When living in a downtown area of a major city, studio apartments are often the most affordable housing option available. While studios may be the most inexpensive apartments you can rent, they offer very little room in terms of living and storage space. Studios often end up looking cluttered and cramped, and finding a way to make them look cozy and welcoming is not always an easy feat. Here are some ideas to help you utilize the small space and decorate your studio apartment to make it feel more like home.
Set Up a Daybed
Since a studio apartment does not have a separate area for a bedroom, you can save space and minimize furniture clutter by trading in your traditional bed for a daybed. A daybed is set up to look like a couch when made, meaning you will not need a couch in your studio.
Suspended Curtains
If you do decide that you want your bed to be separate from the rest of the apartment, the best way to create the illusion of a separate room is by suspending curtains from the ceiling around your bed. This is a decorative way to add privacy to your sleeping quarters, as it will have the appearance of a canopy and will block your bed off from the rest of the space. Choose curtains that match the color and style of the rest of your apartment. You can learn more about hanging curtains from the ceiling here.
Cube Shelves
Cube shelves have a unique look and are more visually interesting than traditional horizontal slat shelves. Cube shelves come in a wide variety of sizes and colors, making them easy to mix and match to decorate your walls and display your belongings.
Storage ottomans work double time to decorate your apartment while storing small items inside. The top of the ottoman pops off to reveal hollow storage space inside of the ottoman. Storage ottomans come in all sorts of colors and sizes, making them easy to match to the rest of your apartment decor for a put together look.
Incorporate Mirrors
Mirrors reflect light to make a small space look and feel larger. Incorporate mirrors into your wall decor to open up the space and make the room feel bigger and less cluttered.
Hang Sheer Draperies
If the room is dark from use of heavy draperies, it will appear small and cramped. While bare windows will make the room look cold and uncomfortable, sheer draperies will make it feel cozy while still allowing plenty of light to get into the apartment.
Light, Glossy Walls
If you are allowed to paint your studio apartment, take advantage of it. Painting the walls is perhaps the easiest way to change the way a space looks. However, when working with a small space it is important to stick to light colors to prevent the room from looking even smaller. Choose a light paint shade and have it mixed with a satin or glossy finish. Gloss finish reflects light, making your studio apartment seem larger.
