Small studio apartment with an area of 23 sq. meters, at first glance, is very difficult to equip. But if you delve deeper into this topic, you will see that everything is not so complicated. This article will discuss how to carry out a competent and inexpensive layout of a 23 sq. m studio, what is the best design to choose for a small room, and how to rationally zone a room.
Studio apartments are gaining immense popularity today due to their low cost.
Features of the interior design of a small studio apartment of 23 sq m
- When drawing up a studio design project, it is worth taking into account the needs of the residents. If it is equipped for students or newlyweds, then a basic set of furniture will be sufficient. If a full-fledged family with children lives in such an apartment, it is necessary to think about play areas. The ideal solution for this situation would be to install a bunk bed, where there will be a sleeping area on the first floor and a play area on the second.
- The room must be done in light colors to visually enlarge it. If there is an opportunity to install large windows, then it is better not to miss it - thanks to this decision, the studio will look more spacious and comfortable.
- In studio apartments, every space is used whenever possible. Equipping a mezzanine, a chest of drawers under the bed, extending the kitchen table using covers for the stove and sink, combining an insulated loggia and room, using a window sill as a work desk is the norm for a small studio.
- Light affects many things. In such an apartment, you can equip several levels of light to create the necessary atmosphere.
- You should not use a lot of color in interior design. It is better to focus on focusing attention with something bright.
Small studios, for the most part, are purchased for young couples without children or animals or for one tenant.
Subtleties of redevelopment
If you are lucky and the wall intended for demolition turns out to be non-load-bearing, you can calculate how much area will be freed up after demolition. Let the width of the structure be 10 cm and the length 3 m. The area occupied by the wall is obtained by multiplying these numbers: 3x0.1 = 0.3 m2. It doesn’t seem like much, but it’s enough for a medium-sized gas or electric stove, for example, 50x60 or 60x60 cm.
Kitchen-dining room in a modern style Source repaireasily.ru
Before starting renovation work, at the planning stage, the following issues need to be addressed:
- Agree on the rework in advance. Before drawing up a design project, you must obtain permission to demolish the wall and move pipes (if required).
Classic studio layout Source dekor.expert
Original selection of the cooking area Source hzcdn.com
- At the planning stage, locations for electrical outlets are selected and the location of lighting fixtures is thought through. Separate lighting will be needed for each functional area.
Dining room with copper lamps Source hzcdn.com
See also: Projects of houses with a kitchen
In a narrow room Source renonation.sg
- Choose a design style and color palette. An interior in light and pastel colors is preferable, as a light ceiling appears higher and the studio itself visually looks more spacious. On the other hand, the living room and kitchen area are 25 square meters. m is enough to decorate it using dark and rich colors.
Perky pop art Source design-homes.ru
Using dark shades Source design-homes.ru
- Finishing materials are chosen based on the style.
- Determine what furniture will be needed and how to arrange it.
Wood and brick finishing Source pinimg.com
Linear kitchen with island Source hzcdn.com
The main goal of the studio design is 23 sq m
A 23-meter studio, the design of which should fit a full-fledged apartment in a small area, has one main goal - to provide residents with space and comfortable living. To achieve this, the interior uses light shades, rationalization of furniture and its use, and a large amount of light.
In all apartments, they try to provide places for guests, a kitchen and a full-fledged storage space for bulky items.
Color palette
The kitchen-living room can be done in a single color direction. At the same time, the shade of the walls, curtains, and tablecloths should be in harmony with the tone of the kitchen set.
An excellent solution is to use different shades of the same color, for example, a white kitchen and a soft milky living room. Furniture and other items must be in harmony with the entire decor, that is, it is necessary to maintain a single concept and style of the apartment.
It is not recommended to use too dark colors. They give the room a gloomy look.
Design of the main types of rooms in a studio 23 sq m
For comfortable living in a small apartment, it is necessary to divide one room into several others to create the appearance of a full-fledged apartment.
It is important to make the room as functional as possible, but at the same time bring your own taste and style into the interior design of the apartment.
Kitchen
One of the main design rules for a 23 meter studio is not to draw attention to the kitchen more than the living room. To do this, it must be made dim, which is both a stylish and practical solution.
