tip: Evoke ‘rooms’ by using a cleverly placed piece of furniture, a curtain or even a large TV.
Create the illusion of more space by forming discreet boundaries between spaces used for different purposes. Whatever its size, think carefully about positioning your furniture and experiment with different studio apartment layout ideas to create distinct eating, sleeping and living areas. Here, the back of the sofa sections off the dining area, while a rug defines the living room.
Tip: Evoke ‘rooms’ by using a cleverly placed piece of furniture, a curtain or even a large TV.
3. Go vertical
A great trick for small or studio apartment owners, wall-mounted joinery is the easiest way to add storage, save space, and even give the illusion of a larger room. This is hugely effective in a kitchen – the place where you need the most storage. In this kitchen, even the oddly shaped space to the left of the wall cupboards has been put to use by inserting tiny shelves.
A great trick for small or studio apartment owners, wall-mounted joinery is the easiest way to add storage, save space, and even give the illusion of a larger room. This is hugely effective in a kitchen – the place where you need the most storage. In this kitchen, even the oddly shaped space to the left of the wall cupboards has been put to use by inserting tiny shelves.
This smart kitchen shows how to have lots of cupboard space by making the most of every bit of wall space. The lower wall units sit under the countertop and the cupboards above go all the way to the ceiling.
Tip: Split your wall units into two sections, with the lower space for frequently used items and higher storage for those things that aren’t needed so often.
Tip: Split your wall units into two sections, with the lower space for frequently used items and higher storage for those things that aren’t needed so often.
4. Use an even-toned palette
It can be tricky to create harmony in a space when you’re trying to squeeze in so much, particularly if different areas have very different functions, as here. A great way to zone a space while keeping it fuss-free is to choose a colour palette and simply vary the tones for each zone, so they are distinct but harmonious. The different shades of grey here (though not 50) create a soothing and expansive effect.
It can be tricky to create harmony in a space when you’re trying to squeeze in so much, particularly if different areas have very different functions, as here. A great way to zone a space while keeping it fuss-free is to choose a colour palette and simply vary the tones for each zone, so they are distinct but harmonious. The different shades of grey here (though not 50) create a soothing and expansive effect.
5. Mirror, mirror on the wall…
The oldest trick in the interior design book – create space-enhancing magic with mirrors. An easy way to make your studio flat appear bigger and brighter is by strategically placing mirrors about your space. Try hanging or leaning a large mirror on the wall, preferably opposite a window – this will maximise natural light and open up the room.
The oldest trick in the interior design book – create space-enhancing magic with mirrors. An easy way to make your studio flat appear bigger and brighter is by strategically placing mirrors about your space. Try hanging or leaning a large mirror on the wall, preferably opposite a window – this will maximise natural light and open up the room.
6. Use multifunctional furniture
In a small living room, each piece of furniture should earn its keep. Think retractable tables, ottomans that work as a coffee table or extra seating, nesting side tables that can be moved around as needed or versatile little stools that can be seats or tables. Here, two large, low ottomans double as coffee tables and seats.
In a small living room, each piece of furniture should earn its keep. Think retractable tables, ottomans that work as a coffee table or extra seating, nesting side tables that can be moved around as needed or versatile little stools that can be seats or tables. Here, two large, low ottomans double as coffee tables and seats.
The shelving unit in this flat works as a display unit, storage facility and room divider. The two-way bookshelf offers display space on both sides, makes for a pretty screen and, unlike a more traditional partition wall, doesn’t stop light filtering through, either.
7. Maximise seating with a modular sofa
Sectional seating helps you make the most of a tiny living room, letting you add as many or as few pieces as the studio apartment plan will allow. A corner set-up not only boosts the space allocated for sitting, but creates a cosy nook for social gatherings.
Sectional seating helps you make the most of a tiny living room, letting you add as many or as few pieces as the studio apartment plan will allow. A corner set-up not only boosts the space allocated for sitting, but creates a cosy nook for social gatherings.
8. Built-ins are your best friend
Desks can eat up space, so opting for a built-in solution can be a simple way of creating the surface space you need in the most minimal way possible. This wall unit provides a home office, with the desk extending seamlessly from the shelving unit to the wall, with no legs required.
Desks can eat up space, so opting for a built-in solution can be a simple way of creating the surface space you need in the most minimal way possible. This wall unit provides a home office, with the desk extending seamlessly from the shelving unit to the wall, with no legs required.
This tiny bathroom has made the most of one wall for built-in storage with open shelves and cupboards from floor to ceiling. The bright blue adds a Mediterranean dash of colour in an otherwise white space.
Bathrooms that make the most of less space
Bathrooms that make the most of less space
9. Keep it symmetrical
In a small space, an ordered design can make the room appear neat and organised. Symmetry is an easy way to achieve this. Here, the room’s most important elements have been arranged symmetrically. The space feels balanced and your eye moves easily from one side of the room to the other, which makes it look bigger.
In a small space, an ordered design can make the room appear neat and organised. Symmetry is an easy way to achieve this. Here, the room’s most important elements have been arranged symmetrically. The space feels balanced and your eye moves easily from one side of the room to the other, which makes it look bigger.
10. Build a mezzanine…
If you are lucky enough to have a high ceiling, an in-between mezzanine floor or loft for your bed is a fantastic way to increase the floor space. In this apartment, moving the bedroom to a higher level has allowed the flat’s living area to be made into a larger space – the sort of spatial luxury that really makes a difference in a studio apartment.
Tour a small studio apartment with a mezzanine bedroom
If you are lucky enough to have a high ceiling, an in-between mezzanine floor or loft for your bed is a fantastic way to increase the floor space. In this apartment, moving the bedroom to a higher level has allowed the flat’s living area to be made into a larger space – the sort of spatial luxury that really makes a difference in a studio apartment.
Tour a small studio apartment with a mezzanine bedroom
11. …Or build a faux mezzanine
Sometimes a raised platform is the cleverest way to create a sleeping den out of a pocket-sized space or unusual-shaped room. If so, then ensure you make the most of the faux mezzanine by working in storage underneath the bed’s platform.
Read more:
How to Live Large in a Small Apartment
Tell us:
What are the small-apartment hacks you have used? Share them with us in Comments below.
Sometimes a raised platform is the cleverest way to create a sleeping den out of a pocket-sized space or unusual-shaped room. If so, then ensure you make the most of the faux mezzanine by working in storage underneath the bed’s platform.
Read more:
How to Live Large in a Small Apartment
Tell us:
What are the small-apartment hacks you have used? Share them with us in Comments below.
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Hiding away furniture that is used only at night or for fixed hours, frees up space for the rest of the day for other activities. Murphy beds are a boon for small apartments and the ideal way to transform a living space into a bedroom at the flick of a wrist. Here, the owner set up a giant blue pivoting door to shut the bed in, but nowadays, pull-down beds come with sleek options which don’t need extra shutters to hide the back of the folded-up bed.