The studio apartment has several features, the main one being the absence of walls and partitions between rooms. This type of living space is small in size and low in price, so it is best suited for one person or a small family. The exterior of the studios looks light and spacious even with a small room size. Disadvantages include a limited selection of furniture and styles, as well as poor ventilation.
Rules for decorating a studio apartment with your own hands
When creating a design for a studio, you should adhere to the following rules:
- it is mandatory to have a project with drawings: without it it is extremely difficult to place furniture in a limited space;
- prefer modern interior styles with an emphasis on functionality;
- the dominant shades are light, but not necessarily classic white;
- exclude large elements, be it a large painting or a massive kitchen set;
- the use of glass, metal, and reflective surfaces is encouraged;
- Clear but unobtrusive zoning is required.
At the preliminary stage, it is recommended to draw up a detailed design plan. This will help you think through non-obvious details, evaluate the compatibility of decoration and furniture, and visualize an approximate picture of the finished interior.
Popular design styles
Small studios converted from small apartments use literally every centimeter. In this case, the main task must be fulfilled - providing free space. For such options, modern styles are suitable - hi-tech or minimalism.
Living spaces with a large area can use other styles. Classics with massive furniture and chic design remain in demand at all times. Modernism attracts with its originality. It is often combined with the eco-style that is popular today.
Young people often prefer ethnic Scandinavian interiors with Loft elements. Extraordinary personalities who love to philosophize choose oriental sketches. Provence echoes rustic motifs.
Room layout and design choice
Before renovation begins, the studio apartment is divided into several functional zones. The main difficulty of the design is to think through the interior and functionality of each of them separately, while simultaneously combining all areas into a harmonious composition.
Kitchen
The kitchen area is separated from the rest of the space by a partition, furniture, or zoned using finishing. In a studio apartment, a good choice would be built-in and multifunctional appliances: dishwasher, electric oven, multicooker. The space on the walls is not left empty, but is used to place wall cabinets for storing dishes and kitchen utensils.
The dining table and chairs are chosen to be compact. Leave a minimal amount of decor so as not to create a feeling of clutter and disorder in a small space.
Living room
This area is separated by a sofa or a small wardrobe. A TV is placed opposite: it can be hung on the wall or installed on a cabinet or in a wall cabinet. If space allows, place a coffee table and an armchair nearby. On the wall nearby there are hanging shelves for books and various personal items. For small apartments, they often buy a folding sofa - then the living room area is transformed into a bedroom.
Sleeping area
The sleeping area is most often placed in the corner of the studio, hidden behind an additional partition or curtain. A cabinet is placed nearby, and shelving is hung on the walls. In small apartments they use built-in beds that are hidden in the wall during the day. In more spacious studios, the sleeping area is separated by a high podium. Drawers are built inside for compact storage of linen and personal items.
Bathroom
The bathroom in studio apartments is most often small, combined, and rectangular in shape. Compact plumbing is suitable for it: a toilet with an installation system, a built-in sink, a shower corner or a cubicle. The option with a sit-down or corner bath looks good. The dryer and washing machine are placed on top of each other to save space. The remaining part of the bathroom is reserved for shelves, cabinets and other devices for storing personal belongings. Additionally, various hangers and holders are placed on the walls.
Hallway
The entrance area in studios is often small and narrow. It is enough to place the most necessary items in it: a wall mirror, several hooks for outerwear, a shoe stand. If the layout allows, you can install a wardrobe that effectively uses the space near the wall.
Other zones
If a child lives in the apartment, a children's area is needed. Multi-tiered furniture is ideal for her: there is a desk at the bottom and a bed at the top. The ladder along which the child climbs up contains retractable drawers for storing small items. A closet is installed nearby, the upper shelves of which are reserved for clothes and personal items, and the lower shelves for toys.
An adult’s workplace is organized according to a similar scheme. The upper zone is occupied by a bed, the lower zone is a functional zone (painting easel, home recording studio or desktop with a computer). The disadvantage of this option is that it is not suitable for large double beds.
Design project development
The studio's design project is quite suitable for decorating a small room in a dorm or remodeling a cramped one-room apartment. The living room is combined with the kitchen, and if there is a balcony, with it too. There is only a compact bathroom in a separate room.
