There’s something inherently charming about bare condo studio units. Some may be small in size but all are big in potential. They teach you to live simply. A potential dweller looks around a bare studio and envisions in his or her mind where everything goes with the hope to make the space as visually endearing as possible.
Designing a condo studio poses unique challenges, but so does big and spacious ones. In looking for the best setups for a bare studio, consider your design preferences, your style, and your taste. You must also consider your lifestyle and how you want every corner of your condo to work for you.
Make the most of every square foot with these design ideas for bare condos.
See-through divisions
The layout of condo studios are open. Everything is using the same space. With the desire to have some semblance of privacy for personal spaces such as the bedroom, divisions are often preferred. However, divisions have the reputation of making a room feel smaller.
The solution is to use see-through divisions so that light comes through and it won’t feel like the walls are closing in on you. Use a glass partition between your bedroom and the living room for an airy feel. You can install some blinds or shades for added privacy. You may also choose open shelves or dividers to create visual division without feeling closed off.
Go big with furniture
Common small bare studio ideas usually involve designing with small furniture too. But don’t feel that you have to scale down on furniture just because you have a small space. In fact, a few, larger pieces that are strategically placed are better than small pieces that are scattered everywhere.
Set-up with convertible pieces
Designing a condo studio requires smart ways to maximize every piece of furniture. Whether in the living area or the bedroom, always go with furniture that you can convert or transform to serve another purpose. A foldable dining table can be converted into a home office. A sofa bed or day bed in the living room can be converted into a bedroom.
Vertical perspective
In designing the layout of your condo, save floor space by thinking vertical. Go for floor to ceiling bookcases and storage so you can maximize the length of your condo. When you mount blinds or curtains, make sure they reach the floor. Doing so would make your space look taller.
Start hanging things
When floor space is very limited, make use of ceiling and wall space wisely. Mount hooks or pegs to hang things that you use every day such as bags or scarves. You may also start hanging baskets or racks in the bathroom for your essentials. And instead of adding storage cabinets for your décor, start hanging them.
Keep it light and bright
While bold and dark tones can be dramatic, using light colors is advised for small spaces. Paint your condo studio with light colors and choose neutral-colored furniture pieces to keep your space looking bright. Tivoli Garden Residences, a condominium community in Mandaluyong, have enough ventilation to keep your space bright and airy. Use light window coverings to allow natural light in. Clear your windows too and remove any obstruction to let light flow through. When a space looks light and bright, it looks visually bigger.
Float ‘em all
One of the smartest ways to design a bare studio with limited space is to mount floating shelves on the wall. This will keep you from wasting precious floor space while at the same time organizing your décor, collections, photos, and other knickknacks. This design principle does not only organize your space but also gives your condo some character.
Peg board in the kitchen
Most studio condos for rent do not have much space and are usually designed very near the dining area. There are also usually very few storage areas too. To save space, mount a peg board on the kitchen counter wall and hang pots, pans, and other kitchen tools. And as much as you can, customize your counter to accommodate bulky appliances instead of taking up floor space.
Mirror on the wall
You’ve probably heard many times that when designing small spaces such as condo studios, you can create the illusion of a bigger space by adding mirrors or basically, anything that reflects and shines. Moreover, to create the illusion of a taller space, install floor to ceiling mirrors on your wall. You may also pick furnishings made of glass, silver or other metals.
Use the balcony more
If you have a balcony, maximize it. Condos in Tivoli Gardens in Mandaluyong come with balconies that can be used as an extension of your living room. You can set it up with a chaise lounge, a comfy chair or bean bags and transform it into your reading nook or your second receiving area. You may also set up a grilling area for your beer-and-barbecue nights. If you have a green thumb, you can start growing your own mini-garden.
Make a statement
How do you make a statement with very limited square footage? You can do it with furniture pieces and artwork. Furniture pieces are becoming more edgy and eclectic. They will easily stand out against neutral walls and backgrounds. This could be floor lamps, pendant lights, an edgy chair or a modern center table. You may also choose a bold artwork to give some personality to your space.
Do not underestimate the potential of a bare condo studio. The open-layout and minimalistic designs can work really well to provide you optimal style and functionality.