How to Stay Sane (and in Style) in a Studio Apartment for Two
These tips will help keep cohabiting in a studio apartment harmonious
Melissa Cowan
10 November 2016
Lover of boho, Scandi and mid-century style. Got a project you think I might like? Get in touch!
Lover of boho, Scandi and mid-century style. Got a project you think I might like?... More
Moving into a studio apartment with a partner allows you to save on rent, but it also means you’ll get to know each other really well (like really, really well). It can also have its challenges, such as limited time to yourself and not much breathing room. Living in small spaces together tends to magnify disagreements and irritating habits. However, it’s possible to remain amicable and even grow closer if you’re savvy about it.
Emotional and communication skills are really important in making a situation that works for you both, but so are practical changes to your space. Here are some layout and decor tips to encourage harmonious living.
Emotional and communication skills are really important in making a situation that works for you both, but so are practical changes to your space. Here are some layout and decor tips to encourage harmonious living.
Make the most of the space
You won’t have the luxury of ample space in a studio, so the placement of all furniture must be considered carefully. Before you move in, draw up a floor plan and work out where things will best fit. I prefer to have the bed in a quiet corner and the couch near a window, but that will come down to personal preference. Discuss the pros and cons of the placement of each piece of furniture with your partner.
Must have furniture for small spaces
You won’t have the luxury of ample space in a studio, so the placement of all furniture must be considered carefully. Before you move in, draw up a floor plan and work out where things will best fit. I prefer to have the bed in a quiet corner and the couch near a window, but that will come down to personal preference. Discuss the pros and cons of the placement of each piece of furniture with your partner.
Must have furniture for small spaces
Set clear expectations
Problems arise when couples have mismatched expectations about what living together is going to look like. Do you leave canisters of tea and coffee etc out on the benchtop or should they be stored away? It’s possible one of you has much higher standards of neatness or cleanliness than the other. Or maybe you expect a lot more undivided attention than your partner does. Try sitting down together and writing down in one column your ‘non-negotiables’ and put preferences in another. It’s important to know what you won’t tolerate and what you just don’t like. Try to compromise on some of your preferences but stand strong on your non-negotiables.
Problems arise when couples have mismatched expectations about what living together is going to look like. Do you leave canisters of tea and coffee etc out on the benchtop or should they be stored away? It’s possible one of you has much higher standards of neatness or cleanliness than the other. Or maybe you expect a lot more undivided attention than your partner does. Try sitting down together and writing down in one column your ‘non-negotiables’ and put preferences in another. It’s important to know what you won’t tolerate and what you just don’t like. Try to compromise on some of your preferences but stand strong on your non-negotiables.
Communicate cleaning habits
Neither of you can change your behaviour unless you know it’s upsetting the other person. But deciding what to bring up and what to let slide requires some consideration. A couple of dirty dishes in the sink may be something you can live with, but a refusal to help out with any cleaning may not. Ensure you have plenty of cleaning utensils and products on hand to make any cleaning job easier and then keep them well stored away in a designated kitchen or bathroom cupboard.
Neither of you can change your behaviour unless you know it’s upsetting the other person. But deciding what to bring up and what to let slide requires some consideration. A couple of dirty dishes in the sink may be something you can live with, but a refusal to help out with any cleaning may not. Ensure you have plenty of cleaning utensils and products on hand to make any cleaning job easier and then keep them well stored away in a designated kitchen or bathroom cupboard.
Merge your styles
Deciding how to decorate a shared space can be stressful. Maybe one of you is a ‘boho’ fanatic while the other loves Scandi design. Or perhaps you both own a random selection of furniture and decor that you don’t think will work well together. The trick is to be selective about what you bring in to your small space. Different styles can work together to create an eclectic look if you think about how patterns and colours react. Or, maybe your partner has no interest in decorating the apartment, in which case – go crazy!
Deciding how to decorate a shared space can be stressful. Maybe one of you is a ‘boho’ fanatic while the other loves Scandi design. Or perhaps you both own a random selection of furniture and decor that you don’t think will work well together. The trick is to be selective about what you bring in to your small space. Different styles can work together to create an eclectic look if you think about how patterns and colours react. Or, maybe your partner has no interest in decorating the apartment, in which case – go crazy!
Have your own interests
While it’s lovely to be interested in the same things, it can help to keep some areas of your life separate to your partner’s. Whether you’re a part of a book club, a meditation group or play in a band, having some designated time to spend with friends or on your own can be a good idea. Perhaps ask your partner if he or she might like to take a night out with mates or dinner with family so you could invite friends over (to host said book club etc).
Tempering the mayhem of moving in together
While it’s lovely to be interested in the same things, it can help to keep some areas of your life separate to your partner’s. Whether you’re a part of a book club, a meditation group or play in a band, having some designated time to spend with friends or on your own can be a good idea. Perhaps ask your partner if he or she might like to take a night out with mates or dinner with family so you could invite friends over (to host said book club etc).