Here they provide:
- the most compact, comfortable, ergonomic furniture;
- light, thin zoning elements;
- many mirrors;
- light finish;
- lack of volumetric decor.
In a room with a ceiling height of three or more meters, a second “floor” can be easily organized, where a bedroom, storage space and even an office are located. An insulated balcony is also used for these purposes.
With the help of mirrors, proper lighting, and a monochromatic light design, the space visually expands.
Interior of a small studio apartment
The main emphasis when decorating a small studio is on expanding the space and its economical use. It is worth abandoning any bulky and impractical items.
The decor is mainly used on the wall, so as not to clutter up the limited space. They prefer folding furniture: a transforming sofa, a table with a set of ottoman chairs hidden under it, an ironing board built into the closet, etc.
Furniture arrangement
When arranging furniture in a studio, there are two main options:
— Place all cabinets, sofas and tables along the walls as much as possible. This will free up space in the center of the apartment. For example, if you need a place to train or meet guests.
— Use an island layout. This scheme is suitable for zoned premises. Select a separate soft corner, sleeping area, work area, etc.
Fashionable style solutions
Simple, minimalistic styles without emphasis on details and decorations are suitable for decorating a studio. All zone-rooms are designed strictly according to one design direction, forming a single harmonious space throughout the apartment.
Loft
In this style, the emphasis is on naturalness and practicality, bordering on rudeness. Bare brick walls with plaster instead of wallpaper, straight, simple forms in the design of furniture and decor, products made from untreated wood and stone are typical features of this design direction. Pipes and wires on the walls, open communications are not a relic of an unsuccessful renovation, but original decorative elements that add originality to the interior. A loft is best suited for a studio with large windows, as dark shades predominate in it.
Scandinavia
Features of the Scandinavian style are light shades, natural materials, and an abundance of natural light. The emphasis is on coziness and comfort, without unnecessary pathos and bulky decor. The shapes and lines of furniture and accessories are simple and clear, but without roughness or sharp corners.
Using this style makes the studio appear brighter and more spacious, so it is best suited for small apartments. Custom-made furniture made from natural materials, decorations made from natural stone and wood, and rare indoor plants will help add originality to the interior.
Modern
Characterized by soft rounded lines, the use of natural materials, the predominance of light colors or their artificial muting. One of the features is the lack of symmetry, which is convenient when dividing the studio into zones. Modernism welcomes the use of glass, metal, chrome and metal surfaces, which helps in expanding a small living space.
High tech
It is distinguished by the use of modern high-tech materials, compact multifunctional furniture, and transformable products. The color scheme is soft, muted, the lines are smooth and rounded. The decor is minimalistic, the accessories serve a practical function. All these features make the style ideal for decorating small spaces, including studio apartments.
Classic
A style that combines simplicity and luxury. It is distinguished by the use of natural materials, a large amount of textiles, small but elaborately shaped furniture and plumbing fixtures. It is quite difficult to create a successful classic interior in a studio apartment. It is recommended to use large prints, shiny or chrome elements, mirrors, wall decorations, and textiles for zoning.
Provence
The main feature is homeliness and comfort. Light colors, light textiles, natural materials, simple rounded shapes and lines, an abundance of useful trinkets and handmade accessories as decorations help achieve this effect. A large window providing natural light will be a good addition and make the apartment even more comfortable.
Minimalism
In this style, the main emphasis is on functionality and a minimum of details. The furniture is small, often folding or pull-out. The decor is minimal. The color scheme is neutral and discreet, bright shades are used only to create accents. Like high-tech, minimalism is most appropriate for decorating a small-sized living space, since it allows you to use limited space as practically and comfortably as possible.
Interior features
For a studio apartment of 23 sq. m choose light colors and a design that supports this. White and pastel colors visually enlarge, expand the space, and add freshness. In addition, bright accents look good against neutral shades.
The floor is designed either in a contrasting color with the walls, or supports the main color motif. In the first case, the ceiling is chosen in the same shade, but this design solution is suitable for a studio with a height of 3 m or more.
Stretch ceilings are more convenient than two-level compositions. It will help hide unevenness, not overload the space, while creating the desired level of lighting with spotlights.
