Small living spaces are full of possibilities, although at first glance they may seem like an interior design challenge. Whether you're planning to furnish a small studio or a two-room apartment, the right solutions will allow you to create an interior that is both functional and stylish.
Limited space requires clever solutions—from multifunctional furniture and thoughtful color schemes to lighting that helps visually enlarge the interior. In our article, you'll find practical tips, inspirations, and proven ideas that will help you arrange a small apartment, maximizing the available square footage.
Learn how to divide the space, furnish a kitchen and bathroom in a small area, and introduce harmony and comfort into your daily life. This guide will show you that a small apartment can be just as comfortable and beautiful as spacious interiors!
Table of Contents:
- How to Furnish a Small Studio?
- What Are the Ways to Store in a Small Apartment?
- How to Utilize a Small Apartment?
- How to Light a Small Apartment? What Colors to Use?
- What Are the Tips for Arranging an Apartment?
How to Furnish a Small Studio?
How to Visually Enlarge Small Interiors with Light Colors?
Light colors are one of the simplest and most effective ways to visually enlarge a space. Walls painted white, pastel shades, or subtle grays reflect light, making the room appear more spacious and brighter.
The choice of light colors applies not only to walls but also to furniture, curtains, and accessories. To avoid monotony, it's worth introducing contrasting accents, such as wooden elements or colorful cushions. Mirrors are another ally in arranging a small apartment—they can be hung in strategic places to visually enlarge the space and introduce more light into the interior.
Learn more about choosing wall colors for wooden furniture here.
Dividing Zones – How to Effectively Utilize 30 m²?
Dividing zones is key to maintaining functionality and order. In a 30 m² area, each part should have a clearly defined function: kitchen, relaxation area, bedroom, and workspace. In a small space, instead of full walls, consider subtle solutions like a shelf as a room divider, a folding screen, or a curtain that doesn't take up space but effectively defines boundaries between zones.
It's also worth utilizing different levels, e.g., a mezzanine for the bed in apartments with high ceilings. Such solutions make it easy to utilize a small apartment and create an interior that is both practical and cozy.
Minimalism and Functionality – Why Choose Scandinavian Style?
Scandinavian style is the perfect solution for those who want to furnish a small apartment, combining simplicity with functionality. Characteristic light colors in arrangements, natural materials, and minimalist forms work excellently in small spaces where every centimeter counts.
By limiting the number of furniture pieces and accessories, the space looks larger, and the interior gains an organized and harmonious character. Scandinavian style also emphasizes practicality—multifunctional furniture, such as folding sofas or tables, allows for efficient use of space without sacrificing aesthetics. Choose this style to create a stylish small apartment that is both comfortable and charming.
What Are the Ways to Store in a Small Apartment?
Furnishing a small apartment requires carefully selected furniture and equipment that maximize the limited space. Choosing functional solutions like multifunctional furniture or custom kitchen cabinets makes even furnishing a small apartment comfortable and practical.
Multifunctional Furniture – Space Saving and Practicality
Multifunctional furniture is essential in arranging a small apartment. A folding sofa that transforms into a comfortable bed at night, or a coffee table with storage space are just a few examples.
A bed with drawers also allows for additional space to store bedding or seasonal clothing. Such solutions help utilize a small apartment without sacrificing comfort or aesthetics. They ensure that functionality in a small apartment goes hand in hand with space saving.
Modular and Wall-Mounted Furniture – Flexibility in Arrangement
Modular furniture is an excellent choice for those who need flexibility in interior arrangements. Modules can be easily moved and adjusted to current needs, making them perfect for small spaces or even small two-room apartments.
Wall-mounted cabinets and shelves help efficiently utilize space, leaving more room on the floor. This makes the interior appear more spacious and organized. It's worth opting for custom-built units that fit perfectly into any nook, helping to create a practical small apartment.
Foldable Tables and Beds – Ideal Solutions for Small Spaces
Foldable tables and beds are absolute must-haves if you want to furnish a functional small studio. A table that can be folded and serve as a desk during the day and accommodate guests for dinner in the evening is an example of clever space utilization.
Hidden beds are another hit in arranging small interiors, allowing you to maintain order and avoid the feeling of clutter. Such solutions help arrange a small apartment in a way that combines aesthetics with practicality.
Wall Shelves and Built-In Niches – Clever Storage Solutions
The functionality of an apartment largely depends on how things are stored. In a small studio, it's worth utilizing every wall—shelves installed at various heights can hold books, decorations, or electronic equipment. Niches in walls can be arranged as spaces for closed cabinets, allowing for discreet storage.
Minimalism in arrangement, check out the wall shelf!
Custom kitchen cabinets are also an ideal way to utilize difficult spaces, such as corners or areas under the ceiling. Thanks to such solutions, it's easier to maintain order and organize a small apartment, creating an interior that is both functional and stylish.
How to Utilize a Small Apartment?
Structural elements in an apartment can serve both practical and aesthetic functions. By appropriately using solutions like sliding doors, glass partitions, or mirrors, you can not only visually enlarge the interior but also effectively divide and organize it.
