Updated on Oct. 07, 2024
Two interior designers who work in New York City, America's unofficial apartment capital, offer inside intel on decor-related studio apartment ideas.
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Before you decorate, you need to know exactly what you’re working with. That’s according to James Stanley, founder of James Stanley NY, a boutique architectural and interior design firm in Tribeca, in New York City.
We asked Stanley and Artem Kropovinsky, founder and designer at Arsight — another New York City-based firm — for their tips on how to do your studio right.
Start your plan with the following steps, then read on for detailed decor recommendations from our two design pros.
If you can eke out separate lounge and sleep areas, consider a multi-use modular sofa. “This adaptable furniture option is ideal for studio apartments, as it can accommodate various activities and styles,” Kropovinsky says.
Modular sofas are great because they can be reconfigured easily, Stanley says. It can be set to a usual shape for your everyday living, then broken apart for entertaining, or switching up your layout when it starts to feel stale. And many modular sofas are versatile, offering a built-in bed for you or for guests and hideaway storage. Don’t forget to check out these studio apartment storage ideas.
Good lighting is key to any homey-feeling space and signals changes in living zones. Think of a chandelier over a table, pendants over a bar or island, or lamps on end tables flanking a sofa. By adding good lighting, you add a level of luxury— with a sense of expansiveness, too.
Bringing the outdoors in boosts our well-being and increases our sense of expansiveness. Green growing things also evoke a sense of tranquility and add life to small spaces, Kropovinsky says.
Because studios often have low light due to fewer windows or surrounding tall buildings, choose low-maintenance plants like snake plants or pothos. Neither needs much light or love. Then amp up their simple look with space-saving hanging pots and slim, stylish stands.
Instead of opting for one large coffee table, which can take up too much space and look bulky, Stanley suggests clustering small tables together. You can separate them when entertaining to use elsewhere or tuck them out of the way.
He recommends going with three or four tables of different shapes and sizes. And don’t be afraid to mix wood, marble and glass. “It’ll add dimension and coolness,” he says.
If you don’t own your studio apartment, ask your landlord if you can paint the walls. If so, it’s a chance to really make a splash. And don’t buy the cheap stuff. “Spend a little more, because it will look like a million bucks,” Stanley says.
These days, he’s a big fan of Farrow & Ball paints, because the texture is so deep and rich-looking. He’s also “in love” with the durable and luxurious Benjamin Moore Scuff-X paints. He says his Brooklyn buildings with tons of traffic take a beating and still look great.
Kropovinsky also likes Farrow & Ball, especially their Hague Blue for a refined, modern touch, and Babouche for a boho feel. (Psst: Other paint companies mix color dupes for you for less.)
A key design rule: Lighter colors make spaces look bigger and airier, and darker colors close you in. Neither is wrong, but both definitely have different effects. Keep that in mind for your final pick(s).
“Incorporate sizable mirrors to make a studio apartment seem larger,” says Kropovinsky. “Mirrors reflect light and create an illusion of depth, enhancing the overall atmosphere.” They also allow you a quick visual check before you head out the door.
Pick options with decorative frames to create a gallery wall, with all mirrors or art interspersed.
Employ room dividers to mark separate areas within the studio. Use a storage unit and you’ll create space to store or display items. Kropovinsky likes IKEA’s Kallax shelf in part because it works within a variety of decor styles.
Need a thinner profile? A rattan screen or similar can provide space division or some privacy.
“I love accent chairs because this is where you can make a statement inexpensively,” says Stanley, who recently found an original designer chair for $100 in the Hamptons. “It’s a place to get artsy and cool.”
He says it’s OK to mix vintage and antique chairs into sleek and modern spaces and vice versa. The contrast makes a big statement in a small space and doesn’t take up much room.
Another way to create good flow in your space? Further define zones with rugs.
Unless your floors are really beaten up, don’t go wall-to-wall with big area rugs, Stanley says. They’ll just make your space look smaller. Instead, use rugs to create borders. Go with one for your “living room” that connects your sofa, coffee table(s) and accent chair(s), but doesn’t have to go entirely underneath them. One for your bed. Maybe a runner in your kitchen.
One way to get a custom fit in a small space, Stanley says, is with rug tiles like those from FLOR. These have come a long way stylistically in the last few years. They let you deal with any awkward dimensions while adding patterns, texture and borders. Design your rug to fit your space with patterns or mix-and-match colors
