Smart Décor Ideas for Studio Apartments

It’s only natural for people to seek out the most spacious living arrangements they can afford. However, depending on where you live, you may have very limited options when it comes to housing. With cost of living steadily on the rise as wages remain stagnant, studio apartments are becoming increasingly popular options for people in major metropolitan areas. While once regarded strictly as the domain of students, studio apartments are commonly lived in by established adults, big city transplants and people with a knack for frugality. Studio apartment residents on the hunt for practical, cost-effective décor ideas should consider the following options. 

Compact Appliances 

Since you’ll be working with a very limited amount of space, your appliance purchases should reflect this. For example, instead of treating yourself to an enormous TV, you’d be wise to invest in a television whose size is better suited to your new residence. The same principle should be applied to kitchen-based devices, like toasters and microwaves. You can even find small ceiling fans designed to keep small living spaces nice and cool. So, the next time you’re in the market for new appliances, just remember to think small.   

Multipurpose Furniture 

Although multipurpose furniture can be put to practical use in any living space, it’s particularly helpful in studio apartments. For instance, many studio residents have beds that double as couches. Instead of traditional folding couches, people in compact apartments often purchase futons. Not only are futons less expensive and more comfortable than the aforementioned couches, they also take up far less space. In addition, they’re often easier to move, so if you ever need to clear up some room, getting a futon out of the way shouldn’t prove terribly strenuous.   

Of course, this isn’t to say that multipurpose furniture is limited to futons. A dining table that doubles as a desk can make a worthy addition to any studio apartment. Since many studio units lack sufficient space for multiple tables, a single table that serves multiple functions is the next best thing. Alternatively, if you have room for a desk, look for one with attached shelving. 

Vertical Shelving 

When shopping around for the right shelving, studio apartment residents should go vertical. In addition to taking up less room than horizontal shelving, vertical shelves often have just as much storage space, albeit spread out differently. As an added bonus, vertical shelving is extremely cost-effective. Provided you aren’t picky about brands, a roomy vertical shelving unit shouldn’t cost you more than $50. 

If you’ve run out of space for traditional shelving, you may want to give wall-mounted shelving a try. As the name suggests, this type of shelving is mounted directly onto walls and stands to save you a sizable amount of floor space. However, before proceeding to put up wall-mounted shelving, check your lease agreement or contact your landlord to determine whether this is allowed. Some landlords aren’t amenable to tenants putting holes in walls, and not all walls are strong enough to support mounting.   

Curtain Separators 

Most people are unaccustomed to treating a single room as an all-purpose living space. In traditional residences, different rooms serve different purposes, and the idea of using one room for everything simply doesn’t sit well with some of us. So, if you can’t get past your reservations about your kitchen, living room, office and bedroom being the same space, consider picking up some curtain separators. While these won’t magically add more space to your apartment, they’ll serve to separate the various areas of the unit, thereby creating the illusion of multiple rooms. Additionally, given how affordable curtain separators are, there’s no cheaper way to turn one room into a series of rooms.   

When scouring local housing markets, many of us tend to shy away from studio apartments. Since compact apartments are generally associated with student life and young adulthood, people over a certain age often view these units as beneath them. However, with rental rates increasing all over the country, a growing number of Americans are coming to embrace the idea of studio apartment life. While studio units generally offer far less room than standard-sized apartments, there are a number of creative measures you can employ to make the most of your limited space.