How to decorate a 350 sq ft apartment?

How would you decorate a small studio 350 square feet apartment? I’m leaving the mixed-rural suburbs for the city because it’s closer or more convenient to grocery, deliveries, my doctors, theater performances and museums. If I need assistance in the future with my daily needs, transportation would be easier for those that work in the home care field.

So I’m packing a few large bags of clothes, 4 bags of miscellaneous items, have computer and printer, and have given or will give everything else away as it’s old as in ready to be tossed, or too big. I do not have a picture, but the living area (separate from bathroom and kitchen) is 15x15.

What colors would make it seem not so boxed in? My present bed is old so it’s going to not come with me. How do I make this small city unit (in a beautiful area!) feel and look great? Thanks for suggestions. 🙂
 

How would you decorate a small studio 350 square feet apartment?
I'll be interested in the answers you get, I think I'll wind up eventually living in a little place. Currently I've been staying in tiny hotel studio suites and the last one I was at had a sofa, I never used it (except to throw stuff on) and it used up too much of the limited space. I've read that when living in a small space that getting small furniture helps.
 
Thanks Honey. I think I’d love to have a recliner. They can be huge, but I’d spend much of the early evening in it most likely. I likely would not sit much on the sofa. The sofa I have now is nice, but sits so low it’s a chore to get up! 😂
Do you find that the hotel rent is as expensive as the Apts? I learned of someone who lived on a cruise ship much of the year- those cabins are tiny- unless she had a suite.
 
Good for you! This is a big step and will be fun to start fresh! Since you asked I'll throw in my 2 cents but in the end do what brings you joy.

Minimalism and neutral colors will have a calming affect. A pop of color somewhere is fun and interesting. I wouldn't do lots of patterns and colors as they are a sensory overload, as is clutter.

My daughter just did this in her apartment and I love everything she chose. She put together a few Ikea items, and ordered some things from Amazon. She kept it simple, brought in the outdoors with some green plants. On her small kitchen island (she put together herself which was a little difficult) she has a clear glass mason jar that holds 2 fresh cut white Lily buds (open up in no time) with one or 2 long leaves on them...elegant, clean, and simple.

Maybe Google "best tiny homes images". You'll get some wonderful inspiration for making the most of small spaces and you'll begin to think of your your apartment as a mansion in comparison. Enjoy!
 
Do you find that the hotel rent is as expensive as the Apts?
I've only been staying 1 month in each town so I get a discount but not as much discount as someone staying multiple months. It was approx $1600 to stay in a Chicago suburb (but kind of an old crummy hotel) and a little over $2000 here in Buffalo, NY. That doesn't count the pet fee ($175 the first month then $50/mth if I stayed additional months) or the taxes. But, they reimburse the taxes (maybe not everywhere but in Ohio and NY for sure) if a person stays one month or more.
 
Good for you! This is a big step and will be fun to start fresh! Since you asked I'll throw in my 2 cents but in the end do what brings you joy.

Minimalism and neutral colors will have a calming affect. A pop of color somewhere is fun and interesting. I wouldn't do lots of patterns and colors as they are a sensory overload, as is clutter.

My daughter just did this in her apartment and I love everything she chose. She put together a few Ikea items, and ordered some things from Amazon. She kept it simple, brought in the outdoors with some green plants. On her small kitchen island (she put together herself which was a little difficult) she has a clear glass mason jar that holds 2 fresh cut white Lily buds (open up in no time) with one or 2 long leaves on them...elegant, clean, and simple.

Maybe Google "best tiny homes images". You'll get some wonderful inspiration for making the most of small spaces and you'll begin to think of your your apartment as a mansion in comparison. Enjoy!
Thank you, Lara. I appreciate the hint about the colors! I love the clean and simple ideas! Your daughter’s place sounds wonderful!
 
I've only been staying 1 month in each town so I get a discount but not as much discount as someone staying multiple months. It was approx $1600 to stay in a Chicago suburb (but kind of an old crummy hotel) and a little over $2000 here in Buffalo, NY. That doesn't count the pet fee ($175 the first month then $50/mth if I stayed additional months) or the taxes. But, they reimburse the taxes (maybe not everywhere but in Ohio and NY for sure) if a person stays one month or more.
Your resourcefulness is to be admired! All utilities are included in your hotel so that’s a good deal! Where would you settle to if you decided to get a place?
 
Thanks Sassy. That’s a wonderful idea - I just find them so uncomfortable-but maybe I need to look around more. Something easy to put away too. Not sure! I’ll look around!
How about a daybed with a twin mattress and box springs. (I have never met a sofa bed that was comfortable.) It could function as a sofa and as a bed.

If you google "how to decorate a tiny studio apartment", you will get image results with lots of ideas. There are also lots of links about decorating studio apartments, with lots of great suggestions.

This message has been brought to you by a crazy lady who loves looking at decorating sites.
 
Will you have visitors? Might be nice to have a small recliner love seat. Good for you and also provide a place for them. I see movie night. Sleeping on a pull out I have never enjoyed. I would rather have a murphy or twin bed. Tiny table with two small chairs or stools for meals. Think of pieces that could provide storage as well style. Like a wall unit tht is 12 to 24 inchs deep. Could cover a wall vertically and horizontally. Part of it open, part of it with doors. Could hold your TV books, knick knacks and photos. You could even store pretty dishes, casseroles and extra small appliances. Freeing up space in the kitchen area. I have been thinking about this in case I need to do it. I think a lot of people forget about horizontal space, what you can do with it. If your bed can be set higher with drawers underneath for clothes and or linens. Let us know how it goes, what you chose and what works well in a small space. Wishing you happiness in your new home!!
 
