10 Studio Apartment Decorating Ideas to Maximize Style and Space

Decorating a studio apartment can feel overwhelming at first, but fear not – it is possible and can be fun and exciting! Explore these 10 studio apartment decorating ideas and you will get inspiration and knowledge on how to turn your small studio apartment into a city haven.

Choose the right furniture for the space

In a small space, like a studio apartment, smart room arrangement is the key element to make a space feel homey and functional. And part of that is choosing the right furniture for the place. Usually, multifunctional or custom-made furniture pieces are the way to go.

Multifunctional furniture

The main benefit of multifunctional furniture for a small studio apartment is that it saves space – you can utilize one spot for different purposes. For example, the breakfast table can also be a workstation and a dining table.

Other examples of multipurpose furniture:

• The sofa bed. It can be a couch during the day, but a bed during the night.
• Couch and bed with storage. If you choose a couch and bed to be separate, the couch and the bed can have built-in storage underneath. That way you are “sitting” on your stuff and you don’t need a separate closet for some items.
• Other hidden storage options. That includes a coffee table with a lift-top or an ottoman with storage.
• Foldable furniture. It can be a dining table that folds when not in use or foldable chairs that are easily stored once you don’t need them anymore.

Custom-made furniture

Custom-made furniture is perfect to fit your studio space exactly. That way you can utilize weird corners and inclined ceilings as well as the space under the stairs or the extra small space beside the toilet.

It may feel pricey at first to get custom-made furniture but you will feel like a winner when you can live in a small space clutter-free. To make the process easier, here are some tips on how to reduce the price of custom-made furniture:

•  DIY or do it yourself. Create some custom furniture pieces yourself! Add a shelf somewhere or make a table from scratch if you are crafty.
• Utilize IKEA supply. IKEA often has some creative options for small spaces. You can gain inspiration from their products or maybe you will find a perfect solution there. They have many convertible pieces. You can also adjust the furniture yourself – add something that you need or remove some elements that don’t fit your space.
• Invest in some pieces, save on others. You don’t have to get everything custom-made. Look around and choose furniture that you need to get custom-made (otherwise nothing else would fit). That might include a built-in kitchen or a shelving unit for that awkward space in the entryway. But most likely you don’t need a custom-made coffee table, bookshelves, or chairs.

Define your space with clever zoning techniques

A studio apartment is one large (or small) open space. There are no separate rooms (except for the bathroom) and all the living areas are crammed into one room. That means you cook, sleep, relax, work, and entertain guests all in one room. It can get challenging to keep things separate to have the right mindset for the activity. And that’s where zoning comes in.

“Zoning” means that you separate the one open space you have with different elements that are not walls. Let’s see what are some good techniques how to do that!

Freestanding shelves

If there is enough room, you can use freestanding shelves as separators. That way you get two in one – extra shelving and a divided room. For example, a freestanding bookcase can divide a living area from a bedroom area. The zones you separate with freestanding shelves can differ – it all depends on your needs and preferences.

Wallpaper

Using wallpaper is one of the most stylish studio apartment decor ideas for zoning. The wallpaper creates separate areas without overcrowding the space with extra furniture. It is also great for setting a mood and adding a personality to your apartment. You can choose several wallpaper patterns or use just one as an accent. See what works best for your place!

To get you started, below are some wallpaper pattern ideas for the most common areas – bedroom, living area, work zone, and kitchen.

Bedroom area studio apartment wallpaper ideas

Woodlands Wallpaper – This dark gray and black wallpaper with golden stars that look like a dreamy night sky is perfect for the bedroom area.

Orchard House Wallpaper – The golden semicircle fans in ArtDeco style have a calming and relaxing effect.

Living area studio apartment wallpaper ideas

Framed Shapes Wallpaper – The colorblocking style of this geometrical wallpaper creates a perfect focal point for a living area.

Magnolias in The Sun Wallpaper – This nice, bright, and sunny wallpaper will bring that extra sparkle to the fun conversation on the couch.

Working area studio apartment wallpaper ideas

Abstract Waves Wallpaper – The white background is perfect for a bright working area while the wavy lines offer a structure in a creative way.

Floral Blooms Wallpaper – This colorful and playful wallpaper is great to inspire for work on gloomy days.

Kitchen area studio apartment wallpaper ideas

Orange Zest Wallpaper – A food theme for the kitchen area is always a good idea. This colorful wallpaper will also add a pop of color!

Blue Poppy Wallpaper – This wallpaper that mimics white and blue tiles will give a very fresh and crisp look to your kitchen area.

Think vertically – utilize walls for storage and decor

Even if the square footage of your studio apartment is limited, there is definitely enough vertical space to explore. In some cases, you even get raised ceilings – that means you can really look creatively at the space you have! Vertical storage and decor are excellent studio apartment decorating ideas that maximize functionality while adding flair. 