If the studio has an elongated rectangular shape, the short end walls and the entrance door are decorated in the same color. Otherwise, you can choose light colors that blend with the walls or a model with a mirror surface.
Color spectrum
The choice of shades for decorating a studio apartment is quite limited. It is not recommended to use bright, attention-grabbing colors: red, orange, purple. They not only visually narrow the space, but also overload the interior.
Light shades
A classic in small studio apartments is light shades. Popular options include:
- white;
- beige;
- light gray;
- Ivory;
- lactic;
- sand.
You can complement the main color with delicate pastel tones of blue, green, pink. This will prevent the interior from becoming overly gray and boring.
Dark
Such tones are used carefully in small apartments and only in combination with the main light shade. Colors should not be too saturated. Bright versions of dark blue or purple are not suitable - instead, you should take muted and smoky ones. Various shades of dark gray look good. In small quantities, burgundy, dark brown, and walnut are appropriate.
Choice of colors
Before you start the renovation, choose a design - a project from a photo or create an individual one. This will help determine the costs of upcoming work and help avoid alterations to sockets, partitions, and walls.
The design of the studio should be chosen in light colors. For example, white color, taken as a basis, visually expands the space. Bright accent details will add uniqueness. A contrasting pattern and the same color of curtains on the windows will help give additional height to the ceilings. Examples of successful combinations can be seen in the photos of apartments where renovations have already been done.
You may be interested in: Buying an apartment in London in a new building
Finish options
Studio decoration is the main tool for zoning and visual expansion of space, so you need to choose it carefully. Preference should be given to strong, durable materials that do not need frequent replacement.
Floor
I most often use laminate to cover the floor: it is inexpensive, easy to install, and can withstand almost any household load. Parquet would also be a good solution: it is most often used to decorate living and bedroom areas, where a feeling of warmth and comfort is important. For the bathroom use tiles or ceramic tiles. Natural materials such as wood and marble are less commonly used. They will create comfort and luxury in a small room.
With the help of floor finishing, a studio is most often zoned. This can be either a combination of several materials, or one coating in several variations - for example, with different patterns or a combination of lighter and darker shades.
Walls
Paint is considered the most successful option for decorating walls in a studio. It is inexpensive, easy to apply and does not take up extra space, unlike tiles, panels and some other materials. Another good solution is classic wallpaper. They are durable, easy to hang, and come in a wide variety of colors and patterns, allowing them to fit into any interior.
The classic option is a combined finish, when 3 near walls are painted, and the far one is covered with wallpaper. With the right choice of colors and patterns, this will not only visually expand the space, but also divide it into zones.
Ceiling
For the studio, choose the white option. This makes the apartment brighter and more spacious. Whitewashing serves as finishing. Sometimes it is supplemented with decorations in the form of artificial beams and stucco molding, but such solutions look good only in attic apartments.
Stretch ceilings with and without built-in lamps are popular.
Distribution into zones
Zoning is used for actual separation. And not for the visual. The more residents there are, the more scrupulously it is worth approaching this issue. Zoning becomes especially important when children are expected to be present. In this case, multifunctional items are used, which should also be compact. Therefore, using the example of such studios, you can spot a couple of cool ideas. We also made a small selection of such apartments.
In the case where you have, on the contrary, an extra wall that you want to get rid of and unify the space, it is not at all necessary to demolish it completely. In some apartments this is not possible, since this partition is load-bearing. But there is a way out: partially get rid of it, and further strengthen it in the right places. Experienced builders will do everything without any problems. And most importantly, such redevelopment will be approved legally. The goal of all these actions is to combine space and increase air in the apartment. And further design is a matter of technology:
- If the partial demolition is horizontal, install a bar counter.
- If vertical, use it as a TV zone.
A sofa is used as a tool for dividing into zones. They place it with its back to the kitchen, and the TV, accordingly, opposite.
In addition to demolition, new walls are also being erected. Which you already need and perform a specific function. So don't be afraid, take action. The cost of all work is not as high as many people think. 250-500 rub. per square meter. Just admit the idea that everything is not as complicated as stereotypes suggest.
Design techniques that expand space
When drawing up a design, it is worth skillfully using the technique of visually increasing space. Among them:
- large prints;
- patterns in the form of wide lines or stripes along the edges of the walls;
- bright lighting;
- gradients;
- small pieces of furniture and accessories;
- predominance of light shades.
