When you’re decorating a small studio apartment, pause to do some planning before you buy. With careful design, you can make even a tiny space into a welcoming home that you love. To help you to get it right, here are our top four small studio apartment interior design tips.

1) Get organised

We all know that excellent storage is fundamental to creating a haven of calm in any size of villa or apartment. When it comes to planning your small studio apartment design, storage should be your number one focus. It means you’ll have somewhere to keep all the essentials you need AND keep your home looking stylishly neat.

• Use ottomans or beds with built-in storage to clear away clutter out of sight while still keeping it within easy reach. 
• Wardrobes and chest of drawers are great for shutting away items out of sight. Look for bedroom furniture mounted on legs or feet. Being able to see the floor below a piece of furniture makes a room look bigger.  
• Choose modular storage units that can be put together the way you want to fit neatly into tricky spaces and maximise storage space.

2) Keep it simple 

Less really is more, so your mantra should be ‘keep it simple’ when you’re planning your small studio apartment décor.

• Dark colours may be striking, but generally using light, neutral colours will help to make a small room feel bigger. 
• Stick to one colour scheme across the whole apartment to keep the look cohesive.
• Avoid unnecessary decor items that take up table or shelf space. Instead, make good use of the walls with a few carefully chosen artworks that show off your style and personality.

3) Hang on

It’s not just art that you can hang on your wall. Look for lighting that can be wall-mounted by your bed so you won’t need a bedside table. Or try hanging mirrors, a tried and trusted technique to bounce light around the room and make a small area look bigger.

4) Use an open bookshelf to divide the room

Define spaces for work, sleep, or relaxing by using a bookshelf. As well as providing a screen between areas, it’s a practical use of the space. Choose an open shelving unit to make sure that light can travel through to keep your apartment feeling airy.  A couple of artfully placed vases or plants will add interest and style.

How to decorate a small studio apartment on a budget

If you’ve only got a small budget, look for multi-tasking furniture. For example, create a cosy spot to sit with friends by using a couple of chairs around a console table. When you need it, this space can also double up as your WFH desk. A sofa bed is also worth considering as it means you can welcome friends and family to stay.

From shelving to storage beds, transform your small studio apartment into a practical home. Take a look at our handpicked collection at Crate and Barrel. Discover more ideas and inspiration for stylish living on our blog.