As sad as it may be, the area of most mid- and budget-price offers on the real estate market is 15-25 m2. Therefore, one-room apartments and studios with an area of forty square meters are quite a worthy option today. If you approach the organization of space with imagination, use the recommendations of experienced designers and available photos with the best examples, then the interior of an apartment of 40 sq. m. m. will turn out to be not only practical, but also very pleasant for life.
Far-reaching plans
Soberly assess the possibilities: what is the area of the apartment, the state of communications, the height of the ceilings? Are there additional rooms that can be used in the layout - a balcony, a storage room, a niche? Do you have any children? What style would you like to decorate your apartment in? All this will help you better understand your capabilities and begin planning. It is best to order a design project taking into account individual characteristics, which will clearly demonstrate the future interior.
Furniture
Do you live alone or with family? The choice of furniture depends on this. For singles or families without children, one massive item can be allowed. For example, a sofa. It will become the basic element around which the decoration will be built. In this case, the rest of the furniture should be weightless, tables with glass tops, cabinets with mirrored doors.
A bright contrasting color sofa is an acceptable massive object in the interior
But, the basic principle: do not overload the world around you with too bright colors, massive, even triple antique furniture. Maintain a balance: light plain walls - contrasting furniture, against the background of wallpaper with prints - plain sofas and slides.
Maintain harmony - a light interior with several bright accents
Replace regular wardrobes with sliding wardrobes. This furniture has a large capacity. Convenient internal filling and special fittings allow you to use the entire space, including the mezzanine. The furniture industry produces brackets for dresses, shirts, trousers and places them under the ceiling. If necessary, the bracket lowers to a comfortable height, and there is no problem in choosing the right thing.
Instead of massive walls, purchase modular hanging cabinets of different shapes or lightweight slides.
Interesting details: a combination of mustard and gray in a studio apartment
Lifehacks:
Free arrangement of furniture
Don’t try to fill every free meter with furniture and decor. The solid “wall” along the entire wall remained in the 90s.
Sofa instead of bed
Folding sofa instead of a bed. It can also be comfortable for sleeping thanks to the orthopedic mattress. And it takes up half as much space.
Effective zoning
Don't forget about zoning. Partitions, screens, curtains and racks are indispensable for separating the recreation area from the work area.
Transformable bed
A mobile sleeping option is a folding bed. Stows away in the closet during the day and comes out at night. Very comfortably! More about transformable furniture here.
Bed on the mezzanine
If ceiling height allows, consider installing a bunk bed. Below you can place a closet or a workplace - practical and creative. Podiums and mezzanines significantly save space, which is so valuable in a one-room apartment.
Different lighting
One chandelier in the center of the ceiling - boring and little light. Use built-in lamps, LED panels, floor lamps and table lamps.
Work space on the windowsill
The work area can be combined with a window sill or a folding table can be installed, which can be disassembled if necessary.
Electrical wiring
Once all the furnishings have found their place on the room plan, you can begin creating the appropriate electrical wiring.
It is important to provide large household appliances with their own sources of electricity: TV, home computer, refrigerator, microwave oven, kettle.
Additional sockets will be needed near the sofa or chair in the seating area.
Hallway design
The apartment starts from the hallway. If you have it very small, think about how to place everything you need there. A narrow shoe rack, a shoe rack with a seat on top, and poufs with shelves under the seat save space. A large mirror can be hung right on the front door - it’s convenient to look at it before leaving. Instead of a separate hanger, you can hang coat hooks and a shelf for hats and scarves on the wall.
If the hallway area is more than four meters, it makes sense to install a closet. Take a closer look at built-in models if there is a niche. Such cabinets are located from floor to ceiling, combining a closet and a pantry.
Corridor
Do you think that small and uncomfortable hallways are difficult to turn into functional ones? I'll share my secrets. Combine a small corridor with a kitchen or room (depending on location). For convenience, an entrance area is organized along one wall. Install a shallow and narrow cabinet or shoe box, the top of which is used as a seat. Shoes and clothes for daily use will fit perfectly.
