Studio Apartment

New York renter Matilde Cascella used IKEA bookcases, renter-friendly upgrades, and smart layout tricks to actually make a bedroom inside her 450-square-foot studio — no renovation required.

This apartment is a plant-lover’s dream space.

Los Angeles-based writer, comedian, and actor Christina Anthony turned a “small and simple” studio apartment into a “cozy, colorful, vintage, and dreamy home.”

Impressively, there are five different paint colors in just 515 square feet.

There’s peel-and-stick wallpaper in the entryway, peel-and-stick panel molding, a gorgeous sketch from 1884, and a ton of other traditional, refined details.

It’s super small and has a bizarre layout and a tub in the middle of the space, but Austin’s filled it with color, patterns, storage solutions, DIYs, and unique decor.

Julie's tiny NYC apartment has a color palette Marie Antoinette would approve of AND smart storage solutions for the kitchen. Let them eat cake!

Amelia's 490-square-foot studio features storage solutions and clever DIYs... and it's an absolutely cozy, festive space for the holidays.

Designer Melody Kim's rental studio apartment in Brooklyn's Park Slope neighborhood is only 350 square feet, but she's made an absolutely stunning and stylish home — and filled it with a ton of holiday cheer despite the small size!

In just 500 square feet, painter Josh Ayala created a warm, stylish space that’s part art studio, home, and place to show off personality.

Travel YouTuber and author Damon Dominique rents this small studio/loft apartment in Paris that he describes as "Sex and the City cocktail hour meets Parisian museum."

With only 290 square feet and one closet, Elizabeth created functional storage out of thin air with $300 (and a few tears).

From a vibrant yellow bathroom to a kitchen featuring a hand-painted fridge, Grace Hurley uses her architectural background to prove that bold color and thrifted finds are the ultimate cure for a stale and boring studio apartment.

From a disco bathroom to a lavender kitchen and DIY leopard-print walls, Devin Downs transformed his plain rental with color, nostalgia, and personality — he calls it a “pop culture palace!”

Software engineer Madhav Vats and his girlfriend, Jiya Sultania, turned his generic NYC apartment into a calming amber-lit space using smart zoning, a mix of textures, and only renter-friendly updates!

After moving into this tiny NYC studio apartment sight-unseen from Charleston, Macey Phillips had to make sure everything served more than one purpose — be small, stylish, and have storage.

Fabiola Paccieri thought this apartment listing was too good to be true at first. A “central box” holds the kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom in one clever, compact unit, making the space feel much bigger than 323 square feet.

This illustrator's studio apartment is full of bold paint colors, handmade textiles, and a DIY pink velvet couch.

Original sash windows, a loft bed, and smart zoning help this tiny London studio feel surprisingly spacious for two people who work from home.

There are two seating areas on the balcony.

Ola’s biggest challenge in her 720-square-foot Los Angeles studio was making one big open space feel like it had distinct “rooms” — especially finding a place for a home office since she works from home.

This apartment wasn’t "love at first sight" for Jordan and Luke, but it had potential. After a thoughtful reno, it feels like being in the desert while still in NYC.

When Shardé and her husband bought this Boston house, built in 1885, the basement had never been touched.

The outdoor space is what NYC dreams are made of.

Architect Mariana de Delás transformed a tiny, unimpressive Madrid studio apartment with a custom-designed steel gangway that made room for a stylish bedroom, study, and storage.

This luxury marketing professional turned this small and basic Jersey City rental studio apartment into an intentional, elevated retreat.

This raw industrial studio is now a warm, smart home, thanks to a stylish vintage furniture curator turning it into a light-filled, multifunctional home with storage hidden in plain sight. Every piece in this Bushwick studio pulls double duty — proving small spaces can live much larger than they are.

Lauren’s cat, Mabel, even has her own little sleeping nook.

Natalia Flórez is an interior designer and knew exactly which small, renter-friendly changes would make the biggest impact in her 430-square-foot rental apartment in Cali, Colombia.

A private outdoor patio is an almost a mythical luxury in New York City, but Kate Ruberti's 538-square-foot studio apartment is a gorgeous unicorn, inside and out!

Lindsay O’Brien’s 450-square-foot Los Angeles bungalow has a built-in bookcase instead of a solid bedroom wall, creating a spacious, open home that feels much larger than it actually is.

The decor is a testament to the renter’s background.

“Every design decision was made with intention, focusing on affordability, practicality, and aesthetic appeal. The result is a cozy studio that feels both modern and inviting, proving that great design doesn't have to come with a high price tag.”

“It’s my creative lab in the morning, a workspace in the afternoon, and a chill spot to unwind with friends at night,” writes designer and founder Tyler Correawhite of her sleek and small Brooklyn studio apartment.

Alba Pagán has managed to fit herself, a part-time dog roomie, and a ton of books into just 195 square feet. And she's done so for 10 years!

Hee Yeon Hwang loves the colors lavender and green, art, trinkets, daisies, and her dog, Doo Yoo. And she’s managed to showcase all of these elements and more in her tiny rental on the Upper East Side.

Packed with art, vintage treasures, and personal touches, this 400-square-foot Manhattan apartment is an incredibly cozy, warm, and personal home for a creative couple and their cute dog.

“It was a true blank canvas!” begins Tess Roy (@tessandteddy_ on TikTok) of this brand-new 500-square-foot studio apartment she’s been renting for two months, paying $3,015 a month. “I’ve been living in NYC on and off for about eight years, and in June, I finally hit the jackpot — I got an apartment through the NYC housing lottery!

Lina has only been renting the space for nine months, but in that time she's managed to take what was an all-white, run-down space and turn it into an incredibly cute and cozy home.

Elijah Banks’ 800-square-foot studio apartment in Los Angeles might be a rental, but it's packed with personality, plants, and a giant green shag rug.

With just $5K and a creative vision, Keegan turned a cold, boxy studio in Echo Park into a warm, charming rental home.

Kylie used salvaged architectural materials like windows, doors, cabinets, plumbing fixtures, and more to transform a dated garage into an incredibly cozy cottage.

It was important to Serena to create a home that was calm but could also “easily host up to 10 people because I love having my friends around me in this place.”

See how renter Sarah Elsner created a nook for her bed with a standing shelf and a DIY dried flower bar hanging above her bed that she's been collecting for 20 years.

Discover how this renter used an IKEA find, a common building material, and hand tools to make a brilliant and stylish DIY room divider in a studio.

“I’d also describe my home as mid-century-Parisian,” writes renter Anna. “I even have a bunch of decor that came straight from the set dec department of 'The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel'!”

This rental came with dust, grime, and even cigarette butts in the kitchen sink, but Elizabeth “looked past all of that for the great layout and price!”

Gina’s been renting this micro studio for 7 years, and has made tons of improvements to make it functional, including a very cool custom multi-purpose table she made with her dad.

"My client dreamed of a space that felt cozy, livable, and truly hers, so we transformed every corner with intention," writes interior designer Audrey Mae Montalban Letada.

Discover six storage tips that make this cozy 300 square-foot Toronto studio feel ultra-livable.

Marisa is a floor sitter and prefers the ground over the couch. See the cozy small-space solution she came up with instead!

Graphic designer Min turned her tiny rental into a calm, plant-filled escape — with warm lighting, a hammock, and space for Kuro the dog to lounge.

This renovated 1900s apartment in Barcelona is small but sexy and ultra-functional.

“I want my studio to tell you who I am through its decor; every corner of the flat contains clues as to who I am," explains renter Charlène.

In studio apartments, you have to get creative when hosting!