17 Genius Studio Apartment Layout Ideas You Need To Try

Whether this is your first apartment or you have just moved for the first time into a studio, furnishing and optimizing the space is always a challenge. However, the best studio apartment layout ideas can help you turn these few square feet into a home that feels organized, curated, and perfectly livable.

In this post, we’ll have a look at 17 different options and tips for your studio apartment layout. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll know exactly what to do to make your small space feel like a dreamy apartment, finding the perfect spot for all your pieces of furniture and decor.

Get ready to transform your studio! 😊

While you may think that an open-plan space is the best solution to make your studio feel bigger, it can also be counterproductive. Creating different areas within your studio apartment floor plans can actually help your space feel both more functional and give the impression of a larger space. This is because rooms without a structure or excessive empty space tend to appear smaller.

This is also the right layout if you love a multi-purpose solution. The temporary wall at the end of the bed defines the sleeping area but also provides a great space for hanging the TV and a gallery wall. I love it!

If you’re working with a smaller space, avoid placing large items of furniture right in front of your window. Leaving the area open and having your bed face the window instead will help more natural light come through, opening up the space.

You can enhance this also by choosing sheer curtains and a color palette made of light colors. These features, combined with a layout similar to the one shown in the photo above will immediately give the impression of a more airy studio.

With this layout, you can also use your bed to hide more storage solutions like zip boxes or baskets. The options are endless.

When creating a croc-shaped layout, you will design your sleeping area and living area to be perpendicular rather than parallel. This works especially well in studios with a more squared floor plan as they inherently lend themselves to more boxy designs.

You’ll also want to make sure to use pieces like a rug or a beautiful coffee table to create a good visual separation between the areas.

One of the most affordable and smart studio apartment ideas you can implement is adding an area rug.

Think of a large, beautiful rug as a tool to ground your furniture, introduce texture in your design, and visually isolate the functional area it is placed in. For instance, by using a colorful and big enough rug, you’ll be able to place your couch right next to your bed without the sleeping and living areas blending with each other.

I do recommend choosing a rug that has enough contrast with your flooring/furniture. If you go for an option that is too neutral or understated, you risk having it disappear in the overall design.

A dining space is oftentimes a challenging thing to place in a studio as it’s not a priority compared to a bedroom or living room. However, adding a small dining section to your studio apartment layout can make your space feel more complete by including all the functional areas you may need.

I love the idea of including a small, wall-mounted dining table in a transition area between the living and sleeping spaces. It is incredibly space-efficient but still looks great. If you want to go the extra mile, you could even opt for a foldable model.

A great studio divider is one of the best investments you can make for your small apartment. Whether you opt for a simple wooden option or a more elegant wicker one like in the photo above, this item can effectively help you create rooms within your space.

For instance, using a divider between your living and eating area can give your dining table a bit more privacy, making it feel like a separate space from your main space.

The key is to choose a divider that does not make your space feel smaller. A rattan piece, for example, is a great solution because it still lets a good amount of light pass through. If you plan on purchasing a wooden or plastic piece, make sure it won’t block the flow of natural light through your space.

A fully enclosed bed is a great solution if you want your sleep space and living area to feel like separate rooms. You can easily achieve this even if you’re renting using a temporary wall or a tall bookshelf. Mirrored or glassed walls are instead more upscale solutions you can go for if you own your place.

I find this option to be a great alternative to a standard Murphy bed as it makes the studio feel more cozy and welcoming.

You don’t often see a kitchen island in a studio space, but I absolutely love this layout idea. Not only does installing a wall-mounted narrow island add extra storage space, but it can even create an extra seating area.

This piece can serve double duty as a kitchen counter and dining solution. Moreover, it’s one of the best ways to add structure to your layout as it clearly separates the living room from the kitchen. A win-win solution on all fronts!

As you have understood by now, having a designated space for each function is the key to making tiny studio apartments feel like complete homes. A very basic way of doing this, without investing in a divider or sacrificing space, is to use the back of your sofa as a space separator.

You can use any item of bulky furniture, but especially pieces like a modular sofa, to delimitate a specific space. This gives the impression of a more organized space but also makes your studio apartment layout feel cozier by avoiding that full open-space design that tends to be overwhelming.

If you’re working with a pretty basic layout because of the very limited space, you use some personal style touches to enhance it and give the studio more personality. A good place to start would be choosing an art piece that complements your color scheme. You can place this over your bed frame or above your couch.

If you have high ceilings you can also go a bit crazy with your pendant lighting and chandelier options. These pieces can double as an art statement in the middle of your living area, helping create a very efficient focal point in that section of the studio.

I like to say that wallpaper is always a good idea, no matter whether we are talking about a full home renovation or a single room upgrade! Use wallpaper or a wall decal to create a beautiful accent wall in your small studio apartment. By creating a focal point, you will define your layout and immediately draw attention to whatever area you wish to highlight.

Moreover, choosing the right pattern for the right space can give a unique twist to your decor, making the space truly feel like your own apartment!

If you’re set on keeping your studio layout as an open, single space, it can be helpful to adopt a single-wall layout for your bigger pieces of furniture. Items like a large sofa or a queen-sized bed can easily be styled alongside each other, leaving the other side of the room open as a passage or simply to make the space feel more airy.

This is also the best option if you love minimalist floor plans or if you already have built-in storage located alongside the other wall.