Thoughtful design of studio apartment 20 km. m. allows you to create practical and beautiful housing without a hint of cramped conditions. The complexity of such decisions is that you need to think through literally everything: from planning and zoning to the correct arrangement of furniture and its type. In the article we tell you what to do if you have to renovate a 20-meter apartment: what style to choose, how to highlight zones, what color solutions to pay attention to, how not to make a mistake with lighting, and so on.
Studio layouts 20 sq.
The layout, as a rule, depends on the format of the apartment, for example, if the studio has a rectangular shape with one window, it can be easily divided into several parts, including a corridor, bathroom, kitchen and living room area.
In the case of a square room, for more free space, they are limited to a partition, with the help of which the toilet is isolated, and the guest and kitchen sectors are left combined.
There are also irregularly shaped studio apartments that do not fit into accepted standards and often have sloping corners, curved walls or niches. For example, recesses can be arranged as a dressing room or a hidden closet, thereby turning this architectural element into an obvious advantage of the entire interior.
The photo shows the layout of a studio apartment of 20 square meters. m., made in a modern style.
In such a fairly small space, making repairs is much easier and faster. The main thing is to prepare for it competently, create a project and accurately calculate the area of each proposed site. It is necessary to develop a technical plan in advance and decide where communications will take place, ventilation, sockets, taps, etc. will be located.
The photo shows the design of a studio apartment of 20 square meters with a kitchen by the window.
Some design tricks
A studio often becomes the first home of a young couple. It happens that new settlers are forced to organize life in a small apartment for many years. A studio is usually called a small one-room apartment with an area of 25-30 square meters. Often apartments consist of one room of 20-25 sq. m, including:
- small hall;
- kitchen;
- bedroom
Sometimes the room is so small that there is not enough space for a full kitchen, then a small part of the room is called a kitchenette.
By definition, a studio is intended to house one person. A bachelor lives quietly in a small interior without disturbing anyone. The situation changes dramatically when more family members appear in the apartment - a wife, a child. The living space needs to be properly arranged, with separation of functional zones.
Multifunctional and folding furniture
In the living room, the main equipment should be placed in the center. We can't afford to put a sofa in the middle of the room. In a studio, every square meter is important; you need to use the space rationally. It is advisable to use universal, compact furniture. Preference should be given to functional furniture:
- folding table;
- sofa with sleep function;
- a bookcase in the middle of the room, acting as an openwork wall dividing the living space by function.
Furniture manufacturers offer interesting models of folding sofas:
- A popular solution will allow you to save space - hide a double bed in the wall, which is unfolded at night;
- A compact sofa is suitable, part of which is hidden in the wall; after unfolding, it turns out to be a bed.
Work corner
A small work area is useful. Today there is no home that does not have a computer, so you need to organize a comfortable workplace. The laptop takes up the least space, folds, and is installed on a folding table attached to the wall. A good solution is a sliding door system that allows you to easily and quickly hide your desktop.
Kitchen
Despite its small size, the kitchen must meet our expectations. It is important to maximize the space and place a large number of closed cabinets. Small one-room apartments do not have a pantry, additional space for storing food, or kitchen equipment. The use of closed cabinets will allow the surface to be optically enlarged without looking tedious. An interesting idea is to decorate a dining area using a folding table or table fixedly attached to the wall.
Bathroom
For the bathroom you need to economically choose small-sized equipment:
- small washing machine under the sink;
- small sink;
- small toilet;
- collapsible basket for dirty underwear.
Washing machines are quite compact. There are narrow washing machines 45 cm wide - compact and economical to use. Sometimes a small bathroom does not have room for even a small washing machine, then you can try placing the washing machine in a closed cabinet under the kitchen countertop.
The dilemma is the choice: bath or shower. Often due to lack of space, the shower wins. There is a way out of this situation; you can choose from a wide range of plumbing options:
- shower with deep tray;
- A bathroom model that combines a bathtub with a shower.
