Studio Apartment Challenges and Unique Solutions

OK, so the main challenge of living in a studio apartment is that everything will more or less have to go in one centralized location. This is not necessarily a bad thing. We’ll show you how to contend with, and make the most of, living in a somewhat boxed-in area…as well as how to break free from the decorating mindset that is all about “furniture that can’t be moved once it’s situated”.

We’ll be a bit more flexible, here.

Maximizing Efficiency in a Studio

Clothes Storage

There’s no getting around the fact that, in a space-challenged apartment, you don’ t have the luxury of the out-of-sight, out-of-mind storage concept, the way you would in a standard-sized apartment.

And we’re not talking off-season storage, No, it’s not just the bulky coats which are put away until the chill of autumn that you’ll have to store.

In a studio apartment, you’ll need to devise a way to keep your clothes out of plain sight, year-round.

Why? Closets are not plentiful. In fact, you probably are at a loss as to what to do with the part of your wardrobe which doesn’t fit in your one hallway closet.

Hey, no worries. Here’s an idea that’ll not only give you loads of storage space, but do double-duty, to boot.

Casters

That’s right, those little wheelie-things that are underneath movable furniture: get them. Find a way to put casters underneath your wall unit…the one that holds books, knick knacks, dvd’s…you name it. You can even make a wall unit yourself, using plywood boards.

The only caveat is that the unit has to have TWO separate shelving sides.

Now think in terms of placing casters on MANY large pieces of furniture in your studio.

Once you’ve placed casters underneath the heavy piece, you’ll be able to roll the pieces to and fro. There’s nothing like being able to wheel anything that might otherwise be smack-dab in your way, completely OUT of the way.

This works particularly well on a hard wood floor…but any floor that has the “slip” factor built in will accommodate casters on furniture.

Cool, huh? Now go get those sweaters, shirts, sweats, pants, socks and even undies and place them on the storage shelves facing the wall…only don’t push the unit tightly against the wall. You might want to leave a foot or two on the side which you’ll need to access most.

Use Smart Furniture

You’ve heard of Smartphones? Well, in the case of your studio apartment–where space is at such a premium that you simply can not afford to have furniture sitting idly by without doing something–let’s talk about how you need to have modular, multiple-use, adaptive pieces.

Think tables that have what’s known as an adjustable height feature. You know the ones: they’re the banquet folding tables…the ones that are brought out during a company picnic.

These tables are exquisitely functional.

They’re also known as work tables.

You’ll be able to eat on them (cover with a perky cloth cover), set your laptop on them, and, best of all, fold them and put them underneath your sofa bed, or behind the rolling wall unit.

Get creative . EVERY piece of furniture can be adapted to additional uses.

Detachable Doors

Did you ever hear of sliding, pocket doors? These can easily be installed on a sliding frame and will slip off the frame in a matter of seconds. How would it work? When you get up in the morning, fold up your multi-purpose sofa bed, futon or Murphy bed. Slide the pocket door off its frame.

You’ve got enough room to pirouette across the floor, if you were so inclined.

Open Shelving

Live in a studio apartment without young kids? Consider open-backed shelving. That’s just what it sounds like: shelving that has no back or “wall”. The idea is to place it in the middle of two sections which you frequent…your home office and living room, perhaps—so that it not only does a fantastic job of dividing the room, but it allows you to place items which you use often within arms reach.

Because it IS an open form of storage and placement, you’ll have to cast a discerning eye in the direction of what’s placed on the shelves. Only place items which will look attractive from both sides.

Remember to let plenty of air circulate—let your inner Feng Shui surface. Now step back. It looks great, doesn’t it?

Enjoy your spacious and functionally attractive new studio apartment!

Think positively.