Nowadays, in many new buildings, studio apartments with an area of 20-25 square meters are being made. m. Such small apartments are in great demand among young people and those who have not yet saved up for more expensive housing. The average price for a studio is only 1 million rubles, which is much cheaper than a standard one-room studio.
Initially, according to the plan, the living space in this apartment was only 19 square meters. m. (room 12.7 sq. m.), and by adding a loggia to the room it increased to 22 sq. m. m. This studio was made not in a new building, but in an old brick house from a hotel-type room in St. Petersburg (in other words, Khrushchev).
Interesting layout projects
The design of the studio is determined by the people living here. The apartment of a married couple is very different from a bachelor’s apartment or a house for a single girl. Therefore, when choosing style, furniture, colors, the owner’s wishes are taken into account. However, design organizations allow you to select ready-made interiors based on photos of projects or mix versions.
First, let's look at the details that will create a unique atmosphere even on 22 square meters. It is better to fill apartments that are too elongated with furniture that will visually increase the width, turning the area into a more square one. Double-sided shelving will do this: they imitate partitions and divide the room into zones. And colors combined with each other will smooth out the irregular shape.
A balcony combined with a room increases the area and creates an additional area - dining, sleeping or living room. This will be a design solution for a studio of 22 square meters. m.
High ceilings will also help diversify the design. With their help, you can either create additional storage areas or even organize a second floor. How this can be done can be seen in numerous photos of apartments whose owners took advantage of the space.
Advantages
From the photo you can see that the studios have one advantage - the implementation of one style of room. Thanks to the area of 22-23 sq. m, the room looks laconic, and color contrasts and bright details look advantageous. The division into zones is organized by surfaces - walls, ceiling, floor. In the photos of the decorated apartments, the choice of such a solution also looks impressive.
Flaws
The disadvantage of the studio is the inability to expand the space. Therefore, when choosing a small-sized apartment, keep in mind that when another family member appears, you will need to buy more spacious housing.
Stylistic directions
Styles that require a large amount of volumetric decor, carved furniture, and free space are unacceptable here. The apartments provide only the most necessary furnishings, household items, and various equipment.
Most suitable solutions:
- minimalism - only the most necessary furniture, simple shapes, mostly monochromatic decoration, practically no decor, built-in household appliances;
- Scandinavian - wood or ceramic tiles on the floor, light, multifunctional furniture with individual bright accents in cool shades;
- Provence – light floor, ceiling, walls, floral prints on textiles, simple wooden furniture, the bedroom is separated by a curtain. It is acceptable to have “cozy” accessories, paintings, watches;
- ethnic - floorboards or tiles on the floor, coarse linen fabric or its imitation on the walls, furniture made of untreated wood, yellow-brown color scheme;
- Japanese - low furniture, an almost invisible kitchen set, a bed on a podium or closet, a carpet-mat in the middle of the living room, a ceiling made of plain plasterboard;
- high-tech - an abundance of silver, steel surfaces, glass countertops, zoning screens, metal blinds, many different light sources, a dark plain carpet on the floor, ceramic tiles;
- loft - imitation brick-like wall decoration, high ceiling with open beams, laminate flooring, panoramic windows without curtains, floor hangers, dark contrasting elements are allowed;
- Art Deco - velvet-look wallpaper, parquet flooring, hand-painted and leather upholstery on furniture, a lot of gloss, mirrors, animal skin or its artificial imitation instead of carpet in the living room, sleeping area, heavy curtains;
- classic - the main color of the interior is gray or beige, the furniture is exclusively wooden, has forged parts, is of good quality, bright textiles and an imitation fireplace are allowed;
- art-believe - there is plain wallpaper on the walls, the ceiling is whitewashed, there are rugs knitted from old knitwear on the floor, homemade furniture from boards, Euro pallets, painted with light paint.
Having chosen a certain style, it should be followed throughout the entire apartment. This applies to floor, wall, ceiling coverings, window, door and furniture design.
