The great thing about renting a
studio apartment is that you can have your own place even if you're on a pretty
tight budget. The downside, of course, is that you're likely working with
extremely limited square footage, which can make decorating a functional
nightmare. But if you're willing to face your challenge with practicality and a
dose of imagination, you should be able to find ways to save space and still
create the comfortable and functional residence you crave. Here are some
options to consider.
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image:home.howstuffworks.com |
1. Modular
furniture. If you're living in tight quarters, you really have to forego the
dream of large, overstuffed furnishings and opt instead for items that take up
less space. Modular furniture is a good option because it is designed to be
scalable. This means you can start small and add on as needed to complete your
space. Plus, you can find great options on the cheap at stores like IKEA. So if
you upgrade down the road, it's not like you've blown a ton of dough.
2. Double-duty
pieces. You could opt for cool furnishings like a cabinet with a hideaway bed
that doubles as a desk when closed thanks to a hinged writing surface. Or you
could get a bed frame that features drawers for storage underneath, alleviating
the need for a bureau. And of course, many tables and ottomans offer the extra
utility of storage in addition to their intended purpose.
3. Overhead
space. People often get so caught up in filling their floor space with storage
furniture that they forget about the usable space overhead. A small bookshelf
that runs floor to ceiling could be a lot more useful (and take up
significantly less square footage) than one that is wide and deep but only a
few feet high. You can also add shelves and pretty bins to any room for extra
storage. And you might even use a bed that hangs from the ceiling. You can
lower it to sleep and suspend it overhead when not in use. A simpler solution,
of course, is a bunk bed with no bottom bunk.
4. Creative
storage solutions. A major problem for most anyone in a studio apartment is
where to put their stuff. There aren't likely to be a lot of closets, so you're
going to have to improvise. For example, instead of putting up a curtain or a
wall to hide your "bedroom", use the back of a bookshelf as a
headboard that hides your bed, provides storage on the other side (for media,
linens, or dishes) and leaves the overhead space clear so light can pass
through. And instead of putting towels in drawers or on shelves, add rows of
hooks or racks in the bathroom to hang them.
5. Visual
trickery. Technically, this tactic for decorating your apartment won't actually save space, but it will give you the
illusion of more space when you don't have a lot to work with. You might put up
a piece of translucent glass for privacy that doesn't deter the natural light.
Get chairs that have open backs and open space underneath. Go for tables made
of see-through Plexiglas. Add large mirrors to bounce light and give the
illusion of greater depth. You won't find many studio apartments forrent that give you all the space you need, so you have to do
everything in your power to maximize. And using visual trickery to make your
space seem bigger is a good way to make the most of your limited square
footage.
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