13 Cool Ideas for a Small Studio Apartment

We tell how, thanks to thoughtful re-planning, designer Tatiana Nikolaeva managed to transform a small one-bedroom flat into a convenient living space for three people — Ksenia, Alexey, and their daughter — and thanks to decoration, create a beautiful and unconventional interior.

Accent Wallpapers

A small area is not a reason to give up on bright colors. It's a mistake to think that a rich pattern will make the space feel even smaller. Quite the opposite.

The wallpaper in Ksenia and Alexey's apartment is nearly 80 years old! It was specially developed for a hotel in Beverly Hills.

Narrow Wardrobe in the Hallway

A small hallway is not a reason to give up on a wardrobe in favor of a floor coat hanger or wall hooks. Even a narrow wardrobe can hold much more than simple hooks — not just clothes, but also a vacuum cleaner.

And at IKEA you can find the right fit for your size — boxes, baskets, and shelves. A hallway with a full wardrobe will also look neat.

Shoe Cabinet as Console and Vanity Table

Who said furniture should only be used for its intended purpose? In this tiny entryway, there's a tall shoe cabinet that serves as both a console for storing small items, perfumes, and keys, and a vanity table — in the first drawer of the shoe cabinet, Ksenia keeps her cosmetics.

"It's very convenient to put a coffee cup next to this large mirror with lighting and do makeup," she smiles.

Monochrome Kitchen Furniture

Kitchen in dark tones doesn't stand out, but instead blends into the space and adds depth, not drawing attention. The relaxation zone with a bright sofa and accent wall deserves special attention.

One Material for the Kitchen Counter and Backsplash

The countertop and kitchen backsplash are made of quartz stone — a practical and easy-to-use material. The light tone and lack of surface joints give the kitchen zone a fresh look and expand the space. Moreover, ceramic granite is easy to keep clean — it can be washed with any cleaning products.

Compact Cooktop and Sink

In a compact kitchen, everything is compact — a small but fairly deep Blanco sink model built into the countertop, a combi steamer and 2-burner cooktop — yet so much workspace is freed up!

Vibrant Relaxation Zone

The sofa, which was originally planned for this part of the apartment, was designed differently — minimalist. But this emerald beauty pleased Alexey so much that they ended up buying exactly it. Of course, the rest of the furniture had to be adjusted. When the owners watch movies, they turn the sofa toward the screen and drape the windows with curtains.

By the way, did you guess where the TV is?

TV as an Art Object

It may seem surprising, but the photograph of elephant herds is not a photograph at all, but an art TV The Frame from Samsung!

"We didn’t want to break up the small space with a black rectangle," Ksenia shares. "In our case, The Frame is just a find: because it’s mounted flush to the wall with no gaps and has interior frames, it looks exactly like a painting!"

By the way, you can choose any image from the Art Store app collection — a classic photograph or a masterpiece of world painting.

"And The Frame also has almost invisible optical cables," Ksenia adds. "Thanks to that, we forgot about tangled wires that always ruin the interior."

Relaxation Spot by the Window Sill

According to the designer's plan, the window sills and wide window ledges were finished with solid oak — not a place for relaxation or reading? But warm leather and soft cushions add warmth.

"This is our child's favorite spot," Ksenia tells. "And most guests don't mind spending an hour or two here."

Thoughtful Storage Systems

A small area dictates a rational approach to storage: every centimeter is used in the bedroom — here’s a tall wardrobe all the way to the ceiling and a bed with a lifting mechanism.

Child's Room on the Balcony

When our heroes bought the apartment, they didn’t think about children, but life had other plans — now there are three of them. The little daughter currently has a spot on the insulated balcony attached to the bedroom — here’s a small cozy table with a desk lamp, bookshelves, and a sofa bed with an orthopedic mattress.

"This is a temporary solution," Ksenia explains. "Until the renovation in our new apartment is complete."

Washing Machine Under the Sink

The washing machine in this small bathroom was placed compactly under a sink with an unusual shape and a slanted drain. To hide the household appliances from disrupting the bathroom design, they were concealed behind sleek olive-colored fronts. A slide-out drawer was installed nearby for storing small items.

Combination of Several Types of Tiles

Even in such a small bathroom, by using different combinations of finishing materials, several functional zones were clearly defined.

For example, the shower area is highlighted with large ceramic granite panels on the walls and two types of floor tiles — small square light gray tiles and larger dark tiles.

See all details in our video: