There’s something open and refreshing about a well-kept studio apartment, where parts of a person’s existence are exposed upon walking through the front door. While this might strike fear and angst into the hearts of many, studio apartment life offers enough perks that it might make a tempting housing option. If you live in a studio apartment currently or are considering making the leap, you might find this article informative and inspiring.

WHAT IS A STUDIO APARTMENT?

The definition of a studio apartment is as compact as the thing itself: an apartment containing one main room. (Studio apartments are also known as studio flats, bachelor apartments, or efficiency apartments.) Typically, the bathroom is contained in a separate small space, but everything else (kitchen, living, and bedroom) is combined into a single (usually small) space.

STUDIO APARTMENT BENEFITS:

Less Expensive.

It’s quite a bit cheaper to rent a small studio apartment than to go the route of other housing options, for obvious reasons – you’re paying for much less space.

Preferred Location.

Going along with studio apartments typically being on the less expensive end of the housing spectrum is the fact that, as such, you’ll likely get to live in a more desirable part of town. This is a huge benefit that can’t be overstated – it alone can change the quality of one’s life immeasurably.

Requires Well-Edited Style.

Because there is simply not enough space to keep a multiplicity of Stuff in your studio apartment, you’ll get to take a personal inventory to figure out what you truly love and what brings you joy in life. Those things can probably stay. Everything else probably can’t. It’s as simple – and as beautifully liberating – as that.

Easier and Faster to Clean.

When wiping a kitchen counter clean completes about 40% of the surface cleaning in your space, that’s something to be happy about. Then you can move on to doing the other stuff you really enjoy doing, not being stuck behind a mop all day.

STUDIO APARTMENT DISADVANTAGES:

Tiny Square Footage.

Let’s be honest – a studio apartment isn’t likely going to win any huge-square-footage awards. It can be a challenge to live in such a small space. Fortunately, challenges like these can often be overcome with a little introspection and creativity.

Combining Multiple Functions into One Space.

While “open concept” is a desirable contemporary layout scheme, it comes with challenges in the studio apartment realm when there’s little to no breathing space between functions. Your bed may very well be forced to sit next to the refrigerator in a studio apartment.

No Guest Space.

While some might view this as an advantage (depending on the guest…), having a space that’s too small to house both yourself and a loved one or two can be a disadvantage. After all, one of the main joys of life is being with the people you love.

STUDIO APARTMENT STYLING TIPS:

Be Creative with Visual Dividers.

A wall doesn’t necessarily have to be architecturally built in to provide visual separation between different functional spaces. The walls can be as simple as a ceiling-mounted curtain or a strategically placed piece of furniture.

Refrain from Collecting Furniture.

It might sound harsh, especially if you truly love furniture, but one of the best ways to decorate your studio apartment is to keep the furnishings minimal. Try to choose items that multi-task…and save the hard-core collecting until you’ve got a little more space to play with.

Make Your Walls Work for You.

One of the best ways to infuse a space with style is by highlighting the walls. This is particularly important in a studio apartment because it provides plenty of style without taking up any floor space. Look to wallpaper, great paint tones, or artwork, for starters.

Think Outside the Box.

Your typical couch and loveseat around the coffee table living room layout will have gone the way of all traditional layout ideas. How about suspended bed above sofa to keep things light, fresh, fun, and, above all, functional?