We select a layout for a studio apartment

A studio apartment is a lifestyle. Having appeared on the Russian market several years ago, this type of residential premises has become one of the most demanded and competitive. The reasons lie not only in the originality and maximum freedom of the internal space, the studio breaks stereotypes that have been established since Soviet times about what an apartment should be like.

There are several misconceptions about a studio apartment. For example, it is believed that the studio is designed for one or two people and is not suitable for married couples with a child, which is completely untrue. Demand for a free layout, primarily studio-type small-sized rooms, is presented mainly by young families, often with one or two children, as well as with a cat, dog, hamster and a flower in addition. And all this young and motivated citizens manage to comfortably place on thirty square meters.

A studio apartment is not only the choice of young people, not just "hype", as they say now. Elderly couples also strive for modern standards of comfortable living, especially since not only a relatively low price is in favor of a studio apartment, but also additional opportunities for free public space, which will be discussed in more detail.

In the meantime, the obvious should be admitted: open plan living spaces are a very popular commodity in the modern real estate market. There are studios with a size of 24, 26, 18, 28, 27, 45, 12 square meters, there are schemes of 50, 15, 35, 22, 29, 32, 21, 23 meters, there are also areas 36, 19, 37, 13, 14, 33, 16 sq. m.

The advantages of studio apartments are obvious:

• primarily a studio apartment is a free space, limited only by external walls and floor-to-ceiling height. The absence of internal partitions, firstly, visually increases the area of ​​the apartment, and secondly, significantly increases the illumination and generally contributes to a cozy atmosphere;
• due to the absence of partitions, the usable area increases, which allows, at its discretion, to carry out almost any redevelopment and zoning options, without resorting to the help of professional repairmen and significantly saving money, and, most importantly, time;

• access to any of the zones is much easier than in an ordinary apartment, divided by internal partitions. Quick access from the eating area to the work or to the bathroom in the modern rhythm of life is one of the key conditions when choosing a new home.

Not to do without disadvantages:

• lack of personal space - a very significant drawback that can be eliminated at the stage of making a decision to move.If you are not ready to share a common space with the rest of the family, even if there are only two of you, it may be better to postpone the choice of a studio apartment for a while, or even refuse it altogether. However, if you manage to decide in advance that the general space and openness of the zones does not bother you, this drawback easily turns into a pleasant advantage;
• conversion difficulties... Indeed, an ordinary apartment can be quite difficult and even impossible to convert into a spacious studio. Almost all internal changes in the layout can be carried out with the permission of the BTI authorities. However, at present these issues are solved much easier and faster than a few years ago, and every year the process of registration of redevelopment becomes easier;

• heating and ventilation... Since the kitchen, with all its smells and noises, is located in the same space with sleeping places and a play area for children, you should seriously approach the issues of re-equipping the heating and ventilation systems of the dwelling. Often, the financial costs of such events significantly increase the cost of an apartment and make it less attractive.

The dimensions of any apartment, regardless of the presence or absence of partitions, are always of great importance. In the case of a small-sized studio, you need to understand that here the key role is not played by size, but by the ability to competently and practically use the available square meters. The layout of a small apartment is always a special approach and taking into account various small nuances that can be neglected when decorating the interior of large multi-room apartments.

The area of ​​a modern studio apartment can vary from 12 to 50 meters; there are studio options with an area of ​​one hundred or more squares.

For example, there is no need to hang an additional TV on the wall in the kitchen if a plasma screen is located in the recreation area, around which the whole family will gather in the evenings. And also there is no need to build in a closet in the bathroom, hiding precious meters of the forcedly fenced off zone, when it is possible to use another part of the apartment as a dressing room, storage room and a place for outdoor games for children at the same time.

The most common area of ​​a studio apartment is from 20 to 50 meters, while the presence of a balcony or loggia is almost a prerequisite. The height of the walls also plays a significant role: the standard 2.6-2.7 meters make it difficult to use the second tier to accommodate sleeping places and mezzanines. The optimal height from floor to ceiling is 3-3.5 meters.

Shape, like size, in this case plays, if not a key, then a significant role. The room can be elongated rectangular or tend to a square. There are living quarters even of an irregular shape, in the form of the letter "g" or even a triangle. In this case, based on individual taste preferences, one should take into account the fact that a square and a rectangle are the most convenient options in terms of planning.

In a quadrangular room it is much more convenient to use natural daylight, place the necessary interior items and change the layout during your stay without difficulty and as quickly as possible. Also, a square or rectangular studio is much easier and more pleasant to clean, and this will have to be done very regularly, since dust and dirt in the studio are especially noticeable.

There are two types of lighting: natural and artificial. Of course, daylight, especially during the warmer months, is very important to us. Studio in this sense is a win-win option, especially if there are not one, but two or even three windows. This allows you to maintain natural light in all areas of the apartment, including the bathroom, which significantly reduces energy costs, and also increases the number of options for arranging furniture and other interior items.

Artificial lighting in a studio apartment is a topic for a separate article, if not a scientific work. Due to the absence of internal partitions, lighting devices in such an apartment, in addition to their main functions, begin to play the role of stylish interior items and can significantly diversify the color range.

It is important to understand here that good lighting should be throughout the entire area, and not only in those places that you most often use, since there are practically no insignificant or even insignificant parts in a studio apartment.

Currently, there is a separate type of lighting fixture specifically designed for installation in a studio apartment: the common space and accessibility of all areas of the room inspire designers to create a large number of options and designs.

Things to consider:

• total area - both the length and width and the height of the room matter. In the case of a studio apartment, it is fair to speak not about the area, but about the volume: is it possible to install sleeping places and all kinds of wardrobes and mezzanines for storing the necessary seasonal items that have no place on the “first” floor on the “second floor”;
• is there a balcony in the room, or better a loggia, which, as a rule, are combined with the main room, allowing you to significantly benefit in addition to the usable area and the ways of its use;

• shape - square and elongated rectangle are the most preferred;
• be sure to consider options for natural and artificial lighting in order to maximize comfort;
• try to decorate the interior with only functional items.

A modern studio apartment, without exaggeration, is a challenge to established traditions and stereotypes. There are a myriad of design styles, each with their own merits and demerits, all with the same goal: to satisfy the picky tastes of the modern city dweller. Several practical recommendations can be given, based on which, you will be able to make the right and compromise decision when decorating your interior design:

• try to use light colors when decorating the living and working area of ​​your studio. This significantly improves the visual perception of the layout: the apartment seems more spacious and comfortable;

• do not be afraid to experiment with finishing materials: prefer paint and plaster to traditional (even design) wallpaper, this will save a significant amount and significantly diversify the design options;

• important: furniture in a studio apartment should be multifunctional. Do not neglect the various options for sliding wardrobes and roomy floor cabinets that can be used as a stand for TV and other household appliances;

• give preference to minimalism, and you can fully enjoy what the free layout of the space gives - spaciousness with relatively small sizes and the logical completeness of each item;

• planning experiments.Remember that a studio apartment is much easier to redevelop than a standard one-room, two-room, and even more so three-room living space with isolated rooms and a corridor.

In this example, in addition to the original color scheme, a mirror built into the partition between the kitchen and the living area is used, which creates the effect of visually increasing the area.

The option of using the useful space of the balcony / loggia, combined with the kitchen. The photo wallpaper on the right wall fits perfectly into the overall style of the dining area.

An excellent example of transforming a room in a Soviet dormitory into a full-fledged studio. View from above.

In the next video you will find an overview of a studio apartment of 45 sq.m. in a modern style.