Small apartments have always caused a feeling of discomfort; their owners felt left out. Since the time when new design approaches to the reorganization of space and compact “smart” apartments appeared, the purchase of budget housing has become prestigious. You can live quite comfortably on a few square meters if you think through the design of a small studio apartment to the smallest detail. Here you can combine desires and opportunities by arranging cozy housing in the center of a big city.
A small standard apartment can turn into a very cozy studio apartment, the design of which will take into account all the needs of the family living in it.
Interior design features
A few design nuances:
- To ensure that this studio apartment does not look cluttered, you should not use too many small details when decorating it.
- It is not recommended to use large furniture elements in dark colors, as this can contribute to the creation of an uncomfortable and oppressive atmosphere.
- There should be enough free space between furniture to provide an open and accessible passage.
- When zoning a room, the design of the partitions should correspond to the overall interior style.
Kitchen
The kitchen set should be made based on the established communications. Therefore, moving objects is permissible in moderation. Consider the location of drainage and ventilation.
Moreover, in a room with open walls, where the smell can fill the entire space, good ventilation is especially necessary.
Note!
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- Studio apartment 30 sq. m. - advantages of planning a studio apartment. Zoning options, furniture placement (photo + video)
- One-room apartment: TOP-130 photos and videos of layout and design options for a one-room apartment. Selection and arrangement of furniture
It is recommended to call a measurer when ordering a kitchen. So that every free corner is not left idle. It is preferable to choose built-in equipment. Open options should be selected according to stylistic direction.
It is better to avoid installing a washing machine in the kitchen. No matter how silent the equipment is considered, it will still create an additional source of noise.
Layout examples
When arranging a studio apartment, first of all you need to take into account its size and general layout. For example, a square-shaped room has more possibilities and is an ideal option for renovation. In this space, the kitchen area occupies a smaller part, and the guest and sleeping area takes up almost half of the studio.
Selections of layouts of different sizes:
- 18 sq. m.
- 20 sq. m.
- 22 sq. m.
- 25 sq. m.
- 29 sq. m.
- 30 sq. m.
The photo shows a top view of a studio apartment with a square layout.
A rectangular apartment has some difficulties in arrangement, which can be easily solved with the help of a variety of partitions and color schemes. You can visually expand an elongated room and bring it as close as possible to a square shape using mirror surfaces, light-colored wall decoration or photo wallpaper; all kinds of screens, thread curtains and high-quality lighting will help give the room a lightness.
The photo shows the design of a studio apartment with high ceilings, equipped with a second tier.
In a two-level studio, the second floor is most often allocated for a sleeping area, a workplace, a dressing room or various storage systems in the form of bedside tables, chests of drawers and other things. Such a design can not only have a corner location with additional supports in the form of walls, but also be placed in the center of the living space.
A room with an irregular shape or an apartment with a bay window has a lot of possibilities, which adds additional space to the room and gives it more light. A bay window can be a wonderful sitting area, workspace or play space for a child.
The photo shows a small studio with a niche equipped for a greasy place.
Sleeping area
It is better to place the sleeping place in the corner of the apartment, while separating it with a curtain or partition. If it fits, put a bedside table, hang shelving on the walls. Also in such small apartments, beds that are hidden in the wall during the day are suitable.
Examples of interiors with windows
In a studio apartment with one window, near the opening, there is most often a sleeping area, and behind it a kitchen. Due to the minimal amount of natural light, the kitchen space is equipped with intense and high-quality lighting.
The photo shows windows with panoramic glazing in the interior of a studio apartment.
A room with two or three windows, due to greater penetration of sunlight, visually looks much more spacious. In a room with large windows, furniture should be placed along the remaining walls so as not to block the window openings.
The photo shows the design of a studio apartment with one window, made in eco-style.
Seating area
It would be a good idea to separate this part of the studio with a shelving unit and a sofa. You can hang the TV on the wall opposite or put it on the bedside table, or, saving space, place it in a closet. If you have enough space, you can place a coffee table with an armchair next to it.
It is also beautiful to hang hanging shelves for designer items and books. For studio apartments, folding sofas are suitable so that the living room can be converted into a bedroom.