It is important to provide for free space between furniture and appliances. Otherwise, the space will seem cluttered despite any techniques.
https://youtube.com/watch?v=vluVEN2oegI
Space planning
Before you start designing and decorating, set all your priorities:
— An important question: was the studio originally like this, or is it an ordinary modified one-room apartment. This affects the area of the space, its configuration, and the location of windows.
— Design the room taking into account its shape. In ordinary rectangular and square studios, classic interiors look interesting. And in new non-standard layouts with rounded shapes and beveled corners, modern trends play more interestingly.
— Be sure to consider how many people will live in the apartment, because the needs of an individual, a couple or a family with a child are very different. If you have a baby, first of all focus on the safety and practicality of the design.
— Depending on your lifestyle, your needs change. Some people need a living area, others need an office, a workshop or a small dressing room in the corner. All this directly affects the design of the apartment.
Examples of correct zoning
A studio apartment should be divided into zones unobtrusively. You should not fence them off from each other with thick partitions or highlight them with bright colors. All areas should be harmoniously combined and smoothly transition into each other, forming a single interior.
Selection and arrangement of furniture
Large pieces of furniture can perform the zoning function. A classic example is a sofa that separates the living room and bedroom or kitchen areas. A good choice would be various cabinets and shelves.
They should not be too high or solid - this will create a feeling of cramped and cluttered. Cabinets with visible shelves, glass elements, etc. are preferred.
An option used abroad for zoning the kitchen and living room is a bar counter. It does not take up much space, looks stylish and is appropriate in any interior. But such a piece of furniture is expensive and not always practical, so a table or several cabinets are often used to delimit the space.
Lighting nuances
It is recommended to install a separate set of lighting fixtures in each area of the studio apartment. This solution has the following advantages:
- expansion of space due to the fact that the room becomes brighter;
- additional zoning;
- convenience - you can turn the lights on and off separately in different work areas without disturbing other residents.
For the bedroom and living room area, warm lighting is preferable, helping to relax and relax. It is better to install cold light lamps in the kitchen and workspace - they promote better concentration and increase productivity.
Partitions and curtains
Curtains, whether textile curtains or frame blinds, are a classic tool for zoning. Light tulle can be used to protect the living room area. Thick curtains with additional sound insulation, such as Japanese or bamboo, are good for a bedroom or work place where peace and quiet are important. Additionally, zones can be delimited by special partitions made of glass or wood, but they are difficult to install and cost more than curtains.
Modern finishing materials
The materials used are classic and modern. The economy option involves paper wallpaper on the walls, linoleum on the floor, whitewash or PVC tiles on the ceiling, paint on the walls, floor, and ceiling of the bathroom. For a premium class or simply a more expensive finish, parquet, boards on the floor, decorative plaster for walls, suspended ceilings, ceramic tiles in the bathroom and toilet are suitable. Less commonly used are natural and artificial stone, brick, and designer 3D wallpaper. Wallpaper with vertical stripes visually pulls the wall up, with horizontal stripes - to the sides.
The materials used for partitions are plasterboard, plywood, clear or frosted glass, fiberboard, and chipboard. Doors are made of MDF, metal, solid wood, window frames are made of metal-plastic or wood. The materials for making furniture are selected according to the chosen style: for the classic style it will be wood, stone, in the high-tech style - metal, glass, minimalism will be made of plastic, MDF.
You should not use small tiles, wallpaper with a lot of patterns, voluminous stucco molding, columns, textured stone - such decoration greatly clutters the territory of the apartment.
Decor and accessories
Decorations in all areas of a one-room studio should be selected in the same style and present a harmonious composition. Appropriate decorations in a small apartment:
- paintings;
- beautiful shelves and other wall installations;
- unusual lamps;
- mirrors;
- small vases, glass or metal figurines;
- items that perform both practical and decorative functions: painted porcelain dishes, colorful towels, holders;
- houseplants.
You should avoid heavy textiles, bulky frames and other bright and large decorations: they will not only take up too much space, but also distract the eye, introducing an imbalance into the interior. Interesting ideas for studio decor can be seen in the photographs below.
