Zoning a studio apartment: functional design options with a partition

To create a cozy and comfortable environment in a studio apartment, it is worth dividing the space into zones. Partitions are often used for this. After all, with their help you can not only visually delimit individual zones, but also organize sound insulation in the room and improve the layout of the apartment.

A partition in the studio helps to separate the dining area from the kitchen, the bedroom from the living room, the children's room from the work room, etc. In apartments with an open plan, all these areas represent a single space, and this is not always convenient.

If you want to improve the interior of such an apartment and make it more comfortable, but not overloaded, you can use different types of partitions. To choose one or another method for zoning, it is worth considering what style the interior will be in, as well as for whom it is being created.

After all, if a family with children will live in a studio apartment, then it is important to carry out zoning not only to create a cozy environment, but also to ensure sound insulation. In this case, it is necessary to use stationary and movable walls. If sound insulation is not required, then zoning can be done using open shelving, bar counters, multi-level ceilings and floors, as well as color.

Combined floor coverings

Floor coverings of different colors, textures and even levels are perfect for zoning a studio.
Of course, in such ways it will not be possible, for example, to isolate the bedroom from the recreation area, but visually separating the hallway from the rest of the room is quite possible. The combination of laminate in the recreation area and porcelain stoneware in the food preparation area looks good. Such zoning will save the laminate from frequent moisture and extend its service life.

The flooring separates the kitchen-hallway and living room

Plasterboard sheet - what is it?

Gypsum plasterboard (GKL) is a modern building material that belongs to the so-called dry construction. Allows you to get a flat, smooth wall surface without resorting to the long and costly procedure of leveling the walls with plaster.

A gypsum board sheet consists of a layer of gypsum covered on both sides with sheets of cardboard. When choosing, you need to take into account that there are four types of drywall:

1. Normal - for rooms with normal humidity, covered with gray cardboard.
2. Moisture resistant – for rooms with high humidity up to 75%. Suitable for use in bathrooms and toilets. Painted green.
3. Fire-resistant - used for the construction of hearths and fireplaces. Non-flammable, easily tolerates heat, painted pink.
4. Acoustic - with increased density of the gypsum base and reinforcement. Has improved sound insulation properties. Suitable for finishing walls and ceilings of bedrooms and recording studios. Painted blue.

The advantages of gypsum boards include environmental friendliness, ease of installation, low weight, and the ability to create curved structures. The main disadvantage is fragility - drywall does not withstand impact loads well and crumbles easily.

Therefore, when using it in children's rooms, hallways and other rooms where critical loads on the walls are possible, you need to think through everything carefully. And if the strength of gypsum plasterboard is not enough, you can use gypsum plasterboard.

Wall decoration with various materials

Decorative plasters, wallpaper and other textured wall coverings also work. Anyone can zone a studio in this way; no designer’s help is required.

View the project in full: “Interior of a small studio of 29 sq m for a family with a child”

Required materials and tools

• Guide and rack profiles,
• Drywall sheets,
• Damper tape,
• Dowel – nails 50*40,
• Self-tapping screws,
• Gypsum based putty,
• Hammer,
• Screwdriver,
• Metal scissors,
• Stationery knife,
• Building level,
• Putty knife,
• Tape measure and pencil.

Furniture

Standard partitions take up valuable space and require financial investment. Instead, you can use furniture, and not just shelving and cabinets.

You can delimit the space using shelving, bedside tables, armchairs, sofas and even coffee tables.

View the project in full: “How to arrange a narrow studio of 28 sq m”

A shelving closet successfully isolates the bedroom while adding new storage space.

Do-it-yourself room partition made of plasterboard

The most difficult thing when constructing a plasterboard partition is its design. You need to come up with a shape, draw a drawing, calculate how many racks will be needed, based on the function of the structure and design.

A small master class on creating a partition from plasterboard

1. First, space marking is required. A straight line of the required length is drawn from the beginning of the partition.
2. Then, using a level and a plumb line, a parallel is drawn on the ceiling.
3. After this, you can proceed to attaching the guide profiles. To make the design more reliable, you can use sealing tape. It is better to attach profiles to surfaces using self-tapping screws and dowels.
4. After this, you can install the racks. They should be secured along the guides.
5. Then jumpers running horizontally are installed.
6. To make the structure stronger, you can also attach stiffeners to the profiles.