The option with a bar counter instead of a dining table will significantly save space.
If it is possible to connect the balcony with the kitchen, then it is worth doing. A couple of meters will allow the owner to move much more calmly. You can move the refrigerator to the same area.
Important! The balcony should be insulated to make the studio comfortable during cold seasons.
Wall cabinets should be small, their number is no more than three.
They can also be made in the form of a cabinet if they are located in a niche.
In order to increase the surface for cutting and laying out anything, you can purchase special square covers for the sink and stove.
Living room
The most important part of the entire apartment is the living room. Therefore, special attention should be paid to it. It should contain a sofa and a TV, other interior items - according to desire and material capabilities.
An artificial fireplace makes the room more sophisticated and stylish.
If the studio has large windows, then you need to choose light-colored tulle for them, preferably floor-length.
This will provide the room with enough light, and the curtains will create the illusion of high ceilings.
Wallpaper with furniture should be in harmony with the kitchen interior. It is allowed to use color combinations of the same shades.
In a 23 sq m studio design, photos on the walls will fit perfectly into the interior.
Important! All parts of the studio should be in the same stylistic direction. The most important thing is not to oversaturate the interior with details.
Kitchen-living room
On average, kitchen furniture occupies one wall, and it should be quite narrow. Dishes and other kitchen utensils are stored in wall cabinets.
The kitchen space is separated by a bar counter, which is an alternative solution to the table.
Important! A powerful hood will help cope with the spread of odors deep into the room.
The living room is filled according to desire and possibilities. Special attention should be paid to the wardrobe. With it you can separate the space between the bedroom and the living room, and it can also be perfectly replaced with a studio hanger with a chest of drawers for linen.
Corridor
Depending on your desires and capabilities, there are several options for decorating the corridor.
Leave a small space in the hallway to be able to remove outerwear and shoes. Provide hooks on the wall and small shelves for shoes.
To make the room more airy, opt for light shades or white.
Buy one large wardrobe so that everything can fit there: from clothes to suitcases. It is advisable to place it in a niche, if there is one.
In the hallway, lighting is one of the most important aspects. In any case, there will be a mirror in the corridor. You can buy a regular one, but at the same time equip it with good lighting, or buy a mirror with independent lighting.
Bathroom and toilet
In studios, the bathroom and toilet are usually combined to save space. They contain a shower or corner bathtub, a toilet, and a small washing machine. If there is a bathtub, the sink is usually abandoned.
The floor heating function will also be an excellent solution for a small studio.
Relaxation area
Depending on the residents living in the twenty-three meter studio, bedroom furniture is selected.
Students. An ordinary bunk bed with bedside tables is enough for them.
Newlyweds. In this case, a regular bed will do. To save more space, you can equip a chest of drawers at the bottom of the bed for underwear.
When creating a design project, you need to clearly define where each zone will be located.
Couple with children. Here you can purchase a wardrobe bed and a separate bunk bed for children. Thanks to this organization, there will be more space in the apartment.
If the ceiling height allows, you can purchase a podium on which a bed, workplace, or play area can be located.
You can create a two-level floor or podium.
Layout
Kitchen design begins with determining the priority area. If your family often cooks a lot, you will need a spacious work area. A young family without children will most likely want to have a large living and dining area where it is convenient to receive guests. The kitchen will be comfortable if you do not forget about the following points:
- Furniture is arranged taking into account the working triangle rule. To prevent the housewife from wasting energy while cooking, the refrigerator, stove and sink are installed no further than 1-1.5 m away.
Recreation area Source ashui.com
- Determine locations for large household appliances and the required number of sockets.
- One of the disadvantages of the combined space is the noise of operating household appliances. Some units may need to be replaced with quieter ones. If the sound of running water annoys you, consider quality plumbing fixtures.
Non-standard layout Source nobilia-russia.ru
Rectangular kitchen-living room Source ivd.ru
The main stylistic directions of studios 23 sq m
Interior design styles are practically no different from the design of standard apartments.
Classic style
The following colors are used in interior design:
- grey;
- brown;
- white;
- beige;
- bronze.
The interior is decorated in gray, brown, bronze, beige tones, and luxurious draperies.
Particular attention is paid to draperies.
