1 Studio Apartment, 4 Different Layouts—Follow Our Floor Plan Guide

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Updated on Feb 05, 2020

Loft-Bed-Doubles-Your-Space — Fantastic Frank

Full disclosure: The first time I walked into my now studio apartment, I walked right back out. "It's much too small," I promptly told my real estate broker. "I would never be able to fit all my stuff," I convinced myself, reluctantly coming to terms with the fact that the one-bedroom space I was moving out of in my hometown was a luxury I could no longer afford—not in Manhattan, anyway. Six months later, though, here I am, in the very same overpriced studio apartment with the same limited amount of space.

Despite its very obvious flaws (and insanely loud heating pipes), it also has its charms: a quiet courtyard-facing top floor, a renovated kitchen with dishwasher, and sunlight streaming in from three sides. Like many New Yorkers, I repeatedly tell myself that sometimes, the best things really do come in a small package.

The decorating of said studio did not come without its own set of challenges, either—squeezing an entire home's worth of furniture in a space that could essentially fit on a 9-by-12-foot rug is a jigsaw puzzle reserved for experts only. After drawing out dozens of layouts, I learned a thing or two about studio apartment layouts.

Do you live in a studio apartment of your own? Are you considering a city pied-à-terre or converting part of your home into an Airbnb suite? Tour one studio apartment—laid out four ways—and pick up a trick or two about decorating in a small space.

Layout #1

Original Illustration by Stephanie DeAngelis

Unequivocally, this layout is the one that makes the studio feel most spacious. The challenge: You need to concede to a twin bed, something not every grown adult is prepared to do.

This is a great layout for a recent graduate who loves to have people over and doesn't mind sacrificing a bit of sleep real estate in the process.

Pros:

The twin bed maximizes space in the small studio.
The dresser doubles as a TV stand.
Small stools fill in the role of coffee table and can be moved around or used as extra seating.
An extra wardrobe creates ample closet space for storage.

Cons:

Not everyone wants to sleep in a twin bed.
The layout doesn't account for a workspace, which leaves the bed or kitchen counter to double as your home office.

Layout #2

While very pleasing to the eye, this layout is mostly only functional for those who spend very little time at home. It would be a great solution for a pied-à-terre, for example, or someone with a lively social calendar and a demanding career. It's minimal functionalism at its best.

Pros:

A large entrance console table doubles as a desk.
The bed is positioned facing inward, creating symmetry.
A settee at the foot of the bed can serve as extra seating when guests come around.
The minimal amount of furniture gives the illusion of more space.

Cons:

This layout doesn't leave any space for a real "living area."
While easy to navigate, it also creates a lot of dead space.

Layout #3

This layout accounts for the fact that sometimes more than one person lives in a studio apartment—which adds an extra layer of challenges. In this arrangement, everything is planned to make space for two—extra storage and extra seating—something that's no easy feat.

Pros:

Extra closet space is created with a large double wardrobe.
A bistro table is tucked in the corner for breakfast and dinner.
The dresser doubles as a spacious nightstand.
Comfortable chairs allow seating where a sofa wouldn't fit.

Cons:

The bed is pushed against the wall to maximize living space—not ideal for the one who has to literally climb into bed.
The lack of a sofa is only ideal for couples who don't like to Netflix and snuggle.

Layout #4

This layout was inspired by the high efficiency of small hotel rooms—with all the basic living requirements but using no extra space for fluff. It's practical and livable for a single person who knows how to Marie Kondo like the best of them.

Pros: