Decorating studio apartments is an art of its own. When you’re working with a limited amount of space, you have to be smart about your decor choices.
Fortunately, you don’t have to reinvent the wheel when decorating your Los Angeles studio apartment. Professional designers have been figuring out how to decorate studio apartments for decades.
There are dozens of tried and proper decorating techniques that consider both form and function. Using these techniques helps you maximize the limited space you have and create a gorgeous and functional home.
We offer luxury studio apartments for rent on Wilshire Blvd, so we’re experts on decorating Los Angeles studio apartments. This guide will teach you how to use smart decor to make your small place look and feel like a palace.
Tips for Decorating Your Los Angeles Studio Apartment
When you decorate your studio apartment, prioritize function over form. You’re working with limited space, so every piece of furniture and decor needs to pull its weight. The goal is to find pieces that are both functional in the space and cohesive in design.
Because studio apartments have so little room to spare, taking up floor space for purely aesthetic purposes feels wasteful. Instead, focus on maximizing the use of your wall space for studio apartment decoration.
Think about creating an accent wall with unique wallpaper or hanging up a large statement piece like a decorative mirror, print, or painting. You can also create gallery walls that combine personal photos, art pieces, and other decorative wall hangings.
As long as we’re talking about walls, vertical storage space is your best friend. Utilize new walls for storage with floating shelves. You can even use complete shelving units if your space is big enough.
For high-traffic areas like the entryway, think about using a pegboard to hang items like keys and coats. The items you store there should be ones that you’re using every day. For items you use less frequently, wrap-around shelves high up on the walls are great for keeping things out of the way.
Another thing to think about is creating distinct living areas that also flow together. No one wants to feel like they’re sleeping in the kitchen, but you also want your apartment to have a cohesive aesthetic to it.
One great idea is to use a large rug to designate the living area. Then incorporate the colors or textures of that rug into the pillows on your bed. Try to pick coordinating pieces that you can use throughout the space.
Maximizing Space in Los Angeles Studio Apartments
Even if you’re living in less than 500 square feet, there are lots of tricks to make your apartment feel more spacious.
First, take advantage of every nook and cranny. Use those awkward architectural spaces that are so often found in studio apartments to create a dining room, home office, or music studio. Every inch of space matters, so take advantage of these little nooks by using them as you would a separate room. Don’t forget their vertical space. Use the walls for decoration or storage.
For example, if you want to create a small dining room, use wall shelves to store plates and utensils. If you want to create a space to practice music, hang your instruments up on the wall.
One of the best ways to keep your Los Angeles studio apartment from feeling cramped is to let in as much natural light as possible. This gives the space an open, airy feel. Decorating with mirrors is another great way to create depth and dimension. They are especially good for decorating in nooks or corners that feel cramped or don’t get enough natural light.
When you’re shopping for furniture, go for pieces that have slim profiles or sit low to the ground. These types of furniture don’t add too much visual weight and won’t block the light.
All of these tricks will make your small space feel large, airy, and open.
Getting the Most Out of Your Furniture
Another one of our tips for decorating a studio apartment is to prioritize furniture that functions in multiple ways. Space is at a premium in studio apartments, so the furniture that takes up that prime real estate needs to have as many different uses as possible.
Before you buy a piece of furniture, think about all the different ways that you can use it. A good ottoman can function as a spare stool, coffee table, or footrest. A stool can be used as a mini desk.
Prioritize pieces like these that have multiple uses. It’s also a great idea to look for furniture pieces with built-in storage. For example, when shopping for beds, look for ones that have storage space built in underneath.
You can also use your bedside table or dresser as a vanity. Decorate it with a large mirror, jewelry stands, and cute makeup organizers. These pieces are not only multi-functional, but they provide awesome storage solutions too.
Stools and chairs that have additional storage space inside are always excellent choices. You can add one of these to your bedroom to create a more dynamic space and store some of your winter clothes. Stack a couple of these in the entryway beneath a coat rack to create a mini-mud room.
Another great idea for maximizing furniture use is to turn your bed into a daybed for extra sitting space. Create a daybed by placing your bed lengthwise against the wall. Use large pillows to create a more couch-like look. This allows you to use your bed as a couch during the day. It’s a great solution if you have guests coming over or are hosting a party.
Try to pick furniture pieces that can be used in at least two different ways. Take a look also at your existing furniture, and see if there are ways to use it that you’re not thinking of. Multi-functional furniture helps you make the most out of your studio apartment space.
Decorating Your Bathroom
Decorating your bathroom in a studio apartment presents unique challenges, especially for people who use many different products. Counter space is limited, so focus your decorating on the walls. Once again, wall shelves are a
great solution that provides additional storage and decorating space.
Think about turning your most-used toiletries into decorations. Get decorative containers and pumps to store your facewash and other products in. Display them on your wall shelves as functional decoration. As long as we’re talking about toiletries, store any products that you don’t use every day. Organize these beneath the sink so that they’re not taking up counter real estate when you don’t need them.
Another great way to make your bathroom feel more alive is to decorate with a few plants. Air plants and ferns that love humidity are great options. If you aren’t too keen on taking care of plants, opt for rubber ones instead.
Use bathroom rugs and mats to soften the room and add texture. Try to find one that coordinates with other rugs that you have throughout the apartment. This makes the entire space feel cohesive and coordinated.
For storing things like towels and bathrobes, consider layering towel racks on top of each other. Use all of the wall space that you have, right up to the ceiling. If you struggle to reach things that are stored high up, get a small
foldable ladder. After you use it to retrieve your items, store it underneath the sink.
Finally, if you’re going to hang any art in your bathroom, make sure it’s waterproof and mold resistant. No one wants to find out that the print they bought is getting moldy after too many hot showers.
Check Out Our Studio Apartments for Rent on Wilshire Blvd
Studio Apartments in Los Angeles are great for young professionals who want a space of their own. Fortunately, you don’t have to sacrifice stylish decor because you live in a smaller area.
These tips on decorating your Los Angeles studio apartment will help you create an aesthetically pleasing and practically functional space. With a bit of creative problem solving, you can create a space that feels comfortable and works for you.
Contact us about our studio apartments for rent on Wilshire Blvd today if you find these tips helpful. Our 495 square feet studios are perfect for budding business professionals who want to live in luxury and style.