1. For frequent trips to the laundry mat, this stylish laundry bag comes with reinforced shoulder straps for portability and a clothing care cheat sheet. It can even double as a hamper at home.
Laundry Bag, $39 from Izola
2. Hanging Glass Planters accommodate easy to maintain air plants and keep countertops clear.
Shane Powers Hanging Glass Bubble Collection, $19-$34 from West Elm
3. The Citiz from Nespresso is one of the most compact espresso machines on the market. It fits perfectly on a counter with limited space and is stylish enough to leave out.
$250 from Nespresso
4. Sometimes the best gift is inspiration. Because this book is centered around small space design, it's a coffee table staple with ideas they can actually use.
Apartment Therapy's Big Book of Small Cool Spaces, $19.80 from Amazon
5. Make them a mix tape they can upload directly to their computer with this smart little USB Compilation Tape from See Jane Work. The 1GB USB drive can be reused after the songs are uploaded.
$17 from See Jane Work
(Images: as linked above)
Before & After: Emily Henderson Transforms a Senior's Studio Space
Danielle's Charming, Classic Walk-Up
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
White Enamel Four-P...
On Saying No to Paleo: Why Eating Isn't One Size Fits All
Perfect Summer Cocktail Recipe: Honey Bourbon Lemonade
How about a bouquet of flowers? Something fun and luxurious.
I'm with Nancy from MPLS, MN, and have decided that a bouquet of flowers is exactly what I'll get for a friend who recently moved into a studio apartment.
Thanks, Nancy!
Wine. Fine, fine cheese. Flowers. Consumable things that are luxuries and treats.
Consumables. Food, drinks, candles, candy, etc.
I really like the air plant thingies but I agree with Therese Z. Bubbly, fancy meats/cheeses or flowers would be lovely.
No,no, no! Do not give things to studio dwellers! Space is limited and precious. Maybe you do it by the room or by the square foot, but we do it by the square inch. Give gift cards, and they will choose what fits their needs and wants. Not all of us do this because of budget limitations - many of us are minimalist in our style.
If you feel the need to personalize, go in for a really great card. Put that or a book or a great screensaver filled with flowers on a thumb drive. Believe me, the thanks will be heartfelt and genuine instead of an inward groan as we see our tiny space filling with things we probably didn't ask for, need, or want. It's YOU we value, get it?
What a nice gesture that would be....