How to Get the Most Out of a Studio Apartment

Interior designers often note that "form follows function," meaning the way you design or decorate an area must support its intended use. What good is that smashing sofa if it takes up all of the space in your tiny abode? So, before you move anything into your studio apartment, first figure out what you'll be doing in there. Eating and sleeping, definitely. Relaxing. Perhaps entertaining and working. You won't have separate rooms for all of these activities, of course, but that's OK. You can still create areas that fully support them.

First, divide your studio into areas for each activity. Items like bookcases, curtains and dividers can create distinct areas, as can different types of lighting -- spotlights over your cooking area, for example, and lamps around the seating area [sources:Griswold,Home Lighting Advice]. Besides making these areas more functional, such separations actually make your apartment look larger.

Next comes the furniture. Because you're short on space, all of your furniture must have two or more purposes -- a sofa that pulls out into a bed; a footstool that doubles as seating for guests, plus contains storage space inside; a bookcase that holds your items and serves as a room divider [source:Lurie].

Don't let electronics and appliances sabotage your efforts at creating functional space. Swap out regular-sized items for mini versions:coffeepots,microwaves, stereos,televisions[source:Lurie]. In the kitchen, this will result in more counter space, which is essential for a functional kitchen. In the living area, you'll have more room for other possessions, or simply create more open space.

One of your biggest tasks when moving into a studio apartment is making your compact space look and feel larger, which will make you and your guests feel less claustrophobic. You can achieve this through various means.

你必须仔细地想,当装饰your new, teeny-tiny home. Don't just rush out and purchase whatever strikes your eye, or you'll likely be disappointed with the result. First, keep in mind that sleek and chic are where it's at. This isn't the time to purchase overstuffed pieces, or furniture with thick arms and legs -- those will weigh down a room. Clean, simple lines are best. Furniture that sits low to the floor makes the room seem smaller, so opt for pieces with longer legs. Your eyes will be drawn to the space underneath and perceive the entire area as larger [source:Griswold].

It's best to select lighter-colored furniture, too, or use a monochromatic scheme, selecting furniture in the same color family as your walls. Both of these techniques open up your space. Make it pop by employing accents likemetallic accessories, or even by painting one wall a vibrant color, which also creates a visual focal point -- and focal points make smaller spaces appear larger [source:Griswold].

Finally, don't be afraid to think outside the box. Instead of automatically purchasing floor and table lamps, for example, consider hanginglights, which can illuminate space just as well without adding visual clutter [source:Home Lighting Advice].