Make Binge Watching Better

When you’re deciding where to dedicate precious square footage, consider how you live day-to-day and what would make you happier at home. That’s how you’ll land on the best layout for a square studio apartment.

Want to invite friends over for Netflix? The person who lives in this NYC studio created a large living room worthy of a binge-watching party by sacrificing some bedroom and dining space.

Plus, if you’re not allowed to paint your walls, here’s another idea to steal from this apartment — Removable, peel and stick wallpaper. It’s easy to install, and it will dress up dull walls without jeopardizing the security deposit.

Room Divider that Lets Light In

If you have the ability to make architectural changes to your studio apartment layout, then a half wall can help create division between your living and sleeping areas, while still keeping a light, bright, and airy feelings.

In this space, light colors, sheer drapery, and just a few consistent color accents helps the studio feel larger than it is. The dark peacock blue on the sofa and the wall opposing the bed draw your attention towards the public areas rather than towards the bedroom in a studio apartment.

Turn Your Studio into a Boutique Hotel

If you’re always on the go and home is just a place where you shower and sleep, why not style your apartment like a boutique hotel room?

For instance, this studio apartment layout example is packed with features found at trendy lodgings, all placed steps from the bed, including a chic kitchenette, a few pieces of retro furniture, and of course a curated minibar (it’s on the windowsill). They prioritized those little luxuries that will make each day feel like a vacation — just like it would in a 300 square foot hotel room rather than your typical 300 square foot studio apartment.

But the star of this apartment, as you’ll find in any stylish hotel room, is the comfortable bed decked out in high thread count sheets.

Decorate Like a Mad Man

When it comes to decorating a studio or small space, nothing beats the magical room expanding powers of low-profile, mid-century furniture.

Compared to many contemporary styles, mid-century designs sit much closer to the floor, which makes ceilings and windows appear taller. In this sunny 270 square foot studio in Montmartre, Paris, the smaller furniture helps make the space larger and brighter.

Lofty Aspirations

If you have high ceilings, you can magically whip up more livable square footage with a loft bed. And, in this 193 square foot studio apartment layout example, it provided room to make a cozy living space.

But the second level isn’t the only reason this Scandinavian charmer appears much larger than its actual size. The walls and décor are both gallery white. Together they blur where the ceiling starts creating an open and airy effect. Room warming accents in metal and leather keep the bright, white interior from feeling antiseptic.

If you’re obsessed with storage, another exciting feature is the staircase with built-in drawers. However, if you steal this idea, please add handrails for safety.

Double Duty Sofa

This railroad apartment in Gothenburg, Sweden, is less than 190 square feet. Here’s how smartly placed décor transformed the minuscule dwelling into a tiny comfortable abode.

The first order of business was creating a multifunctional area for both sleeping and socializing. A beautifully styled bed that doubles as a sofa carved out the perfect spot. A leggy desk and also two small tables that don’t detract from the room’s openness add function.

The perfect finishing touch in this little nest is the cozy Moroccan rug.

Presto, Change-o Layout

When it comes to optimizing itty-bitty studios, Graham Hill is a wizard at making them feel twice their size. His company, LifeEdited, works with architects and developers in the creation of ultra livable micro-apartments.

Hill’s current project is a 350 square foot studio that he shares with his partner and their two dogs. Keeping the layout fluid is key to making their home multifunctional.

A few ideas to steal from this studio apartment layout example: Double-duty furniture makes it possible. Versatile pieces like a modular sofa and expanding coffee table can quickly transform Hill’s living room into a dining room. See the storage wall across from the TV? It conceals a Murphy bed.

Work Every Nook

This little nest makes the most of every nook and cranny by using the existing architectural elements to its advantage. A shelf within the exposed brick wall becomes the perfect spot to display art and place a lamp, while a wide floorboard is home to a small stereo.

The sofa pulls out to a bed to maximize space for both night and day, and a tiny, low profile coffee table provides just enough room for a snack, some fresh flowers, and this week’s reading material.

Rethink the Foot of the Bed

Facing the sofa away from the bed creates two distinct areas in this bright and colorful micro-loft in downtown Los Angeles. The sectional sofa carves out a cozy enclave with a coffee table and basket of blankets helping to further define it.

Yet the cohesive color palette ties it together as one unified space, making the apartment feel bigger, brighter, and airier.

Design Goals Worth the Investment

If you own your studio apartment, consider investing in clever built-ins and flexible furniture. Features like these will not only make your space feel huge but may also add value to your home when it’s time to sell.

Here are some design goals to inspire. This studio in NYC’s first micro-apartment building designed by nArchitects features transforming furniture and integrated storage that maximizes square footage.

The built-in cabinet wall behind the sofa conceals a Murphy bed. The unit below the TV provides extra room to keep stuff out of sight. Innovative solutions like the double-duty coffee table and expanding kitchen console create more space for dining or working.

Low Ceilings? No Problem!

Dividing up space for different uses in a box-shaped studio with low ceilings only seems challenging.

The trick is using the right furniture. This San Francisco micro-loft is decorated with a mix of low-profile and leggy finds. The furnishings don’t take up a lot of vertical space, so the ceiling appears higher.

This easy-to-copy layout places a full-sized bed near a low-profile sofa to create additional seating. A room divider at the head of the bed is the tallest object in the apartment. It carves out a dining nook decorated with industrial-inspired furniture.

Curtains? Yes Please!

Want a sense of privacy at night? Prefer not to have guests looking at your bedroom when you’re entertaining in your cozy abode? You can make your bedroom feel more private with a partition (this is one of our favorite small apartment ideas!).

There are a variety of things that will get the job done, from folding screens to built-in sliding doors. But we prefer the simplicity of this room divider curtain spotted in an apartment at White Stone Studios in Phoenix. Just slide it closed at night or whenever you want to have two distinct spaces.

Hello One Bedroom

Turning your cookie cutter studio into a chic one-bedroom apartment can be done with a few budget-friendly pieces, and this is apartment is an example of the best layout for a square studio apartment.

First, an IKEA KALLAX bookcase (it costs only $260!) does double duty as both a room divider and hidden storage. Display your most artful objects, than stash everything from office supplies to scarves within closed boxes. If you’re looking for a solution that won’t block sunlight, this unit is the perfect small space partition.

Next, a lovely, large ikat rug anchors the living room and differentiate the living from sleeping space. Since the walls are bare, the colorful floor covering makes a big stylish statement.

What’s the piece de resistance? The Lucite storage chest. Since the item is crystal clear, it doesn’t take up visual space and adds to the light and airy look.