Decorating a Studio Apartment on a Budget: A Guide for Students and Young Professionals
Introduction
Many students and young professionals in Canada move to high cost-of-living cities like Vancouver and Toronto in search of better opportunities; however, the high costs make it difficult to find affordable housing.
During my years as a graduate student and post-doctoral fellow, I had to move to different cities every few years, and most of these cities were in high cost-of-living areas. In many cases, I could only afford a studio apartment, and I was on a tight budget. So, I had to figure out ways to decorate these small spaces to give it a spacious feel, while keeping to my budget (Figure 1).
Using these experiences, I’ve created this how-to guide intended specifically for graduate students and young professionals. This guide provides step by step instructions on how to decorate a small studio on a budget and shares some of the tips and tricks I learned along the way. Although the guide is designed to be followed step by step by someone moving into an unfurnished studio apartment, the tips and tricks can be used by anyone trying to improve a small living space on a budget.
Deciding on the Layout
When decorating an unfurnished studio apartment— where living, dining, and sleeping areas all merge into one room — the first step is to decide on the layout. In this chapter, I will discuss the various factors to consider when deciding on a suitable layout for your apartment.
Assessing lighting sources
An important first step in making a small space look larger is good lighting; consider lighting from the beginning — even before getting to the decorating step. Which direction is the apartment facing, and does it have enough windows? Does the apartment have enough power outlets for appliances and additional lighting? Adding fixtures like chandeliers, sconces, and additional power outlets are options, but in most cases, apartment owners are not willing to make such changes. Even if the owners are willing to make changes or are willing to let you, it will be expensive and time-consuming.
If your chosen apartment does have enough natural light or lighting sources, don’t fret; I have included some additional tricks to improve lighting while keeping to your budget in later sections. One such trick is shown in Figure 2: a mirror is used to create the illusion of a second window to bring in more natural light to a small studio with one window.
Regardless of whether you have chosen a well-lit apartment or not, you should start planning the layout of your apartment by assessing where the lighting sources are. First assess the natural lighting sources and then locate built-in light fixtures and power outlets.
- Natural light sources
Natural light sources include windows, fanlights, skylights, other openings that bring natural light into the apartment. Assess natural light sources with respect to the direction the apartment is facing to identify how much sunlight to expect during different times of the day. This will be particularly important when choosing a sleeping area and when incorporating accessories like curtains, mirrors, and plants. - Light fixtures and power outlets
Once you have assessed natural lighting sources, check out where the built-in light fixtures are. Do you have enough fixtures to light the apartment? Do you have options to change the level of lighting? If the built-in lighting is too bright and does not come with a dimmer switch, or is insufficient to light the apartment, you will need to decide whether to change the built-in fixtures or integrate other lighting sources, such as accent lights and table lamps. To add additional lighting, identify where the power outlets are in your apartment.
In a New York Times article (Higgins 2018), interior design columnist Michelle Higgins suggests taking a multi-layered approach to lighting by including different types of lighting sources such as:
- natural lighting
- overhead lighting
- accent lighting
- task lighting
The Lodge Pendant and Shaded Floor Lamps in Figure 3 provide layered illumination in this Charleston, S.C., living room. Taking a layered approach is also a useful trick to brighten up a poorly lit apartment. She also suggests combining different types of light bulbs into the lighting scheme. Kitchens and bathrooms need to be well lit, so she recommends using brighter light bulbs for these areas, and softer, more inviting incandescent bulbs and warm-coloured LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) for living and sleeping areas.
Deciding on living, sleeping, and dining areas
Choosing a suitable sleeping area
There are multiple factors to consider when choosing a suitable sleeping area:
- Are you a morning person, or do you like to sleep in?
If you are like me and like to sleep in whenever possible, it will be a good idea to choose a location with minimal natural light (Figure 4). Curtains are also an option, but it helps if there is less natural light near the bed. If you are an early bird, this might be less of a concern. In fact, you might be one of those people who like to wake up with the sun; in which case, it might be a good idea to place the bed near a window — preferably an east-facing one.
- How often do you cook at home and what kinds of food do you make?
If you like to cook often and make dishes like seafood, it might be a good idea to choose a sleeping area as further away from the kitchen as possible. - What is the noise level outside your apartment?
If your apartment is near a high traffic road, place the bed away from windows. On the other hand, if most of the disturbances are coming from the hallway outside or if your apartment is close to an elevator, it might be better to place the bed further away from the door. - What is the size of the bed?
It will not be possible to fit a king-size bed in most studio apartments. A queen-size bed or a full-size bed would be more suitable. There are other space-saving options like murphy beds, but because of their high cost, I would not recommend them for someone on a budget. If the apartment is very small, a sofa bed or a day bed is a better space-saving, budget-friendly option. - Are there power outlets close-by?
Make sure there are power outlets close to the bed, as you will need them for bedside lamps, and for plugging in other appliances such as phone chargers, speakers, etc.
Choosing a home office space
If you are a graduate student or a young professional, an essential part of your apartment will be your home office space. A great solution would be to use a hideaway desk (Figure 5).
Another option would be to use a table that can be used as a desk and a dining table. If you choose a more comfortable accent chair as your desk chair, you will be able to use it as additional seating for guests.
Planning for a separate dining area.
Once you have chosen a suitable sleeping area and a home office space, the rest of the apartment will be your living area. Depending on how much space you have left, you can decide on whether or not to have a separate dining area. As mentioned in the previous section, you can also have a table that functions as both a dining table and a desk.