7. Then you can move on to cutting drywall. You need to constantly check the drawing so as not to spoil the material.
8. After this, the drywall is attached to the profiles. Typically, self-tapping screws are used for this, and they are screwed in at a distance of 2.5 centimeters from each other.
9. If required, soundproofing material should be laid between the racks, and then the second part of the partition will need to be faced only after this stage.
10. After this, you need to give the partition a marketable appearance. It is necessary to putty the surfaces and paint them, or cover the new wall with wallpaper. And I made the partition in the room with my own hands! You can also use wooden parts, tiles and other materials.

Carpet

Even a small rug will add a visual accent to your interior design and highlight the area you need. This method is not only convenient and inexpensive, but will also add coziness to a small studio. It is better not to place it in the kitchen, but in the recreation area or near the bed it would be best.

View the project in full: “Stylish loft in Khrushchev: project of converting a one-room apartment into a studio”

A combination of aesthetics and functionality

Designs of various types allow not only to delimit space, but also to make it more comfortable and functional. With the right choice of partition type, material and color scheme, you can visually make the room more spacious.

The partitions are made in the form of a rack, which allows you to organize not only different zones, but also a storage system. Products can have a different number of hanging shelves, which increases the functionality of the partition regardless of the purpose of the room.

Neat and original partitions make the space more aesthetically pleasing and comfortable. Openwork and other lightweight movable structures can perfectly complement the interior and make the room more interesting.

Reiki

A good way to partially hide or mark the border of an area. Slat partitions do not completely cover the designated functional area, but they take up little space and look very stylish. Often used in modern and eco-style.

View the project in full: “Realized project of a very small studio of 18 sq m”

Curtains

Textiles are great for zoning small apartments. Using curtains in the studio it is easy to highlight a secluded corner. The advantages of textiles are that they are easy to remove or replace (and thereby update the interior). Often used to highlight a sleeping area.

Read the article about all the nuances of zoning with curtains.

Curtains don't have to be thick

Techniques for identifying zones in rooms of different sizes

Few people would want to convert a large multi-room apartment into a single studio. Therefore, people use this design in one- or one-and-a-half room apartments. Converted two-room apartments are even rarer.

Agree that each individual apartment has its own dimensions, and sometimes there is no way to fit some things into it. For especially small rooms, there are certain zoning recommendations, which we will outline throughout this chapter.

Kitchen area

Let's start with the most difficult thing, because a kitchen with open walls means constant odors, grease and soot in the living rooms. In addition, due to the fact that the interior decoration of this area will always be visible, it is worth organizing its space in such a way that there are enough cabinets and drawers for kitchen utensils for all the dishes without leaving a trace.

• To put all this into practice, you will have to equip the kitchen with a powerful forced ventilation system.
• Also, in order not to take up too much space with kitchen furniture, it is recommended to install multi-level storage systems with pull-out and fold-out elements that can effectively use the corners of the room.
• Drop-down cabinets are also very convenient, since some models are not attached to the walls and are attached directly to the ceiling.
• Another point to consider during renovation is the removal of debris that constantly accumulates in the kitchen. This can be avoided by organizing a multi-level floor, which should be lower in the kitchen. However, this problem does not stop many people, and on the contrary, they raise the floor in the kitchen.

Attention! If you live alone, then the garbage problem is unlikely to affect you, but if you live with a family, even a small one, you will definitely encounter it.

Bar counter with drawers
If the size of your apartment does not exceed 30 m², then to save more space, you can use a table to create a partition, or install a bar counter that will successfully replace it. This design is also good because on the kitchen side, you can place drawers or cabinets in it to store dishes, and it will be very convenient to cook food on its surface.

But if you have plenty of surfaces for cooking without a counter, then it can be placed as a separate zoning element, at which it will be convenient for a large number of diners to sit.

How to partition a studio apartment: a table as a divider

Such a bulky element of any kitchen as a refrigerator can be disguised, or you can immediately purchase a built-in model. The size of these devices must be selected according to the needs of the user.

