The studio apartment—one room, serving as the living room, bedroom and kitchen. To some, the idea of living in a small studio apartment can be overwhelming. The studio apartment is not for everyone, but for those who take the plunge, there are some things to know about what it takes to live the studio life successfully.
Storage is everything
Arguably, the most important aspect of living in a studio apartment is to have as much storage as possible.
Closets are your best friend when living in a small apartment. In order to keep down the clutter, keep as much of your belongings as possible in the closet(s). Closet organizers can often time be more detrimental to the cause than helpful, as many are bulky and end up taking more space than necessary. Shoe boxes are great for closets. They’re easy to label and stack into tight places.
Aside from closet space, keep boxes under you bed, as well as suitcases with travel items pre-stored inside. Not only does it save space, but it also puts you one step ahead when leaving town.
In the kitchen, keep your pots and pans in the oven (when it isn’t in use, of course). In the living room, a chest doubles as storage and a coffee table. If you need a footstool, make sure the top opens for simple storage.
Keep clean. Keep organized.
Living in a studio apartment comfortably means you have to stay organized. It doesn’t take too many out-of-place belongings to noticeably make your apartment more crowded.
Put things back where you got them. Organize your mail every day. Keep laundry in the basket and do it often.
In a studio, organizing has to become a routine. Keep the clutter out.
Open vs Divided
Some people like to have the flow of their studios completely open. In this case, use the walls to differentiate between sections of your living space. Artwork or an accent wall allows for a mental separation between areas, while taking up little to no space.
On the other hand, you may want to divide your bedroom from your living room. There are many options for dividing that are both practical and aesthetically pleasing.
If faced away from your bed, a couch can make an excellent divider without adding a piece of furniture you wouldn’t otherwise have.
Another option is a sleek shelving unit, which doubles as a bookshelf and a divider. Keep in mind, you want something that is both functional and decorative.
The easiest way to separate your rooms is by hanging curtains as dividers. Oftentimes, one curtain is enough, as too many curtains can easily cramp a studio. Sheer curtains are your best bet at creating the illusion of space.
Take advantage of your neighborhood
In most cities, New York included, you’ll be in walking distance to shops that carry several household items. Sure, buying items in bulk is often considered the frugal option, but if you live in a studio, you always have to keep in mind where you’re going to store everything.
There’s no need to have more than one single item when you can get it at the corner store in five minutes.
You don’t have a giant pantry. Buy some bread when you run out. You don’t have a wine cellar. Buy a bottle from the local liquor store when the one you already have is empty. You get the idea.
Get out of town
If you have friends or family outside of your town, go. A brief change of scenery, preferably in a larger home, can certainly help you to appreciate your studio apartment. More space typically means more money. Rents are higher. Utilities cost more. You’ll buy more stuff simply because you have the space.
When you get out of your apartment, you’ll be happy to come back.
