9 tips for designing a studio apartment: interior and layout + photos

Furnishing an apartment is a very difficult moment, since it requires careful thought and drawing up a clear floor plan. Particularly problematic is the furnishing of a one-room apartment with limited space in which you need to fit everything you need.

This issue becomes especially relevant in connection with the growing popularity of studio apartments, which require mandatory zoning. We will talk about possible options for arranging furniture and decorating a one-room apartment below.

How to arrange a one-room apartment

No. 1. Rules for organizing the interior of a studio apartment

A studio apartment is considered one of the cheapest types of modern housing and is a small space, usually 30-40 square meters. m ., but there are even smaller studios - about 20 sq. m . This is a single space where only the bathroom is separated by walls, everything else is a living area , in which you need to try to fit a kitchen, bedroom, living room, and, if necessary, also a small office. The main task (it is also the main problem) is to correctly divide and arrange all the necessary zones, because the space, although not limited by partitions, is limited by the area.

Let the joy of acquiring your own square meters not be overshadowed by some difficulties in planning a studio apartment, because here everyone can show their creativity and imagination, and it will not be difficult to change the decor if necessary.

The first thing a new owner of a studio apartment should do when organizing its interior is to create a design project . In a special application or on a sheet of paper, it is necessary to depict the existing space and begin to model the future environment: this way, “moving” furniture and swapping zones is much easier, especially since it will be possible to determine with extreme precision what, what size and where it should be.

When creating the interior design of a studio apartment, consider these important rules:

• Whatever the size of the apartment, it is necessary to allocate three functional zones . These are the kitchen, living room and bedroom;
• Each resident should have their own space . At a minimum, this is a sleeping place with an adjacent bedside table or shelves, and if possible, a work desk or something else;
• should not be in the studio nothing excessive. This applies to furniture, accessories and functional areas, otherwise an already small apartment will seem tiny. The main task in our case is precisely to create the illusion of free space, as far as possible, of course. An abundance of shelves, niches and cabinets will turn a compact, cozy studio into a kind of garage. To prevent pile-ups, clear space planning and calculations, down to the centimeter, are especially important.

Popular design styles

Small studios converted from small apartments use literally every centimeter. In this case, the main task must be fulfilled - providing free space. For such options, modern styles are suitable - hi-tech or minimalism.

Living spaces with a large area can use other styles. Classics with massive furniture and chic design remain in demand at all times. Modernism attracts with its originality. It is often combined with the eco-style that is popular today.

Young people often prefer ethnic Scandinavian interiors with Loft elements. Extraordinary personalities who love to philosophize choose oriental sketches. Provence echoes rustic motifs.

No. 2. Choosing an interior style for a studio apartment

The first rule when decorating the interior of a studio apartment is to use a light color scheme. Preference is given to shades of white, beige, sand, gray, milky and other light tones that can slightly dissolve the boundaries of the room. Dark and bright colors are used only as accents so that the interior does not look boring. Designers do not recommend using more than three leading colors; it is better to give preference to monochrome solutions. Contrasting combinations of white with black or brown look good.

The following interior styles best suit the requirements for the design of a studio apartment:

• minimalism;
• high tech;
• Scandinavian style;
• Japanese style.

Pop art, loft, and modern also have the right to exist in a small space, but it is better to refuse the classical style with an abundance of decorative elements, stucco molding, patterns and gilding; in extreme cases, use only its most “harmless” elements that will create atmosphere, but will not take away the place.

Don't forget about design tricks , and this is not only the widespread use of white and light shades. Mirror surfaces help to visually expand the space : a well-placed mirror can make an apartment 1.5-2 times larger. You can use large mirrors that cover the entire wall, mirror tiles, and an abundance of small decorative mirrors. Photo wallpapers that depict a drawing with perspective .

General rules for selecting furniture

A studio apartment assumes a single style. This means that all elements - from the kitchen unit to the bedroom area and the place where guests are received - must be harmoniously combined and emphasize the created interior design.

Another important rule for selecting furniture for an open plan in small apartments is functionality. Any item should be useful. The coffee table transforms into a large dining table. The sofa can be used as a bed. The built-in cabinet, if necessary, includes special devices for daily use of the most distant areas.