It is best to install a shallow closet in the hallway
Remove the mezzanine, the ceiling rises - the room increases. Convert built-in wardrobes into compartments. Order a convenient filling for yourself. Convert closets into walk-in closets . You can allocate space in them for household appliances: vacuum cleaners, kitchen appliances that are not often used.
Small corridor with functional shelves
Long
Do you want to change the length to your advantage? It's possible. Place vertical decorative elements on an open wall:
- pilasters;
- semi-columns;
- vertical gypsum or polyurethane traction.
Install small sconces plus lamps at the beginning and end of the corridor. Light does wonders - the room will be transformed.
The diagonal layout changes the direction of movement and the true dimensions. Remember the winding forest paths that disappear beyond the horizon. Take advantage of nature's hint.
Brickwork and an antique mirror will decorate your corridor
Square
Remove the wall between the room and the hallway. A dressing room is created from plasterboard. The corridor will lose a little space, and you will gain roomy space for clothes, shoes, and accessories. If you install doors on both sides, you can take things out of the wardrobe from the side of the room and the corridor.
Remove the wall between the room and the hallway, this will make the corridor lose some of its area
Narrow
Remove all swing doors. They significantly “steal” space. Instead, install sliding models or accordion doors. And an additional closet or pencil case will fit into the vacant corner, which is important for small apartments.
Several doors open into the room - increase the opening to the living room and make glass shelves with lighting - functional and stylish. Artificial windows: doors with stained glass and glass enlarge the corridor.
Avoid clutter. Don't be surprised that the designer is telling you this. Each object captures the surrounding space, and if there are many of them, then the room is completely conquered. It ceases to perform functions for you.
Illuminated shelves and glass doors expand narrow spaces
Bathroom and toilet
In a one-room apartment, bathrooms can be either adjacent or separate. In any case, you will need to fit the maximum number of items in a small space. You should not place the toilet diagonally, as this will eat up the usable area. Also look at showers instead of bathtubs. Don’t forget that you can install a cabinet with shelves under the sink, and narrow wall cabinets won’t take up much space.
Design ideas for decorating a small home
A short video forces you to take a closer look at the design. It is necessary to use every free centimeter, but not to visually overload the space. For those who do not feel able to do such a good job, I recommend entrusting the task of improving the premises to a designer.
Kitchen Design
As a rule, kitchens in one-room apartments are very small. But even three square meters can be used wisely! Place the kitchen set at an angle and experiment with the shape of the countertop. The window sill can be used as an additional work area or a dining table. By the way, the table itself can be a narrow bar counter or a folding table mounted on the wall. Like on a train, remember? Why not?
It is better to hide small household appliances in cabinets when not in use. And large ones now exist in any size and for every taste - built-in appliances, small bar refrigerators, two-burner electric and gas stoves, narrow dishwashers.
Decorative materials
Anything the construction industry has to offer will be beneficial.
The main principle: do not overload the interior with too bright elements.
If you like wallpaper with large patterns, please decorate one or part of the wall. This will be a better decoration than the carpets of the past.
You can decorate one of the walls, or part of it, with a decor with a large pattern
A similar technique: the use of wallpaper with a small or textured pattern helps to emphasize the place of relaxation, work, and dining area.
The geometry of the pattern balances the small size of the rooms. Horizontal lines push the walls apart, vertical lines make the ceiling higher.
Place a seating area near wallpaper with small patterns
Laminate flooring and parquet boards are laid parallel to short walls. But you can also use the diagonal technique, which changes the proportions. The same applies to tiles, wet rooms and additional rooms.
Advice Combine wallpapers with companions: smooth models with a similar base and pattern or texture. Frescoes or photo wallpapers on one of the walls are acceptable. But the rest should remain neutral smooth.
Interior in bright blue colors with a workplace
It is important to take into account that in small apartments cleaning has to be done more often, since all rooms are used at the same time. Choose materials that are easy to care for. Wall coverings with a convex texture collect a lot of dust.
Apartment with walls in light colors and black and white wallpaper
Advice When choosing a color scheme, remember that fashion is fashion, but you will not live with this decoration for a month or a year. Think about it, if you have never had lilac or orange in your wardrobe or decoration, and most importantly, you have not felt the need for it, then will it please you for the next few years?
