33 Ingenious Studio Apartment Ideas That Make 400 Square Feet Feel Like a Palace

Interior designer Max Sinsteden made his sleep zone feel separate from the rest of the studio apartment by hanging a floor-to-ceiling curtain and then suspending a "floating" painting to distinguish it even more. "I hate seeing a bed from the front door, so I added a curtain to partition that space. When you close it, you honestly feel like you're in a Parisian hotel," he tells House Beautiful. The living room he carved out is ideal for hanging out with friends.

If you love shopping for antiques and can't bear the thought of hiding your collectibles—don't! This 240-square-foot, late 19th-century classic Manhattan walk-up apartment designed by Keith Carroll showcases the charm of filling a space even when you're low on room. “I always tell my clients with a small space to think big,” Carroll says. “I did this with a large armoire, antique mirror, and console table—large pieces visually enlarge a small space.”

Think of fun ways to bring in additional seating that doesn't take up square footage. This eclectic and organic space designed by Leanne Ford Interiors is a lifesaver for anyone who loves to host guests but doesn't know where to put them. Two small stools work as coffee tables, cushions piled on top of a ledge serve as a makeshift softa, and a swing hangs from the low ceiling.

Take your dreams to new heights with a swinging daybed like the one in this room designed by Tiffany Brooks for the Kips Bay Palm Beach showhouse. It saves floor space and adds a playful element to your space.

Give your studio a grand feel with high-impact textiles on the wall and floor. This mural creates a sense of expansiveness. Pared down furnishings, like the chaise and simple side table in this space designed by Raji RM, keep the focus where it belongs.

Designer Shari Francis separated a bedroom alcove from an adjoining living room with a sliding barn door. It adds some privacy and helps to define dedicated spaces for different activities.

Or if only one part of the room is windowed (and privacy isn't an issue), try a glass-paneled screen—it adds just enough visual separation to a space while still allowing plenty of light to flow through.

When you want to break up an open loft or studio apartment but don't want to—or can't—install permanent dividers, use a folding screen to create the illusion of privacy and separateness. Designer Maureen Footer also accentuates the vertical space in this apartment with a super-tall bed cornice. "There's no room to be timid" in a small space, she says.

Even in a studio, there should be a section carved out for your grand entrance. This foyer designed Tamsin Johnson proves that you just need a corner, not a designated foyer. All it takes is a chic mirror, accent chair, umbrella holder, and a couple of hooks. If you don't have room for any of that, a mirror and a pedestal with a small catch-all for keys and mail will do.

Use a partial room divider to have some privacy when changing, and opt for a slim sofa for extra seating when guests come over.

Every single inch counts, so be sure to take full advantage of your studio apartment's architecture. That radiator by your window? Invest in a pretty radiator cover and customize a cushion so you can use it as a window nook to read and relax in. (And you'll be able to forgo the bulky couch that'll take up half the studio!) Pile on the pillows and add a pendant light for tasks, as Jae Joo did here.

A custom fold-out desk is the perfect solution as far as tiny work-from-home spaces go. Just close it up and tuck it away when you need to convert your home office back into the living room, dining room, or bedroom. This one designed by Brockschmidt & Coleman proves that any corner can look and feel elevated, no matter the size.

So you need to transform a big white box into something suitable to live in? Here's your blueprint, brought to you by Leanne Ford Interiors. Different flooring in the sitting area reinforces the idea that the space has "rooms." If you can't redo your floors, no problem. Just add an area rug.

If your studio apartment is too tiny to fit both a little sitting area and a bed, consider a DIY trundle bed or a solid platform with a retractable bed under it. In this space, the wooden platform makes room for a sofa so there's somewhere to sit instead of the bed (this way, it doesn't have to feel like a bedroom if you want to have guests over). It's kind of like a Murphy bed but easier to create yourself.

Installing a sliding door would take up precious space, so in its place, hang a curtain to create privacy around the bed. A more diaphanous fabric means light can still stream through and doesn't weigh down the room, like in this attic by Leanne Ford.

A bench at the end of the bed signals a conversation area, keeping your sleeping area separate from the hangout zone. Reath Design used a small side table in lieu of a coffee table to save space.

Open shelving is also a great way to use your vertical space. And curtains hung from the ceiling will give your bedroom area an extra boost of privacy.

Designer Krsnaa Mehta painted each wall in his apartment a bold jewel tone, hung meaningful artwork, and blended tons of fun prints. The actual furniture pieces, though bold in design, feature sleeker profiles so they don't take up too much physical space.

Though light walls tend to be the go-to for opening and brightening up smaller living quarters, a dark paint job can actually do wonders. Here, photographer Bjorn Wallander used a deep chocolate brown hue to make the studio feel cozy, intimate, and warm.

It might not be your initial instinct, but floating furniture instead of shoving it against the wall can make a space feel bigger. For example, placing a desk at the end of the bed signifies a transition to a new activity zone, and you won't have to stare at a wall while you work.