There are your typical design challenges—small bedroom decor ideas, storage ideas, and layout ideas—but brainstorming studio apartment ideas seems to be where some of the most common decor issues coalesce. Decorating a smaller space presents a laundry list of questions: How do you fit a living room, kitchen, and bedroom into one area that doesn’t feel stuffy or crowded? Finding studio apartment ideas that’ll work for you may require a bit of extra ingenuity, planning, and editing, but a stylish and functional end result is absolutely possible—and well worth the extra effort.
To figure out how to make the most of a small studio apartment, we looked to some of our favorite designers who have tackled super-small spaces for their clients and themselves. Take a peek at these studios and steal their tasteful, space-saving solutions, from easy additions that can make a room feel larger, to renovation ideas that will transform your approach to small apartment living. Put these hacks to work and you may find yourself asking, “Why would anyone want multiple rooms?”
1. Play with color and design
A tight floor plan is no reason to avoid bold design choices, so don’t shy away from weaving daring and punchy hues into small spaces. Alex Bass, an interior designer, art curator, and founder of Salon 21, played with color in the living space and bedroom of this studio apartment using throw pillows and artwork. “Small-space living is all about being practical, decisive, and making the most of space without leading to clutter,” she says. According to design experts, unexpected color combinations or wallpaper can add interest and dimension, even in compact rooms.
2. Hide everything
A studio needs to serve a lot of purposes, but it doesn’t need to serve them all at the same time. Find pieces that fold away when not in use, such as Murphy beds and drop leaf tables. Or go all out and conceal everything inside the wall’s niches and built-ins.
3. Bring in rugs
In studio apartments, it can be helpful to create distinctly separate zones for sleeping, eating and relaxing. Drew Michael Scott, LA-based interior design content creator and founder of Lone Fox, has a simple way to accomplish that. “I love using rugs to define and ground a space. It’s especially effective when designing a studio, [where] you’re wanting to create boundaries without walls,” he says. “In this particular space, I used moodier tones in the ‘living room’ area and lighter hues on the bed—but selected a Loloi rug that pulled both areas together and kept the space feeling cohesive and intentional.” Scott recommends choosing a rug that’s on the larger side, which can make the room feel more spacious.
4. Separate your bed
The number one thing that makes a studio apartment feel like a studio? Having your bed out in the middle of the room for all to see. Create a division between your sleeping area and the rest of the space with room dividers such as bookshelves, folding screens, or curtains.
5. Get creative with antiques
While the slim profiles of modern furniture often work well in small spaces, there’s no reason to limit yourself to a sleeker or more contemporary aesthetic to suit your studio’s footprint. It’s true that some antiques and vintage pieces are on the larger side, but many petite options exist that will fit perfectly in a studio and bring in a personal and collected vibe. “The most important thing about designing a space is a mix of old and new, rather than just color or texture,” Bass says. For example, she once mixed midcentury-modern metal, wood, and cane chairs with a simple white marble slab table for a modern look.
6. Choose multifunctional pieces
In studio apartments, every item needs to pull its weight. Susan Klimala, owner and creative director of the Illinois-based design-build firm TKS Design Group, recommends furniture that blends form and function. “The right piece not only saves space but also adds personality and a sense of intention to your design,” she says. For example, add multifunctional furniture like a daybed or sculptural bookcase that can do double duty as a bedside table and art piece for your small space.
7. Create a walk-in closet (Yes, really)
If you think your studio apartment storage options are limited to plastic bins hidden beneath your bed, think again. Even if a studio doesn’t have a built-in closet, you can still create a DIY walk-in closet (albeit a slim one). Dedicate a corner of the apartment to storage space, using room dividers, bookshelves, and other furniture to make a nook where you can keep your clothing, shoes, and accessories.
8. Avoid overcrowding
You may have plenty of decor ideas for your apartment, but one key to keeping a living space from feeling cramped is dealing with clutter. This includes traditional clutter (piles of mail or stacks of magazines on the coffee table or dining table), as well as visual clutter (too many appliances stationed out on the kitchen counter or chairs stuffed around the table).
