Recent trends suggest that renters developed a lasting preference for larger living spaces following the experiences of the early 2020s lockdowns and the compact living conditions that highlighted the challenges of studio living.
Indeed, back in 2019, studio flats were highly coveted. According to research by Rightmove via the Metro, these were the most in-demand property for renters before the pandemic, with their compact size often ensuring excellent locations in and amongst the action and a relatively low rental price, too.
How times have changed since then. By 2020, searches for ‘studio flats’ had slipped to eighth in the priority list, with ‘two-bedroom house’ becoming the most popular enquiry. Rather than assuming everyone became wealthier during that period, it appears that renters became keen to spend more in order to turn the spare bedroom into a home office, or simply to enjoy some personal space after extended periods spent indoors.
But what does this mean for studio flats today? Rightmove’s commercial director Miles Shipside noted that “Landlords with a large portfolio of studio flats may find they need to accept lower rents than in previous years”, with some agents now advising their landlords to incorporate work-from-home spaces to appeal to the market segments that emerged following the pandemic years.
Whether you own your studio flat or you’re renting it, with a little creativity and a firm resolve, there are plenty of ways to maximise your studio apartment space. Here are 7 of them.
Look Upwards
If you find you have no room to expand outwards, then look upwards. No, not to heaven; the Big Man upstairs isn’t going to magic up some more space in your studio apartment. Instead, should the ceiling of your studio apartment be of the requisite height, then look upwards to find space by introducing a mezzanine.
A mezzanine will add precious additional square footage to an apartment, and offer residents the chance to draw that distinction between work, rest, and play which became so important during the remote working era, particularly for those living in relatively compact spaces.
Having the bedroom area on a mezzanine level can offer an ‘escape’ from the rest of the apartment – a simple, cosy space where you can recharge, relax, read, take some time for yourself and forget about the world below.
By freeing up floor space, a mezzanine can make your studio apartment a more peaceful, and most importantly, spacious place to spend time.
Bespoke Furniture
In today’s world of hybrid working and ever-changing living needs, investing in flexible furniture for everyday use has become essential for studio apartment dwellers. Extending tables are particularly brilliant for small spaces, as they can serve as a compact desk during the day and expand to accommodate dinner guests in the evening.
Plenty of storage exists to occupy awkward spaces, with some great fitted furniture options out there which can be designed bespokely to fit in a nook, cranny or alcove and double up as storage. This kills two birds with one stone, as your made-to-measure furniture makes use of every spare centimetre, and you guarantee additional storage space, to boot.
There are many ways to maximise a studio apartment and have everything in place. A wall of floor-to-ceiling, built-in units will provide you with ample storage space options, too, while floor-to-ceiling bespoke shelving, vertical cupboards and fitted wardrobes are all great additional ways to maximise space in a compact room.
Bespoke furniture designed specifically for its room helps you put every single centimetre of space to good use. For more inspiration on doing just that, check out our article on compact, flexible furniture ideas to make the most of small spaces.
Divide & Conquer
One of the biggest challenges of a studio apartment is dividing out space, choosing what fits where most succinctly and drawing clear distinction between various spaces, both physically and mentally. The key here is to choose dividers that don’t block sunlight or cut up the square footage, we think.
Makespace.com say that “When one of your goals is to maximise space, the more practical a solution is, the better. Set bookshelves perpendicular to a wall to divide living areas and add valuable storage space in your small apartment. The bookshelves don’t have to stretch to the ceiling, but for the sake of illusion and the extra room, go tall”. We couldn’t agree more.
Free standing shelves are ideal partitions that allow natural light to penetrate every room, whilst still maintaining the privacy of a bedroom from, say, the remaining living space, as well as serving a functional purpose.
Multi-Purpose, Double-Duty Furniture
There are some clever ways you can create some extra space in your studio apartment involving practical but stylish furniture which boasts hidden storage potential.
Indeed, Architectural Digest say that “For city dwellers, two things are priority whilst choosing furniture—it should be decorative and also functional. In city apartments where space is at a premium, every item and piece of furniture needs to do double duty to truly earn its place in the house. In cases like these, buying multipurpose furniture becomes a smart, clever idea to survive space crunch.”
A platform bed with storage underneath can help you make the most of every available millimetre of your small living space whilst an Ottoman can boast plenty of interior storage, too. A sofa that doubles as a bed is another super-practical furnishing ideally suited to small spaces.
Things That Fold Down From The Wall
Calling to mind the space-savvy style used by Japanese urban interior designers, Murphy beds have long been a mainstay for studio apartments, and for good reason. As Apartment Therapy explains, “The Murphy bed, in case you’re unfamiliar, is a bed that literally folds down from the wall — a clever little space-saving solution for anyone living in cramped quarters”.
Don’t stop there; there are plenty of other items of furniture able to fold down from walls which have been invented to solve the woes of small-spaced apartment residents. From wall-mounted, fold-down dining tables to hideaway desks and retractable second beds, there are brilliantly flexible solutions out there when you don’t have many square metres to work with. The trick, is knowing where to find them.
Add Mirrors
One super-easy way to achieve at least the illusion of space in your studio apartment is to use mirrors with a dexterity and lightness of touch. Indeed, when it comes to studio apartments, a well placed mirror can amplify space, light, and even mood.
Create the sense of having an extra window by placing a mirror directly opposite your real window. Not only does this maximise the effect of natural light running through your apartment, but it also reflects what’s going on outside, allowing you to appreciate the view from another angle. It’s also a good idea to place a mirror behind a light source, such as a lamp, as it will increase the light’s reach.
Think outside the box (and the bedroom) here and consider bringing a mirrored bathroom cabinet into the main studio area, providing you with your make-up mirror and additional space for storage, too.
You could go all out and create a mirror wall to give the illusion of way more space, too, though we do find that this approach works best in bathrooms rather than bedrooms or living spaces.
One word of warning; we’d disregard these tips if you’re particularly clumsy, or you’ll be running the risk of seven years’ bad luck whenever you move about your home.
Read: The Best Ways To Allow More Natural Light Into Your Home
Utilise Hidden Storage Opportunities
One of the most overlooked aspects of studio apartment living is making use of those forgotten nooks and crannies that often go unnoticed. Every studio apartment has hidden storage potential just waiting to be discovered and exploited.
The space under your bed is prime real estate for storage boxes, seasonal clothing, or rarely used items. Invest in vacuum storage bags to compress bulky bedding and winter coats, freeing up valuable cupboard space for everyday essentials.
Don’t forget about the area behind doors – over-the-door organisers can hold shoes, cleaning supplies, or toiletries without taking up any floor space. Similarly, the space above doorways can accommodate narrow shelving units perfect for books or decorative items.
Consider the often-wasted space under your sofa or along the tops of kitchen cabinets. Slim storage baskets can slide underneath furniture, whilst the area above your kitchen units is perfect for items you don’t need daily access to.
Even the inside of wardrobe doors presents opportunities – hanging organisers can store accessories, ties, or small items that would otherwise clutter your limited surface space. The key is to think vertically and creatively about every single inch of your studio apartment.
The Bottom Line
In the spirit of space saving, we’ll keep our advice short, concise and to the point. But if you’re keen for more inspiration, then check out our article on how to create more space in a small apartment in 7 simple steps.
And now you’ve freed up so much space at home, care to invite us round?