Sliding Doors and Glass Partitions – How to Define Zones Without Losing Space?
In arranging a small studio or a small two-room apartment, defining zones such as the bedroom, living area, or workspace is crucial. Sliding doors are an ideal solution that not only saves space but also introduces a modern touch. They allow you to separate, for example, the kitchen from the living room or the relaxation area from the bedroom without occupying additional space.
Glass partitions are another great way to divide the interior without limiting the flow of light. In a small apartment, such solutions make the space appear larger and more open while providing a bit of privacy in defined zones.
Mirrors and Cabinets with Mirrored Fronts – Visually Enlarging the Interior
Nothing visually enlarges a space quite like mirrors. Hung on one of the larger walls, opposite a window, or in strategic points, they can introduce more light into the interior and make the room appear larger. In a small studio, mirrors are indispensable—not only as a decorative element but also as a practical one.
Cabinets with mirrored fronts are another clever way to incorporate this technique into the interior. In the kitchen, hallway, or bathroom, such solutions combine functionality with aesthetics. Mirrored surfaces reflect light, adding depth and elegance to any room. It's a simple trick that perfectly suits the arrangement of a small apartment.
Folding Screens and Mezzanines – Creative Ways to Add Extra Space
Folding screens are a quick and easy way to define zones in a small apartment, especially when you want to separate the bedroom from the living area or create a small private workspace. Unlike permanent structures like walls, folding screens are mobile and can be easily moved depending on needs. Additionally, they are available in various styles, allowing you to match them to the character of the interior.
Mezzanines are also an excellent solution in apartments with high ceilings. In a studio, a mezzanine can serve as a bedroom, freeing up space below for other zones, such as the living room or dining area. If the room's height allows, a mezzanine can also serve as storage space, which is particularly important in small spaces where every additional place is valuable.
How to Light a Small Apartment? What Colors to Use?
Lighting and color schemes are crucial in arranging small interiors. By appropriately selecting light and colors, you can not only create a cozy interior but also visually enlarge the space. In this part of the article, we will present practical solutions that will help you light a small apartment and introduce more light, emphasizing functionality and aesthetics.
LED Lighting – How to Brighten Dark Corners?
Lighting in a small apartment is very important. Unfortunately, there is often a lack of natural light, especially in corners or areas away from windows. LED lighting is an excellent way to brighten these dark corners and visually enlarge the space. LED strips can be installed under shelves, kitchen countertops, or in cabinets, which not only increases visibility but also adds a modern character to the interior.
Additionally, spot LED lighting above the workspace or around the bed in a small studio will emphasize the functionality of the space, while also making it more comfortable. It's also worth considering standing lamps and wall sconces, which can serve both decorative and practical functions.
Light Curtains and Blinds – How to Bring More Light into the Interior?
Natural light is key in arranging a small studio, so choosing the right curtains and blinds is very important. It's worth opting for light, airy fabrics that let light through and don't overwhelm the interior. Light curtains can visually enlarge the window, making the room appear brighter and more spacious.
Roman blinds or day-night blinds are practical solutions that allow you to regulate the amount of light entering the interior, while also providing privacy. Thanks to them, it's easier to arrange a small apartment that is both functional and friendly in daily use.
Walls in Light Colors – The Key to Spaciousness
Light colors in arrangements are the basic way to visually enlarge the interior and make it more spacious. White or pastel walls reflect light, making the room appear larger and more open. In a small studio, it's worth avoiding dark colors that can overwhelm it.
If you want to add character to the interior, you can apply subtle color accents on one of the walls or in the form of decorations. This way, you achieve an impressive look without losing the sense of spaciousness. Wall colors should harmonize with furniture and accessories, emphasizing the cohesion of the entire small apartment arrangement.
What Are the Tips for Arranging an Apartment?
Stylish small apartments are a combination of functionality and aesthetics. Inspirations from various interior design styles can help create a unique space that meets your needs and tastes. In this section, we present ideas that will help arrange a small apartment in a modern and cohesive way, while avoiding common mistakes.
Japandi Style – Combining Scandinavian Simplicity with Japanese Aesthetics
Japandi style is a combination of minimalism in Scandinavian arrangement with subtle and harmonious Japanese aesthetics. It is perfect for arranging a small studio, where simplicity, functionality, and efficient use of space are important. Light colors, natural wood, and handmade accessories are basic elements of this style that help introduce harmony and peace into the interior.
In a small studio, Japandi style allows for optimal use of space through the use of multifunctional furniture, such as folding tables or beds with storage space. It's also worth adding delicate decorations in the form of ceramics, plants, or linen textiles, which introduce a cozy atmosphere.
Large Rugs – How to Add Coherence to the Interior?
Although it might seem that smaller accessories are better suited for the apartment, a large rug can help visually merge the space and add coherence. In arranging a small apartment, a rug that covers both the living area and the dining area creates a unified zone that looks larger and more organized.
When choosing a rug, it's worth opting for a light one or with geometric patterns that align with modern trends. In a stylish small apartment, a rug not only serves a decorative function but also a practical one, warming the interior and improving its acoustics.