Room zoning
On 22-23 square meters it is necessary to create divisions into zones, otherwise the apartment will lose functionality. The interior design of spaces is carried out in one style, since a different solution looks like a clutter and creates constraint and a feeling of cramped space. Therefore, planning is carried out in advance, at the stage of creating the project.
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Usually four zones are enough. The first is the bedroom, which can be organized together with the guest room using transformable furniture. The second is the kitchen, where there are the necessary household appliances and a place for breakfast, lunch and dinner. The third is a storage area.
Some interior ideas involve organizing cabinets and drawers by location. Other design options tend to organize a single closet or wardrobe.
And the fourth is the bathroom. Unlike the rest, this area is initially separated, but in some options the opaque walls are replaced with glass, which further visually expands the studio.
Free space is organized in the living room area, if it is possible to separate it into a separate area. However, this can rarely be done due to the small area.
Kitchen
To furnish the studio kitchen area, you will need to fulfill two conditions. The first thing is to preserve and support the motive of the apartment so that the design does not deviate from the general concept. The second is to ensure functionality so that the appliances and kitchen furniture meet the owner’s needs.
In the photo with the renovation already completed, you can see small kitchen areas for those who order ready-made food or standard sizes of furniture, taking into account work surfaces. The choice depends on the lifestyle and habits of the apartment residents.
Living room
The living area is equipped with a sofa, which also serves as a place for the owners to sleep. It is easy to arrange, since you only need to take furniture in a certain style. The seating area also contains shelves for books, a cabinet with a TV and a coffee or folding table.
However, if a sofa seems like a boring solution, consider designing your living room using a group of poufs, pillows or a soft folding rug. This solution is convenient for a studio due to the small size of the furniture. But the photos of apartments with a similar design show how practical it is.
Bedroom
The main furniture in the bedroom is the bed. Choose a bed that is comfortable and appropriate in design. Also, closets are often organized in the sleeping area, which helps to divide the space.
The color of the walls and ceiling is chosen in the same shade as the studio only if accentuation is not planned with the help of contrasting details. For example, in the photos of the interiors of finished apartments there are options for both harmonious combination with the rest of the space and darkening the bedroom.
Bathroom
The bathroom has a privileged position in the studio, as it is separated from the rest of the space by blank walls. Here a design is created either echoing the motive of the apartment, or the opposite. For the walls, choose a suitable covering - tiles, panels. The ceiling and floor are also decorated with durable materials. You can expand the space by moving the washing machine into the kitchen.
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Choosing the appropriate style for a kitchen-living room of 22 sq. meters
High tech
This direction of interior design is distinguished by the abundance of modern technologies. Household appliances occupy one of the central places and are not built into the facades of the kitchen and living room units. The furniture is distinguished by classic shades and strict geometric shapes.
The most popular materials are plastic, glass, and chrome-plated metal.
Note! The design of a large living room kitchen is distinguished by a small number of decorative items. Furniture and appliances are selected in large dimensions, with clear right angles and lines. This style is characterized by an abundance of mirror and glossy surfaces.
The furnishings of the combined premises are varied.
Basic rules and principles for decorating a living room kitchen in a high-tech style.
- A large number of lighting fixtures. For this purpose, lamps and chandeliers with directional light are used. The most common finishing option is multi-level plasterboard structures, or suspended ceilings with built-in spotlights. Designer pieces of furniture and kitchen worktops are also complemented by lighting elements created in a white or cool color spectrum.
- Functionality is one of the fundamental principles of creating the decor of a kitchen living room of 22 sq. m. The decorative design of a room requires the presence of furniture with straight outlines and a minimum of decorations and other details.
- Bright and rich colors of materials, including contrasting combinations of shades. Combining red, yellow, green or orange pieces of furniture with a white or light background color looks impressive. It would also be appropriate to use no more than 3 shades of similar tone. The working surfaces of the countertop are free of dishes or detergents. These items are placed on shelves or in closed cabinets.