Black and white room design with access to an open terrace
For the kitchen, bathroom and hallway, choose tiles. Do you like parquet boards or natural stone? Amazing. Modern collections feature excellent imitation of various natural materials and shapes.
It is better to install a shower stall in the bathroom
This will be interesting to you: REVIEW: Design options for rooms in an apartment (150+ Photos): only top trends
Balcony
Having a balcony in a one-room apartment is a significant bonus, almost a separate room! Don't store unnecessary things there, but use the space to your advantage. You can insulate the balcony or organize whatever you want there.
Or you can install light there and create a work or lounge area. An excellent option would be a podium bed: it combines a place to relax upstairs and the ability to store things inside.
What style directions are acceptable?
It all depends on the wishes of the owner. Fans of neoclassical styles can use basic elements:
- plaster stucco;
- painting;
- desudéportes (decoration above doorways);
- semi-columns;
- volutes;
- coffered ceilings;
- arches
The main feature: the details are chosen to be miniature, the painting is light, so as not to overload the interior.
It has become very popular to use Scandinavian style in the interior.
Modern
It is impossible to imagine without stained glass. In small rooms, a stained glass chandelier, sconce or floor lamp is enough, plus inserts for doors, and the room will acquire style features.
Japanese style
Often used in small spaces. Laconism, clear lines, light colors are features of the style . But this does not mean that the interior will be boring. Stylish details: decorating one or part of the wall with bamboo wallpaper, introducing small elements of natural colors (red, green, brown) into the interior will do the trick.
The Japanese know better than anyone how to best organize a small space
Minimalism
Men love strict lines and lack of pretentiousness. Such interiors cannot be called boring. The design involves a play of textures of different materials:
- furniture upholstery;
- textiles;
- floor covering.
Therefore, lighting is thought out to the smallest detail.
Minimalism is not a boring design without unnecessary details
Eastern styles
Fans of oriental styles: Indian, Chinese should not introduce a large number of bright decorative elements into the interior. Enough sofa cushions, lamps, a floor vase and appropriate accents are placed.
In oriental style, be moderate with bright accents
High tech
Will help you perfectly combine:
- metal reflective surfaces;
- glass partitions and elements;
- decentralized lighting and elements of constructivism.
As a result, the apartment acquires the dynamics of modern life.
Modern interior in high-tech style
Pop Art
The “popular culture” style often uses plastic, bright colored accents, and bright, eye-catching designs. All this connects almost stage illusoryness with reality. It is often considered a youth option that can be easily transformed.
Creative interior built on bright contrasts
Solutions for children
Every person, even the smallest, needs personal space. It is convenient to place the crib in a niche (if there is one) and fence it off with a curtain or shelving.
Decorating a children's area in a one-room apartment
Using color zoning, you can designate the “adult” part of the room with more saturated colors, and the “children’s” part with light pastel colors.
Studio version
Decide for yourself whether the open space will be comfortable. The studio option allows you to increase the area. In this case, it is important to choose the zoning of the space. Usually they combine a living room and a kitchen, a bathroom and a toilet. In this case, it is necessary to install a good hood so that odors do not flow from one room to another.
Stylish studio apartment in matte black and white colors
The open space becomes larger. However, a conditional division is necessary to emphasize the functional areas. These may be mild, including :
- transparent partitions;
- decorative elements;
- individual pieces of furniture.
Open space seems big
To do this, choose partitions:
- Low.
- Consisting of beads.
- Made from tinted or decorative glass. If you choose an option similar to door block inserts, the room will acquire integrity.
For lovers of open spaces, you can use sliding doors, including radial doors. Sometimes they are closed, and kitchen odors remain indoors. Partitions are different.
Glass partitions are lightweight and do not overload the interior
Types of partitions
- The bar counter combines the kitchen and living room and serves as a dining table. Underneath there are additional shelves for kitchen appliances.
- Lightweight partitions . For construction, plastic panels, drywall, fabric stretched over a wooden frame, and glass of various textures and patterns are used.
- Racks for decorative items or books. This transparent element creates light separation and does not overload the interior. The rack can be straight, semicircular, ceiling-mounted or low in height.
- A fashionable item is a fish aquarium. The transparent water world creates a pleasant microclimate and soft lighting.
