For the past four years, I have lived in studio apartments in rural New England right near the heart of Boston. To me, there is nothing more inviting than coming home to a cozy, comfortable space. Many people bypass the studio as they feel it will be a cramped, stuffy experience. However, with these quick decorating tips, a seemingly small space can become an open, spacious location for your sleeping, dining, working and entertaining needs!
- Choose a layout that makes the most of your floor plan. Every decision you make regarding the location of furniture, accessories or storage containers has an impact on your space. For those renters/decorators needing a visual aid, visit the interactive room planner within the apartment guide at ForRent.com to design your floor plan and layout.
- Provide distinct areas for different functional aspects. To create an illusion of separate rooms, make use of curtains or fabric hung from ceiling rods or tracks. Area rugs and low bookshelves can also help define functional zones within your apartment. A helpful home and garden site with creative room dividers can be found at Helium.com.
- Keep furnishings harmonious and be aware of scale. According to Peggy Berk from The Sideroad, choose the smallest furnishings that will do the job. Lower furniture expands the room visually and gives it a sense of volume. Make sure to keep all taller furniture on the far wall as it keeps a clear line of sight into the room. Versatile furniture that has wheels, can be folded and put away or has storage space are great options for keeping your studio neat and orderly.
- Use color and lighting to set the tone and create ambiance.
A great way to infuse color into your apartment is to choose an accent wall and paint it with a slightly muted color pulled from your boldest piece of furniture. If your furniture does not stand out, use the wall for a burst of color and to set the color palette for the rest of the room. To add dimension to your space, pay careful attention to light. Utilize all natural light by hanging sheer fabrics around the windows. A mirror hung opposite your windows and pale carpets will also help you maximize your light. To add a subtle glow, use recessed and track lighting.
For more decorating and furnishing tips, check out the rest of our home decorating blog posts and come back often.
Sources: Peggy Berk, ”How To Decorate A Studio Apartment” on the SideRoad.com and Lesley Allen, “How To Make A Room Divider” on Helium.com.
Photo: Katherine Raz Flickr