How about a daybed with a twin mattress and box springs. (I have never met a sofa bed that was comfortable.) It could function as a sofa and as a bed.

If you google "how to decorate a tiny studio apartment", you will get image results with lots of ideas. There are also lots of links about decorating studio apartments, with lots of great suggestions.

This message has been brought to you by a crazy lady who loves looking at decorating sites.
Thanks Wheaten. That’s a good idea- I need a bed! I have 2 Maltese that hog the bed so maybe a double or queen for me as I am not petite at all! The pictures on Google images are nice!!!
 
Will you have visitors? Might be nice to have a small recliner love seat. Good for you and also provide a place for them. I see movie night. Sleeping on a pull out I have never enjoyed. I would rather have a murphy or twin bed. Tiny table with two small chairs or stools for meals. Think of pieces that could provide storage as well style. Like a wall unit tht is 12 to 24 inchs deep. Could cover a wall vertically and horizontally. Part of it open, part of it with doors. Could hold your TV books, knick knacks and photos. You could even store pretty dishes, casseroles and extra small appliances. Freeing up space in the kitchen area. I have been thinking about this in case I need to do it. I think a lot of people forget about horizontal space, what you can do with it. If your bed can be set higher with drawers underneath for clothes and or linens. Let us know how it goes, what you chose and what works well in a small space. Wishing you happiness in your new home!!
Good point to consider, Blessed. Thank you! Yes, I should have a visitor or 2 every once in a while for sure! And I enjoy preparing foods or desserts for such an occasion. Thanks!
 
Thanks Wheaten. That’s a good idea- I need a bed! I have 2 Maltese that hog the bed so maybe a double or queen for me as I am not petite at all! The pictures on Google images are nice!!!
I suggested a twin or a murphy. Did not know you had two littles to share with. I sleep in a queen, I am no small girl but I think my two littles and I would be fine in a double. Doubles might be available as a murphy, not sure.
 
Will you have visitors? Might be nice to have a small recliner love seat. Good for you and also provide a place for them. I see movie night. Sleeping on a pull out I have never enjoyed. I would rather have a murphy or twin bed. Tiny table with two small chairs or stools for meals. Think of pieces that could provide storage as well style. Like a wall unit tht is 12 to 24 inchs deep. Could cover a wall vertically and horizontally. Part of it open, part of it with doors. Could hold your TV books, knick knacks and photos. You could even store pretty dishes, casseroles and extra small appliances. Freeing up space in the kitchen area. I have been thinking about this in case I need to do it. I think a lot of people forget about horizontal space, what you can do with it. If your bed can be set higher with drawers underneath for clothes and or linens. Let us know how it goes, what you chose and what works well in a small space. Wishing you happiness in your new home!!
The bed idea you have has me sold!!! I love that storage idea. I don’t need much as I want to be minimal in my senior years. But yes! Amazon has the perfect thing I see.
 
The bed idea you have has me sold!!! I love that storage idea. I don’t need much as I want to be minimal in my senior years. But yes! Amazon has the perfect thing I see.
Amazon has a lot of good stuff, if you have the time, take the time and research to make sure you are getting the best thing for the money. I learned the hard way on some stuff, Amazon did not always have the best price or quality.
 
Thanks Wheaten. That’s a good idea- I need a bed! I have 2 Maltese that hog the bed so maybe a double or queen for me as I am not petite at all! The pictures on Google images are nice!!!
Yeah, I noticed that a bunch of pics had real beds.

You are going to need all the measurements. It really helps to draw a floor plan to scale, and to cut out furniture shapes, also to scale (squares, rectangles, and circles). Then you can see what the apartment will hold. Don't forget about walking paths, floor lamps, and chairs that need to be pulled out.

My mom did that with her house, and it was easy to move around in with the walking paths accounted for. She based in 3' wide paths, but that is not always practical, especially when you are working with 350 s.f. You don't want to be winding around furniture to get from point A to point B, and you do not want cords across the walking path.

For your sake, I hope the windows are standard sizes.
 
I suggested a twin or a murphy. Did not know you had two littles to share with. I sleep in a queen, I am no small girl but I think my two littles and I would be fine in a double. Doubles might be available as a murphy, not sure.
You can get a double bed Murphy bed. I think they are expensive, though. That seemed to be the case when I researched them. One can make a DIY Murphy bed, but that was way beyond my abilities... Murphy's law would go immediately into effect.
 
IMO it’s more about what you don’t take.

I would take a few things that have special meaning for me, a minimal amount of clothing and essential household items.

Beyond that, a comfortable chair, side table, twin bed, small dresser, television, a small table with two chairs, and a small bookcase for my treasures.

A fresh coat of enamel paint is a great way to tie a group of furniture together and make it disappear into the background.

IMO the most important thing about living in a small place is keeping it neat and clean. Things can go downhill quickly in a small place and become depressing if you don’t make the effort to keep it fresh.

Good luck with this new chapter in your life.

Please keep us posted, we can all benefit from your experience in creating a cozy little home.
 
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