Minimalist style
In this direction, all furniture is functional, hidden from view if possible. Any colors can be used. The main thing is a minimum of objects and clutter.
There is almost no decor, the furniture is as functional as possible, with everything unnecessary hidden inside.
Scandinavian style
Using natural materials to make furniture, giving preference to light pastel shades.
Lots of natural light, white and pastel shades, natural materials.
High tech
Widespread use of shiny surfaces, metal, glass. The presence of blinds, an abundance of modern technology and photographs in black and white style are a must.
An abundance of chromed metal, glass, smooth surfaces, built-in household appliances.
Loft
Brickwork, aesthetics of water pipes, beams on the ceiling - the ideal style for the attic floor. Minimal repairs required.
Walls with brickwork or its imitation.
Provence
Floral motifs, the use of natural materials for the manufacture of furniture and interior decor. Mats and wicker furniture will fit perfectly.
Bright floral shades and prints will go very well with the theme.
Fusion
This term means a mixture of styles. It should be used with caution so as not to clutter the space of a small studio.
Fusion is a mixture of many styles.
Important! The Baroque style will not fit into the interior of a small apartment due to the size of the furniture and decorative elements.
Disadvantages of this solution
Inconvenience due to the loss of a separate room. Here we are talking about the original use of the living room; if it was also a bedroom, then sleep and peace may be disturbed due to visits to the kitchen by household members.
- Smells of cooking. If the exhaust is not strong enough, odors will settle and be absorbed into the furniture, and getting rid of them is not so easy.
- Large noise threshold. In the living room there will now be noise from a working refrigerator, extractor hood, water when washing dishes, as well as sounds from other household appliances.
- The dishes must be washed on time, because in a separate kitchen, a mountain of dishes in the sink did not interfere with the aesthetic appearance of the room.
- Solid financial investment. Such renovations will cost much more than just a kitchen or living room.
Rapid contamination of a common room will require more frequent cleaning
A good hood will solve the problem to a certain extent, but it is impossible to completely get rid of unpleasant odors.
If you still decide to redesign the room, then you need to be prepared for the nuances of demolishing the wall:
- It is very easy to redesign a room in Khrushchev-era buildings. The internal walls are made of brick, and only the facade walls are load-bearing.
- In panel houses, things are more complicated. In such houses, as a rule, the partition between two rooms is concrete and at the same time is load-bearing. Floor blocks rest on a load-bearing wall, and when such a wall is demolished, cracks may form in the building and the house may simply collapse.
After demolishing the wall, the kitchen remains in its place, because all communications are located in it, and moving them makes no practical sense
Many people ignore this rule, but thanks to modern technologies and construction secrets, they have learned to do this. You have to sweat here. The concrete wall is dismantled using diamond cutting and the remains are strengthened with metal channels. The wall is not completely removed, but a piece of concrete is left at the junction with the floor blocks and this wall must be reinforced with metal on both sides. But before such redevelopment, it is imperative to obtain permission and prepare the project in advance.
To redevelop, you will have to obtain permission and make a project
Studio apartment design for a young couple
Studios of 23 sq. m are ideal for newlyweds, because a married couple without children does not need a lot of space for a comfortable stay.
This apartment is perfect for a student or a young couple.
For a comfortable interior arrangement, it will be enough to purchase furniture for the kitchen, hallway and bedroom. To receive guests, you can put armchairs and a coffee table, and purchase a bed that can be turned into a wardrobe at any time (transformable bed).
Adviсe
When renovating a room, consider the placement of outlets. This is a very important point, which will later help you in many ways in everyday life. Make a separate line for each room and for serious electrical appliances - a machine (both washing and dishwasher), lighting, heated floors, etc.
The best combination is considered to be a combination of two colors – base + accents. In this case, the apartment will not be overloaded with bright additions.
Make the most of your space. If you have a balcony or loggia, then attach it to the apartment or insulate it to create an isolated room. Any extra square meter in a small apartment will help you create a unique design for your apartment.
Color solutions and lighting in a 23 sq. m studio
To create the desired visual effect of a spacious room, you need to correctly arrange the light and determine the priority colors in the interior.