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.
Style is important
Of course, the interior of a one-room apartment should be stylish, but what exactly do you like? Bright colors, pronounced contrasts or measured neutral tones with flashes of accents. For example, on the Mary Cook Associates website there is such an interior in bright colors that excite the imagination.
Colorful studio apartment
Scary? Then maybe it’s worth taking a closer look at the work of Drew McGukin Interiors. Neutral background and beautiful flowers for decoration. The project looks peaceful, calm, and at the same time dignified and elegant.
Apartment design with English solidity in the ancient district of London - Chelsea
Do you have a very small living space? Then it is worth advising you to pay attention to the minimalist style.
Common area in the basement by Murovec Renovations
You live in an attic area, a semi-basement, or due to other features, communications pass through your home. Take advantage of an industrial or urban style. In them, pipes, beams, and raw building textures do not look like a drawback, but as one of the best decors. By the way, an excellent solution for those who do not want to use a wardrobe. Clothes just hang on hangers. Surely, somewhere out of sight of the camera filming this wonderful apartment, there is a chest of drawers for other things.
Industrial style
Many different design styles have come up today. Modern man wants to live in comfort, but he also does not forget about the beauty of the world around him. How, you ask, can you combine high-tech household appliances with carved table legs and ordinary storage cabinets? Answer: very simple. Each thing will find its place, and you will only have to slightly adjust the interior with the help of small decorative elements so that the mixture of styles becomes organic. For example, in a modern apartment, The Cross Design employees hung a mirror in the Empire style and placed a floor mirror in a carved wooden frame from the time of classicism, through which we see a completely modern kitchen set and a vintage chandelier.
Eclecticism is a mixture that creates individuality in the interior
Lighting ideas
Light plays almost the most important role in studio design. Thanks to lighting and backlighting, it is possible to visually adjust the space and increase its area. Based on the location of lamps and lamps, lower, middle and upper lighting are distinguished.
The photo shows a lighting option in a small oriental-style studio.
For small films, the lower level of lighting is used extremely rarely. Basically, this design is used only for visual delimitation of the room. It is desirable that the lamps have a design that matches the overall style of the surrounding interior.
Chandeliers most often have a traditional design and are interesting spotlights or halogen spotlights.
The photo shows the design of a studio apartment for a young man with an upper level of lighting.
Ceiling
The most suitable color for the ceiling would be white. Often a paint or tension system is used. With high ceilings, you can use the height space to highlight the style.
For a classic design, add decorative molding. And for the Scandinavian direction, place wooden beams.
Interior design in the studio
Design options for a studio apartment.
Kitchen area in the interior
Unlike the design of an ordinary apartment, a kitchen in a studio should be as harmoniously combined as possible with the rest of the living space. For a neater interior, you can install built-in household appliances, such as an oven and hob, or hide a refrigerator and dishwasher behind the facade of the kitchen unit. For zoning purposes, sometimes a podium is constructed under which all communications are removed.
The photo shows a kitchen area with a white corner set in the design of a studio apartment in the attic.
Studio with bedroom
When designing a studio, it is first of all recommended to decide on the placement of the bed and the method of zoning. An excellent option would be to install a bed in a separate niche, which can be separated by a sliding partition in the form of compartment doors, a light or heavier and thicker curtain.
The photo shows a studio apartment with a sleeping area with a bed located in a niche.
It is also advisable to equip the sleeping area with a high-quality storage system. For example, built-in linen drawers, shelves, a cabinet or a compact chest of drawers.
Corridor design
Basically, the hallway in a studio apartment is quite small in size. In the design of the corridor, built-in furniture, wall hangers and hooks that occupy a minimum area are most appropriate. If this room is made in darker shades, it is not advisable to overload it with large quantities of furniture elements.
With a balcony
Due to the balcony space, there is an excellent opportunity to expand the studio. The combined insulated loggia can easily accommodate a kitchen-dining room with a window sill integrated into the countertop, a study, a sleeping place or a relaxation area.
The photo shows the design of a modern studio with a large loggia with panoramic glazing.
