Tips for Those Who Love Guests but Live in a Studio Apartment

In a studio apartment, every square centimeter counts. We explain which tricks can help you create extra space and accommodate both homeowners and guests comfortably.

Combine the Kitchen and Living Room

This expands both spaces and adds up to 10 cm of usable area by removing a wall. It's a small detail, but it won't be unnecessary. However, note that you can't always combine the kitchen with a room. If the wall is load-bearing, it cannot be removed.

If your apartment has a gas stove, it must be replaced with an electric one or a sliding partition installed, as designers at 'Common Area' did in a Khrushchyovka flat.

Design: Common Area

Use Transformable Furniture

A small apartment should be furnished compactly without sacrificing comfort or functionality. In this case, furniture that adapts to different tasks comes in handy.

Modular Sofa

This model allows rearranging blocks and changing the sofa configuration: from straight to L-shaped or U-shaped, or even disassembling into separate sections. It's a very convenient system to make optimal use of the space in a small room and comfortably fit everyone.

Moreover, a modular sofa can turn into a comfortable double bed for late-night guests.

Design: Artpartner

Bed-Transformer

To free up space in a small flat, there is an unconventional solution: instead of a regular bed, place a bed-transformer.

Designer Maria Puzanova did this in a project for a woman with a daughter. The bed-transformer's facade was hidden behind a fresco depicting a painting by Polish artist Lukasz Olek. The sleeping area disappears completely during the day and remains unnoticed.

Design: Maria Puzanova

Collapsible Table

In its folded state, such a table can function as a nightstand, coffee table, or console. When unfolded, it can seat up to eight people.

Design: Inessa Ternovaya

Folding Chairs

They can be used not only for guests but also daily in a small kitchen. Folding chairs are quite convenient, and their compactness makes them an ideal solution for a small area.

Design: Common Area

Reconfigure the Window Sill

You can save space in the kitchen by placing a dining table on the windowsill. Designers at Quadrum Studio did just that. They extended the sill and added bar stools.

The freed-up space in the kitchen will come in handy if friends drop by.

Design: Quadrum

Alternatively, you can expand the workspace by making the window sill part of the countertop. This gives more room for preparing snacks for a large group.

Design: Uniquely

Rehabilitate the Balcony

Even a small but thoughtfully arranged balcony becomes a cozy corner for work or rest and saves space in the apartment.

Designers at 'Common Area' turned the balcony into a mini studio office. Here, they placed a desk and closed shelves for books. This solution freed up space in the living room for guests and created a dedicated workspace.

Design: Common Area

The balcony can also be equipped as a terrace for gatherings with guests or family relaxation.

Design: Brush up studio

Use Built-In Furniture and Appliances

A built-in tall cabinet from floor to ceiling holds a lot of items and visually doesn't clutter the space — it can even make room for dancing. If the cabinet fronts are painted to match the walls, the furniture seems to blend into the environment.

This approach was used by designer Nina Shubert in her project. See how a large cabinet was integrated without overwhelming the room.

Design: Nina Shubert

Built-in appliances also save precious centimeters and look compact, yet functional. Built-in appliances are typically more expensive than regular ones, but they can be found at reasonable prices. The advantages of this choice for space-saving are obvious.

Design: 3DDesign

Design a Platform

Designers often resort to unconventional solutions to make full use of space in a small apartment. One such trick is a platform with a retractable bed designed by Anna Novopol'tseva in a studio of just 18 square meters.

Thanks to the bed retracting only during sleep, there's enough room in the room for a large, lively group during the day or evening.

Design: Anna Novopol'tseva