Color solutions
Using bright colors in the design of small studios will not be the best solution, because such colors make the room smaller. You should choose warm, light, pastel colors; they make the room more spacious. This applies not only to wallpapering, but also to the choice of curtains and furniture. An excellent design solution would be to use bright colors as accents.
The lighter colors are used in the design, the more spacious the small apartment seems.
Lighting
The studio should be filled with natural light, so you should make large windows where the window sill will also be functional.
If there is a lack of natural lighting, you should take doubly care of artificial lighting - the abundance of light will visually expand the room.
To save energy and create a suitable atmosphere in the apartment, it is necessary to make lighting at three levels:
- along the perimeter;
- standard lighting from above;
- lamps built into the wall.
Such lighting can adapt to the mood of the residents.
The backlight is chosen local - for each zone, its own, as well as general, adjustable brightness.
Space zoning
Let's start with the fact that on an area of 23 square meters we allocate only space for a bathroom. Of course, to save space, it will be combined and a shower will be installed instead of a bathtub. For this area, 3 sq.m. will be sufficient. This will be the only walled area in the studio.
The remaining 20 meters need to be zoned. The most important thing is to separate the kitchen area.
This can be done in several ways:
- Bar counter. It will perfectly help to separate the living area from the kitchen, while performing the additional function of a dining table.
- Color and (or) texture of the floor. A very popular zoning solution. For example, in the kitchen we put ceramic tiles on the floor, and in the living room we lay parquet. An excellent solution for such a small studio is to make a kitchen on a podium. As a result, the resulting step can very easily accommodate additional storage space, which is important for a small apartment.
- Multi-level ceiling. You can separate zones using different ceiling heights and colors, as well as lighting.
- Niche. Here you can also organize places to store various things, books and other things.
- Wall decoration.
Kitchen
When equipping a kitchen, you need to make it comfortable, and try not to attract attention to it, concentrating it in the living room.
If there is a bar counter in the kitchen, then, in principle, there is no need to arrange a dining table, thereby freeing up treasured square footage.
If there is a balcony in the kitchen area, then a good option would be to combine it with the apartment, having previously insulated it. You can move the refrigerator there by removing the window block, organize a dining table on the ledge in the form of a bar counter, then zoning the kitchen can be done using a niche, using the color of the floor and walls.
The kitchen set should not be large. Three wall cabinets and three floor cabinets are enough. In addition, you can provide special covers for the sink and stove, thereby increasing the surface of the cutting table.
Expert opinion
Romanova Ksenia Petrovna
Interior design expert and fabric store manager
If the kitchen is located in a niche, then it can generally be organized in the form of a cabinet, then when closing the doors the kitchen set will not be visible, and the illusion will be created that there is a separate living room in front of you.
Placement of furniture in a studio of 23 sq. m.
The main purpose of furniture arrangement is to separate zones in the room. Here you need to follow one rule: everything high is along the wall, everything low is a room divider.
You can zone a space of limited footage using furniture.
Important! The preferred furniture for a small studio should be foldable. The ideal solution would be prefabricated tables, transformable objects, and lockable shelves with mirrors. Massive furniture should be avoided.
Space zoning:
- You can separate the kitchen from the bedroom not only using cabinets and a bar counter, but also using other devices.
- Color, texture of flooring. The use of different materials and small thresholds to separate zones fits perfectly into the interior of a small room. You can use the podium to place the kitchen area.
- Ceiling. By making the ceiling multi-level, you can achieve a zoning effect.
- Niche. You can place a closet in it and store various items.
- Wallpaper. With the help of differences in wall decoration, you can achieve division of the living area into several rooms.
- Decorative partitions. The use of screens, muslin, glass partitions, and sliding doors will allow you to divide the room.
It is advisable to select all the furniture or most of it in the same color, similar in shape and style.
In a studio apartment of 23 sq. m, 1-3 people can live comfortably and comfortably. The problem of lack of free space can be solved with the help of well-chosen furniture, interior design and lighting.
This interior combines compactness with comfort, originality with versatility; it is a fundamentally new format of housing.
Features of a small room
A cramped studio apartment has a lot of its own characteristics. The following can be distinguished from them:
- Lack of load-bearing partitions. This is acceptable when a studio is being renovated. To do this, you don’t have to collect documents or hire builders. If necessary, partitions can be installed independently.
