Interior of a hall in a private house
One can only envy the owners of the house with white envy, because they have a lot of opportunities for the most unusual ideas.
Most often there are several of them, and they are large. And with them, even the most spacious room will look luxurious. The combination of these two factors makes the living room unforgettable. You don’t have to think long about the design; the main load will be borne by the view from the windows, and the correct design of the walls.
The photo shows a living room design in a retro style. Upholstered furniture, tables, and an antique wardrobe create coziness that may be lacking in a large room. The contrast of the white sofa and red armchairs is used interestingly.
Fans of ultra-modern design will appreciate a different type of interior, emphatically minimalist. There are no decorations here, everything is functional and simple: a huge soft sofa that can accommodate a large group to watch TV and chat, a round black table and compact armchairs.
The first option uses contrasting furniture. In any interior certain elements must be highlighted. In a small room, minor details look better against a light background; in a spacious room, the emphasis can be placed on anything. In the photo these are red leather chairs. They highlight the center of the room – the fireplace. Walls and curtains, on the contrary, are very discreet and do not attract attention. Overall the living room is very cozy and pleasant.
The core of the second living room is the fireplace and TV
The French windows also attract attention. The designer seems to want to say: we don’t need additional decor and bright colors
All this is compensated by an excellent view of the garden.
Some tips:
- Select no more than two interior elements.
- Distribute furniture evenly throughout the room.
- Use no more than three primary colors.
Zoning options in the design of a studio apartment of 25 sq. m.
Proper zoning is necessary, first of all, to create the most ergonomic space possible, subject to a small reserve of capacity. And these are all the same areas as in a classic apartment: hallway, bathroom, living room and bedroom, office, kitchen. And all parts must correspond to their main function: the kitchen is comfortable and with plenty of space, the bedroom is secluded, and so on.
The following are used as zoning tools:
- Partitions and racks, which can be either stationary or mobile, that is, sliding / mobile / folding.
- Furniture is 2-in-1. In addition to their main option, they are responsible for the visual division of space.
- Multi-level floor or ceiling. Protrusions on the ceiling or podiums on the floor allow you to place semantic accents without the need to install partitions.
- Color solutions in surface finishing and furniture upholstery - using contrasts or a close combination of shades can benefit in terms of zoning and even visually expand modest square meters.
- Finishing materials - without compromising the unity of style, you can choose materials that would create a harmonious, but independent in each case, style of the rooms.
According to the classics, with a studio design project of 25 sq.m. zoning begins with the kitchen - a room that requires considerable resources and which is subsequently problematic to remodel.
- The classic kitchen zoning is the construction of a bar counter, which can become a place for eating and receiving guests; a functional element if you install shelves, drawers, and a storage system above it; border between the kitchen and another area, which looks very modern.
- Stationary partition as a method of continuous zoning. If it is made of durable materials, it will withstand both storage systems in the form of cabinets and decorative elements in the form of paintings.
- A dining table is a good option for dividing a 25 square meter space. Moreover, if the table and chairs differ in color from other furniture in the bedroom/living room, then additional visual zoning is possible due to color contrast.
As for the living room and bedroom, it is important to understand that doing everything in a modest space is problematic, but possible.
- The same furniture can be used as a place to sleep and receive guests - a folding sofa bed with a curtain that is used only during rest.
- Also, the sleeping area can be fenced off with a lattice wooden partition. Possible material options are metal-plastic, metal, plasterboard.
- A podium is an excellent option for highlighting the so-called bedroom. It can fit a bed and even shelves and bedside tables.
An important role in the studio 25 sq.m. with or without a balcony there is an area for storing things. If you don’t think through this part of the design, then a small apartment risks losing order not because of the frequency of cleaning, but because of the abundance of things that themselves create visual chaos. The storage system can be equipped in different ways:
- Shelves with various boxes and drawers are installed under the ceiling along one of the walls to match the uniform style of the apartment.
- Mezzanines, which can also place accents on studio areas. If you install them along a certain line - for example, between the kitchen and the living room - then this is a good zoning technique plus the ability to place things.
- A podium that will simultaneously separate the bedroom from the living room, and well-thought-out installation will allow you to build drawers for linen, shoes, clothes, etc. directly in it.
- The mobile section along one of the walls is not necessarily tightly closed. Instead of doors, you can choose curtains.
Important. The second tier can become any of the areas of the apartment: kitchen or bedroom, dressing room or office
Completed with a convenient staircase and placed at a comfortable height, it will greatly save valuable studio space.