- Ergonomic and rational placement of furniture and equipment. This allows you to move around the room with ease thanks to the use of a small number of necessary elements. Multifunctional modules with a folding bar counter and chairs are perfect for comfortable use of space. Retractable countertops that are built into kitchen cabinets will also help save useful living space.
There is a cooking area, a soft corner for relaxation, and a dining area, which provides great decorative possibilities.
Provence
A kitchen area created in the Provence style should occupy at least 10 square meters. m, that is, half of the combined premises. The finishing of furniture surfaces and facades is dominated by surfaces made of natural materials, made in warm shades of wood.
The merging of two rooms that are completely different in function requires a competent and creative approach, otherwise, instead of increasing the comfort of the home, you can get the exact opposite result.
Wall decoration can be created in the form of textured plaster. They can also be covered with wallpaper with a small pattern of flowers or plants. Non-slippery ceramic tiles and laminate can be used as flooring in a design project.
Panels made of decorative clinker bricks also look stylish.
For a more colorful look, rooms in private houses with a spacious layout leave exposed wooden ceiling beams; in city apartments, this element is created from polymer materials. However, if the floor height is low, false beams should not be used. Because they reduce the volume of the room.
It is recommended to finish the ceiling with plaster and paint it in light colors.
The color scheme embodies the sunny fields and meadows of the Alps. Pastel tones of lavender, mint, olive, and sand shades reflect the Provence style. The paintwork for walls and ceilings should be matte colors of vanilla, baked milk or creamy beige.
The usable space increases, and it becomes possible to move the dining area outside the cooking area without losing connection with it.
The work apron is created in harmony with the worktop. It can be in the form of painted ceramic tiles and multi-color acrylic panels. The most common options are small rectangular blocks with rounded edges.
The design of a living room combined with a kitchen becomes more varied.
Additional Information. If the apron material is natural or artificial stone, then it is desirable that it be identical to the coating of the countertop and the surface of the bar counter.
Other styles
Country and classic style can be created using various plasterboard partitions. They stand out due to the abundance of gilded, glossy surfaces of countertops and facades.
In small rooms, it is not advisable to use furniture or finishing materials in rich colors.
Interior features
For a studio apartment of 23 sq. m choose light colors and a design that supports this. White and pastel colors visually enlarge, expand the space, and add freshness. In addition, bright accents look good against neutral shades.
The floor is designed either in a contrasting color with the walls, or supports the main color motif. In the first case, the ceiling is chosen in the same shade, but this design solution is suitable for a studio with a height of 3 m or more.
Stretch ceilings are more convenient than two-level compositions. It will help hide unevenness, not overload the space, while creating the desired level of lighting with spotlights.
If the studio has an elongated rectangular shape, the short end walls and the entrance door are decorated in the same color. Otherwise, you can choose light colors that blend with the walls or a model with a mirror surface.
Design of functional areas
The apartment has 42 sq. m. Each room bears an increased load due to its small area, so their arrangement should be thought out especially carefully.
Kitchen
In a small kitchen combined with a room, it is much easier to place everything you need, since the dining area is moved into the free opening. The kitchen-living room in this case becomes a comfortable place for relaxing and eating. In a small kitchen (if we are talking about a two-room apartment of 42 square meters), it is worth using a whole arsenal of tools in order to fit everything you need:
- Tall cabinets occupying the ceiling space.
- Compact built-in technology.
- A uniform kitchen set, preferably with lighting.
- Light colors, glossy facades;
- Folding tables, compact stools, folding chairs.
The photo shows a separate kitchen, the free wall of which is decorated with photo wallpaper under glass, which gives the room not only depth, but also exclusivity.
An excellent option for a kitchen with access to a balcony is to arrange a dining area in additional space. If you insulate the loggia and connect it with the kitchen, you will get a magnificent dining room.
