How to Maximize Space in a Small Studio Apartment

By Aleksandra Scepanovic, Managing Director, Ideal Properties Group

Most New Yorkers are self-quarantining at home during the COVID-19 pandemic…and some are even finding themselves isolated in a petite studio apartment. The average Manhattan studio apartment runs at about 550 square feet, which in comparison to the average home size in the United States (of 2,700 square feet), can be quite the squeeze. This holds especially true in a city hard hit by the novel virus, in the days when New Yorkers spend so much of their time – at home.

So how can you maximize your living space in a New York City studio? Consider these tips – they are evergreen but can be especially important during the pandemic:

Opt for double-duty décor

When you’re living in close quarters, the Mies van der Rohe’s “less is more” rings even truer. But that doesn’t mean you should sacrifice your personal style by forgoing decorative pieces in order to save space. There are plenty of ways to work your décor into functional, purposeful pieces. For example, bar carts, storage ottomans, macramé baskets or apothecary jars are all ways you can store additional items in a more polished manner without your storage options being obvious or taking up too much space. A bar cart can serve as a stylish, decorative yet functional piece for parties, but can also house and display special-occasion glasses and dishware when not in use. Storage ottomans can be a practical place to store bulky sweaters or blankets. Apothecary and mason jars can store just about everything – from kitchen items to cosmetics.

Customize

If you’re renting your first studio apartment and don’t plan to stay forever and a day, this might not be the right option for you. But, if you do plan to call your studio home for a few years, it could make sense to invest in furniture pieces that fit your specific space. Apart from beautifying, the choices may help improve your apartment’s functionality. An alcove studio (often L-shaped) separates a traditional studio with the living and sleeping quarters. If your residence’s configuration allows it, you can partition the areas off by allowing custom furniture to transform them: a cleverly placed and curated Murphy bed or table that folds up into the wall can help maximize your living quarters while lending charm to the entire space.

Fake it ‘til you make it

When in doubt, deploy tricks of the (interior design) trade that can help make a space feel larger. Hanging mirrors on the walls can create an illusion of a larger space by providing a sense of depth. Interior designers are also known to hang a curtain rod slightly above the window frame, a discernible modification that draws the eye up and makes the ceilings feel higher. In a studio, it can be difficult to distinguish one area or section of the space from the next, but using different sized area rugs can help to visually separate the spaces. Bright colors can often make a small space feel crowded, so if you have the option to paint, opt for soft neutrals for the wall color, and add dashes of color through hanging art. Making these minor adjustments can trick your mind into thinking you have more space than you really do… and inch your studio a step closer to it feeling like home.

While studio apartments vary in size, traditionally speaking, they are significantly smaller than other housing options in the city. The layout of a studio (and its inherent openness) may not be for everyone, but the lessons from interior design portfolios – especially during these times when people are sheltering at home – can offer some creative ways to make your small space feel like a home of much grander proportions.

Aleksandra Scepanovic is Managing Director of Ideal Properties Group, a leading residential real estate firm specializing in premier Brownstone Brooklyn and Manhattan neighborhoods including Park Slope, Carroll Gardens and Brooklyn Heights, as well as Williamsburg, Gowanus, Chelsea and other sought-after locations.

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