Selecting a design
Each design has its own characteristics, laws, predominant materials and colors. Therefore, choosing the right direction is also of particular importance. If you make a mistake in this choice, you risk turning your apartment into a place where you don’t want to live at all.
A window that is not overloaded with fabric will visually increase the space.
For example, the Provence style is completely unsuitable for a room of 30 square meters. Despite his lightness, naturalness and light colors, his love for various small details and a large amount of furniture will make a small apartment a gloomy closet. In this case, our choice is somewhat limited.
The relaxation area is delimited by wallpaper or painted walls.
We suggest you pay attention to the most suitable styles
Style | Color design | Peculiarities |
Minimalism | White, gray beige | Plain surface covering |
Modern | Black, yellow, turquoise | Contrasting combinations |
Loft | Brown, milky, red | Urban elements |
Scandinavian | White, brown, blue | The main detail is the fireplace |
For a one-room apartment, a kitchen without doors is preferable.
The main common feature of the presented styles is a minimum of details. With their help, you will be able to leave as much space free as possible and visually expand the room.
When implementing design ideas for a one-room apartment, first of all, you need to decide on the zones in the room. To do this, you will need to think about the color scheme of the entire home.
Minimalism
This style is perfect for the design of a one-room studio apartment of 30 square meters. Its main postulate is nothing superfluous. It allows you to arrange all the necessary zones in the room while leaving a lot of free space.
Minimalism and functionality are what you need for such premises.
Minimalism is characterized by calm colors, the absence of unnecessary details, and the predominance of natural elements. Another feature of it is the monochromatic covering of surfaces. The ceiling is often painted, whitewashed or wallpapered using light colors. This feature will help “raise” low ceilings in the room. The walls are also covered with monochromatic paints. Of the additional details, minimalism welcomes only a floor lamp of an unusual design and one or two soft armchairs.
The room does not need to be overloaded with decor.
Loft
Originally attic style. It is characterized by a certain negligence and the presence of urban details. For example, you can often find one wall covered with decorative bricks or boards. This solution will create the feeling that the apartment has open access to the courtyard, which will make it significantly fresher and more spacious.
Studio apartments are very popular now.
Despite the use of dark colors such as brown and dark red, this style does not make the room gloomy or small, quite the contrary. These colors give this effect due to the fact that they are displayed in natural materials such as wood, brick, stone. A few light details, for example, a white sofa or a bright picture of the appropriate orientation, will successfully dilute the atmosphere.
It should be taken into account that such housing is designed to accommodate no more than two people.
At the same time, to decorate an apartment in the loft style, light colors are also used to completely cover any surface.
Scandinavian
Cold and reserved. It will make the studio feel fresh and spacious. This style uses cool tones (white, blue) as a base, and warm tones (brown, yellow) to add a little warmth. The detail by which you will definitely recognize the Scandinavian direction is the fireplace. It also brings a little warmth to the austerity of snowy white flowers.
There are no partitions between rooms, and housing is divided into functional areas.
To create this style, just buy a sofa, cover the floor with a dark laminate and put a light carpet with a long pile on it. The walls need to be painted white in combination with blue, add a fireplace - and you're done.
No unnecessary details, and a lot of free space.
Perfect style
Achromatic colors with the addition of metal will create a fashionable, slightly futuristic look for a studio apartment: hi-tech, minimalism. Why are popular urban trends good for small spaces, and what ideas should be considered for use:
- gloss, mirrors, glass, clear geometry;
- completely devoid of excesses: only rationality;
- have extreme comfort and high demands on surrounding things.
- a light gray and white base will not overload the room;
- a combination of expressive textures will complete the look.
The industrial features in the design will appeal to young, dynamic owners, but other options that reveal the potential of a small space are also suitable for a studio apartment:
- Calmer versions of modern style involve the addition of a fresh color, such as orange, but they are still distinguished by laconic details in the design. Fashion trends, often based on a combination of glossy and matte surfaces, must be present: velvet, colored glass, muted shine of metal.
- The Scandinavian style, with its snow-whiteness, is quite practical and cozy when high-quality natural materials and wood are used.
- Eco style. Soft light shades for the main surfaces, shades of green, live plants, thin wooden lattice panels - an extremely serene atmosphere.
Pros and cons of a studio apartment
A modern studio apartment is a budget solution for a married couple. Inexpensive premises allow you to make your dream of owning your own home a reality. At the same time, the absence of walls and dividers expands the space and makes it free.
