by Kate Thorn on December 23, 2014

Whether you ve just landed your first apartment (hoorah!) or are wrestling with what to do with all your stuff  now that you re living in a smaller space. studio apartments present some unique challenges. With only one room to decorate and everything out on display, distinguishing the kitchen from your bedroom  can be overwhelming. Regardless of your storage  situation, these tips will help you decorate and streamline your studio into the most stylish little space in the building!

1. Let in the Light. Avoid heavy curtains and add lots of light fixtures to make your studio feel larger, cleaner and more welcoming. (via Erik Olsson )

2. Understand the Flow. Think about how you move through the studio and adjust your furniture accordingly. The space will feel even more cramped if you keep tripping over the couch to get to your closet. With clear pathways, you ll enjoy your apartment even more (no clumsy detours!). (via Apartment Therapy )

3. Furniture Placement. Use furniture placement to organize furnishings into smaller groups within the studio. Since you don t have walls to create boundaries, use furniture, rugs and lighting to create separate areas while still keeping the space open and airy. (via Home DIT )

4. Flexible Furniture. We love multipurpose furnishings. and in a small space like a studio, they can be a real lifesaver. Any piece of furniture that does double duty is a good friend to have around. (via Style Caster )

5. Get Organized. If there was ever an incentive to get organized. it s living in a studio apartment where all your belongings are on display. Find some storage organizers that look respectable and then start donating all those things you don t really  need. (via Entrance )

6. Add Artwork. Having your own art on the walls can make a huge difference in adding personality to your space. There are a lot of ways to hang art without ever picking up a hammer, so even renters can enjoy a sexy gallery wall. (via The Everygirl )

7. Control Clutter. We know you love those piles of throw pillows, but in a small space, decoration displays can start feeling chaotic. To avoid the clutter, choose one distinctive piece to display or make a grouping of all one color or shape. (via Artistic Odyssey )

8. Make Storage Pretty. Stay organized, but look good doing it by putting stuff in colorful baskets and boxes. (via Planete Deco )

9. Go Vertical. Since floorspace is limited, use the walls to show off mementos with floating shelves. Shelves are perfect for rotating displays, and you can always change the look of your vignettes depending on your mood and the season. (via All Day Chic )

10. Embrace Open Storage. Even though you ll want to tuck many things away, embrace open shelving for the things you don t mind showing off. If your apartment kitchen leaves a lot of be desired, put in some open shelves and proudly display those pretty dishes. (via Better Homes and Gardens )

11. Don t Block the Light. Even though you want to create spaces and have privacy for the bedroom, make sure you don t block your light sources. Use wall partitions or open shelving to avoid making your studio feel dark and cramped. (via Domaine Home )

12. Make a Foyer. If your studio doesn t come with a little entryway. make your own. All you really need is a bookshelf or a little table. Install some hooks for coats, shelves for shoes and some pretty catch-all dishes for keys and other out-the-door essentials. (via Better Homes and Gardens )

13. Be Entertaining. Create a mini entertainment center by turning your TV wall into a focal point with a console that can double as a serving surface when you re entertaining. (via Better Homes and Gardens )

14. Take Advantage of Tiny Spaces. Sometimes awkward apartment features can be turned into great assets for storage or seating areas. Turn a narrow closet into a pretty home office area and add curtains so you can hide it when you want to. (via Better Homes and Gardens )

15. Master the Illusion. Curtains can lend an air of luxury to a small apartment, especially when you line the whole wall. It gives the illusion that there are windows behind the curtains, instead of just a blank wall. (via Design Sponge )

16. Add Plants. Not only are plants proven to increase productivity, they filter the air and create a homey atmosphere. (via Domaine Home )

17. Paint Your Furniture. We re not saying all your furniture has to be hot pink, but a surprising pop of color can make a huge difference in adding personality to a studio when space is limited. (via A Beautiful Mess )

18. Change the Knobs. If your landlord is a stickler against all things renovation, just switch out the knobs on your cabinets. It will give your kitchen an instant update, and you can always take them with you when you move. (via The Kitchn )

19. Use Mirrors to Add Depth. Mirrors are great for doubling your space. If you place them opposite a window, they act as a second window, reflecting double the light back into your studio. (via Apartment Therapy )

20. Coordinate your Rugs. One of the advantages to a small studio is not having to spend a fortune on a full-sized area rug. Having a small colorful rug anchors the illusion of rooms and provides extra color and texture to balance out your wall decor. (via Domaine Home )

What are your tricks for decorating a studio? Share your tips in the comments below!