What to do with vertical space? Here are some ideas:

• Make a loft bedroom. If you have very high ceilings, create a loft for your bedroom!
• Vertical storage. Use all the wall space for storage. Don’t just settle for the cabinets and closets you can reach, look up and have some high storage options for rarely used items.
• Decor. Use walls as the main place for the decor! Hang paintings, posters, and other items.
• Pegboards. Pegboards are great for multifunctional storage because you can easily change it up to your evolving needs.

Choose a light and cohesive color palette

If your studio apartment is small, choose the wall color wisely. Keep in mind that light colors reflect light more and that visually opens the space up. If you choose a dark tone for the walls, it might make the space appear even smaller and cave-like. 

If you really want a touch of dark aesthetics, you can go for a feature wall with an elegant and enticing black wallpaper or opt for a luxury, dark bathroom. 

For those exploring studio apartment decor ideas, light wallpapers with subtle patterns can add texture without overwhelming the space. For example: 

• Curved Lines Wallpaper in Latte color – Simple wallpaper that will give a touch of personality and design to a place but won’t make it feel overwhelming.
• Old Sport Wallpaper – This circle and semicircle wallpaper is perfect to add texture but keep it simple, minimalistic, and light.
• William Morris X Acorn Wallpaper in White – A vintage print that feels modern will give a space a good revival and freshness.

Opt for smart storage solutions

Storage in a small studio apartment is very important. You want to have all the items you need, but you don’t want the space to be cluttered. Aside from choosing multipurpose and custom-made furniture, you can explore some additional studio apartment decorating ideas for storage.

Smart storage solutions for a small studio apartment:

• Use slim hangers. An underrated way how to add extra space in the closet – more slim hangers will let you hang almost twice the clothes!
• Baskets. Have baskets on the floor for bulky items like blankets, books, toys, knitting, and so on.
• Use closet doors. Add narrow shelves for small items on the closet or cabinet doors. It can be used for accessories in the wardrobe or for spices in the kitchen.
• Floating shelves + hanging rack.Use the floating shelf in the kitchen not only for storage but also for hanging your pots and pans. A double win!
• Use containers to organize your things. You will be surprised how much more you can store on a shelf when it is organized. As a last resort, you can always stack containers on top of each other to have even more storage!
• Rolling tiered cart. You can store different items on the cart plus it can act as an extra coffee table. Because it is rolling, you can easily move it around and move it out of the way!

Add personality with decor

Even in a small studio apartment you can express your personality and decorate the space. Use decor that you can add to the walls or decor that is multipurpose. For example, you can get colorful towels and display them in the bathroom in a basket and not hide away in the closet. That way you get extra space in the closet and a cool decor element for the bathroom.

You can also add decorative blankets, pillows, and a rug to the living area. They all serve a purpose as well as add texture and dimension to your place.

Last but not least, wallpaper is one of the best ways how to decorate a small studio apartment. Use it to express your interests, style, and taste. You can hang wallpaper on the walls or use it in creative ways, for example, as a backdrop for shelves or as a top for a coffee table.

Go big with mirrors

To make a small space feel bigger, mirrors are one of the best ways how to do that. They reflect light from the windows and brighten up the space immediately. They also reflect the room making it feel like there is another room where the mirror is. Even though it is an illusion, it still visually makes the room feel more spacious.

To have this effect, use floor-length mirrors and smaller mirrors hanging on the wall.

Maximizing natural and artificial lighting

If the space has just a few windows, make sure you don’t cover them with curtains. Let the light come in and illuminate the room! You can abandon sheer curtains overall and just add heavy curtains for nighttime. 

As for artificial lighting, add different options to create a layered lighting effect. To avoid clutter on the floor, add wall lamps, sconces, and built-in lighting.

Incorporate greenery for a fresh touch

Plants are always a good idea! Greenery is a natural fit for creative studio apartment decor ideas. 

For decorating a small studio apartment, choose smaller plants and when possible opt for hanging plants. You can even mount hanging pots to the ceiling. Plants will refresh the place with fresh oxygen as well as add some liveliness to the room.

If you don’t enjoy taking care of plants, there are now plenty of perfectly good-looking fake plants. It is a great option not only for those who don’t want to take care of plants but also for those who travel a lot or who don’t have a lot of natural light in the apartment. Fake plants are also great for places that usually don’t have windows like entryways or bathrooms.

Keep it minimal

When it comes to living in a small space, you have to be aware of your living space. It means you cannot bring in everything you want if you don’t want to clutter the apartment. You have to be smart and prioritize.

Small spaces are perfect for minimalists. They encourage this type of lifestyle for those who want to keep their belongings to a minimal amount. Minimalism and small spaces also encourage you to look for creative solutions and choose quality over quantity. 

However, minimalism doesn’t mean the space cannot be bright, colorful, and fun! It definitely can. It just means that you will find new ways how to express your personality.

In conclusion

A small studio apartment can feel spacious and hold plenty of your items if you choose your items wisely. From furniture and accessories to storage solutions and item count. Don’t be anxious, it is possible to live big in a small space! Just incorporate these studio apartment decorating ideas and you will find peace and coziness in your small studio.