Another technique that has become a commandment in the design environment: “The fewer corners, the freer the room seems.” In other words, if you use rounded furniture, the kitchen will look softer and more spacious.
Children's
For a family with a child, the apartment is 42 sq. m. m. is a completely acceptable option, since even in a small room allocated for a nursery, you can create a cozy place for a baby or teenager. Many children adore bunk beds, and parents appreciate these designs for the ability to compactly place a work desk or toys under the bed.
The photo shows a children's room with everything you need, completely decorated in white.
Living and relaxation area
Space for receiving guests in an apartment of 42 sq. meter can be equipped with a straight or corner sofa. A living room with a coffee table looks especially cozy, but you will need free space to place it.
An excellent option is to buy an ottoman that will serve as both a table and a spacious drawer. When arranging a living room, you need to remember that the whole family will gather in this room, so the convenience of the household should come first.
A relaxation area can be arranged on the balcony. If desired, in the summer it will serve as an additional bedroom.
Wardrobe
To allocate a separate place for storing clothes in an apartment of 42 sq. m., it’s worth using your imagination, since the dressing room “eats up” a lot of space. You can arrange it in the pantry (typical Khrushchev apartments often have a small niche in one of the rooms) or hide it in the corner behind the curtains.
Sleeping area
Every person dreams of a comfortable bedroom, but if there is not much space, there is a special use for the bed. Sometimes a small room only has enough space for a bed and a closet. In this case, the storage system can be placed on a narrow wall, taking up space from floor to ceiling. Glossy facades with a “click and open” system do not require fittings. The eye will not be drawn to the bulky cabinet, as it will become part of the wall.
As a multifunctional place to sleep, the owners of an apartment of 42 sq. meters also use podium beds, “lofts” and transformers.
In the photo there is a bed that, when folded, transforms into a sofa and turns the bedroom into a living room.
Cabinet
It is difficult to imagine a modern apartment without a workplace. But where can I find free meters for it? To fit a table with a computer and a chair, any cozy corners near an outlet will do, as well as a place by the window and, of course, an insulated balcony. A full-fledged and luxurious office can be organized in a bay window, separated by curtains or furniture.
Bathroom and toilet
The bathroom in an apartment of 42 meters can be either separate or combined. Some owners prefer bright colors in decoration, thereby visually reducing the area, but compensate for it due to the abundance of light and reflective surfaces. It is also popular to decorate the back wall of the toilet in a contrasting tone with respect to the rest of the decoration: a dark background adds depth to a tiny room.
The photo shows an ideal bathroom from an ergonomic point of view: white glossy tiles, a glass shower, a mirror, compact furniture and the use of the surface of a washing machine as a countertop.
Furniture arrangement
Furniture in a studio apartment is arranged in zones, having thought through approaches to each piece of furniture. It is optimal to combine or place the kitchen and living room next to each other, and separate the bed for sleeping with a partition or shelves.
Since the layouts of the apartments in the building are the same on adjacent floors, to determine the layout option, ask to see examples of the design of your neighbors. A clear example is better than photos of similar projects.
Professional design of a studio apartment of 30 sq.m.
When mentioning designer renovations, many are sure that we can only talk about huge apartments and country cottages with the investment of fabulous sums. There is an opinion that designers are just a fashionable whim. And their job is only to choose the style, select vases and cushions for the sofas. Meanwhile, small apartments may even more urgently need interior design from an experienced designer, because in this case they have to solve rather difficult problems in creating comfort.
How professional help is useful when developing a design project for a small one-room apartment:
- An experienced designer will tell you how to best place the necessary functional areas, which partitions should be removed or added to maximize the use of the available space.
- Professional design will allow you to create a single harmonious space, intelligently combining color schemes and different types of finishing zones in one range.
- The apartment will be filled with correctly selected and arranged furniture and appliances, things will be in their places.
- Proper lighting is provided - from the point of view of functionality in the equipped areas separately and will emphasize the style of the apartment as a whole.