No. 3. Zoning a studio apartment

Correct zoning of existing square meters is the main task to be solved when developing the interior and layout of a studio apartment. To do this, we first determine where each zone will be located. The issue is made easier by the fact that the location of the kitchen is determined by the location of the communications - moving them is problematic, and not so much physically as documented. Near the kitchen area there is a dining area with a dining table, which smoothly transitions into the living room - this is the best and most convenient option. For the bedroom there is a secluded corner away from the entrance to the apartment.

When the approximate locations of all key zones have been determined, the most important thing remains - to separate them so that the boundaries of each of them are clear , but at the same time leave a feeling of a single harmonious and free space . Of course, there can be no talk of any walls or solid partitions. For studio apartment zoning, the following are :

• mobile partitions, screens, screens and curtains . If necessary, you can close, for example, a bed with them, and then easily remove such a partition;
• a bookcase, chest of drawers, sofa or dining table can also serve to define the boundaries of adjacent zones, while the owner does not lose a centimeter of usable space and does not spend money on purchasing screens. It is enough, for example, to place the sofa with its back to the dining or kitchen area and it will be clear where the line between them lies. A high through shelf can separate the bedroom from the living room and at the same time perform its direct functions;
• Separately, it is worth highlighting the bar counter , which separates the kitchen area from the living room, and also serves as a dining table, an additional work surface or a place to store kitchen utensils;
• different color and type of finish, and this is mainly the floor covering, since it is better to leave the walls in the same or approximately the same color scheme. For the kitchen, for example, you can use tiles, for the living room - parquet. Another example is a dark shade of laminate in the bedroom and a lighter shade in the living room, or vice versa;

• zoning with carpets. Unlike the previous option, a certain zone is not fixed to a specific space in the apartment - it can be easily moved by simply dragging the carpet. For such zoning to be effective, ideally place all the furniture in a particular zone on one rug;

• floors of different levels. The bed can be placed on the podium - this will highlight the sleeping area and also allow you to organize additional storage spaces, killing two birds with one stone;

• lighting of different levels of brightness or color . This is an original and effective way to draw a line between different zones. When one part of the studio apartment is brightly lit, and the other is in twilight, the line between them is easily perceptible.

What mistakes are usually made when planning a studio apartment?

1. Insufficient storage space. Usually they are made too few or, on the contrary, all the walls are cluttered with shelves. It is worth thinking about the number of things that will need to be stored, first of all, and from this already calculate the layout .
2. Too many zones. When planning an apartment, do not forget that shelving, screens and chests of drawers not only divide the space, but also clutter it. It is better not to overdo it with zoning the space, and choose only the really necessary compartments of the apartment.
3. Dark colors should be prohibited. Small apartments are white, milky shades, as well as light turquoise, light beige and gray.
4. Narrow passages between pieces of furniture. It is very important that it is comfortable to move between the furniture. Before buying new furniture, you should consider whether you can walk around it freely.
5. Bad light. There is no need to leave dark corners in a small space. It is important that everything is illuminated: this will add comfort to the residents. Don’t forget about table lamps near the sofa or armchair, bedside night lamps, and lamps above the dining table and work table.
6. Do not take into account the needs of apartment residents. It is very important to create a room that is convenient for residents. When planning, they often do everything “by the rules” and forget the most important thing - how comfortable it is for the person who will live in this apartment.

Initially, you need to think about who this studio apartment is for. There is a difference in whether a bachelor or a married couple who is planning a child will live there. This is important to consider when zoning space. Usually people want to separate the living room and kitchen area from the sleeping area. And if there are children, then a separate room is simply necessary. But, as a rule, studios are made for bachelors or for rent. More often they are rented by young people, because they are more temporary housing than permanent.

Maria Borovskaya, designer-architect, head of the MBDS design studio.

Borovskaya project in the Heart of the Capital residential complex, area: 45 sq.m.