Other advantages of such a home include:
Easy to care for | Cleaning with properly selected furniture and equipment takes a minimum of time. |
No clutter or clutter | You can forget about the corridors with skis and unnecessary boxes. |
Ease of rearrangement in residential areas | Due to the minimum amount of furniture and decor. |
The disadvantages of a home with a small area include the need for careful selection of all items. They must be relevant and useful. But it is especially difficult to live in an open area with children. For children and teenagers, sufficient personal space must be allocated.
We draw up a design project
The main problem that needs to be solved when solving the space of a studio apartment of 24 square meters. m - this is to place the maximum of necessary things in a small area, without overloading the interior with various objects. Whatever the design of the room, you need to adhere to these basic rules:
- Dividing the room into zones cannot be ignored! For example, the kitchen area is perfectly separated from the rest of the room by a bar counter, multi-level floor or ceiling;
- There is no need to overload an already small apartment with furniture. The use of built-in household appliances, as well as lightweight transformable furniture, is encouraged;
- A balcony or loggia can be used as an adjacent functional space. As a rule, a place for work or rest is placed here, which saves space in the apartment;
- The presence of dark tones in the interior is undesirable. An exception to the rule may be a high-tech style, where the dosed presence of black would be justified. The use of light, positive, sunny tones when choosing shades of furniture, ceilings, wall and floor coverings allows you to visually expand your home;
- In a small studio, it is convenient to zone the room using lighting fixtures: sconces, ceiling chandeliers, groups of spotlights or backlights.
Style selection
The first thing that comes to mind when choosing a style is minimalism. However, this is far from the only option. At the same time, there are basic rules that it is advisable to adhere to, regardless of the chosen style option:
- A single design for decorating the living room and kitchen areas. The same applies to the bathroom and balcony (if it is used as a functional space);
- The use of shiny and mirrored surfaces creates the illusion of spaciousness;
- Less dark tones! By filling a room with light, you visually enlarge it;
- The statement that furniture should be placed along the walls, and the center must be left free, is erroneous. The room will not be comfortable enough. You can correct the situation with a coffee table and several poufs in the middle;
- The simpler the design of the furniture used, the more opportunities there will be to create a charming design in a limited space;
- Curtains with lambrequins and bulky details are not suitable for a small room.
Design of a one-room apartment p-44t
The use of corrugated, roller curtains or blinds is much more appropriate. As for styles, experts recommend a fashionable and comfortable Scandinavian design for a 24 sq. m studio apartment. To describe it in a nutshell, it is coziness and extreme simplicity. Scandinavian style involves the maximum use of natural materials - stone, wood, leather, glass and textiles
Having open space is also important. Furniture takes up less than half of the usable space, which adds comfort and functionality to the home
Another option suitable for a small area is a strict “high-tech” high-tech design. Such an interior is characterized by the use of furniture with transformation mechanisms and built-in household appliances. At the same time, housing should be very convenient and comfortable. High-tech is an exception to the rule when the use of black is allowed in a small area. At the same time, it should not be dominant. The main shades are gray and white. All items must have clear geometric contours (hood in the shape of a square or triangle, rectangular tabletop).
The Provence style looks unusual and beautiful. This is a delicate interior, with an abundance of light textiles and small floral prints. The natural light color palette creates the impression of spaciousness. And wooden pieces of furniture and airy curtains on the windows will make the interior very cozy.
It is generally accepted that the loft style is appropriate only in large rooms. Oddly enough, industrial style elements will look very organic in a small studio. Light monochromatic furniture, brick-like or rough plaster wall decoration, mirrors and exposed communications will look very organic.
"Contemporary" is a combination of different styles. A more common name for this design is “modern style”. These are simple and concise furnishing elements, combined with unusual accents and decor. It is possible to include classic design elements.
Materials and finishing methods
The choice of materials for a small apartment depends on the chosen style and financial capabilities:
- Floor coverings can be used to highlight functional areas. For example, in the kitchen it could be ceramic tiles, and in the bedroom and (or) living room area it could be laminate or linoleum;
- Types of ceiling finishing - conventional painting with water-based paint, the use of plasterboard and tension structures. The last 2 options look beautiful, but there is a minus: they reduce the already small 2.5-meter ceiling height;
- For walls, light wallpaper (possibly in combination with artificial stone) or decorative plaster are optimal. It is permissible to use low plasterboard partitions.
