This week my boyfriend and I were approved for a killer apartment near downtown Austin. It’s rare that you even find an apartment in the building we locked in, much less affordably. But we did. The main challenge of the new place — in contrast to the amazing 80 walkability score and 9-foot ceilings — is that it’s a 640 square-foot studio. (We’ve been living in a 750 square-foot one-bedroom that’s just laid out strangely.) We’d been wanting a big flex-space for a long time, and the kitchen and closets are huge, which just makes the living quarters a fun organizing and decorating challenge. So what did I do for ideas? Why, peruse Pinterest of course. And I found a multitudeof awesome studio layouts and decor ideas — most of which are in even smaller spaces than the one we’re moving into. So check out some of these inspirational interiors below!
I love this idea of hanging pictures from wire to imply a partition. Naturally, things that involve build-outs are out of the question until we own something, but this stuff is still fancy to look at, and gets those brain-juices flowing to show how much really can be done with small spaces. When I lived in Europe, I found that space-saving solutions came with the territory, and I saw just how happily small some people live. I think we’re up for the challenge. Take a look at more of my favorite studios in the gallery.
Have you ever lived in a small space? How did you make it work?








guest
these are cool ideas. My husband and I will have to start thinking about this stuff soon. we don’t have a lot of stuff, but we end up with a lot of laundry clutter and he has a lot of music equipment being a musician. The biggest thing is his half stack, but we could set that up with the tv for entertainment purposes and leave it open space to set his other musical equipment up as well. I think we’ll be looking more towards buying a home though, living in Georgetown and thinking about starting our family in the next few years.
ranunculus / 3457 posts
I really like studios. They feel cozy for me.
guest
the small rooms remind me of the fold-out barbie suitcase house that I had when I was a kid. I used to share a small apt room. I have way too much stuff to live in a small room, but I sort of coped by using every inch of the closet space. my closet was so packed that I had to use a flashlight just to find things
I couldn’t even move the hangers to sift through my clothes, because it was maximized capacity! then I had “nothing to wear”
so I wore my usual outfit and it seemed like I couldn’t afford clothes, but I have a ton of clothes-I just can’t really get to them
I have a bigger closet now*whew*
guest
Have you ever thought of a murphy bed to maximize space?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4tX1uJtY68
guest
These are cool. Me and my boyfriend live in a teeny tiny studio, much smaller than these, but pretty much everone who comes over compliments us on how cozy and nice it is. Our main problem is with storage, especially since my boyfriend is a photographer, pilot and university student, which all come with loads of stuff like books and endless lenses. We do alright though, but it took some time to figure out the best way to lay everything out.
guest
Love these! At least now I know where to look for ideas once I move. Thanks for sharing <3
magnolia / 1055 posts
love!
orchid / 123 posts
These are amazing! With more and more people living in small urban apartments, we’ll need more and more tips on how to live in those spaces.
guest
I live in a studio apartment right now. I have about 450ish square feet of space. There is nothing that can save this place.