9. Use lighting intentionally
Strategically placed lighting, including wall sconces and art lights, can highlight certain areas while drawing attention away from other parts of the studio that you may not want on showcase, per NYC-based interior designer Darci Hether. “Layers of lighting help in creating different moods, highlights, or visually expanding the room. Like a great statement piece of jewelry, [lighting] is another opportunity to let your style shine through—literally and figuratively,” she says.
10. Opt for a low bed
Low platform beds not only save square footage, but they can also help create the illusion of more height in your studio. Want to take the design idea even further? Go the extra mile and skip the bed frame altogether by placing your mattress directly on the ground. What you lose in floor space, you’ll make up for with a serene and cozy vibe—especially if you’re going for a minimalist look.
11. Add mirrors
Mirrors are an easy way to make your space feel larger. “I recommend several mirrors in the same room, ranging from floor-length—like a pier mirror—to small accent mirrors throughout, changing up the frames,” Bass says. According to designers, having multiple mirrors of different sizes in a studio apartment is an effective way to expand the space and amplify both natural and artificial light. This renter-friendly decor tip is especially helpful in tiny apartments—like the kind in NYC.
12. Design around windows
Small apartments may have limited windows, so make the most of the ones you have and prioritize natural light. “My number one tip for decorating a studio apartment is to strategize around windows when arranging the layout,” says Ellie Yun, principal and founder of San Francisco–based Studio Yun. “Position seating or a small dining area—a couch or bistro table—near windows to make the most of daylight, and place the bed further back into the space.” This creates a natural sense of flow, with the layout guiding daytime activities toward the light-filled areas and reserving the cozier, dimmer corners for rest.
13. Make use of vertical space
When you don’t have room to expand, look up. “When we’re working with an open plan, adding height instantly changes the room,” says Szandra Toth, interior designer and founder and partner at Cl-oth. From floating shelves and tall built-in cabinetry, to a vertical gallery wall and wall-mounted lighting, the idea is to draw the eye upward and add storage without cluttering the room’s footprint, says Joy Allen, the design manager at Next Stage Design + Build. “This helps the space feel both taller and more functional,” she explains.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best design tip for decorating a studio apartment?
The most crucial design tip to consider when it comes to studio apartment decorating is to fill your apartment without making it feel overcrowded. “Everyone has a personal balance point: the ideal amount of belongings that creates a sense of coziness and warmth before tipping into clutter,” Yun says. “I’ve noticed that many people tend to acquire things beyond this point, often unintentionally.” In studio apartments, where space is limited, it’s especially important to understand your own threshold and thoughtfully edit your furniture, decor, and possessions to maintain a healthy balance, she explains. As Lisa Sternfeld, a WELL-certified interior designer and founder of WLLW says, “It’s not about the size of the space—it’s about living with greater intention.”
How big are studio apartments?
Most studio apartments in the United States are between 400 and 600 square feet. In 2024, the average size of a newly built studio apartment was 457 square feet, according to RentCafe. In dense urban areas, studio apartments can be as compact as 300 square feet, Yun says. Unlike one-bedroom apartments, studios typically have a main space that functions as a combined living room, bedroom, kitchen, and dining room. Larger studios—often featuring an alcove for a bed or a partially separated dine-in kitchen—can be closer to 600 square feet, she says.
How should you arrange furniture in a studio apartment?
When it comes to layout ideas, the key is embracing the studio apartment’s openness rather than fighting it, says Jen Baxter, interior designer and founder of Baxter Hill Interiors.” The goal isn’t to mimic a larger home, but to design with clarity so every choice adds comfort, purpose, and aesthetics,” she explains. “In a truly small footprint, it’s better to embrace cohesion than force separation.”
Baxter recommends positioning your larger pieces of furniture against the longest wall to maximize your central floor area. Use lightweight, moveable furniture that can be easily reconfigured—think nesting tables or folding chairs—and double-duty pieces like an ottoman with storage or a dining table that doubles as a workspace. Keep sight lines and pathways clear to maintain flow, she adds.