Lighting
Studio lighting completes the design. Skillful use of light will allow family members to work, relax, read, and cook. Proper lighting, illumination of dark areas of the wall with the help of wall sconces and lamps will optically make the interior more spacious.
Zoning studio 20 square meters
To zone a room, mobile partitions, folding screens or fabric curtains are used, which allow you to create a secluded atmosphere without affecting the surrounding design. Also, various furniture elements are preferred as a visual divider, for example, it could be a sofa, a wardrobe or a multifunctional shelving unit. An equally effective method is the option of delineating a room, due to color scheme, lighting or podium equipment.
How to furnish an apartment with furniture?
The design of this space should not contain bulky furniture or structures in too dark shades. Here it is reasonable to use transformable furniture items in the form of a sofa bed, wardrobe bed, folding tables or folding chairs.
It is also advisable to give preference to built-in appliances and storage systems, equipped in drawers under the sofa or in a free niche. For the kitchen area, the most silent washing machine, dishwasher and hood are suitable, which should not only work quite quietly, but also be very powerful. The sleeping place can be either a bed or a compact folding sofa.
The photo shows an option for arranging furniture in the interior of a studio apartment of 20 square meters. m.
For a studio apartment of 20 sq. m., it is better to select mobile and portable furniture on wheels, which, if necessary, can be easily moved to the right place. The most correct solution is to place the TV on the wall. For this, a bracket is used, which also allows you to rotate the TV device so that it can be viewed comfortably from any area.
Communications: how to arrange it correctly?
Since the kitchen and living room are combined, it is important to have good ventilation. Modern systems will allow you to maintain fresh and clean air in your apartment in any situation. The smell of fried cutlets will not permeate furniture and curtains.
Ventilation is thought through immediately after receiving documents for redevelopment. The issue of furniture placement is raised. Access to sockets should be free, and nothing should interfere with the sewer and water supply systems.
The kitchen should have good ventilation
Modern ventilation systems will prevent furniture and curtains from becoming saturated with unpleasant odors.
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Recommendations for choosing colors
The choice of colors for the design of a small studio is quite a significant and decisive factor, so it is advisable to take into account the following nuances:
- It is preferable to decorate a small apartment in light colors with the use of small bright and contrasting accents.
- It is not advisable to use a colored ceiling, as it will visually look lower.
- When finishing the walls and floor in the same color, the room will look rather narrow and give the feeling of an enclosed space. Therefore, the floor covering should be darker.
- In order for the interior decor to stand out from the general background and not give the room a cluttered look, it is better to choose furniture and wall decoration in white shades.
The photo shows the design of a studio apartment of 20 sq. m., decorated in light gray tones.
Horizontal planes: principles of unity
Modern materials will easily allow you to implement a reasonable approach to the unity of the floor covering. This will add visual freedom to the studio apartment. Imitation of light wood on porcelain stoneware will provide practicality in the right areas, and laminate finishing of the main, living part will ensure budget-friendliness. Warm floors in strategic areas (hallway, kitchen, bathroom) will not be superfluous.
The ceiling and the implemented lighting must be considered together. If the ceiling height does not exceed 2.5 m, leveling and painting with light paint are the best finishing methods. Stretch ceilings with built-in lamps will take away extra centimeters. To avoid lowering the level, use:
- false beams;
- LED lighting along the upper perimeter;
- track systems, compact and not conspicuous.
If the ceilings are low, it is wise to abandon the usual type of chandeliers, especially above free passages. Fashionable lamps will play along with the zoning, and different lighting scenarios will create the necessary atmosphere, turning the living room into a bedroom.
Lighting options
For a studio design of 20 square meters, it is advisable to use better quality lighting in sufficient quantity. Depending on the shape of the room, too dark corners may appear in it; it would be better to equip each of them with additional lighting fixtures, thereby giving the environment air and volume, while making it more spacious. In order not to spoil the aesthetic appearance of the room, you should not install too many small lamps or light bulbs.
