Living in a bachelor or studio condo or apartment demands a certain level of creativity to squeeze the most out of your space. You want to create a functional space that has depth and character but doesn’t feel cluttered or overwhelming. We’re up for the challenge!
In this article we’ll provide you with a list of solutions aimed at both using and creating space in your studio apartment, without sacrificing style.
Your layout
How you lay out your furniture will largely be dictated by your floor plan, but there are some extra things you can do to create more depth in your small space.
Create the illusion of more “rooms”
You can create the feeling of multiple rooms by using room dividers, like closed shelving units or a wardrobe such as the Pax from Ikea (which also increases your storage space!), a curtain of floor-to-ceiling LED string lights, or hanging floor to ceiling curtains to divide up your space. Curtains are a great way to keep more intimate spaces like a bedroom feeling private, but more importantly, insulated curtains can help to absord sound throughout the space to reduce those pesky echos!
Focus on key sections
Determine which living spaces are most important and devote more square footage to them. If you love to cook and host dinners, make space for a small dining area. This may leave you room for a small portable island to increase your counter space while offering a seating option. If you work from home, you might want to devote more space to an office set-up. Make your layout work for you!
Layer your lighting
Lighting is one of the most under-used aspects of interior design. Lighting serves many purposes, but it’s often used to distinguish between rooms. Opt for overhead lighting for everyday life, ambient lighting like lamps or wall sconces for setting a mood in a living space, and functional lighting like bedside lamps for reading in bed.
Even in a small space, you should have at least three types of lighting! Layering your lighting in small spaces creates a rich sense of depth.
Use your furniture wisely
Furniture must be used with intention in small spaces. With the right placement, your furniture does not have to be stuck to the walls or pushed into corners to work. A desk can be placed at the foot of a bed, or a sofa can sit in the middle of the room to indicate the border into a living space.
Styling
The way you style your studio or bachelor condo can add depth, character, and even a sense of space!
Use one paint colour
Here’s a hot tip: use one paint colour (ideally something neutral like white or greige) to create the feeling of more space. A uniform colour across all walls, including your ceiling, will create a flow that visually expands the space you’re in.
Try different flooring or rugs for different “rooms” or sections
Flooring helps to imply a different zone in your living space. A strip of tiling in your kitchen area can transition into hardwood for your living area and sleeping space. If you can’t change the floors, use a rug to distinguish your living room section or bedroom area.
Give your furniture multiple jobs
Small spaces require furniture to do double-duty. Use multi-purpose furniture like a lift-top coffee table which turns into a dining table, a bed with storage underneath, a bar table that functions as both an eating spot and a desk, or a sofa that turns into a bed. The more use you can get out of a single piece of furniture, the better!
Befriend some mirrors
Mirrors do a lot of work in small spaces. Not only do they create the illusion of more space but they also amplify the natural light in a room. This is particularly important if you have small windows, or lack a balcony. Mirrors will create the illusion of a window. Invest in a tall floor mirror to increase the sense of height in an area, or a long horizontal mirror to widen a room.
Opt for airy and open furniture
To create a sense of flow and visual space, you want to avoid dense, clunky furniture. Furniture with exposed legs allows light to pass through beneath them. Hairpin legs, two-way open shelving units, and glass pieces all avoid taking up too much visual real estate.
Make use of your vertical space
For studio and bachelor condos or apartments, every ounce of space counts. When you’re out of floor space, look to your walls for some extra support. Vertical wall shelves are great for additional storage and can be used to create the illusion of higher ceilings. They’re also a great way to break up your spaces!
Embracing a minimalist approach to a studio living space will help prevent clutter from accumulating. We recommend establishing your layout and allocating the amount of space per “zone” before jumping into styling. Once you’ve laid the foundation for your living spaces, you’ll have a better idea of how to style it!
— Realtor.ca