No. 4. Furniture for a studio apartment

Since you can’t put a lot of furniture in a small studio, all items should be as functional as possible, but not very bulky and, of course, attractive. When decorating a studio apartment, designers use the following rules:

• As far as possible, it is better to replace massive pieces of furniture with more airy and lighter ones glass, plastic and metal. This rule does not apply to the sofa and armchairs;

• A common mistake is to choose overly miniature furniture. As a result, you get the feeling of a dollhouse, stuffed with an abundance of all kinds of semi-functional items, so it is much better to give preference to full-size, but transformable furniture . The simplest option is a sofa bed and a folding dining table. Furniture manufacturers, following real estate market trends and trying to please customers, offer an abundance of a wide variety of transformable furniture. These are beds that lean away from the wall, work tables that are hidden behind wardrobe doors, etc.;
• furniture in a small apartment should be mobile , at least most of it. When you need to free up space when receiving guests and organizing a party, you will be grateful to yourself that you once chose a coffee table on wheels, folding chairs or a folding table. There are many options, for example, six comfortable chairs can be folded into one pouf and take up minimal space, and also bring benefits;
• It is better to hang everything that is possible, rather than placing it on the floor and cabinets. This applies, first of all, to TVs and microwaves, which can be installed on brackets.
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ways to arrange furniture in a studio apartment, but the most popular is to place the main part of it around the perimeter and some items in the center at the border of the zones. If the area of ​​the apartment is close to 40 sq. m, then you can move the main part of the furniture away from the walls. Remember, the lighter and more mobile the furniture, the easier it will be to completely change the decor and rearrange it.

What furniture to choose for a studio

If we talk about color, it is better to buy white or light furniture. Then it will not seem bulky, and the room will be more spacious.

I would think twice before buying a sofa bed, because now there are other more interesting options. Let's say you can make a podium on which a normal mattress will be placed. At the same time, it can be covered with a blanket, and the pillows are tucked down under this podium. Such a sleeping place can easily turn into a party area for guests

Maria Borovskaya, designer-architect, head of the MBDS design studio.

In studio apartments, it is ideal to select transformable furniture. For example, transforming sofas, folding tables, folding beds, folding storage systems.

Everything about transformers, as well as their shortcomings, is in this article.

Built-in wardrobes and partition from Raumplus

The sleeping area can be equipped with a wardrobe bed. In the morning this bed will be a closet and will free up space for, for example, gatherings with friends or family, and at night the closet will turn into a comfortable bed. It is better to replace the dressing table with a small chest of drawers - it makes sense to put clothes and other things inside.

It is worth putting a sofa bed in the living room: this is for guests when they decide to stay overnight. For example, the milk-colored Vario sofa bed will fit right into a studio apartment. If a sofa is too bulky for your apartment, you can replace it with an armchair-bed . To store things, most often also in the living room, you can use a built-in wardrobe that covers the entire wall.

Advice: you should definitely buy a good hood for the kitchen, then odors will not spread throughout the apartment.

If space allows, the kitchen area can be separated from the rest of the room by a bar counter. All options for zoning with this element are discussed in the article Zoning the kitchen and living room with a bar counter: win-win ideas.

Bar counter in the MBDS project

No. 5. Lighting issues

Insufficiently lit corners can negate all the design and layout efforts, emphasizing the modest size of the studio. This is of no use, so the correct use of natural light and the organization of artificial light must be given no less attention than the choice of furniture.

Basic rules for organizing lighting:

• use light curtains, Roman and roller blinds are suitable, as well as blinds, because when assembled they take up minimal space and fully open the window;
• if screens and partitions are used, it is better that they are translucent and allow sunlight to flood the entire apartment;
• a white ceiling will effectively reflect and diffuse daylight;

• each zone needs its own lighting, and it is advisable to place the light sources at different heights;
• You can install a spotlight along the perimeter of the apartment, which will act as the main lighting;
• It is better to supplement cabinets, niches, shelves, and kitchen work area with separate spotlights;
• Hanging lamps can be used above the dining table, but not too bulky. In other cases, preference is given to lamps that are small in size and located near the ceiling;

• Lighting around the sofa, bed, and above the dining table can be organized using compact sconces and table lamps; floor lamps are less commonly used;
• decorative lighting of paintings, lighting of ceiling and floor plinths, podium will make the apartment not only more interesting, but also somewhat larger visually.

How to plan lighting and which lamps are suitable

Lighting can be artificial or natural. In a studio apartment you should use both options. Learn more about types of lighting in this article.

Natural light will enter the apartment through the windows, so you should not curtain them with thick curtains. It is better to use light curtains or fabric blinds. If possible, the windows should be made large. This will not only illuminate the apartment, but will also make it visually larger.

Artificial light can be created using ceiling chandeliers and floor lamps; lamps on the walls will play the role of secondary light. It is better not to use the cold light of halogen lamps: they distort the space and make it less cozy.