- The presence of decorative elements that will add uniqueness and give a refined individuality to the room.
In any space, if desired, you can create a functional interior for a comfortable life, find a place for flights of fancy. Design techniques, the use of unusual materials, decorative elements, play of light, and colors will help when creating an interior.
Lighting equipment
Light is important in apartment design. With its help, the kitchen, living room and bedroom areas are highlighted. Spotlights on the ceiling accentuate the division of the 22 sq. m studio. m into zones, and dim lighting on the walls helps organize a place for reading.
Volumetric chandeliers with a massive base are rather rare in studios, as they do not provide enough light. Small but numerous devices are much more practical. Lamps are also selected according to the chosen style; it is even possible to order designer models.
Bathroom
The bathroom has a warm water floor from hot water. It heats up while taking a bath or washing dishes, and stays warm for a very long time.
The total area of the bathroom is 3 square meters. m. (140*210 cm), combined bathroom, steel bathtub length 140 cm. To reduce noise, the bottom of the bathtub was sealed with polyurethane foam (see the article on installing a bathtub for more details). The sink had to be removed to accommodate the washing machine. Otherwise it would be installed too high, which would be inconvenient.
The toilet is compact, Cersanit Nano. Bathroom door with bronze-colored glass, model - Framir Rokada Veneered. All pipes are hidden in a plasterboard box.
Choice of colors
Before you start the renovation, choose a design - a project from a photo or create an individual one. This will help determine the costs of upcoming work and help avoid alterations to sockets, partitions, and walls.
The design of the studio should be chosen in light colors. For example, white color, taken as a basis, visually expands the space. Bright accent details will add uniqueness. A contrasting pattern and the same color of curtains on the windows will help give additional height to the ceilings. Examples of successful combinations can be seen in the photos of apartments where renovations have already been done.
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Furniture and storage systems
Customers initially did not ask for a lot of storage systems - for weekend stops there is no need to take a lot of things with them. The designer thought out a built-in wardrobe in the hallway, as well as a spacious kitchen unit. The loggia also has space for a closet - in case the apartment owners find that the existing storage systems are not enough. You can store bed linen in the cabinet opposite the sofa, and the folding sofa also has drawers.
The cabinet opposite the sofa is from IKEA. The facades were decorated with natural rattan to give the furniture an individual look. The designer painted the picture for the project - based on a photograph of the customer, which he took during a trip to the island of Santorini.
We selected different furniture for the project. There are custom-made items, for example the same closet in the hallway. The chairs in the dining area are vintage. They were restored and painted to give them a new look.
The decor continues the eclectic style. Vintage items were used in the interior, for example, an engraving in the hallway. The pouf was made to order, upholstered with fabric from IKEA.
Modern interior ideas
The design of a studio apartment depends on the tastes of the owner. Some opt for a loft style with roughly decorated walls and a minimal amount of furniture. Others prefer Provence, which looks nice thanks to its light shades and subdued colors. When selecting the desired version, they look at photos of finished interiors to understand what they want to get as a result.
For many, a small apartment is a temporary solution that helps them purchase their own home without breaking the bank. Compared to one-room apartments, studios are cheaper. The option is suitable for one or two people, but if the family expands, an increase in space will be required.
Customers and tasks
The owners of this small apartment in Nizhny Novgorod are a married couple. They moved out of town, but at the same time wanted to have housing in the city so that it would be convenient to stay for the weekend. Based on these circumstances, the main wishes in the design of the apartment were built: a kitchen, a sleeping place and a minimum amount of storage were needed.
In terms of style, the clients gave the author complete carte blanche. “Viola, do as you want!” is the phrase every designer dreams of hearing. I decided to start the interior from the private to the general. “I want a yellow front door and this lampshade over the table,” was the first thing she offered to customers. The interior design began with these two introductory notes,” says the author of the project, designer Viola Levina.
