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bedroom space in studio apartment with a bed, nightstand and bookshelf

Tips & Tricks for Maximizing Space in a Studio Apartment

Wishing your tiny apartment was less cramped? Maximize space in a studio apartment with these design, layout, storage, and furniture ideas. No matter your preferred style or budget, here are some tips and tricks for living in a studio apartment!

Eliminate Clutter

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The simplest space-saving idea for small apartments is to frequently declutter any unnecessary items. The fewer belongings you have, the larger your studio apartment will feel! You can also use decluttering methods like the classic KonMari Method or the Four Box Method.

Define the Space

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Think about how your studio apartment needs to function on a daily basis. Is hosting guests a weekly affair? Will you need your home to double as an office space? Depending upon your particular needs, adopt studio apartment design ideas that dedicate the most square footage to your primary uses. A great idea for creating a multi-functional studio apartment layout is by dividing your space into separate areas or mini rooms!

Try Minimalist Design

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Clean lines and zero clutter are staples of a minimalist home. Over-decorating and maximalist design will shrink your already-small living space, so using minimalist design elements in your bedroom, living room, kitchen, or bathroom can help you maximize space in a small apartment. Go the extra mile and consider becoming a minimalist! Because this lifestyle places an emphasis on the longevity of items, you can cut down on “fast furniture” items that you’d have to regularly replace.

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Keep Furniture Against the Wall

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Wondering how to maximize space in a studio apartment? Keep as much floor space open as possible! Arranging furniture against the wall will help prevent roadblocks and leave more room for activities. Strategically design your space using a feng shui layout and directions to promote chi flow. Of course, you can still bring your personal touch to empty floor space with your favorite area rug!

Opt for Semi-Open Furniture

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Don’t let dense, bulky furniture block you from moving around your space. The best furniture for small spaces has exposed legs or bases that you can see through. Bookshelves, dressers, nightstands, and other partially open pieces leave room for white space and expand the feeling of openness in your studio.

Use Mirrors in Your Small Apartment

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Reflective surfaces create the illusion of a taller and wider studio apartment. Whether you want to expand your bedroom area or open up a cramped living room, mirrors will broaden your small studio apartment. Plus, mirrors reflect light, making your studio feel spacious and airy. Try incorporating floor-to-ceiling mirrors, a mirror wall, or a well-positioned mirror near a window to help create space in your studio apartment—even if it’s an illusion.

Limit Your Statement Pieces

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Wondering how to decorate a studio apartment to make it seem bigger? Pick a couple of pieces that really stand out! A bold bedspread, a retro couch, some brightly potted plants, or an eye-catching light fixture can enhance your studio apartment decor without overwhelming your tiny area. You could even try installing a colorful or patterned accent wall, which minimizes your need for actual apartment decor pieces.

Get More Space with Multiple Levels

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How can you make your bedroom area stand out in a studio apartment? Create the appearance of separate rooms by adding levels! Create natural division with raised furniture, like a platform bed with steps. Loft your bed and leave the space underneath for a desk or couch. Or look into studio apartment storage hacks like a day bed with built-in storage—which won’t sacrifice square footage!

Use a Murphy Bed or Desk

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While living in a studio apartment, consider investing in a Murphy bed, cabinet bed, and other Murphy furniture. Installing a bed, desk, or table that can be easily folded back into a wall, closet, or bookshelf will open up space for entertaining, working, and any other activities! Pick fold-out furniture to help maximize your apartment space.

Invest in Storage Furniture

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The best furniture for studio apartments is versatile. From under-bed storage to benches and ottomans that open up, choose multi-purpose furniture with hidden storage. This can even extend to your apartment decor! Hollow decorations are great pieces to include in a small studio apartment for storing odds and ends, or you can try unique hidden storage ideas like hollow end tables, stackable chairs, tables, or a hideaway office cabinet.

Embrace a Limited Color Scheme

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Not sure how to decorate a studio apartment? Keep designs bright, airy, and consistent with a limited color palette! Light colors can make your room feel bigger—while having one wall that’s painted a dark color can make the furniture in your space pop! Or you can choose paint colors for your studio that are trendy for a more modern feel. Additionally, using similar colors across all of your apartment walls will connect your space and keep it from looking cramped.

Let Natural Light In

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Expand any small living space by inviting natural light in! Maximizing space in a studio apartment is as easy as leaving window space open and unobstructed. If privacy is an issue in your building, opt for lightweight curtains that still let sunlight into your studio apartment. If your windows aren’t in optimal locations, you can also use mirrors to reflect natural light to where you want it!

Utilize Vertical Space

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Visually creating depth by focusing on height is a simple studio apartment decorating idea. Emphasizing tall ceilings in a small apartment can stretch your space. You can also elongate your studio apartment with floor-to-ceiling curtains and shelves. Or, maximize space in a small apartment with hanging decor like plants, artwork, and decorative lights.

Add Furniture to the Foot of Your Bed

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When planning your studio apartment layout, use the foot of your bed to position a dresser, desk, bookshelf, or couch. Some beds even come with built-in or roll-out storage options. This is also the perfect spot to place large storage baskets or a storage bench that can double as extra seating for when you’re hosting guests in your small apartment!

Install Open Shelving

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Some storage furniture with opaque drawers and doors can take up a lot of visual room in a small apartment. Master studio apartment organization while also creating a display for home decor with floating shelves. Floating shelves can also make items easily accessible in areas like your kitchen and living room. If you already have set closet space, you can create this same open effect by removing your closet doors.

Buy a Room Divider

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Fuse division and style with studio apartment dividers! Room dividers can come in all different shapes and sizes, so pick a style that matches your other decor. Another great tip for maximizing space in a studio apartment is to install a room partition made from glass, mirrors, or other reflective or clear materials that will allow light to travel throughout your small living space.

Build Custom Furniture

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One of the best small studio apartment ideas is to go custom. Building your own Murphy desk, shelving, and space-saving furniture to fit the unique dimensions of your flat will make studio apartment organization a breeze! Build your own pull-out cabinets for a conveniently hidden storage idea. Convert an open wall into a bookcase. Another great, sustainable DIY apartment decor idea is upcycling old furniture into new pieces with different functions. This saves you from having to buy brand new furniture for your studio apartment.

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Maximizing Space - Tips & Tricks for a Studio Apartment