Another great space-saving option is to use a gateleg or drop-leaf table (Figure 6); these tables take up very little space and can be used as console tables for entryways when they are folded. Figure 6 shows how I’ve included a multi-purpose gateleg table from IKEA into my small apartment’s décor. When I am not using this table as a desk or dining table, I fold both leaves to create a console table, which adds a stylish look to the apartment, while taking up very little space.
Measuring and drawing the layout of the apartment
Once you have assessed the lighting sources and decided on the living, sleeping, and dining areas, measure and draw the layout of the apartment. You will need a tape measure and a pen and paper for this task. If you live alone, you will need the help of a friend. Make sure to place the lighting sources and fixtures accurately on your layout. Also, include windows along with the direction they face and doors along with the direction they open.
After taking the measurements and drawing a rough sketch, you can decide whether to continue using the sketch or whether to transfer the sketch to your computer. There are some free online tools that you can use for making more detailed layouts of apartments. I created the layout shown in Figure 7 using the online tool Lucid Charts. I’ve added the measurements along the walls and a small compass on the top right corner to show the direction the apartment is facing. Once you have transferred the measurements and layout to a design tool such as Lucid Charts, you can play around with the furniture placement using the furniture symbols available in the software.
Choosing a theme and colour scheme
In order to select furniture items and appliances for your apartment, you need to choose a theme and colour scheme. In this section, I will discuss the various factors you need to consider when choosing a theme and how to select an appropriate colour scheme for your apartment.
Choosing a theme
One of the key components of creating a stylish space is having a common design theme throughout your apartment. Having repeated rhythms of patterns and styles add a peaceful and cohesive feel (Björklund 2016). The studio apartment shown in Figure 8 uses a minimalist theme with modern furniture and a limited colour pallet, which gives it a more uniform style.
There are several factors to consider when choosing a theme (Holliday 2017).
- Consider your home’s location
It is important to choose a theme that suits you, but it should also be appropriate for the location of your home. A nautical theme (Figure 9) for example, would be more appropriate in an apartment close to a beach; however, it may not as suitable for an inner-city location, away from the sea. A country theme with rustic furniture and floral patterns may be more suitable for a country home.
- Consider your home’s architecture
Another factor to consider when choosing a theme is the architecture of your home. For example, if your apartment is in an old art décor building or a Victorian-style building, a vintage theme (Figure 10) would be more appropriate than a minimalist theme (Figure 8).
- Consider your lifestyle
The theme you choose for your apartment should suit your lifestyle and personality. When I was choosing a theme for my apartment, I chose to combine the two most important aspects of my lifestyle: travel and the beach. Luckily, I also happen to live close to a beach, so I chose a beach theme and included lots of finds from my travels. - Consider your budget
Lastly, but in no way, the least important, is to consider your budget. Are you on a tight budget? Are thinking of including used furniture, family heirlooms, and finds from flea markets and thrift stores to save money? If so, shabby chic or bohemian theme (Figure 11), maybe more suitable; they allow you to incorporate mismatched furniture items from different styles and eras into a uniform theme.
Choosing a colour scheme
Once you have selected a theme, the next step is to select a colour scheme. The colour scheme you choose will determine what furniture and appliances you buy. Since we are focusing on decorating a small space, lighter colours are preferred as they create a more spacious feel. However, you need to also consider your apartment’s existing colour scheme: the colours of floors and walls; kitchen cabinets and built-in appliances; and doors and windows. Figure 12 shows how dark colours can be integrated into the colour schemes of small spaces if the apartment has light coloured walls, floors, and fixtures such as kitchen cabinets and built-in appliances.
Having repeated rhythms of patterns and colours are important to creating a unified feel; however, don’t shy away from using accent colours and furniture to add contrast where needed. Most minimalist themes, which is a popular theme amongst contemporary interior designers, use a monochrome colour scheme. But monochrome doesn’t mean it has to be monotonous (Grove 2018). Figure 13 shows how strategically placed orange coloured accents add contrast to a monotonous black and white colour scheme.
References
Björklund, Felicia. 2016. In pictures: How do I create a design theme for my home? November 25. Accessed July 04, 2020. https://www.thelocal.se/20161125/in-pictures-how-do-i-create-a-design-theme-for-my-home.
Domu. n.d. Accessed July 04, 2020. https://www.domu.com/chicago/neighborhoods/humboldt-park.
Grove, Connie. 2018. 15 Ideas of Minimalist and Simple One-Room Apartment. March 08. Accessed July 05, 2020. https://decoratoo.com/2018/03/08/15-ideas-of-minimalist-and-simple-one-room-apartment/.
Higgins, Michelle. 2018. September 18. Accessed June 15, 2020. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/09/18/realestate/lighting-a-room-simplified.html.
Holliday, Rachel. 2017. How To Choose A Decor Style For Your Home. January 21. Accessed July 04, 2020. https://www.banarsidesigns.com/blog/how-to-choose-a-decor-style-for-your-home/.
Langston, Bryce. 2014. September 16. Accessed June 15, 2020. https://www.livingbiginatinyhouse.com/space-saving-ideas-office/.
Mastroeni, Tara. 2020. April 1. Accessed June 15, 2020. https://freshome.com/inspiration/design-studio-apartment-layout-works/.
Nothingam, Sherry. n.d. Scandinavian Home Decor Mixed With a Minimalist Use of Wood in Warsaw. Accessed July 04, 2020. https://www.decoist.com/2014-04-16/scandinavian-design-city-apartment/.
Raysa House. 2017. The 7 Secrets About Nautical Theme Decor Only A Handful Of People Know | nautical theme decor. October 22. Accessed July 04, 2020. https://raysahouse.com/the-7-secrets-about-nautical-theme-decor-only-a-handful-of-people-know-nautical-theme-decor/.