I’ve lived on my own for a few years now, sans roommates, and have picked up a few tips (helpful and not helpful) on how to maximize storage and overall create a welcoming home in a studio apartment. I’ve lived in both a studio and one-bedroom apartment—I even went from a one-bedroom back down to a studio because of cost (hello, crazy rent prices!) and the realization that I don’t really need a lot of space (however, it is beneficial) to create a cozy home. 

But when you live in a studio apartment, the one thing that you may be asking yourself is, “Where do I put all my stuff?” If you’re a minimalist, you probably don’t need to read this blog post (or maybe you do), because you don’t have a lot of stuff. And honestly, I wished for a long time to be like you. But I like having my stuff. I like having my old journals to look back on or several thousand pillows to pick and choose to rest my head on while I’m binge-watching some love reality show on Netflix. If you’re like me, then please continue reading this blog post and I hope these tips help you in your studio apartment journey! 

First things first, do your research. I’m not going to sit here and tell you that I am the #1 expert in studio apartments. I found some great blog posts and articles on how to have the best layout for a studio apartment. Sites like City Chic Decor (and her viral studio apartment), Apartment Therapy, and more. Go on Pinterest and look up studio apartment layouts. (That’s probably how you came across this blog post, so thank you, Pinterest SEO!) Find what works best for you. Don’t try to coordinate your studio apartment all in one day or weekend, either. You’ll probably move your furniture around every couple of months. Figure out the layout that works best for you.  

Okay, here are the tips on how to maximize storage in your studio apartment. 

Your dresser is more than just a dresser. 

Think of your dresser as your TV stand. Or an entryway table. Or a night stand. Obviously, it can be all three, but maybe it can’t. I’ve seen some studio apartments use their dresser as a night stand, others as a TV stand (like mine), and an entryway table to put your keys and mail (also like mine). Depending on how your apartment is laid out by square footage, you might want to think about making your dresser multi-functional. And hey—consider not using a dresser if your closet is big enough. Amazon or Target makes incredible drawers that are easy to put together that you can stuff in your closet. 

You probably don’t need a dining room table. 

I’ve been there; I’ve tried to force myself to eat at the dining room table. Maybe it’s healthier for me and better for my back posture. Maybe I’ll eat healthier options if I’m sitting at a table? (Makes no sense to me.) But if you’re living in a studio apartment, you most likely don’t need a dining room table—especially if you have a desk. If you really want a dining room table, get one that can double as your desk. But if you want a fancy desk (like this standing desk with a fancy walking pad), then you can opt out of that dining room table. And invest in an inexpensive fold-up table that you can put next to your couch, too! 

Limit your kitchen appliances. 

This is coming from someone who has a toaster oven, air fryer, and Keurig all on her kitchen counter. But I got lucky with my studio apartment and I have a spacious kitchen. However, some aren’t so lucky. Most likely, you have a galley kitchen and limited counter space. Try to reduce the “clutter” you have on your counter so you can have more space to cook (and clean after cooking). They make great air fryers that double as toaster ovens—if you have under the counter space, then you can put those air fryer/toaster oven in the cabinet below. I’m not going to sit here and write that you should not get a coffee maker, because that’s just cruel. However, I recommend this great K-cup storage organizer that you can put your coffee maker on top of to maximize space. 

Opt for under-the-bed storage. 

Have a lot of shoes? Try a shoe organizer and slide it underneath your bed. Have a lot of books? Be like Rory Gilmore and keep some under your bed. Looking for a place to put your out-of-season clothes? Again, put it under your bed. Don’t sleep on these under-the-bed storage organizers that you can easily slide underneath your bed. Get one of those dust ruffles to hide the storage organizers. 

Look into an ottoman that doubles as storage. 

Bonus points if the ottoman is one of those coffee tables that flips to be a desk for your couch (reason 3837 why you don’t need a dining room table!). But even if you just want a simple ottoman, those ottomans have secret (not really a secret) compartments to hide blankets, pillows, or in my case, bullet journaling supplies. 

Eliminate clutter. 

I love mess. I love a cozy, cluttered apartment because it brings me nostalgia. I’m very sentimental when it comes to stuff. However, that doesn’t bode well in a tiny apartment. Get rid of stuff that you haven’t used in a year … or even six months. Because why do you need those extra throw pillows? You don’t. You can do well enough with two pillows, maximum. 

Look for multi-functional furniture. 

When living in a studio apartment, you don’t have a lot of space (duh, I think that’s obvious). I’m sure you’ve all seen those photos of bookshelves that double as “walls” between the bed and the couch. Personally, I think that makes the space look smaller than what it actually is. Put those bookshelves against the wall, if possible, and in addition to storing books on the shelves, put something else that you need to store on. For example, do you have a lot of shoes (that look incredible)? Store your shoes on the bookshelf (make sure they’re clean LOL). Do you have a bar cart area but no place to put a bar cart? Store your alcohol and glasses on the bookshelf. 

Use mirrors. 

You don’t need to create a room of mirrors in your apartment—that actually sounds creepy. But get a couple of mirrors to place in your apartment! (One is perfectly fine.) This will open up your room so much and will honestly brighten up your space. (And you get to see yourself at every turn.)