- Screens . It is worth remembering the screens of the past. This option is suitable for neoclassical styles (Rococo, Baroque, Gothic), modern: Provence, Japanese, Oriental, Indian, Chinese.
- Glass blocks . A narrow or low wall made of transparent or multi-colored blocks changes the interior, giving lightness and cozy highlights.
- A decorative podium is an interesting option. Part of the room is raised to a height of 40 cm. Pull-out sleeping places and drawers for storing bed linen or seasonal items and shoes are created under the new floor.
Option that will interest you
Tip Some decorators suggest separating the sleeping area from the living room with an open clothes hanger. You should not use this technique. The room will lose its charm and take on a cluttered appearance.
Visual zoning gives an unusual effect. Individual functional corners are determined by various finishing materials and decorative elements. For example, in the kitchen, hallway - tiles, living room - laminate, parquet boards or linoleum. The lighting for the sleeping area is soft, there is a chandelier in the living room, and directional spotlights in the kitchen.
Zone the space in a studio apartment using various materials and decorative elements
Color scheme for a one-room apartment
White color visually expands the space. Therefore, light shades of furniture and decoration are indispensable in the design of a one-room apartment.
You can make certain color accents. For example, a bright sofa, and everything else is like a background for it. The color of wood or stone, yellow, white, blue, pink creates a cozy atmosphere in the house.
The color scheme of the apartment reflects the character of the owner. If you are comfortable in a dark room, add a contrasting accent to one wall. You shouldn't paint the ceiling with a dark color. The light reflects most of all from the ceiling, black eats up a good half of the light. This is especially critical in small apartments.
Some tips
And finally, three important tips. Not worth it:
- Rely on your memory and keep in mind diagrams of finishing materials, furniture placement, sockets and switches. There's paper for that.
- Strongly trust furniture and finishing materials catalogs. In real life, objects may appear to have a completely different color and texture.
- Believe that the repairs will cost the amount calculated at the initial stage. Additionally, it is better to set aside 15-20% for unforeseen expenses.
Design styles for a one-room apartment
At the stage of determining the general concept of the apartment, ask yourself, what is your soul? Some people like organic minimalism, others want to live in a creative loft, or maybe you can’t live without beautiful decor? You always need to start from your own feelings.
The first thing that comes to mind when decorating a one-room apartment is minimalism. This does not mean that the furnishings will be spartan - table, chair, sofa and that's it. Minimalism assumes that every piece of furniture is needed for a reason, and not just because. It’s great if it performs more than one function. For example, a folding sofa - and you can sit and sleep. Extended window sill as a table or workspace. Furniture decor in this style is as laconic as possible and does not take up space.
The currently fashionable loft is perfect for designing a one-room apartment for one person or a young couple. Don’t be confused by the fact that lofts usually require large areas. Use individual elements for inspiration and turn your apartment into a cozy space for living and creativity.
Scandinavian style is an excellent solution for the design of a one-room apartment. It involves a lot of light and a light finish. This design will visually expand the area and is perfect for small apartments. With the right approach, you will not have bare white walls and a hospital atmosphere, but a minimalist modern design.
Provence is suitable for romantic natures. Light colors, delicate decor. The main highlight of a one-room apartment in the Provence style will definitely be the kitchen - you simply won’t want to leave it!
What can be concluded? No matter what area you have, you can always make your home cozy and comfortable to live in. Believe me, we tried and we know. The main thing is to decide on your budget, priorities, and the style of your future home. Our test will help with this
Tricks for expanding space
To ensure that the future interior of a one-room apartment brings only positive emotions, pay attention to some design techniques that can be usefully used when decorating a room.
First of all, you need to pay special attention to the decoration of the walls and ceiling of a small room. It is better to finish horizontal and vertical surfaces with finishing materials of lighter and pastel shades. This can be a matte or glossy tabletop in a soft pearl white shade, as well as ivory-colored wallpaper.
The presence of a large mirror will visually make the interior of a one-room apartment larger and more spacious. It is enough to install a wardrobe with a mirrored door or hang a mirror sheet with a beautiful frame in a well-lit place and you will immediately see how the room will be transformed.
