17 Best Studio Apartment Decorating Ideas on a Budget

Studio Apartment Decor Ideas

Need budget-friendly studio apartment decorating ideas? You’ve come to the right place.

Decorating a studio apartment can be challenging, but with the right strategies and ideas, you can make your space look and feel bigger and more comfortable.

We’re going to share 17 of the best ideas for decorating a studio apartment and the best tips for decorating your small space.

How to Decorate

Decorating a studio apartment is no easy feat – and that’s an understatement. Here are some pro tips to help you plan your layout and décor:

Get Organized

Studio apartments are short on space. Just a few items on shelves or countertops can make the entire space look cluttered and messy.

Getting organized and – most importantly – hiding everything can go a long way toward making your space more functional and comfortable.

Even if you’re on a smaller budget, you can still find pieces of furniture that have hidden storage to keep your space looking neat and clutter-free.

Choose Your Palette Carefully

With such a small space, it’s important to choose your color palette carefully for your studio apartment. Stick to the same colors throughout your apartment to create cohesion and harmony throughout your space.

Divide Your Space

In a studio apartment, the bathroom is the only physically separate space. But you can create the illusion of different areas with the use of dividers.

Dividers can create a separate space for your bed and living or dining areas. Dividing spaces can help improve the flow of your space and make entertaining more comfortable for everyone.

17 Best Studio Apartment Decorating Ideas on a Budget

1. Add Mirrors to Make Your Space Look Bigger

Mirrors are your friend if you live in a small space. Their reflective surfaces can help make spaces look and feel bigger by bouncing light around the room.

Try placing a mirror on each side of the apartment (not facing each other directly) to create the illusion of a bigger and brighter space. Here is a cute mirror from Amazon, similar to the one above.

2. Add Rugs to Make the Space Cozy and Define Spaces

Rugs are one of those studio apartment decorating ideas that have a big impact and don’t have to cost you an arm and a leg.

Along with making the space cozier and more comfortable, throw rugs can also help define spaces in your apartment.

We love this rug from Amazon. It’s budget-friendly and oh-so plush.

3. Invest in Multipurpose Furniture

Multipurpose furniture can help make your studio more functional without taking up more space.

The Tiptiper folding dining table, for example, can double as a table or desk and then fold up for easy storage when not in use. Furniture like this will save you space without forcing you to sacrifice function and comfort.

4. Make a Bed Nook Divider

One of the best budget studio apartment decorating ideas is to make a bed nook divider out of cheap bookcases and a curtain rod.

Look for a bookcase with solid backing, like this one from Amazon, to create a solid divider and add more privacy to your sleeping area.

To close off the other side of the bed, hang a rod and curtain. A curtain will give you easy access and privacy without making the space feel claustrophobic.

5. Use Baskets as Shelves

Baskets are an inexpensive and versatile décor item. They add a natural element to the space, and they’re an excellent option for keeping areas clutter-free.

In the bathroom, you can add wall storage quickly and easily with just a few inexpensive, pretty baskets. Use them to store extra towels, toilet paper and more.

We love these baskets from Amazon because they’re just the right size, and they come in sets of three.

6. Hang Wall Art

No list of studio apartment decorating ideas is complete without wall art. Often, people spend so much time planning their furniture layout and picking the right furniture that they forget to decorate their walls.

Art will make a big statement in your studio apartment and can really bring the room together. Check our printable wall art collection to instant download and print at home.

7. Find Sneaky Ways to Add Storage

One of the best studio apartment decorating ideas is to find ways to sneak in storage wherever you can.

Hang shelves high on the wall or above doorways to make use of this unused space
Hang a pegboard in the kitchen to store your pots and pans
Place narrow cabinets (like this slim bathroom cabinet) along walls to add more flat surfaces and hidden storage
Hang hooks in clever places to hang, bags, coats and more
Make use of underbed storage like this one from Amazon. Here is another post about the 15 best under-bed storage with wheels you can read.
Get an over-the-door shoe rack

Finding ways to add more storage will help make your space look more organized and comfortable while adding function. Here are 20 brilliant small apartment storage hacks you shouldn’t miss.

8. Install a Floating Night Shelf Stand

It can be challenging to have a traditional nightstand in a studio apartment. Hang a floating shelf instead. The right shelf can create a cozy little space to store your essentials.

This floating nightstand from Amazon will give you plenty of space for your items and free up floor space for other items.

9. Get an Over-the-Sofa Side Table

Don’t have space for a regular side table in your living area? Try an over-the-sofa table. These tiny tables fit over the armrest of your sofa and provide just enough space for a drink and your phone or tablet.

We like this side table from Amazon because it’s budget-friendly and wide enough for a drink or even a small laptop.

10. Get a Storage Ottoman That Doubles as a Coffee Table

Ottomans can actually make great coffee tables, and they serve three purposes:

A coffee table
Seating
Storage

These ottomans come at a little bit higher of a price, but they also serve multiple functions. And that means you won’t need to buy as much furniture for your apartment.

We really like this ottoman from Amazon because it comes with trays to create a tabletop surface. It’s sleek, affordable and offers plenty of storage space.

11. Make Your Own Paint Swirl Vases

Vases are a simple way to add beauty to your home without taking up too much space. Add greenery, and you can instantly make your studio apartment feel more like home.

You don’t have to spend a fortune on vases for your home. Instead, you can easily make your own following the tutorial above. These beauties look far more expensive than they are, and you can customize the colors to match the rest of your apartment.

12. Use Stick-On Tiles

If your studio apartment has old or outdated flooring, you can update the look with renter-friendly stick-on tiles. Stick-on tile can instantly transform your entire studio to make it look more modern.

We love these tiles from Amazon because you have so many color/style options and they’re really affordable.

13. Add Plants

Plants are a great way to liven up a space and make it feel cozier. There’s room for plants in even the smallest of studios if you make use of vertical wall space.

Best of all, plants are very affordable and rewarding. Here are 15 best ideas for indoor decorating with plants.

14. Install Fancy Switch Plates and Doorknobs

One way to make your studio look more luxurious is to replace your switch plates and doorknobs. This is an easy job that won’t damage your apartment. Just reinstall the originals before you move out.

You can find lots of fun antique switch plates and doorknobs online or in thrift stores. Find ones that match your style.

It’s often the little details that can make all the difference in how a room looks and feels. Fancy switch plates and doorknobs are an inexpensive way to upgrade your studio.

15. Add Unique Lamps

One budget-friendly way to make a statement in your studio is to invest in a unique lamp. Lamps serve an important function, but they can also double as art pieces and décor.

This insanely cute giraffe lamp, for example, acts as both décor and a functional light.

16. Use Bookcases as Dividers, Storage and Décor

Bookcases are such a versatile piece of furniture for a studio apartment. They can act as dividers, add storage to your space and even serve as décor.

Place them strategically in your apartment to create a comfortable and functional space. Check these 17 best corner bookcases that are full of style.

17. Make an Accent Wall with Peel and Stick Wallpaper

Peel and stick wallpaper is a fun way to create accent walls in a studio apartment or even help divide areas. For example, you can add wallpaper to the wall behind your bed to help separate your sleeping and living areas.

Like peel-and-stick tiles, these products won’t damage your walls and are easy to remove before you move out.

To make the most of your wallpaper, go with a bold design that will make a statement. Floral patterns are always a great choice, especially if the rest of your décor is neutral-colored.