Organizing a studio apartment is hard. Really hard. There is so little space to use, but trust me, it’s possible to take advantage of every single inch!
Are you riding a minimalistic wave? A studio apartment is an incredibly practical way to live, and there are several advantages to a studio. However, if you’re serious about organizing such a small space, you’re going to need to think critically and think through every step.
1. Get creative with storage
Under the bed? Top of the window? The space between the cabinets and the ceiling? They can all be put to use to give you chic storage spaces to get the most out of your limited room.
Getting a higher bed, or using storage bins on wheels can be a great way to help you maximize your space, and take advantage of oft-forgotten areas.
Here are some creative pieces of furniture that come with incredible built in storage:
2. Put everything on wheels
Rolling carts and surfaces, such as a rolling coffee table, are a great way to make your space more versatile. Having the ability to quickly rearrange your space allows you to adjust your layout to fit your needs.
Want to do a home workout? No problem, just roll the coffee table out of the way. Friends coming over immediately after? Also fine, since all you have to do is roll it right back.
3. Designate areas
To create functional areas in the apartment, have designated areas for different activities. This will help prevent you from feeling like you do everything sitting in your bed, which can be quite depressing.
Mark out areas by movable partitions, using furniture as separators or putting shelving between the spaces.
4. Ditch the unused
Take a couple of days every couple of months, and get rid of anything you’re not actively using. Living in a small space means that you don’t have the luxury of keeping the unused.
Be brutal as you get rid of things, if it’s not essential, it’s time to move on.
5. Tackle your wardrobe
It’s the easiest to hoard and collect a lot of clothes and just dump them in and let them eat space. Keep an eye on how much of fashion stuff you own and rotate it according to seasons, so you know exactly what all’s around.
6. Keep decorations to a minimum
Keep it minimal. When it comes to decorations, try to prioritize things that you genuinely enjoy having around, especially if they take up surface space. If you want to brighten up the space, wall art is a great way to spice up your studio.
A great way to add a bit of flare to your space is with a nice rug! Here are some options that won’t break the bank.
7. Use multi-purpose furniture
Is that coffee table hiding a storage nook beneath? Is that ottoman doubling up as a magazine organizer too? Is that shoe rack also supposed to work as a bench? If not, they are not going to be a great organizing idea for a studio. Make your pieces multi-task and save space in your tiny place.
8. No knickknacks
They can look cute, but everything takes space.
I know that souvenir from your trip to South America may seem like it does not take up much space, but they can pile up quickly.
Alright, so you don’t really have to have no knickknacks, but if you’re going to keep a piece, make sure it is one that truly means something to you.
9. Clean. Often.
A messy small place can look and feel like a train wreck. Clean up all the time. Don’t let any mess lie around. This is going to amplify the sense of space around the apartment.
10. Use racks, not closets
Especially in a studio, closet space is priceless. Don’t waste it.
I know it seems like clothes have to live in the closet, but that is not necessarily true. A well-organized clothes rack can make your small space feel more lively.
Using racks opens your closets up to store the real eye sores, and incentivizes you to keep your clothes organized and minimal.
11. Get rid of floor lamps
Floor lamps inherently take up a lot of space, but do you need to use floor space for lighting?
The answer is probably not. Invest in lamps that hang from the ceiling or walls to open up your floor space.
12. Use every bit of space
Do you have little nooks and crannies that are not being used? Make your corners and surfaces work harder and yield more functionality to the studio.
You can do this by installing corner shelves, or find furniture that may fit the space.
13. Switch to a smaller couch
Why do you want a full-sized couch in such a small space? Switching to a smaller apartment couch can save a lot of space without compromising seating.
14. Bed goes at the back
Don’t open your house to the bed directly. It breaks the line of sight and makes the space look cluttered. Place the bed at the very back of the room to maximize space.
15. Get creative with bathroom supplies
Bathroom and bathroom accessory storage can be a challenge for a studio apartment.
First, get rid of all the excess stuff that’s taking up space. Then think of creative ways to use that bathroom space. If you’re in need of some ideas, here are some bathroom organization hacks.
16. Go vertical
If the floor is not the option, think vertical. Use your walls for smart shelving, hanging baskets, and peg boards.
17. Try a folding bed
You’re only using your bed for at most a third of every day, but how much of your space does it take up? If possible, using a folding bed or murphy bed can open up a ton of free space.
Murphy beds really are amazing; when not in use, they can double as a bed or even a couch, giving you so much more room than you ever thought you had!
18. Sleek is in
A modern style with lots of sleek lines can help you achieve a stylish look without using a ton of space.
19. Windowsill is the savior
Double it up as a garden or a window-seat or a place to hang art! It’s easy to overlook your windowsills, but don’t forget about these ready to use shelves.
20. Bins, bins, bins
Use them. No matter how hard you try, you’ll never be able to fit everything you want in your studio. Storage bins are a great way to give things like holiday decorations and winter clothes a place to live when they’re not in use.
Studio apartments may be small, but who says they can’t be smart and chic and totally cozy? Just be mindful of what goes where and you are going to have the happiest one-room living space ever!
Jyotsna Ramani is a digital nomad who loves exploring offbeat places and brining tales of nature, wildlife and the great outdoors to her blog – WanderWithJo. You can follow her escapades through photos on her Instagram to see where her love for travel has taken her so far.