If you live in a studio apartment like one of these Studio Apartments in DTLA, you’ve got a lot of space and freedom. But this freedom can sometimes feel a little overwhelming, especially if you start with a blank canvas and are not quite sure what to do with it. Adding a few furniture units can leave you without enough room to allow you to move around or use your apartment comfortably. In this article, I’ll show you how to maximize your space by using every inch of it.

Define Zones and Furniture Purposes

First, define the zones in your apartment. Know what goes in the kitchen, living space, bed space, etc. It’s important to know what the purpose of each zone is so that you can buy furniture accordingly.

Consider What You Can Live Without

If you already bought items without considering the amount of space you have, take an inventory of what you have and what you can live without. Ask yourself questions like: why do I have two TV sets yet I use only one? Are there other ways I could use this space more effectively? Is this piece of furniture or item worth keeping, or should I sell it to make room for something else?

Go Vertical

Your studio apartment may not be the ideal size for a big family, but you can use it to its fullest potential. The first thing to do is add some height:

• Use the walls for storage. Install the best cabinetry and use it to store items that are otherwise consuming your horizontal/floor space. You will use the wall cabinets as storage for appliances and other small items.
• Open shelves are a great alternative to wall cabinets. You can use them to store books, tins, utensils, art pieces, and so forth.

Get a Sofa Bed

Another easy way to maximize your space is by using multifunctional pieces. This means choosing multi-purpose furniture like a sofa-bed which you can use as a sofa during the day and as a bed at night. You’ll find these sofas in different shapes and sizes, so there’s something for everyone.

Sofa beds are also a great option if you need somewhere for your guests to rest when they visit and sleep over at your apartment.

Keep It Simple

Use a few items in each room and keep your furniture simple. A well-designed studio apartment can accommodate 10-20 pieces of furniture, but if you want to maximize your space and create an aesthetic that reflects your personality, there’s no need to go overboard with design choices.

Use Non-Traditional Storage Options

Think about non-traditional storage solutions. Here are some ideas:

• Bunk bed – this is a double-decker bed, or rather a bed with another bed above it. A bunk bed will compress the space of two beds into the space of one bed, saving you a lot of space. 
• Loft bed – this bed resembles a bunk bed but is slightly different because only the top bed level houses a mattress, but the bottom level can be used for other purposes like studying. Some loft beds even have a storage unit under the bottom bed level. 
• Murphy bed – this bed has a folding mechanism that allows it to fit into a wall or other vertical spaces like the cabinet (in fact, you can use a murphy bed as a wall cabinet).

Conclusion

Maximizing your studio apartment space is all about getting a little creative. The above hacks emanate from creativity, and they will help you make your space larger and more comfortable. Of course, there are more hacks, including using the ceiling and the outdoor space (balcony) for storage. Just assess your space and see what you can do to make it larger.