The presence of numerous decorative elements, dear souvenirs or photographs creates a certain comfort and pleases the eye. However, to create the most ergonomic design for a small one-room apartment, it is better to abandon a large number of small decorative elements. You can leave, for example, medium-sized paintings, a floor vase or an original plaster figurine.
To make the interior of a studio apartment light and voluminous, you should choose curtains made of light tulle. They do not prevent daylight from entering the room and do not hide the space outside the window, thereby helping to visually enlarge the room.
Doors in a small room play a special role; it is almost impossible to do without them. It is better to give preference to options made of light wood. It is also desirable that the interior door have frosted or clear glass inserts. Glass surfaces perfectly reflect light and give the interior of a one-room apartment greater depth and volume.
Basic rules for decorating small rooms using wallpaper
Consumers looking to make a small room feel larger have a variety of issues to consider, such as which space-enhancing wallpaper to choose.
A positive result can only be achieved here using the method of optical illusions. One of the basic rules is the rejection of dark accents and finishing materials. To increase space, no matter how illogical it may seem, you can use zoning. But this needs to be done correctly, using clear lines and interior items that will surround the area. For example, when choosing wallpaper for the kitchen, it is necessary to abandon contrasting techniques, since they immediately attract attention and emphasize the lack of free space. Bulky objects cannot be called expandable in space. Even in combination with wallpaper that visually enlarges the room, all attempts will be in vain. After all, this will only make the interior look untidy, but it will also become inconvenient to use such a room.
Since corridors in apartments are usually the narrowest place in a home, it is necessary to select finishing materials for them that increase the area. It is better to avoid dark patterns, as they will absorb all the light and in this part of the house there is usually only artificial light. Colors that do not expand, but rather reduce free space, are warm shades:
- yellow;
- orange;
- red.
They should be abandoned if the windows are as small as possible and the room is narrow and long.
Enlarging a room by combining wallpaper
The combination technique will help increase the height and width of the room.
- Covering the same color range, but of different intensity. Both backgrounds and monochrome patterns are used. The lower part of the wall is covered with darker ones, the upper part with lighter ones. In order not to “steal” the height, the border is chosen thinner. The bottom of the finish should not exceed one meter.
- A room of up to 10 square meters can be decorated vertically with two types of wallpaper. In a larger room, 3 types of different materials are also glued. “Comrades” should match well in color and pattern. It is better not to overdo it with horizontal and bright combinations; in the bedroom it is better to place “ripples” on the head so that they do not irritate the eyes before bed.
- An accent wall, on the contrary, is placed in the field of view. It is covered with beautiful expensive wallpaper and you can admire its beauty while sitting with a cup of coffee in the kitchen or relaxing on the sofa in the living room.
- Sometimes the emphasis shifts to the ceiling. Then it becomes a continuation of the accent wall. A small room is not finished with dark materials, so that the ceiling does not put pressure on the psyche. The juxtaposition of “comrades” is smoothed out, redistributing attention to the surrounding decoration.
- A small bedroom can be covered with dark wallpaper only if it is close to a square shape. The walls near the window or any other part of the room are darkened, except for those walls that should reflect sunlight.
- In cramped spaces, large flowers cut out from your favorite wallpaper, silhouettes of a kissing couple on the head of the bed, glued to a discreet background or small houses, elephants in the nursery will come in handy in cramped spaces.
Lighting
The living room is illuminated by a small ceiling chandelier. In elongated rooms, good light is provided by a model with a long rod and several shades. Suspended plasterboard structures connect the central chandelier and spotlights.
A room with French windows that provide a lot of natural light
Near the sofas and sleeping places they install:
- sconce;
- lamps;
- floor lamps
- floor vases;
- paintings;
- The sculptures are illuminated with LED lamps.
They are economical and can be used for a long time.
In small, low rooms, heavy classic chandeliers with a large number of pendants are inappropriate. They do not decorate, but “steal” the space of the room. For lovers of lamps with Swarovski stones, I recommend choosing miniature models.
Classic chandeliers with a lot of pendants are unnecessary in a small room
You can “play” with contrasts and choose two types of diametrically different lamps for different areas or rooms. This combination brings variety and fun notes.