Original layout of household appliances, electrical and plumbing

If the size of the studio apartment exceeds 35 - 40 square meters, then you can take a walk and put up a more solid, beautiful partition. But it should not be too bulky, but rather, emphasize the spaciousness of the room as much as possible. Wall projections with beam ceilings are perfect for these purposes.

Studio apartment: zoning

It’s very good when you can place a full-fledged table that can be installed on the border of two zones. To give the space an original appearance, you can play with the geometry of the partitions and openings, making them round or wavy.

The main thing to remember when organizing a kitchen area is to make the room not only beautiful, but also comfortable. Therefore, always be restrained in your imagination, limiting it only to the necessary functionality of the room.

Sleeping area - relaxation area

The next, no less important task is to plan the area in which we will rest from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and gain strength for new labor and creative exploits.

To implement a bedroom “inside” an open space, there are several ways. One of them is to get a folding sofa (see Sofa in the bedroom instead of a bed: which is better), which in the evenings will turn into a comfortable sleeping place. In addition, you can install various kinds of ottomans, armchairs, designer chairs, and a coffee table next to it.

Modern folding sofa

The second way is to separate your sleeping area. Some simply place a bed, fitting it into the interior due to the color and texture of the material, others prefer greater privacy and hide it behind all kinds of partitions, including retractable blackout curtains, which provide a private corner inaccessible to prying eyes.

Studio apartment: sleeping area

How do you like this solution - to hide the bed behind a bookcase? It looks original, and in practice, saves a lot of free space.

Partitions for a studio apartment

Many people prefer to do without a bed at all, and place the sleeping place on the podium. But it is worth noting that to implement such an idea, you will need high ceilings - at least 2.7 m.

Podium bed

Children's area in a studio apartment

Despite the fact that living with a large family in a common open space is, for obvious reasons, not entirely convenient, some people deliberately turn their apartments into studios, following the call of fashion or their personal preferences.

Organizing areas for children requires its own special approach. And if for a small child it is enough to provide a sleeping place and a play area, then for schoolchildren and students the space should be made more functional.

• It should include a work area with good lighting. It’s good if there is a window nearby, which can also be used by turning the window sill into an original reading area.
• If a relatively small area is enough for written work, then to accommodate computer equipment (PC, printer, etc.), it will require much more. A built-in computer desk will be an excellent solution for saving space.
• If your child is not an avid gamer, then instead of a stationary device it is better to buy a laptop or all-in-one computer.
• Well, don’t forget about the bookshelves, on which you can conveniently arrange countless textbooks, reference books, workbooks and notebooks.

Lighting

Lighting cannot be called a full-fledged tool for zoning an apartment. However, it can enhance the effect of other ways of dividing space. Use ceiling and wall lamps of different styles, simultaneously combining shades of light, and the apartment will sparkle with new colors.

Zoning with light works great in tandem with the play of textures

Sheathing and sound insulation

The next step is installation of drywall. The sheets are attached to self-tapping screws, the length of which should be 1 cm greater than the total thickness of the gypsum board sheet and the profile. Shorter screws will not create the required force.

An important point: the head of the screw is recessed into the sheet by 1 mm. If you screw it deeper, there is a high risk of crumbling the drywall, which leads to a loss of strength of the entire structure. To make this task easier, you can use a special screwdriver attachment.

Having sheathed the frame on one side, fill the space between the posts with sheets of mineral wool to improve sound insulation and sheathe the second side.

The finished wall is puttied with gypsum putty, filling the joints of the sheets and marks from the screws, and the finishing is carried out.

Sliding partitions

Despite the obvious disadvantages, classic partitions do not lose popularity. Traditional plasterboard structures can be replaced with lighter and more mobile glass or plastic options. They look more stylish and fresh.

Decorative openwork fence

The materials used for such structures are:

• plastic;
• MDF;
• tree;
• metal;
• plywood.

Thanks to modern technologies, patterns of any complexity are available. Metal structures are made of rods connected in a pattern. For other materials, laser or milling cutting on a machine is used.

Plastic structures are practical to use, lightweight and durable. They are resistant to moisture, easy to clean, and resistant to damage. Hassle-free movement of the barrier is available. Relevant use for creating children's areas.

Wood products are environmentally friendly and have an aesthetic appearance, but they are not highly resistant to moisture and mold. It is not recommended to place structures near direct sunlight to prevent the material from drying out.

