Experts Reveal How to Decorate a Studio Apartment so It Doesn’t Feel Cluttered

One of the easiest ways to make a studio apartment—or any small space—feel larger is by painting the walls white. Gabriela Eisenhart from Silo Studios explains that in this Atlanta apartment, they wanted to enhance the use of natural light, but with the old walls being painted a dark gray color, it was hard to make the space feel airy. “We brightened up the space with white paint on the walls and light white oak floors, which instantly gave it a larger, more open feel as it invites the light to reflect throughout,” Eisenhart says.

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When you're limited on square footage, there's only one thing left to do: Build up, not out. One of the 2024 Creator Class members and an expert in designing small spaces, Alexandra Gater, says, “While your first instinct might be to fill your walls with art, consider using them for storage, especially when floor space is limited. A desk like this not only provides functionality but also adds significantly more storage than just placing an art print above it.”

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When your studio apartment is made up of only four walls, simply add your own in a renter-friendly way. “Using furniture to create division in your studio apartment is a great way to add a visual divide, plus it’s functional too!” Alexandra Gater explains. “I used a Kallax shelf from Ikea at the foot of the bed and made it look built-in with trim on the top and bottom. That, paired with a curtain installed on the ceiling beside the bed, helps give the illusion of a bedroom in this tiny 150-square-foot space.”

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While some may find themselves lucky enough to have a studio apartment with a good layout, that isn't always the case. And if you're one of the unlucky ones, then you're going to have to get clever with your storage solutions. Sarah Tract says that in this NYC home, her team “maximized every corner of this apartment” in part by adding this wall-to-wall dresser into this little nook. The best part is it still leaves room to build up the wall with shelves or more lighting.

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How you set out your furniture in a studio apartment idea can make or break the space. “Consider layouts that may be unconventional but segment your space in meaningful ways,” Dan Mazzarini,

principal and creative director at Mazzarini & Co., explains. “Think of floating a bed with a dresser behind to create a sleeping nook and dressing area, or consider an extra large banquette in lieu of a sofa to pull up a table and chairs. Voila! You have a place to work, lounge, dine and entertain, all in one,” he adds.

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Not only does painting your studio apartment immediately make the space feel more personal, but it can also affect how you see the size of the room. Dan Mazzarini explains that while painting a big rectangle on your wall can be a great backdrop for art, it can also add dimension and depth, making the space feel taller.

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We know, we know—maximalist style in a studio apartment idea can so easily become cluttered and overwhelming. However, designer and 2021 Next Waver Nicholas Obeid explains, “In a small space, too little can be as dangerous as too much.” He says to combat the cramped feeling, he had to pay attention to the scale of the furniture he put in his Chelsea studio. This variation makes the whole apartment feel more dynamic.

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Everyone loves a smart storage solution, but it's especially important to do so in studio apartments. In the same Chelsea apartment as above, Nicholas Obeid used this vintage cabinet as both a place to hold his sneaker collection and as a makeshift bar. “Who doesn't want a cocktail while shoe shopping?” the designer mused.

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A spindle-y chair and a square side table are right at home in this bite-sized entryway designed by Devin Kirk. Thanks to their smaller stature, they don't overwhelm the tight corner and instead feel right at home.

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If you love to entertain, like designer J.P. Horton does, you know the qualms of ensuring there's enough seating for all your guests. But in a studio apartment, there's no attic or basement to store those extra seats in. Instead, use your spare seating as a nightstand or side table to keep it out of the way until your next dinner party rolls around.

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With studio apartment ideas, you sometimes have to trick the eye into thinking there is more space than there really is. In this bedroom designed by Rayman Boozer, these nightstands feature chrome legs that reflect light and give the appearance of floating.

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To maximize space in this bedroom, designer Melanie Millner wrapped the cubby-like bookcase built-ins over the doorway. This allows for extra storage space without taking up too much room.

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To give an airy and light appearance in this small city apartment, David Frazier opted for many different styles of seating with plenty of negative space. This allows for a less full appearance; a club chair or armchair would've looked too heavy for the small space.

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In order to bridge the various zones in this apartment, designer Rodney Lawrence wrapped a thin strip of paneling around the entire room.

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Rather than have a floor lamp take up more valuable square footage in a studio apartment idea, Devin Kirk chose to install wall sconces instead for this seating area. This keeps the floors clear which minimizes the look of clutter.

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In Bjorn Wallander's 350-square-foot studio apartment, there's no room for a kitchen table. Instead, the photographer chose counter stools that can easily be tucked under the counter when not in use.

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One of the hardest parts of decorating a studio apartment idea is running out of flat surfaces too quickly. Make sure your beloved trinkets get valuable real estate by showcasing them on your windowsill, like photographer Bjorn Wallander, instead of another side table or bookshelf that you don't have room for.

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Double your square footage by simply folding up your bed when you're not in it. This chic option, designed by Michael Chen of MKCA, boasts a two-tone color palette and a paneled exterior for added architectural detail.

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