Photos of 22 m2 studios in various styles
Most studio apartments are decorated in a modern style. This direction allows the use of bright colors, multifunctional designs, and spot lighting. Even panels or drawings on the walls are appropriate: a correctly selected image distracts from the modest size of the apartment.
Increasingly, studio owners are paying attention to the Scandinavian style, which came to us from Finland, where residents lack light and free space. They decorate their small, bright apartments with home plants and cozy textiles, not forgetting to save space: here you can see products with thin legs, hanging structures, and the absence of unnecessary things.
Scandinavian style is a more “homey” version of minimalism, which in turn represents the ideal of an ascetic lifestyle. The furniture here is laconic, and the decor is considered excess. Roller blinds are used to decorate windows.
The photo shows a modern studio of 22 sq. m. with a practical folding sofa.
The small area of the studio apartment is 21-22 square meters. m. is not a reason to refuse a designer interior. A loft would be an interesting solution: it values not only brick and exposed metal pipes, but also space, so the roughness of the finish is balanced by glossy surfaces, mirrors and light flowing fabrics on the windows.
Lovers of natural materials can decorate a studio in an eco-style, adding wooden textures (natural furniture, wood-look laminate flooring), and connoisseurs of French comfort can decorate an apartment in the Provence style, with floral patterns and antique furnishings.
In the photo there is a studio of 22 sq. m. with a glass tile partition and a brick wall.
Even a luxurious classic style can be appropriate in a studio: among expensive materials, figured furniture and decorations, it’s easy to forget about the modest size of the apartment.
Useful tips and recommendations for arrangement
In addition to the external design of the studio, it is worth considering technical aspects. If the apartment will have several types of finishing, you need to determine the joints in advance and measure their length. It is not recommended to combine laminate and tile in any place except for the narrow area near the bathroom door. If you want to add variety to the finishing materials, it is better to opt for parquet.
When dividing an apartment into zones, it is worth considering the location of the windows. Areas close to them will be light, distant areas will be dark even on bright days, so additional lighting is required for them. Based on practicality and convenience, the kitchen and living room are placed closer to the window, and the bedroom further away.
Since there are no walls in the studio that prevent the spread of odors and the accumulation of moisture, which leads to mold and musty air. Installing good ventilation and a hood with a valve will help solve the problem.
Lighting
There will be many light sources. It makes no difference whether the apartment is on the north or south side. Natural light will definitely not be enough. But there is no need to be upset. Now there are so many types of artificial light that the interior will only benefit from it. The main thing that needs to be considered is not the main lighting, but additional lighting. With LEDs this task is greatly simplified. They are cheap, and the soft light perfectly illuminates every corner of the apartment. Just think about it and allocate a place for them in advance and do the electrical wiring. For LEDs, it is enough to provide a standard 220V output with grounding. An experienced electrician will help you implement your idea without any problems. Output the tapes to one switch with different intensities and switching locations. So that you don't have to run from one end of the room to the other. You will simply be too lazy to do this and the interior will lose more than half of its luster.
Mistakes in the design of a studio apartment
The most common mistakes when designing a studio:
- an abundance of dark or bright colors;
- use of textured materials;
- heavy textile;
- excess white, lack of color accents;
- bulky furniture;
- overload with small details.
The most common mistake in studio design is problems with zoning - an insufficiently expressed or, conversely, too sharp division into areas makes the interior disharmonious. Experience and competent premature planning will help you avoid this.
Arrangement of the kitchen area
Appliances play an important role in kitchen planning. First of all, you need to think about the hood so that odors do not penetrate into the common space. Be sure to connect it to the ventilation shaft.
Important! There is no need to save on the exhaust system. The degree of air purification, the microclimate in the studio, and, accordingly, the health of the residents depend on this.
- if the apartment has a balcony with access from the kitchen, this is an excellent solution for increasing the space in planning a studio apartment up to 30 sq. m. At the same time, you need to think about high-quality glazing and insulation of the balcony;
- It is preferable to order corner furniture for the kitchen. In a small space it is most rational. In addition, you need to consider the placement of the refrigerator, hob and oven. If desired, you can also install a dishwasher;
- household appliances should be selected in compact sizes. Cooking surfaces are available with 2-3 burners. This will not affect the functionality for 1-2 residents, but will save useful meters;
- the dining table can be extended from the window sill or installed to the wall not perpendicularly, but at a slight angle. It will be much easier to move around the kitchen with this arrangement. An excellent solution would be to install a bar counter.