Vertical zoning

Owners of apartments with high ceilings can use non-standard solutions to organize space. A loft bed will move the sleeping area to the upper tier of the room and give its owners additional free square meters. Shelves and racks can also be placed directly under the ceiling.

View the project in full: “Design of a studio apartment of 15 sq. m. m with everything necessary for life"

Relaxation area organized under the loft bed

Advantages of partitions for zoning in studios

A studio is an apartment in which the living room and kitchen are not separated from each other. Usually the room is equipped with one window, in rare cases there are two. The bathroom is located in a separate room, but even then there is a desire to zone the main space.

Partitions of various types are used, which have the following advantages:

• it is possible to make several separate zones (kitchen, bedroom, children's area, etc.);
• improving the functionality of the space;
• partitions do not require large financial costs;
• a large selection, which makes it possible to select an option in any style;
• many partitions can be easily moved;
• the designs are easy to install;
• you can order an original partition that combines all the buyer’s wishes;
• you can choose a decorative fence or install a solid partition;
• A choice of different materials and colors is available;
• depending on the type of partition, it is equipped with additional elements, for example, hanging shelves;
• structures take up much less space compared to conventional walls;
• You can choose a partition regardless of the size, shape of the room and ceiling height.

Partitions of many types are popular among owners of studio apartments. Thanks to them, you can create demarcated zones and make the room more comfortable and original.

Bar counter

The bar counter will not only replace the dining table, but will also separate the kitchen from the rest of the apartment. There are now options on sale that can meet the needs of any family.

View the project in full: “Stylish renovation in a studio for 600 thousand rubles”

Disadvantages of a studio apartment

It would be dishonest on our part to describe the advantages and not mention the disadvantages. Firstly, not every apartment can be converted into a studio, since the internal walls can be load-bearing. We advise you to study the building plan in advance. Even if the walls do not affect the strength of the structure, you need to go to the local housing office and agree on future changes

Secondly, remodeling an apartment into a studio is expensive. Internal partitions will have to be demolished, electrical wiring and lighting changed. If the only purpose of the renovation is to increase the area by demolishing walls, calculate the costs in advance. Sometimes it is easier and more profitable to buy a two-room apartment.

The studio apartment is not suitable for large families or families with small children. It is almost impossible to be alone in it, and that says it all.

When renovating a studio, it is necessary to pay due attention to ventilation. When there are no partitions in a room, both pleasant and unpleasant odors move freely through it. For the kitchen you will need a powerful hood, and in the toilet it is worth considering the ventilation system in advance.

Houseplants

If you don’t have money for renovations, but you want to share the space here and now, you can use indoor plants. Massive flowers in large outdoor pots will take up a lot of space. Replace them with small flowers in hanging pots or plants with compact root systems and tall, strong stems.

Climbing indoor plants do a great job of dividing space. In addition, they are low maintenance

In small rooms it is better to use several zoning techniques at once. Strengthening each other's effect, they will turn the studio into a full-fledged cozy apartment, with its own corner for each family member.

All glass or in combination with glass

Partitions can be made entirely of glass or in combination with other materials. Most often, laminated chipboard or coated MDF is used for this. The glass itself is allowed in different types:

• hardened;
• multilayer;
• tinted in bulk;
• with different types of processing;
• with film covering;
• mirror

The glass thickness ranges from 6 to 12 mm; high-strength material that is resistant to mechanical damage is used for partitions. If the integrity of the fabric is damaged, the material breaks into small pieces without sharp corners, which eliminates the risk of cuts and injuries.

Partitions are made to order according to the size of the room. The structures are simply assembled and their location can be easily changed. Mounting is carried out to the floor and ceiling, but wall mounting options are also available. For this purpose, clamping profiles and other fasteners are used. Door leaves of different types are installed in such partitions:

• swing;
• recoil;
• all-glass or combined.

Partitions made of glass or combined materials have a number of advantages:

• strength and long service life;
• creating obstacles to the spread of sounds and smells;
• translucency (if you choose an option with light decor or without it at all);
• resistance to mold, mildew, mechanical stress, etc.;
• ease of installation and ease of dismantling;
• light weight, which makes it possible to use in ordinary apartments;
• such structures take up minimal space;
• Sliding partitions are being installed.