Lighting, as in any project, should be multi-level and for any occasion: evening lamps, lighting for the kitchen area or floor lamps for reading books

Maria Borovskaya, designer-architect, head of the MBDS design studio.

By the way, you can also zone a room with light. In the hallway you can install lighting in the floor, in the living room you can place a large chandelier, and lamps with soft light in the bedroom.

Zoning with light in Borovskaya’s project: there is a built-in light above the kitchen area, and an unusually shaped ceiling chandelier above the dining table area

No. 6. Accessories in a studio apartment

An apartment devoid of decorations and decor looks boring and faded, but a space overloaded with accessories does not look any better, especially if it is a small studio apartment. It is better to use purely functional items as decorative items : textiles of interesting colors and patterns, lamps and lamps of unusual design, small green plants, mirrors, etc. Large floor vases and massive flowers are not recommended, and small souvenirs and accessories can find a place on through shelves and racks.

Layout of zones in the room

Were you inspired by photos on the Internet and decided to design a studio apartment of 30 sq.m.? Below you will learn how best to divide functional zones in your home.

● The magical transformation of a studio into a two-room apartment

The “partition” can be a plasterboard wall or a mobile structure in the form of a glass sliding partition. Don't want to spend a lot on purchasing materials? Pay attention to budget options. The easiest way to separate the living room or bedroom from the kitchen is with thick curtains. By fixing them to the very ceiling, you will get an excellent place for privacy.

No. 7. Living room and bedroom area

The living room is called the heart of a studio apartment , because this is where the owners and their guests will spend most of their time . For not the smallest studio apartments, ordinary sofas are suitable, incl. and corner options, which, when complemented with several poufs or armchairs, create a full-fledged comfortable relaxation area. If there is not much space, you can get by with a compact sofa for 2-3 people - there are a lot of such models, and they look nice. When the area of ​​a studio apartment is very small (about 20 sq. m), the living room can be equipped with several armchairs. A glass coffee table will complement the upholstered furniture.

When there is a shortage of free space, the living room turns into a bedroom at night, and the sofa turns into a bed. This, of course, is not the most convenient option, but if there is no other choice, then pay attention to the sofa transformation mechanism and the quality of the filling - sleep should be comfortable.

If you have space, it is better to arrange a separate bedroom area with a full bed. Often it is placed in niches , existing or specially created, on podiums , hidden behind screens, curtains, shelves and cabinets - all in order to create a secluded, cozy area.

Studio options with partitions

Portable or stationary partitions will help divide the space. The partition may not go up to the ceiling, but with some space left at the top. In this way, you can separate, for example, the sleeping area from the kitchen, and at the same time leave flows of air and light that will pass through the upper part of the partition.

For zoning, we recommend using interior partitions; they do not eat up space, but, on the contrary, increase it visually and fit harmoniously into almost any interior. We recommend especially using them between the kitchen and living area

Raumplus company.

Partition between the bedroom and living room Raumplus

You can zone the space not only with screens, but also with shelving, chests of drawers and cabinets. Visually, the room will be divided, and the partition will also perform a practical function: you can store things in the chest of drawers.

It makes sense to place the sleeping place on the podium. Firstly, this will separate the seating area from the rest of the room, and secondly, it will be convenient to arrange additional storage space in the podium.

You can also separate the bedroom with a curtain. It will protect from light while resting, and will also muffle sounds, as it has soundproofing properties.

Raumplus tinted partition separating the sleeping area from the rest of the room

Raumplus partition for the bedroom: what it looks like from the inside

Visual zoning of a bathroom from the MBDS studio: the toilet is on green, and the bathtub is on white

No. 8. Kitchen and dining area in a studio apartment

The working kitchen area takes up much less space in the studio than the living room, and a lot of important things need to be placed there. Even if you mostly eat out, your apartment should have a basic set of everything you need. When it seems that the problem cannot be solved without magic, tricks proven by professionals come to the rescue:

• compact and built-in kitchen appliances. A dishwasher, oven and hob can be found in very small sizes - this is what you need for a studio apartment. In most cases, you will have to give up such luxuries as a free-standing refrigerator and a stove with an oven - the kitchen will look neater with built-in appliances, and you will need less space for everything you need. Owners of the smallest studios should pay attention to hobs with 2-3 burners;