A few words about the bathroom
You can solve the issue of insufficient space in the following ways:
- Give up a bath in favor of a shower;
- Use small-sized plumbing fixtures, including bathtubs and sinks with a corner location;
- There are two options for placing the washing machine: purchase the most compact washing machine or move it to the kitchen area;
- Use a wall-hung toilet, as it takes up less space than a traditional one.
The design solution should be as thoughtful as possible so that the bathroom is not just beautiful, but also comfortable. Naturally, the toilet and bathroom are located together. The entrance can be highlighted with artificial stone.
Options for interesting layouts to create functional areas
After purchasing or concluding a rental agreement for a studio apartment, think about the correct zoning of the premises. After all, each owner decides for himself where to place the sofa and where he will cook dinner. And for this purpose they are renovating a 20 sq. m studio. m.
Before work, you need to draw up a project. It is advisable to do it on paper. This will save both time and money. The project reflects the essence of zoning, including the arrangement of furniture.
When planning, one rule is followed: the studio has at least three zones: kitchen, bedroom and living room. There is no way without this.
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A partition or curtains are used to divide into zones. Wardrobes, sofas, etc. are often used. The role here is played by the design approach, the lot of which will depend on the features of the living space.
Furniture arrangement
As mentioned earlier, zoning can be done in a studio using furniture alone. You can use cabinets, sofas, armchairs and so on. You can furnish it with anything. Tables, tables or poufs will do.
Furniture is arranged so that the furniture fits into the room with free space to move. The best version is to use furniture of minimal size, but with greater functionality. For example, a pull-out sofa that can be used as a bed.
Arrangement of a sleeping place
At this stage of the arrangement, problems may arise. As a rule, the sleeping area in the studio is compact. A maximum of a lorry and a half can fit here. If you need a large bed, you will have to sacrifice space for another area. In this regard, the design of a one-room apartment is in an advantageous situation, since there is strict zoning.
But there is a way out of this situation. You can put a pull-out sofa, then you can save more space for the living room. Or buy a bed that fits into the wall. This will save space during the day.
The sleeping area can be equipped with separate lighting fixtures. For greater comfort, the bed can be placed by the window. But only if it is tightly sealed.
Kitchen and reception area
The least space can be allocated for the kitchen and living room areas. Kitchen for a studio 20 sq. m. should be compact and stand as far as possible from the sleeping area. An alternative is to combine the kitchen and living area.
In the kitchen, it is advisable to install a kitchen set instead of cabinets and shelves for dishes. They take up much less space and are practical to use.
There may be a bathroom next to the kitchen, but not a toilet. It will become a source of unpleasant odors, which is undesirable. Only in exceptional cases is such a layout allowed.
There is always room for household appliances in the kitchen. It is placed in the same headset or next to it. The vacuum cleaner can also be placed in the living room.
Idea for a bathroom
The bathroom is almost the main room in the house. It will not be possible to place it anywhere, because sewer pipes usually cannot always be moved where needed. Read more about a small bath and toilet.
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Here you can change the ceiling and decoration. For example, change color or depth. Finishing comes in variable variations. To achieve results you need reliable material and technology.
Don't forget about the toilet and shower. They should not interfere with each other. The toilet and shower are placed next to each other or separated by a partition.
Stage 5. Shoplist
The last part of the project is the shopping list. It’s not for nothing that the project used real objects that can be bought in stores, and not just looked at in pictures on Pinterest.
As far as I understand, Legko employees can help with ordering everything, but I decided that I wanted to do the shopping on my own: see something in showrooms, buy something directly in stores. The shoplist can be conveniently downloaded as a PDF document. It was incredibly convenient to order only the necessary furniture from IKEA and not be scattered about all the beautiful and urgent needs.
As a result, work on the project took three weeks. A little longer than originally planned due to a pause during the visualization stage, but this was not critical for me.
I am very pleased with the cooperation with Legko.com
For me, this is another proof that it is important to ask for help, even when it seems that you can do everything yourself. Professionals will do it faster and better, and I will stress less and get more pleasure from the process
Work on translating the design into reality is in full swing. I will continue to share the process (I mostly share updates on Instagram Stories) and hopefully have a housewarming celebration soon.
Zoning
Space zoning is the most pressing problem for studio apartments. Zones can be divided:
- Actually;
- Conditionally.