Color spectrum
There are few basic color options:
- white and its variations;
- calm natural tones;
- light pastel combined with a neutral background.
This does not mean that the apartment becomes monotonous, devoid of bright, rich accents: turquoise, lavender, berries, lemon. But only if the preferred favorite color is evenly distributed over the entire area.
There are no less successful, harmonious combinations, the addition of which against the backdrop of extremely light, white colors will give your studio its own character and evoke pleasant associations:
- blue + chocolate or taupe;
- bright orange + calm mint;
- green apple + pure light blue.
Relevant. Light wood will add coziness, and whitewashing the wooden parts of the interior will allow you to preserve the texture without burdening the overall impression.
If you love change, then using colored accents for interior items such as textiles, rugs, posters is the best way to transform the design of a 20 m studio without major renovations as needed.
Kitchen design in the studio
In the kitchen, the set is usually placed along one wall or an L-shaped structure is installed, which is often supplemented with a bar counter, which is not only a place for a snack, but also a conditional separator between the culinary and living areas. Quite often in such an interior there are retractable, folding tabletops, roll-out cabinets, folding chairs and miniature appliances. In order not to visually overload the room, for the dining group, choose lighter or transparent furniture made of plastic or glass.
The photo shows the interior of a studio apartment of 20 square meters with a light L-shaped kitchen set.
You should not use an excessive amount of decorative elements in the design, and it is better to place all kitchen utensils in cabinets. To ensure that this area does not look overly cluttered, cabinets are also used in which small household appliances can be placed.
The photo shows the design of a kitchen area made in light colors in a studio apartment of 20 square meters.
New level and possibilities of furnishing
The second level, a variety of podium options allow you to add useful space to the living room:
- sleeping place - sufficient ventilation system and the ability to be in a sitting position;
- work area on the podium - roll-out bed below;
- modular systems, even from budget companies, serve as steps.
If the podium ideas don't work: a bed that folds up and turns into a wardrobe during the day is an alternative way to have a full-fledged sleeping space in the living room. The window sill is actively used as a table or soft seating area.
The functionality of the furniture for a mini-studio is given a central place. Transformation, modularity – these are the principles without which it is difficult to place the necessary:
- Composite tables (like a matryoshka doll).
- Transparent dining furniture made of glass or modern plastic does not visually overload, while at the same time being a fashionable microtrend.
- Glossy MDF fronts are suitable for all furniture, making consoles and cabinets stylish and at the same time not so heavy.
Relevant. Partitions are used next to a door or window: shallow shelves for books, or with beautiful drawers, baskets that organize storage.
In a bathroom combined with a toilet there is a similar ergonomic principle:
- built-in shower instead of a bathtub;
- the shower compartment is not rectangular, but with a beveled corner;
- ultra-thin heated towel rail;
- hanging plumbing;
- sliding door.
Arrangement of a sleeping place
For the sleeping sector, choose a bed equipped with drawers in which you can conveniently store bed linen, personal belongings and other things. Also quite often, the bed is equipped with a rack and various shelves that give this area special functionality. A fabric partition or a not too bulky cabinet, not reaching the ceiling in height, is appropriate as a space delimiter. The sleeping area should have free air circulation and not be too dark and stuffy.
The photo shows a single bed placed in a niche in the interior of a studio apartment of 20 square meters. m.
Arrangement of a residential area: features
In any studio apartment project, a large area is provided for the living area. And this is not surprising. Here the owners relax, spend time with guests, and engage in creativity. Therefore, it should be cozy, comfortable and practical.
A bed is not appropriate in a modest-sized room. It is better to choose a small sofa. It can easily be converted into a full and comfortable sleeping place. You can also install a closet in which the bed will be hidden thanks to a special release mechanism. In addition, you can store things in it.
In any studio apartment project, a large area is provided for the living area
In a small room, it is better to put a sofa instead of a bed
When creating a studio design, you should think through everything in advance.