• You will either have to abandon bulky kitchen appliances or seek compromises. All kinds of appliances take up a lot of space on the shelves, so preference is given to the most multifunctional ones, for example, instead of a double boiler, it is better to use a multicooker ;
• You can’t do without a powerful hood and ventilation system in the kitchen, especially if you cook more or less often. The workspace is not covered by partitions, so odors will spread freely throughout the apartment, and if the aromas of homemade baked goods or baked meat are pleasant to the household, then furniture and carpets can absorb them and transform them into not the most pleasant odors;

• It is always necessary to keep the workplace clean . Since the studio space is completely open, sponges, detergents, plates and pots left on the work surface will spoil the interior of the entire apartment;
• make the most of all opportunities for arranging storage areas ;
• If possible, the kitchen area can be placed in a niche. They also sometimes create low stationary partition. It is opaque, so it covers the work area and does not allow guests to see possible chaos. If you build it not to the ceiling, but at the height level, then it will not interfere with the spread of light. Moreover, such a partition is not made to cover the entire width of the kitchen area. On the kitchen side you can cover it with a mirror surface - this will visually increase the space, and on the other side you can hang a TV, which will become the center of the living area;

• for free working surfaces , so window sills and bar counters are sometimes used as such. To free up space, it is better to hang the microwave on brackets.

Usually the dining table becomes part of the kitchen area, and it has small dimensions. In larger studios, it makes sense to move the dining area outside the kitchen and place it between the kitchen and living room . The issue of convenience and the issue of zoning are resolved in a similar way. Just remember that there should be enough space around the table so that you can easily get out from behind it.

What zones should be highlighted?

Each person usually decides for himself which zones he needs and which he does not. Most often there is a sleeping area, a living room and a kitchen. The sleeping area can be fenced off with a shelving unit, a screen, or just a curtain. The white Angel Cerda shelving unit with glass sides is perfect for this purpose. Its design, white color and transparent walls create weightlessness and are almost invisible in a small space.

A light-colored screen from
La Forma can separate the living room from the bedroom or a children's corner.
The second important point, after determining the energy center in the studio, is the division of space for sleep and activity. Our bed is the place where we fill ourselves with energy. Our energy, and therefore our health, depends on the quality of our sleep. If possible, these zones should be separated.

Decorate the sleeping area in calm, muted colors.

Places for relaxation and eating, on the contrary, should be bright and well lit.

Olesya Gunitseva, DAO management expert.

Tip: it is better to paint the walls and ceiling white: this will visually increase the space.

Here I will give an example of our new project - a small apartment with a very good layout. Despite the modest area, we were able to create in this studio a large dressing room, a beautiful bathroom and a sleeping area, which also becomes a place for guests. We have room for a small kitchen and an island with an adjacent table. There is also a bar counter along the window, which can be an additional work area. Thus, our space has a lot of seating, which means it can accommodate a large number of guests. Studio apartments are made as interesting as possible in layout and furnishings due to their purpose (as temporary housing).

Maria Borovskaya, designer-architect, head of the MBDS design studio.

Borovskaya's project in a small apartment, which she talks about

Don't forget about the bathroom and hallway. In the hallway you should put a floor covering that is easy to clean, as well as hang hangers and, possibly, put a closet for shoes. This way the hallway area will be separated from the common area. If the floor level in the hallway is made lower, it will be more difficult for dirt to get into the apartment. The bathroom is usually located in a separate room. If the bathroom and toilet are in different rooms, then it is better to combine them - this will save precious space.

Check out the Zapatero shoe cabinet in white. It can become a functional partition for the hallway.

Relaxation area and kitchen at the same time in Maria’s project - MBDS

As a zoning tool, designers usually use:

• partitions;
• different floor and ceiling levels;
• furniture as partitions;
• lighting;
• curtains and screens;
• finishing materials, different in texture.

A gray Dark Metal curtain will not only separate the sleeping area from the rest of the apartment, but will also block out light, making it more pleasant to sleep.

No. 9. We use the balcony correctly

If the apartment has a balcony and it is well insulated, then we have a couple more useful square meters at our disposal. You can arrange there either a cozy relaxation area with armchairs, poufs, a table and flowers, or a compact study . Some turn balconies into real greenhouses, others set up a small gym or a place to practice a hobby - there are many options.