The main challenge when living in a small studio apartment is space. It is important to furnish and decorate your space in ways that make the space seem larger while still allowing the home to serve you efficiently. These hacks will make studio/bedsitter apartments much more comfortable spaces while maintaining the aesthetics you want. One does not need to compromise style for functionality.
1. Introduce partitions
Do you loathe seeing the bed from the living area, or would you just like to have more privacy in the bedroom area since you host a lot? Partitions are the way to go. While partitions are cool, the best way to do them is to use materials that provide separation and privacy while maintaining the open feel of the room. Having a very solid partition will look like a wall and make the ‘rooms’ created feel small.
2. Furniture
Most furniture has been created based on the standard sizes available in the market. When you have a small space to work with, every inch counts. Here are simple hacks for some furniture pieces.
a) Reading desk/Study desk
The easiest way to do this is to create a cantilever shelf that is supported off the wall. This desk should only allow you to work on it and should not be used for storage as you would typical study desk. The desk can also hang off the existing wall.
b) Shelves are your friends
Since the floor space is limited, the only way to get space is to go up. Use shoe racks, book shelves, shelves for plants, shelves for clothes storage where appropriate. Try to use as much vertical space as possible.
c) Design furniture for the odd spaces
We have all seen rooms with weird corners that no standard furniture can fit. If you find that you will stay in an apartment for some time, why not design quirky furniture to fit? Triangular corner stool? Why not. Note that while doing this, design things that you will still be able to incorporate after moving out.
d) Design/Buy multi use – furniture
If you don’t mind having a sofa that converts to a bed at night? Why not do that? Throw pillows that convert to floor pillows? Go ahead. Beds and tables that also double up as extra storage? Sure. You do not have the luxury of having single use items in the house.
e) Go for Mini – everything
Standard sofas don’t fit? Why not have a loveseat and a standard two seater sofa? Do you really need that big bed? If you are comfortable on a smaller bed, go for it. Do you need the big refrigerator? If not, get the mini. Mini oven, 2 burners in place of 4 burners etc. Save space wherever possible while keeping it efficient.
3. Use tones to make your house look big
The wall paint to the decor choice should flow. When well done, the room should feel bright and airy. If you are not entirely opposed to it, consider having a plain white room. Keep the colours neutral as much as possible. For example, Grey, beige, white.
4. Use the Mirror trick
If you want to make a place feel bigger, add a mirror. Locate the mirror somewhere visible and where a lot of time is spent. This dramatically increases the feel of the size of the room. Especially when coupled with the neutral colours.
5. Use the curtain trick
Do you want your home to feel large? Use full length curtains for your wall. These run from the curtain rods to the floor. They create a feeling of grandiose and trick the eyes to make you feel like the room is larger than it actually is.
6. Declutter
Last but not least. Have a space for everything. Disorganisation is your enemy! With the smaller space, an unmade bed looks like the end of the world. Dishes in the sink are a calamity. Keep your space neat and organised and it will automatically look bigger and nice.
I hope this reading has been useful. Are you looking for a studio apartment/bedsitter or choosing a design for one? Here is how to choose a good bedsitter design. What you need to know.