If the apartment has a balcony, then a recreation area is organized on it. Two chairs and a small table are installed. There is no need to use bulky objects; light ones that can be carried if necessary are suitable. In many projects, pear chairs are placed in similar interiors. By removing them, you can get free space that is suitable for solving other problems, creativity, and relaxation.
The presence of a partition between zones in the design is mandatory. When decorating the interior, you will need to choose the right pieces of furniture. It should be multifunctional and take up minimal space. At the same time, it fits well into the overall design picture. It is better to install items of the same color.
The color scheme of a small apartment should be light. They will visually expand the space. Dark colors will steal space and make the room appear smaller than it is. Mirrors and objects that reflect light look good.
When decorating the interior, you will need to choose the right pieces of furniture
Use light shades, they will help visually expand the area
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Ideas for a family with a child
To create a boundary between the nursery and the rest of the living space, various partitions are used. For example, it could be a movable structure, a tall piece of furniture in the form of a rack or cabinet, a sofa, a chest of drawers, etc. No less high-quality zoning is obtained using different wall or floor finishes. This area should be located near a window so that it receives enough sunlight.
For a schoolchild, purchase a compact desk or integrate a window sill into the tabletop, complementing it with corner pencil cases. The most rational solution would be a bunk loft bed, with a lower level equipped with a table or console tabletop.
In the photo there is a studio of 20 sq. m. with a children's corner for schoolchildren, equipped near the window.
Work area design
An insulated loggia can be converted into a work office, so the studio will not lose any usable space. The balcony space can be easily decorated with a functional table, a comfortable chair and the necessary racks or shelves. If this solution is not possible, use various narrow, compact structures or transformable furniture that can be folded at any time needed.
The photo shows the design of a studio apartment of 20 sq. m. with a work area with a narrow white table, complemented by shelves and racks.
What to post?
You can't live in a studio without a sofa and armchairs. As a rule, such items are located in the living area. Some owners refuse a large and soft sofa, replacing it with a couple of armchairs or a comfortable small sofa.
Most often, opposite these parts there is a TV on a special cabinet or low table. The option of mounting such equipment on a wall is also appropriate. This solution will save space.
Often, low coffee tables with decorative elements are placed in the living area.
To organize your kitchen space, you should choose a set of small sizes. In a studio with an area of 24 sq. m, it is unlikely that it will be possible to place furniture with a large number of cabinets. The best option would be floor-mounted and wall-mounted kitchen cabinets, between which household appliances should be installed.
Do not think that in a small home there is no room for a full-fledged dining area with a table and chairs. To decorate a kitchen in a studio apartment, small round tables with a couple of chairs are most often chosen.
You can replace the table with a bar counter. This trendy piece can also act as a fence separating the kitchen from the living room.
Even a small apartment can fit a spacious double bed. The sleeping area should be separated using any zoning element. This can be a high rack with shelves, a wardrobe, a screen or a special partition.
The work area can be equipped next to the living room or in the bedroom. It all depends on the size of the installed pieces of furniture.
As a rule, a computer desk and chair are located in the work area. Above these items you can attach convenient shelves for storing books, folders or documents.
The bathroom is the smallest area in a studio apartment. In this area, the main objects are the shower stall, toilet and sink with mirror. If you have arranged these parts so that you have some free space left, then you can put a small cabinet in the room to store cosmetics or household chemicals.
Instead of a shower cabin, you can install a regular horizontal bathtub. But such a solution should be approached only if it does not interfere with the passage in the room.
Bathroom decoration
This small room requires the most functional and efficient use of space. Modern shower cabins with a glass design are a fairly ergonomic option that gives the environment a feeling of airiness.
The design of the bathroom should be made in light shades, have smooth color transitions and sufficient lighting. To create an unsurpassed ambience and increase the internal space, select white wall-mounted sanitary ware, showers with beveled corners, a thin heated towel rail, large mirrors and install a sliding door.
The photo shows the interior of a small bathroom in beige tones in the interior of a studio apartment of 20 square meters.
