Build.com for Pros: Studio Apartment Ideas

When it comes right down to it, a studio apartment design is no different than any home design, other than the fact that all of that functionality needs to fit into a much smaller footprint. Decorating small spaces such as a studio apartment requires choosing appropriately sized furnishings that are thoughtfully designed to maximize the functionality of the room. With a host of studio apartment ideas at the ready, you're sure to get inspired and see these small spaces for the limitless potential they offer.

Invest in Dual-Purpose Furniture

One of our favorite studio apartment ideas is to look for furnishings that serve two functions or more. While each of these items makes a fantastic choice for a studio, it is not an exhaustive list. Use it as inspiration for coming up with your own dual-purpose studio design ideas.

Lift-Top Coffee Tables

Any sofa easily transitions from a lounge area to a home office or dining room when you pair it with a lift-top coffee table.

These tables may look like a coffee table when they are down, but a pair of elevating hinges make it easy to lift the top up and toward the sofa when it is needed. Most of the time, there's even extra storage space beneath the top to store the items that will likely be used when it is lifted.

Consider a Murphy Bed

Studio apartment design plans are the ideal place to utilize a contemporary murphy bed design.

These fold-down beds don't just free up valuable floor space during the day, but many of them are also dual-purpose in design. Some feature a fold-down desktop for use during the day or bookshelves flanking the bed on both sides.

Drop-Leaf Dining Tables

Having the freedom to serve extra guests doesn't mean you have to outfit the apartment with a huge table.

 Drop leaf dining tables are practically designed for decorating small spaces. Keep the leaves folded down on a normal night and lift them up into place when company is expected.

Pieces Integrating Shelving & Storage

As you shop for furnishings, look for pieces that have integrated open shelving and closed storage.

An entertainment center with cabinets or drawers will make it easier to store extra linens while strategically placed trunks can provide ample space inside and act as a side table, nightstand, or even a coffee table.

Select Appropriately Sized Furnishings

Even the best small apartment ideas aren't enough if the furniture is too big to fit the space. Instead of a large loveseat or sectional, consider whether a loveseat and small accent chair

Consider Privacy

The defining feature of a studio apartment is that there aren't traditional rooms dividing up the space. This open-concept floorplan is a great way to get a modern, urban look on a budget, but it also presents a few privacy concerns.

If you are living alone, having the bedroom exposed to the living area and kitchen may not be a problem, but if you host guests, privacy will play an important role. Some of our favorite studio apartment design ideas for privacy include:

• Hanging curtains to separate a space

• Using a large piece of furniture as a divider

• Use a folding screen that tucks away when it's not in use

Create A Well-Stocked & Organized Kitchen

The kitchen is one of the most-used rooms in the house, and when you're decorating a studio apartment, the kitchen is bound to be tight on space. Maximize all the available storage in the kitchen by making sure you're making the most of the cabinets, drawers, and shelves available. First of all, determine which drawers and cabinets will contain which items.

Then, shop for drawer organizers, bins, utility racks, and dividers that will help you store those items in the most organized manner possible. Something as small as hanging a wine glass rack on the wall or beneath the upper cabinets can help to free up additional cabinet space and keep glasses within easy reach.

Studio Decor Ideas

Once the large furnishings are in place, it's time to come up with studio decor ideas. When decorating the walls, consider using pieces that look nice, but you'd otherwise have to store. In the kitchen, a beautiful wood cutting board hanging from a leather strap or featuring a hole on the end can make a captivating wall accent. Near the front door, hang a decorative shelf with hooks beneath to hold a purse, dog leash, jacket, and car keys.

Instead of simply hanging a mirror in the bedroom portion of the apartment, choose a full-length mirror that opens to reveal organized jewelry storage. Make sure to consider ultimate functionality as you shop, and you'd be surprised how many stylish items can actually be used on a daily basis. What small apartment decorating ideas do you have with a fun reveal?

With so many studio apartment ideas out there, it's easy to discover pieces that will make this small space a welcoming retreat after a long day. Providing that roomy yet inviting look is all about looking for the right studio apartment ideas to feature in the floorplan of the space.