Studio Apartment Decor Ideas to help Make Your Space Feel and Look Bigger

Use mirrors to visually enlarge your space.

It’s an oldie but a goody: get yourself a full-length mirror (or two, or a few), and let them go to work for you. You’ll be surprised at how much larger it can make your space feel! A mirror can bounce light around the room, making the whole place seem brighter. If you place one strategically opposite or near a window, it will also reflect daylight onto your walls, which is especially helpful if you live in a basement apartment. Get creative with where you put your mirrors, too—they don’t have to be hung on the wall just because that’s what we’re all used to seeing. There are plenty of stylish freestanding mirrors that can double as both decorative elements and practical features of your new small-space life.

Opt for multi-functional furniture.

• Sofa bed: Up your seating while taking advantage of the storage space beneath.
• Folding dining table: Keep your home clutter-free by having a place to store extra chairs and convert the dining area into extra living space as needed.
• Storage ottoman: Sit, rest your feet or store stuff for added living area in an instant.
• Coffee table with drawers: Need an extra surface to set down things? Look to the coffee table for more than just drinks and snacks. It can be used as a workspace too! Also, pick one with drawers for even more storage space.
• Nesting tables: Pick up one or more nesting tables when you need them (as side tables or extra seating) and store them away when you don’t.
• Bar cart: The bar cart is a great option for studio apartments as it does double duty as both functional storage and stylish decor that can be moved around easily anytime you want some changes in your living space.

Bring in several ottomans.

Ottomans can be used for just about anything—storage, extra seating, or as a decorative accent. Ottomans are especially helpful in small spaces. If you have a large ottoman, it might double as a coffee table or footrest. Or if you have smaller ottomans, they’re great to pull out when you need extra seating and don’t want to move chairs around too much.

Think outside the box when it comes to your bed.

When it comes to studio apartment design, there are literally thousands of options out there for making your space feel and look bigger. One of the most important rooms in your apartment is the bedroom, which is why finding the right bed is essential to creating more space.

If you’re lucky enough to have a separate bedroom in your studio then you can always opt for a regular bed, but if you’re looking to create some extra room in your living area then here are some other ideas

Hang curtains.

If you’re looking for a way to make your space feel larger, look no further than hanging curtains. They’re an easy way to make a room feel more spacious, and they can help create the illusion of depth in a space that lacks it.

The best kind of curtain to use is made of thin fabric, such as sheer cotton or linen. Heavy fabrics like velvet limit the amount of light that comes into the room and will also absorb sound, creating an echo-y effect that makes your apartment seem like a cave.

Curtains should be consistent with the rest of the decor—not just in color and pattern, but how long they are. If your couch is near the floor and your table is near the ceiling, don’t hang curtains that are so short they let a breeze through or so long they drag on the ground (or leave only inches between them). No matter what kind of curtains you choose to install, try not to hang them too high above or too low below your window frame—they should be as close as possible without covering up any part of it. The uniformity will make it seem as if there’s more space where there really isn’t!

Use rugs to make individual areas in your studio feel like distinct spaces.

• Rugs are a great way to help make your studio apartment feel bigger and look more put together.
• They help define different spaces within the studio. For example, if you want to create an area that feels like a living room, lay down a large rug underneath the couch and coffee table.
• Rugs also can help define a bedroom or living space in an open concept studio layout.
• Rugs make your living space feel cozier, plus there are so many options for textures and colors that you’ll definitely find one that fits your aesthetic tastes!

Invest in some furniture on wheels.

• Invest in some furniture on wheels.

The great thing about furniture that moves is that you can move it around easily and rearrange the space to best suit your needs. It’s also great for things like parties when there are a lot of people in one area and you need to clear space quickly. You can also use it as a movable partition, which is especially useful if you have roommates or other people living in your studio apartment with you. When it’s not being used, it doesn’t take up space, which makes moving around so much easier and gives you more options when rearranging the space (for example, creating a bigger lounge area).

• Use smaller pieces of furniture instead of large ones.

Smaller pieces of furniture are typically better choices for small spaces because they don’t overwhelm the room or make movement difficult. It also gives you more room to make the most out of what’s available to create an open and airy feel while making your place appear bigger than it actually is—something that’s pretty important when living in a studio apartment!

• If possible, opt for multifunctional pieces of furniture as well! For example, an ottoman can be used as extra seating when guests come over but also serves double duty by storing blankets underneath its removable cushions (making it perfect for those chilly nights). We love this DIY storage ottoman tutorial from I Heart Organizing because she shows how easy it really is-and just think about all those blankets taking up valuable floor real estate!).

Declutter regularly.

A small space can feel even smaller if it’s full of clutter. Invest in some storage baskets and bins and store things you need, but don’t use as often. Use a closet organization app to help with wardrobe management. Don’t be afraid to throw things away that you don’t need—or, if you have sentimental attachment to them, put them in a storage unit for the time being. Always keep the floor clear, and avoid putting items under your bed (you’ll lose a lot of space that way).

Paint walls white.

White, white, and more white. Painting your walls white is a simple, inexpensive way to freshen up your apartment, making it feel brighter and bigger in the process. The crispness of a white wall provides you with a neutral backdrop for any furnishings you choose to put in your studio apartment without drawing attention away from them. White also makes for easy touch-ups if marks appear on your wall—you can easily cover them up with enough paint from a tube rather than having to invest in new paint after spills or dents are made on colored walls. It’s an ideal color for studio apartments that need some brightening without appearing too harsh when lit by overhead lights at night.

Don’t block the windows with heavy curtains.

When it comes to decorating a studio apartment, there are a few important things to remember. You’re going to have to get creative when maximizing space, and avoid bulky furniture at all costs. Instead, opt for pieces that you can use for multiple purposes. Take advantage of the space you have by incorporating some of these 24 studio apartment decor ideas.

• Don’t block the windows with heavy curtains: The more natural light your studio gets, the more spacious it will feel. Instead of heavy curtains that might make your space feel even smaller, try sheer curtains or hang them as high up as possible. This will allow sunlight in at all times of day without taking up any precious floor space.

Designers have lots of great advice to help you make the most of your tiny apartment, so take advantage of their wisdom!

In a small apartment, it’s not always easy to find or create the storage space you need. Luckily, designers have lots of great advice to help you make the most of your tiny apartment, so take advantage of their wisdom!

Here are some ways to add more storage space to any room in your place:

• Get creative with hanging baskets and hooks
• Use mirrors to open up your space
• Try a sofa bed for multi-functional furniture