Small, but unique!
Many small apartments were built in the last century, when small families became a popular solution for providing living space. Most of these apartments had one small room. High real estate prices today have made very small apartments popular. Small-sized products instantly disappear from advertising portals. Their main advantage is low price. Although the cost of one square meter is more than that of a large apartment, the final amount is very attractive, and most importantly - affordable! Buyers with low purchasing power are choosing studios to own their own home and avoid the risk of long-term mortgage payments.
In big cities, small families buy as an investment, with the goal of profitable rental. Sometimes small families are formed as a result of the privatization of a former hostel. The owner receives small rooms, without a kitchen, which in dormitories is usually shared along the corridor. According to the legislation of the Russian Federation, the minimum area of a one-room apartment cannot be less than 28 meters. A living room often does not exceed 20 meters, including:
- living room;
- bedroom;
- kitchen.
Photo of a studio with a balcony
The presence of a balcony provides additional space that can be used effectively. If, after dismantling the windows and doors, a partition remains, it is turned into a tabletop, a fully integrated loggia, without dividing structures, occupied by a kitchen unit with a refrigerator, equipped with a space for a study, a relaxation area with soft, comfortable armchairs and a coffee table, as well as they organize a sleeping place with a bed on it or place a dining group.
With the help of such a redevelopment and combining the loggia with the living space, an additional space is created, reminiscent of a bay window, which not only provides an increase in the studio area, but also makes it possible to create a rather interesting and original design.
The photo shows the design of a studio apartment of 20 sq. m., combined with a balcony, converted into a study.
Furniture selection and arrangement
The main task when choosing furniture is maximum functionality in a small size. The less furniture takes up space, the more spacious the apartment will seem. Therefore, you need to carefully consider not only the color scheme or style, but also pay more attention to its ergonomics.
The kitchen set should consist of two or three hanging cabinets and a table on which food is prepared.
It should be placed next to the sink. The entire kitchen work area should be concentrated in one place, as this is convenient and will keep it clean.
The refrigerator and stove should also be within arm's reach.
A folding sofa or sofa bed is perfect for relaxing in the living room.
If the sofa as a sleeping place does not suit you, because your back often feels all the depressions, you can purchase an equally interesting option - a transforming bed. They come in the form of a sofa, wall or table that can be used for work.
Created specifically for small apartments, this furniture does its job perfectly.
Instead of a dining table, a bar counter is suitable, which gives you the opportunity to have lunch in the kitchen or dinner in the living room in front of the TV.
To decorate the living room, create a cozy space in the form of a sofa, coffee table and TV on the opposite wall.
Use the wall in the living room for a wardrobe with mirrors. This will solve the problem of storing all things and expand the space. The entire living room will be reflected in the mirror and you will not feel the walls pressing in.
On the contrary, the effect of another room will be created, but only in reflection.
Examples of two-level apartments
Thanks to the second tier, several functional zones are created without losing excess apartment space. Basically, the upper level is equipped as a sleeping area. It is most often placed above the kitchen sector, bathroom or above a place with a sofa. In addition to its practical function, this structure gives the design special originality and uniqueness.
Interior options in various styles
Scandinavian design is distinguished by its snow-white color and is quite practical and cozy. This direction involves the use of decor in the form of black and white photographs, paintings and furniture made from high-quality natural materials, such as wood. Also, the eco-style has a special naturalness, which is characterized by soft light shades, living green plants and wooden lattice partitions, creating an extremely serene atmosphere.
The photo shows a two-level studio apartment of 20 sq. m. m., made in loft style.
The main feature of the loft style is the use of unplastered brick, deliberately rough beams, and the presence of materials in the form of glass, wood and metal. Lamps with long cables or spotlights are often used as lighting decor, which look especially advantageous in combination with concrete walls.
Distinctive elements of the high-tech direction are the interior in gray tones in combination with metal and glossy surfaces. For minimalism, monochromatic decoration and furniture that is simple and functional are appropriate. Here, matte designs look harmonious, in the form of closed shelving and all kinds of open shelves with a moderate amount of decor.
