How to Decorate a Studio for Two People

Furniture groupings help to create separate spaces in a studio apartment.

Furniture groupings help to create separate spaces in a studio apartment.

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When decorating a studio apartment for two, consider each of your needs and desires to create an accommodating floor plan. It's a cooperative design effort that should function well for both of you and offers a stylish space where you'll love to spend time. The right colors, textures, window treatments and furniture pieces can make studio living for two a doubly delightful experience.

Walls and Colors

Light-colored walls can make a studio apartment feel more open and airy. Consult with your roommate about possible wall colors until you both agree on a specific hue. Neutral paint colors -- gray, tan, white, beige -- are gender-friendly and provide an ideal backdrop for almost any decorating palette. Add dramatic depth to your apartment walls by painting a feature wall in a hue that's two or three shades darker than the primary wall color. For extra pizzazz, apply decorative wallpaper to your accent wall in lieu of painting it.


Natural light streaming through unobstructed windows can help to create a playful, bright studio. Conversely, thick, heavy draperies tend to make a small apartment feel dark and dreary. Opt for upscale wooden blinds or earthy woven shades to combine modern appeal with practical function. Consider remote-control solar shades for towering, hard-to-reach windows. Budget-friendly, lightweight sheers provide a soft touch with a translucent texture. Discuss the amount of money you're both willing to spend on window treatments, desired privacy levels and the decorative style you prefer. Come to a consensus on your window dressings before you start shopping.


Talk to each other to determine your combined furniture needs. For example, if you both enjoy hosting cozy dinner parties, a small dining table with stowed extension leaves for accommodating guests might be a top priority. Consider furniture pieces that serve multiple functions to free up precious floor space, such as a sectional sofa that converts into an occasional guest bed and storage ottomans to provide extra seating. A compact dining table that does double duty as a desk for two during daytime hours, equipped with laptops, a desk lamp and other office-related items, makes practical sense in a small studio. Stash your portable home office into an armoire or cabinet when it's time for dinner. Murphy beds that fold compactly against a wall when not in use offer separate, comfortable sleeping accommodations while freeing up floor space during the day.

Dividers and Accessories

Room dividers can help to separate a studio into more private areas. For example, a floor-to-ceiling, open shelving unit offers room separation without a closed-in feel. It also provides storage space for each person's books, electronics and collectibles. Place woven baskets on the open shelves to offer concealed storage space for small items. Optional room dividers include sliding walls, curtains hung from a ceiling track system and freestanding folding panels. Keep agreed-upon accessories to a minimum to avoid a cluttered, disorganized appearance in a studio apartment. Hang a combined arrangement of each of your favorite black-and-white photographs in matching frames on a bare wall for a unified, streamlined appearance. Decorate kitchen countertops with edible or useful items that suit both of your fancies. For example, if you like bananas and your roomie prefers apples, fill a bowl with a mixture of both fruits and set it atop a kitchen countertop.

About the Author

Mary Cockrill


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