Tempering the mayhem of moving in together
Separate living areas
When there’s no separate dining area, it can be all too easy to eat your meals on the couch (or in bed!). It’s much healthier, however, to sit down and make an occasion out of each meal. It also promotes quality time together. Putting a small dining table against the wall means space isn’t wasted, and it helps the studio feel like a home rather than just a bedroom.
When there’s no separate dining area, it can be all too easy to eat your meals on the couch (or in bed!). It’s much healthier, however, to sit down and make an occasion out of each meal. It also promotes quality time together. Putting a small dining table against the wall means space isn’t wasted, and it helps the studio feel like a home rather than just a bedroom.
Add a sliding door or screen
If you suddenly find yourselves in a heated argument, there’s nothing worse than having no area to retreat to afterwards. A sliding door or movable screen is the most practical way to create a sense of having different rooms.
If you suddenly find yourselves in a heated argument, there’s nothing worse than having no area to retreat to afterwards. A sliding door or movable screen is the most practical way to create a sense of having different rooms.
Or add a curtain
If you’re renting, you’re probably unable to add a sliding door. A sheer curtain can be a great substitute. If your partner’s watching TV and you’d like to read, pull the curtain across for a bit of solitude.
If you’re renting, you’re probably unable to add a sliding door. A sheer curtain can be a great substitute. If your partner’s watching TV and you’d like to read, pull the curtain across for a bit of solitude.
Consider a retractable bed
Having a wall bed is a genius space-saving idea for your studio. Pull it out at night and stow it away to become a functional lounge during the day. This works really well for studios on the smaller side that don’t have any separation between living and bed.
Having a wall bed is a genius space-saving idea for your studio. Pull it out at night and stow it away to become a functional lounge during the day. This works really well for studios on the smaller side that don’t have any separation between living and bed.
Take time out
If you or your partner are trying to do some work or just need some space, you may want to physically leave the apartment for a couple of hours. Make the most of your surroundings – rate the coffee at your local cafes, read in the park or simply go for a walk. If you don’t have the space in your apartment to take time out, find it outside. It’s a good excuse to go exploring, too. Alternatively, a pet (if strata rules allow) can help reduce stress and promote a sense of calm.
If you or your partner are trying to do some work or just need some space, you may want to physically leave the apartment for a couple of hours. Make the most of your surroundings – rate the coffee at your local cafes, read in the park or simply go for a walk. If you don’t have the space in your apartment to take time out, find it outside. It’s a good excuse to go exploring, too. Alternatively, a pet (if strata rules allow) can help reduce stress and promote a sense of calm.
Pick new furniture together
If you don’t own suitable furniture for the space and decide to buy some new pieces, pick them out together. This encourages a sense of equality in the relationship and ownership of your space. Think about the intended purpose of each piece of furniture and the style you are going for.
If you don’t own suitable furniture for the space and decide to buy some new pieces, pick them out together. This encourages a sense of equality in the relationship and ownership of your space. Think about the intended purpose of each piece of furniture and the style you are going for.
Stow clutter away
When you’re living in small quarters, any excess items will stick out like a sore thumb. Use smart storage solutions, like under-bed storage and built-in wardrobes. You could try having a minimalist challenge, where you have to get rid of (recycle or donate) one item per week or month. Just don’t throw away your partner’s items without asking!
Things we can learn from minimalists
When you’re living in small quarters, any excess items will stick out like a sore thumb. Use smart storage solutions, like under-bed storage and built-in wardrobes. You could try having a minimalist challenge, where you have to get rid of (recycle or donate) one item per week or month. Just don’t throw away your partner’s items without asking!
Things we can learn from minimalists
Add some personality
Your home doesn’t need to be lacking in character just because it’s on the small side. The cocktail station pictured is one way to add some fun to the apartment. This is your home, make it feel like your own.
TELL US
Have you lived in a studio apartment with a partner? Share any of your tips in the Comments.
MORE
Space-savvy living in studio apartments
Your home doesn’t need to be lacking in character just because it’s on the small side. The cocktail station pictured is one way to add some fun to the apartment. This is your home, make it feel like your own.
TELL US
Have you lived in a studio apartment with a partner? Share any of your tips in the Comments.
MORE
Space-savvy living in studio apartments
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Thank you for featuring us
My husband and I lived aboard a 38' trawler-style boat with 2 cats for over 10 years (we also actively cruised the west coast and Mexico). Living in a small space makes you define what possessions are really needed!
Living stylishly in a studio apartment for two? This article is a must-read! With practical tips and creative solutions, it offers invaluable advice for maintaining harmony and maximizing space in shared living quarters. I'm excited to implement these strategies and create a chic, functional space for me and my partner. Thanks for the sanity-saving tips!