The photo shows the studio interior of 20 square meters, decorated in Scandinavian style.
Planning and zoning
Most often, the room has the shape of the letter L, due to the fact that the bathroom is immediately located in the hallway. Based on the number of windows, you can start dispersing zones. The owner must decide on such questions as:
- should there be a window in the kitchen area, rest and sleep area, living room;
- will the room have a sleeping area;
- what interior is relevant for him;
- Will the apartment have clear zone boundaries?
If there are two windows, it is customary to have one in the kitchen, and the second depends on the view of the residents. The location of the living room immediately after the small hallway is due to the fact that it is better to remove the bedroom from the entrance, but in this case, the living room will not have a window. Separating the bedroom with stationary lightweight partitions allows you to move the living room closer to the kitchen, which seems more logical.
Kitchen
No matter how much I would like to separate this territory, to erect walls means to be deprived of an airy and harmonious space.
You can simply separate the kitchen area with a border of finishing materials by choosing the right shades and structure of the material. The interior will only benefit.
The tiled kitchen floor may be slightly higher than the living room area with laminate flooring - such an elevation will make it clear that the territory has boundaries.
Light walls or combined finishing colors should be combined with the color scheme of the apartment. Furniture is functional and minimalist, and household appliances should provide maximum comfort and convenience for residents. Ergonomics and simplicity of lines, minimalism and high-quality materials are the key to success when creating
Sometimes the design of a kitchen in a studio is simplified by the layout of the room, for example, if it is L-shaped. It is recommended to install a light partition between two functional areas made of glass, transparent plastic, or regular shelving.
If the room is square, the dining area can be designated in other ways. For example, it is recommended to place a table with chairs or a bar counter so that it separates the living room from the kitchen. A U-shaped tabletop can serve as a similar stand - this is a more acceptable option for a small room. A large pendant lamp can be placed above the tabletop. It will also zone the space, illuminating the dining table.
The color design of the kitchen space in a studio apartment can perform one of two functions:
- Make it stand out against the backdrop of the common living room. They accentuate the kitchen: choose a contrasting color to the living room, the color of the walls, apron, and furniture. For example, black matte facades and a glass apron of the same color visually set the kitchen apart in a one-room apartment. The wall seems to be moving away.
- Hide it so that the space becomes unified (an example of a “hidden” kitchen is in the photo). At the same time, furniture facades and apron cladding should be close in shade to the color design of the living room. The interior turns out to be unified, the room visually becomes more spacious, especially when using light shades. You can unobtrusively highlight the kitchen space using LED facade lighting.
Bedroom
A rest and sleep area is necessary if the apartment has two residents, and in any case it must be separated by a partition. It can be either a stationary light or a mobile one, but the small room should be separate. Screen, wall – compartment made of frosted glass, textiles.
The choice of one material or another is determined only by the desire of the owners
It is important to ensure adequate air flow, or install air conditioning
Work zone
If it is possible to arrange an office on an insulated loggia, the apartment will not lose square meters. A functional table, a comfortable chair, the necessary racks for storing documents - all this can easily fit on the loggia. If this is not possible, you can use designer furniture, which is fully functional for working moments, and folds up when guests arrive. The work area in the photo is highlighted along with the bedroom area on an elevated platform. This is a small home office for one person. Thanks to the easy extension, the owners will get a few extra square meters.
Bathroom decoration
As a rule, this is a room of 4 – 6 sq.m. It is worth using it as functionally as possible. Modern styles are ergonomic and allow you to fill space expediently. Shower stalls made of glass will give a feeling of airiness to the room, light shades of tiles, or smooth color transitions will raise the ceiling. The bathroom, like the entire studio apartment, should be as bright as possible. Lighting and ergonomic bathroom furniture will create an unrivaled ambience. Bright bathrooms, as in the photo, will increase the interior space.