Photos of the kitchen in a studio apartment with a bar clearly confirm this:
Furniture and storage systems
Customers initially did not ask for a lot of storage systems - for weekend stops there is no need to take a lot of things with them. The designer thought out a built-in wardrobe in the hallway, as well as a spacious kitchen unit. The loggia also has space for a closet - in case the apartment owners find that the existing storage systems are not enough. You can store bed linen in the cabinet opposite the sofa, and the folding sofa also has drawers.
The cabinet opposite the sofa is from IKEA. The facades were decorated with natural rattan to give the furniture an individual look. The designer painted the picture for the project - based on a photograph of the customer, which he took during a trip to the island of Santorini.
We selected different furniture for the project. There are custom-made items, for example the same closet in the hallway. The chairs in the dining area are vintage. They were restored and painted to give them a new look.
The decor continues the eclectic style. Vintage items were used in the interior, for example, an engraving in the hallway. The pouf was made to order, upholstered with fabric from IKEA.
Customers and tasks
The owners of this small apartment in Nizhny Novgorod are a married couple. They moved out of town, but at the same time wanted to have housing in the city so that it would be convenient to stay for the weekend. Based on these circumstances, the main wishes in the design of the apartment were built: a kitchen, a sleeping place and a minimum amount of storage were needed.
In terms of style, the clients gave the author complete carte blanche. “Viola, do as you want!” is the phrase every designer dreams of hearing. I decided to start the interior from the private to the general. “I want a yellow front door and this lampshade over the table,” was the first thing she offered to customers. The interior design began with these two introductory notes,” says the author of the project, designer Viola Levina.
How to arrange an apartment?
With proper arrangement of a studio apartment, you can create a truly cozy and comfortable design.
How to furnish the furniture?
Furniture elements should be highly functional and located in appropriate areas. Furniture must be installed so that it does not block passages or impede movement around the room.
The most optimal solution for a studio is transformable structures or, for example, a folding corner sofa and a folding bed. When choosing these models, you should take into account their disassembled size.
It is better to use built-in cabinets as storage systems, which help to significantly save space.
An excellent design move would be to separate the kitchen space from the rest of the room using a bar counter. This piece of furniture not only has a very stylish look, but also represents a comfortable dining area, which can also be equipped with various drawers for utensils and other things.
The photo shows the arrangement of furniture with a bar counter in the interior of a modern studio apartment.
Color spectrum
The studio design looks most harmonious in a light design using calm white, beige, milky, cream and other pastel shades. This way it turns out to visually enlarge the room and give it greater comfort.
For those who prefer decoration in catchy and rich yellow, green colors or choose contrasting black-and-white or red-white combinations, the best solution would be to complement the decor with furniture pieces in discreet colors so that the overall ensemble does not look too colorful.
The photo shows the design of a studio apartment, made in black and white colors.
A design made in a darker color, for example, gray, dark blue, black or brown, is considered quite advantageous. Such an interior has a modern and even slightly futuristic look, but requires addition with warm lighting.
Curtains and other textiles
Curtains from textiles in a studio apartment are often used to delimit the room or decorate the windows. Curtains are a very elegant interior detail that allows you to visually increase the area of your living space and give it a special lightness. For example, the maximum effect can be achieved with the help of light flowing curtains, in the form of weightless tulle or organza.
To add extra height to a room, it is better to use canvases that extend from the ceiling to the floor. Conventional curtains are also replaced with roller blinds, Roman blinds or blinds. When choosing a curtain ensemble, it is important that it be harmoniously combined with other interior items, decoration and furniture.
The photo shows white tulle curtains on the windows in the design of a studio apartment.
Layout
The studio was an elongated rectangle with a small loggia. There was no redevelopment as such. The entrance area was zoned by building a partition. Thus, we extended the wall along which the kitchen unit is now located.
A work office was set up on the loggia. “If one person works in an office, then the second can rest (sleep) in the room,” explains the author of the project.