Study
A fairly convenient option for locating the work area is considered to be a corner space, a place near a window or on a combined balcony. This area is sometimes highlighted with a different color trim or fenced off with a shelving unit. In small rooms, it is better to install retractable structures or folding tables for an office; it is also possible to install an isolated workplace in a closet.
From a nursery to a family with a child
A small studio is an excellent solution for a family with a child. With the help of competent organization of space, it is possible to arrange a cozy children's corner with a specific design and separate it from the rest of the room through various partitions.
Bathroom
The bathroom in a studio apartment is a fairly small room. The ideal option here would be to install a shower stall, a compact toilet and a narrow sink along the walls. In case of a more spacious room, it is possible to place a horizontal bath.
Additional zones
If children live in the house, you need to think about a children's corner in advance. Multi-tier furniture is perfect for a small studio, and place a desk below.
In the steps that are intended for the child to go up and down, place drawers in which you can store children's things. Also place a closet to place both clothes and toys on the lower shelves.
You need to adhere to certain tricks that visually increase your space and at the same time use it economically.
There is no need to purchase large, bulky items; wall-mounted items, folding furniture, and built-in wardrobes are enough.
Recommendations for studio decoration
Basic cladding tips:
- For walls in a small apartment, it is advisable to select cladding that has minimal shine. This way the design will not tire or irritate the eye.
- An excellent solution would be wallpaper with a small print, which will also help to visually increase the area.
- For the ceiling, it is most appropriate to use plasterboard or plaster. From gypsum board it is possible to construct an attractive multi-level ceiling structure with built-in lamps for zoning the space.
- No less popular is the installation of suspended ceilings with a matte or glossy texture, which gives the room visual volume.
- In the living room and recreation area, the floor can be decorated with carpet, laminate or parquet, and for the kitchen it will be more practical to finish with stone or ceramic tiles.
Functional use of space
So, you have already decided how to divide the apartment into zones. Another important question to think about is: how to properly use these zones? The ideal solution is to choose furniture that does not take up much space and performs several functions at once. Let's look at examples.
In the photo, the dining table and kitchen area smoothly flow into the study. Two functions are performed by one narrow tabletop, which does not take up much space and defines a clear boundary between the kitchen and the office.
The structure on which the bed is located also serves as storage.
In the photo, the office and bedroom area takes up the same amount of space as one bed would take in a standard apartment. It's simple: the bed is located on the second tier, and underneath there is a cozy office.
A folding sofa when assembled does not take up much space, and at night it provides additional sleeping space if you have guests staying over.
Zoning and partitions
The most optimal zoning option is partitions, which can have a separating function, represent a storage system or simply a decorative element. Such structures may have a sliding or rotating mechanism; glass, plastic, metal, wood and other materials are used in their manufacture,
The photo shows a partition made of glass in the interior of a studio apartment.
For small apartments in Khrushchev, it is very popular to install transparent glass, combined decorative partitions, through structures or multifunctional shelving to the ceiling.
Be sure to look at the options for combining tiles with laminate.
Optimal floor selection
The most acceptable option in terms of price and quality for a studio apartment is laminate, including the hallway and kitchen area.
- Still, there are nuances that are worth paying attention to. The manufacturing technology of modern laminate makes it possible to withstand any loads both in the hallway and in the kitchen for a long time and without problems.
- However, you need to take into account that joining tiles and laminate anywhere except under the door is not a good idea. No matter how hard you try, you still won’t be able to avoid getting dirt and moisture.
Nevertheless, the junction of parquet and tiles is possible, since both the first and second are fixed with glue and at the same time quite reliably. Also, parquet is considered a delicate material, so it is not recommended to install it in the hallway and kitchen.
Color solution
It is worth remembering that when developing a design, the main thing is to create a harmonious common area. The interior should be created in the same style.
When using wood, it should not differ across the entire area. At a minimum, it should be in the same color scheme.
When using a bright palette, it is important to know that cool colors visually make the subject appear further away, while warm colors bring it closer. In order to visually raise the ceilings, you can use vertical stripes on them.