The easiest way to solve this problem is with the help of decorative partitions. They will not only divide the space, but can also be beneficial if we are talking about through shelving or walls with niches. An arch that will stretch across the entire room will completely protect the sleeping area from the prying eyes of guests, but it will add “heaviness” to the space and ground it. For conditional zoning, curtains or portable screens are suitable. A stand with a TV can also be placed on the “border” zone, thereby fencing off two different “worlds”. One of the most original design ideas is the placement of a universal stand that can be used both for work and for tea drinking. She partitions off the bed and adds another seating area instead of a low coffee table. The actual border will be not only the wall, but also sliding doors made of translucent plastic. If the style allows this, then a pattern can be applied to the surface of the door that will emphasize the general direction of the design. Another type of space zoning can be a two-level floor, when the sleeping area is located on an improvised “pedestal”.
How to arrange furniture in a small room?
For small rooms it is better to choose low furniture. It will also be good if it is not carved or too voluminous. In addition, it should not come into strong contrast with the color of the walls. If it stands out too much against their background, it may feel cluttered.
It is easier to furnish a square room than a rectangular one. The furniture will be spaced evenly around the perimeter. But in a rectangular room it usually turns out to be shifted towards one of the walls. In this case, it is worth hanging as many shelves as possible on the free wall. They will help solve storage issues.
For the living room it is better to choose transformable furniture:
- coffee table that folds out into a dining table;
- sofa bed for overnight guests;
- cabinets and shelving with a folding desk or a built-in dressing table.
If the room has a balcony or loggia, then when they are insulated, you will get additional space on which you can place a single or double bed, a study, a dressing room or a relaxation area. To visually increase the space of the room, you can make a panoramic door and decorate the balcony in the same style as the apartment.
It is easier to decorate a room with one window than with two. The second window steals precious space. Especially if the room is corner. But you can still get out of the situation if you place the bed with the head of the window and use the window sill as a bedside table. In addition, the entire space around the window can be occupied by cabinets and shelves. When a room has several windows and a lot of light, this is a very good solution.
If the windows are on one wall, then they very naturally and harmoniously divide the room into two zones. Therefore, if you place a kitchen unit near one window, and a living or sleeping area near another, then additional partitions may not be needed.
Style selection
You have decided to purchase a studio apartment, you need to plan its design and figure out what furniture to furnish. There are general requirements that apply to any studio apartment design:
- Unity of style between the kitchen area and the living room area. This is a mandatory requirement. If you also use the balcony as an additional functional area, try to decorate it in the same style as the entire apartment. This also applies to the bathroom;
- Choose mirrored and glossy surfaces for decoration - they will create the illusion of additional space;
- As mentioned earlier, do not use dark colors in the interior, the only exception being high-tech style. Fill your “living room” with light shades;
- You should not think that to save space it is necessary to place all the furniture only near the walls and leave the center empty - in this case, the apartment will turn out to be too “uninhabited” and there will be no comfort. Place at least an ottoman or a coffee table;
- In small apartments, simple furniture elements from IKEA look very good, and in general, the simpler you choose furniture, the better it will fit into the interior, the more opportunities for additional interesting decoration you will have;
- Hang simple curtains on the windows, without bulky heavy parts such as lambrequins. You can use roller blinds or blinds.
One of the most recommended for small studio apartments is the so-called “Scandinavian” style. It involves the use of natural materials in the interior - wood, stone, metal, glass, leather, etc. This style is quite famous and popular due to its cozy simplicity. Light wallpaper, most often plain, is used to decorate the walls. Furniture in such an interior takes up only about 40% of the usable area, which makes the home spacious and functional;
Another style popular for rooms with a small area is the minimalist high-tech style. Its difference lies in the use of a minimum of furniture, built-in appliances and at the same time obtaining maximum benefits. If you have chosen a high-tech style, you can use black to decorate the interior, but remember - it should not be dominant, just as a contrast to the main white or gray colors. In the setting, use clear geometric contours, for example, a rectangular kitchen table, a square or triangular hood;
Also, in small studio apartments the Provence style will look very beautiful. This gentle style, which involves an abundance of textiles and floral prints, will add additional coziness to a small room, pastel colors (the Provence style involves the use of soft green, lilac, lavender, and linen colors) will create the illusion of a bright, free space, and wooden furniture will complement the image your home;
And finally, let’s consider a style that does not have any pronounced features, but necessarily combines functionality coupled with interesting bright details in the interior - this is the “contemporary” style or simply modern style. All furnishings are simple and concise, but the presence of some interesting bright “spots” and unusual decorative elements is mandatory.
So, in our article we tried to give you some idea of what a studio apartment is, who it is suitable for and how you can turn it into the most cozy and functional corner for spending time at home. Now you can make the right decision when choosing a property according to your taste and budget.
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