One-Room Wonders: Six Stunning Studio Apartments
We see a lot of small spaces here at Never Too Small, from micro lofts to tiny terraces; but how do we define a studio apartment? What makes it different from other compact homes?
A studio apartment is a self-contained living space that combines the main functions of a home – sleeping, living, cooking, whatever – into a single room. And while there’s no separate bedroom, that doesn’t mean there’s no separation. In fact, the best studio apartments find clever ways to zone space, create privacy, and make everyday life feel both functional and personalised.
Gramercy Apartment, New York
In New York’s Gramercy Park, designer Julia Stevens turned her 21sqm/235sqft rental into a calming and personal haven. With soft cool tones, glass-topped desks, and simple floating shelves, she maintained a sense of visual calm while still celebrating her love of objects and collectables. “I wanted it to feel like a breath of fresh air every time you open the door,” says Stevens. To avoid clutter, everything from tools to handbags is hidden in IKEA IVAR cabinets or tucked away in the closet and an antique wardrobe. A comfy sofa pulls double duty as a guest bed, and an oval coffee table moonlights as a dining table when friends come over.
Darley Studio, Sydney
Over in Sydney, architect Eleanor Peres of Mone Studio crafted Darley Studio as a multifunctional 27sqm/290sqft space that blends old-school charm with thoughtful new interventions. To free up floor space, she removed the original built-ins and embraced flexible furniture like stacking stools as well as a floating bedside shelf. Her rainforest-green kitchen units stretch just into the living room and feature integrated storage, with a ceiling-height mirror wall extending the space visually. The bed – a full king – hides ample storage beneath and doubles as a party lounge, while a clever “builder’s corner” above the entry conceals tech gear in style. Her mantra? “Spaces that work hard so that life is a little easier.”
Small Grand Apartment, Melbourne
Inside Melbourne’s heritage-listed Grand Hotel, Jack Chen of Tsai Design transformed a 50sqm/538sqft apartment into a minimal, multifunctional studio home. By swapping the original layout – moving the kitchen into the living area and the bedroom where the kitchen once was – he created flow and flexibility. A curved 8-metre countertop harmoniously blends the kitchen into the open living space, while full-height storage by the entry disguises kitchen appliances and storage. The credenza serves as a media unit, dining seat, and storage, with a fold-out table tucked in for good measure. And behind a full-height mirror within a timbre-arched alcove? A queen-sized Murphy bed and additional storage, of course.
GET HANDS DIRTY, Porto
Artist and maker Cristiana Felgueiras took a former 1970s commercial space in Porto and turned it into a home for herself and her partner – all within a 31sqm/333sqft rental that feels infinitely larger. Cristiana designed and built nearly every element, including multifunctional furniture like a Murphy bed integrated into a custom wall unit, a lift-top coffee table, and a practical kitchen with hidden appliances and ample prep space. Despite the irregular walls, she filled every niche with tailored storage, even mounting laundry baskets above doorways. A modular media console defines the space without closing it in, and a generous extendable dining table seats ten for those all-important dinner parties.
In Antwerp, Carolien Potter reimagined Studio 98 – a 51sqm/548sqft apartment that was once dark and divided – into a bright, open-plan studio with a playful yet practical core. She removed all interior walls and introduced a central volume that houses the bed, bathroom, and storage. Its frosted-glass inner wall lets light into the bathroom, while a curtain offers privacy for the sleeping nook. Her minimalist kitchen blends into the apartment’s long white wall, extending into bench seating with storage. And no need for a TV – Potter relies on a projector to keep her space streamlined and distraction-free.
Finally, in Barcelona’s EG112, architect Jacobo Valentí of Casavells Estudio squeezed surprising versatility out of his 34sqm/366sqft mid-century studio home by rearranging and reimagining. He split the oversized bathroom into two parts, including a shower facing out onto a sunny new terrace, and reworked the kitchen into two facing lines that form a corridor between entrance and living space. A Danish storage unit and mirrored IKEA wardrobe manage clutter, while a sleeper sofa serves as dining bench, work-from-home spot, and guest bed. Plus, a ceiling-mounted projector turns the living area into a cinema, no extra square metre required.
A Room With Many Views
These six studio apartments prove that fitting your whole life into a single room isn’t about compromise – it’s about creativity. From fridges hidden in wardrobes to beds tucked behind mirrors, each space shows how smart design and personal touches can turn even the smallest studio into a fully functioning, deeply livable home. Yes, custom joinery can work wonders if your budget allows, but great studios aren’t only about fold-away beds and hidden storage. Thoughtful layouts, well-placed rugs, and strategic furniture choices can be just as effective in defining space and adding character. When every square metre counts, a well-designed studio isn’t just efficient – it’s expansive, in all the ways that matter.
