Furnishing a home requires not only good taste and the ability to select furnishings, but also the ability to combine artistic, functional, and aesthetic aspects.
This is precisely why furnishing a large home seems easier than furnishing a studio apartment. Designing such a small space means being able to transform a single space into multiple spaces: bedroom, living room, kitchen, and, nowadays, even a home office.
The most challenging task is precisely that of combining so many functions, with specific furnishings and standard dimensions, within a limited space.
How to furnish a 35-40 m2 studio apartment
When dealing with a very small space, say under 50 square meters, the first thing to do is divide the space into functional areas on paper. This will allow you to clearly define the space to be dedicated to the bedroom, living room, bathroom, and dining area. Also on paper, and possibly with the help of someone who knows the art, it’s a good idea to decide what type of home you want: whether you prefer an open-plan layout or seek privacy with enclosed and separate spaces.
By choosing one of the two solutions above, you can already decide where and how to divide the space. This division can occur in different ways: you can choose glass walls or solid partitions, or play with storage units and movable partitions that act as dividers.
How to design space
There are no specific rules for every studio apartment size; much depends on the structure of the property, how the spaces are distributed, and where the utilities are located. Each situation is unique and must be carefully considered. For example, internal partitions can be designed in different ways, always depending on the needs of the occupants.
Dividing with a glass wall
For example, if the studio apartment has few windows, and the idea of having everything exposed isn’t a problem, creating partitions with glass panels, perhaps even sliding ones, could be an optimal solution. This idea would add visual separation, but at the same time, it would allow for much greater light than a plasterboard wall. Furthermore, the passage of light and the visual openness allow the studio apartment to feel more spacious. For those who don’t want to give up light and privacy, and if consistent with their budget, there are glass options that can be easily turned opaque and satin-finished, restoring privacy to the space.
Custom-made storage units to divide space
A second solution, ideal for making the most of limited space, is to divide the space with custom-made storage units. Besides acting as dividers, they are essential for creating space for closets, hidden desks, or bookcases. Precisely because a studio apartment requires careful planning and attention to detail, it’s crucial to invest in custom-made furniture that is as similar as possible. There’s nothing worse than seeing a small space furnished with a jumble of furniture and styles that creates a sense of disorder and confusion. The best solution is to have floor-to-ceiling cabinets, closed at the bottom and open at the top. This creates an impression of lightness and greater openness at the top.
This furniture, designed specifically for the home’s specific needs, can be even more functional if it can perform multiple functions: these are known as space-saving elements. A dining table, if properly designed, can be repurposed as a workstation. Or better yet, a wall-mounted closet can reveal a fold-down work table that also conceals the seating.
Making the most of vertical space
Studio apartments are often located in former industrial spaces or in tall, narrow spaces. Therefore, a good solution is to take advantage of the building’s height. This will further separate private spaces, such as the bedroom, from shared spaces, such as the living room and kitchen.
The first solution that comes to mind is to create a mezzanine for the bed. In this case, the staircase can be carefully considered.
To free up more space, you can opt for two types of staircase: the ladder or the storage staircase.
The first type of staircase features staggered, overlapping steps. This reduces the overall space required, but at the same time, it is steeper and less comfortable to climb. The second solution, more traditional and common in these cases, is a storage staircase. Here too, the risers are higher than those of standard stairs, but the height is intentional. By increasing the steepness of the staircase, it’s possible to design custom-made cupboards, either closed or open, in the so-called understairs space.
Nine tips for making a studio apartment livable
Now that we understand that a studio apartment’s space must be planned down to the last centimeter, let’s recap with some tips and tricks to improve livability and the comfort of a small space.
Shelves, shelves, and a studio apartment ceiling: making the most of the walls with shelves and shelving is the simplest solution to keep your home tidy and, at the same time, personalize them with an original touch. There are numerous shelf options: wood, metal, plasterboard, linear, or corner. This is where the owner’s imagination and creativity come into play.
Windows and lights: if your studio apartment has large windows, you can consider yourself very fortunate. It’s crucial to let in as much natural light as possible, making the space more welcoming and comfortable, as well as recycling clean, healthy air.
Custom furniture: as mentioned previously, choosing custom-made furniture that coordinates with the rest of your home makes the space more welcoming, livable, and aesthetically pleasing. Furthermore, it allows you to customize your home with unique solutions specifically tailored to your needs.
Curtain fabrics: Choosing lightweight, light-colored curtains and fabrics gives your home a greater sense of space and ventilation.
Mirrors: If designed outside of the bathroom, they give a studio apartment a bright and spacious feel, reflecting not only light but also the room itself.
Colors: Choosing the right wall colors is crucial. It’s well known that dark colors tend to narrow and darken a space. Conversely, warm, light colors reflect light. Soft or pastel colors are preferred.
Vertical spaces: Take advantage of vertical space, both with furniture and by creating mezzanines for the sleeping area.
Perimeter distribution: Arranging furniture along the perimeter of the home and room gives the impression of more space to those entering. The goal should be to make the living area more airy and allow for adequate and unobstructed use.
Order: The key to furnishing a studio apartment is maintaining order and cleanliness. All of the above elements contribute to making the space more orderly and harmonious.
In any case, the best advice is to rely on industry experts, who, with their knowledge and skills, can design and create the optimal studio apartment solution for your individual needs.