- Open zoning. Here the arrangement of furniture is different. There are many factors to consider, the main one of which is to ensure the availability of free space.
- Such rooms are light. The lighting here is natural, as one window is enough to cover the apartment. The color and lighting of the studio are easy to choose.
In addition to the listed points, the special features include the cost of servicing such premises. Apartment 20 sq. m. cheaper upon purchase and during maintenance than a two-room or three-room apartment. This attracts people who are not willing to pay a lot, but want to ensure comfort and coziness for themselves.
There are usually only 3 doors in the room - to the bathroom, to the toilet and to the entrance. But there are exceptional moments when the bathroom is covered with a curtain. It all depends on the preferences of the owner.
When asked “how to arrange a studio?”, unlike the task of preparing a large apartment, you won’t have to look for an answer for long. Although there are many options for equipment, they are all of a typical nature.
Advantages of a small apartment
A small apartment has more positive than negative aspects. And here's the explanation.
You may be interested in: The nuances of decorating an apartment of 100 square meters. m
Despite the area of 20 sq. m, it is still comfortable for at least one or two people to live here. By using modernized accommodation conditions (multi-tier beds, etc.), even more people can be accommodated. This is an option for the student.
A studio costs much less than a one-room apartment. Although it is not inferior to it in area. Repairs will also not burden the owner, as they will not be expensive.
All the necessary conditions for people to live have been created here. There is a bath, a toilet, and even a place for cooking. And all this is within walking distance!
Weaknesses of the layout
No matter how many positive aspects there are, there will always be negative ones. First of all, this concerns the layout of the room.
It is not always possible to place large furniture here. Of course, you can put it there, but then there will be no free space left for other furniture. It is possible to get out of this situation only by making a global constructive decision. As an example, install partitions or change furniture to more compact ones.
The apartment has 20 sq. m. thin walls. In more expensive apartments, this problem is not always solved with the help of insulating materials.
Even when organizing a budget room design, you have to save space. This can cause a lot of difficulties. Many wishes have to be abandoned, since they are difficult to implement in such a small area.
Another drawback is the ceiling. Compared to classic housing, the height here, as a rule, is not distinguished by its high values. On average it is about 2.3-2.5 m. It all depends on the type of building.
All of the listed shortcomings are mostly easily solved or have little effect on the quality of life of the owners. Still, the positive aspects outweigh this confrontation.
Modern interior ideas
The design of a studio apartment depends on the tastes of the owner. Some opt for a loft style with roughly decorated walls and a minimal amount of furniture. Others prefer Provence, which looks nice thanks to its light shades and subdued colors. When selecting the desired version, they look at photos of finished interiors to understand what they want to get as a result.
For many, a small apartment is a temporary solution that helps them purchase their own home without breaking the bank. Compared to one-room apartments, studios are cheaper. The option is suitable for one or two people, but if the family expands, an increase in space will be required.
Style selection
For a harmonious appearance of an apartment with an area of 45 square meters, it is advisable to use a single style in the interior. Separate directions can be connected. To make your home look like the photo from the Internet, it is better to consult a designer.
The main color in 1- or 2-room apartments is white and its shades with the introduction of colored spots. The combination looks good: blue, purple, pale pink; orange, yellow, cream; grey, white, blue; chocolate with beige. The decoration should be concise and simple.
Scandinavian and minimalism are considered ideal styles for a Khrushchev-era apartment or a small apartment. They look cozy, without cluttering the area, and give the room warmth. They allow you not to take up space with unnecessary furniture, decor, and finishing details.
The following style trends also fit organically into the interior design of compact apartments:
- High tech. Characterized by functionality, manufacturability, a lot of light, and a minimum of furniture.
- Loft. Associated with originality, negligence, brutality. It exposes what is usually hidden under the cladding.
- Modern. Gravitates towards smooth forms. Will fit perfectly on 45 sq.m.
- Contemporary. Involves zoned space, functional furniture, modular designs.
- Modern classic. Refined style, but without an abundance of decor and pomp.
When choosing a design, you need to understand that styles that involve natural materials increase the cost of repairs.