While some of us have the luxury of having a room dedicated to a home office, in most of our homes, a desk is added to a living room, bedroom, or other available space. When combining room functionalities together, especially when working with a smaller floor plan, it’s crucial to select a desk that is compact and includes storage.
This post is all about the combination of computer desk functionality with a bookshelf to provide extra storage for the paperwork you want to keep within reach or accessories you want to have on display in your interior.
Some of the solutions below are products from brands you can shop as readily available items, others are more general concepts that can be made out of shelving systems. They all have one thing in common though: they will allow you to create a nice home office spot on any free wall in your home while blending in with your interior style.
A black bookshelf with a desk against a greige wall for a dramatic effect
This black wall bracket system spreads over an entire wall painted in a beautiful greige paint color. The desk surface is big enough so it can be used as a computer desk and the other shelves are great for a mixture of storage and display of accessories.
When working with a customizable shelf system, make sure to leave enough space between the desk shelf and the shelves on top so you can place a lamp or display in your home office.
A white wall-mounted bookshelf with a desk on a small surface
Similar to the first example, this bracket system provides the space with a home office spot on a relatively small surface right next to the sofa in this living room. The white shelves and brackets blend in with the white wall and make the bookshelf desk even more subtle.
The black desk chair and accessories stand out against the white backdrop and the desk light is a clasp lamp that is attached to one of the shelves so it doesn’t take up any space on the desk itself.
The classic DK3 Royal System was designed by Poul Cadovius in 1948 and has a very classic look. The system consists of wall-mounted wooden rails, shelves with hangers in brass or stainless steel, and various cabinets that can be customized to your needs, including a desk to turn your shelving system into a little home office.
I love the combination of the dark green walls with the walnut wood and the brass brackets, which must make this the most elegant and classy solution on the list.
A wall-mounted bookshelf desk with a drawer
This beautiful wall shelving system made out of wood stands out against the modern white walls. The black brackets and the black desk chair add contrast to the setting, which is a color combination that comes back in the adjacent hallway.
The drawer underneath the desk provides extra storage for small office supplies and the assymetric placement of the shelves makes the setting a little bit playful.
A custom corner shelving solution with a desk in black against pink walls
A small niche corner in this hallway with pink walls has been transformed into a corner bookshelf desk with black walls and black shelving. In order for this corner bookshelf to work as a desk as well, the shelves have been cut at an angle, to allow enough space for the home office section.
The combination of the pink hallway walls with the black color palette in the home office section is very powerful and matches the color of the doors and window frames in the space. The grey carpet adds a soft touch and comes back in the seat cover on the desk stool.
A freestanding white bookshelf solution with closed storage and a computer desk
For my studio home, I selected the Moebe bookshelf system, which is a freestanding modular solution that includes both a computer desk and a storage cabinet module with doors. While this bookshelf desk is available in a wood or black version as well, I picked out a white setting that would blend in with the white flooring and white walls in this place.
The desk is the perfect home office when I’m in Belgium and I love working from my laptop next to this window looking over the fields.
A large wall-to-wall shelf that includes an office spot
When you have a larger wall available, like in this beautiful living room with grey walls, you can spread your shelving solution over the entire wall for a more impressive effect. The computer desk on the right side is paired up with a few shelves for books and a large green plant that really stands out in this setting.
Børge Mogensen designed the BM29 bookshelf for Fredericia in 1956 and this timeless and functional piece of furniture adds beautiful Scandinavian elegance to your home office.
A bookshelf desk that continues on the other wall for a cohesive look
The white bracket shelving system used in this turn-of-the-century living room is paired up with natural wood shelving for a natural look that matches the wood color in the flooring and the other furniture pieces in the interior.
The shelving system is spread over two walls on each side of the doorway, with a home office spot with a computer desk on the left side and a bookshelf with closed storage on the other side.
A computer desk as part of a wall-attached bookshelf system
The Tônn bookshelf is a modular bookshelf system that attaches to the wall and can be customized with closed storage, shelving, and even a desk module. The off-white bookshelf desk blends into the wall with the same paint color and the closed storage right above the desk module is easy to reach while working.
A simple wall-mounted bookshelf with a desk blends into the wall
In this living room with white walls and white-soaped hardwood flooring, a white bookshelf desk system blends into the walls and takes up only a small corner next to the door. The shelves can hold folders, decor items, and paperwork, along with accessories, while the long and narrow desk makes for a spacious home office spot.
The String Furniture System bookshelf with a desk or table
String Furniture is one of the most famous brands for modular wall shelving and it’s also the solution I have had in my personal home for years. It’s easy to update and adjust to your needs and over time, I included a foldable table, which functions as a computer desk as well.
The bookshelf can also be used in the kitchen as a small table for having coffee next to your espresso machine and the foldable table can also be replaced by a smaller desk shelf if you want your home office setting to be even more compact.
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The elegant soft beige aesthetic in this small one-bedroom apartment is so powerful. The wall paneling finishes the look in a very nice way and a variety of custom-built closed storage modules combined with open shelving makes it easy to keep the place clean and organized.
The living room and adjacent bedroom have a soft beige wall color that pairs up nicely with the hardwood flooring and the white furniture and soft furnishings which are carefully selected for the apartment.
The dark wood kitchen adds a bit of contrast to the setting, while also matching the warm and elegant color palette of the rest of the interior design.
A round dining table with boucle poufs and a seating bench
The small dining area in this living space is my favorite element in this elegant apartment. The open shelving built into the wall provides a perfect spot for books, accessories, and a portable table lamp, while also adding extra depth to this corner of the room.
The black and white art print stands out against the beige walls, the beige stone dining table, and the white soft poufs around the table.
A soft beige aesthetic in the sofa area
The white Togo sofa fits perfectly with the soft beige aesthetic in the living space and the beige fabric art pieces above the sofa fit perfectly within the beige wall paneling on the beige living room walls.
A glass coffee table looks light in small spaces since they don’t obstruct the view and in this case, it also adds an elegant touch to the sofa in combination with the black and white Linnea Anderson blanket*.
A dark wood kitchen with beige stone countertops and white upper cabinets
The dark wood kitchen cabinets stand out in stark contrast with the rest of the light beige color palette that is present throughout the apartment. By combining the dark wood fronts with white upper cabinets and a white glass cabinet, however, a lighter look is achieved.
The beige stone countertop matches the kitchen design and the rest of the apartment, while the chrome hardware adds a modern element to the mix. The two-tone kitchen design works perfectly in this elegant apartment.
Soft beige and white built-ins for a finished look
In the hallway, you can find another elegant built-in solution combining a closed wardrobe with an open shelving module where small accessories are on display.
A Shiplap backsplash tends to give your space a farmhouse kitchen look, yet when combining it with more modern elements, this effect can be more modest and subtle. Adding shiplap backsplashes doesn’t have to completely transform your kitchen, it can be a subtle design detail as the kitchens in this list will show you.
White shiplap underneath a sloped roof
Kitchens underneath a sloped roof always require smart design solutions. In this cozy attic kitchen, the shiplap backsplash continues up until the point where the ceiling gets sloped, which adds a nice visual effect to the space.
The ceiling and walls above the shiplap have been treated with a beautiful limewash paint color. This combined with the brown floor and the wood dining table and chairs gives the space a subtle rustic touch.
Styled by Lind, photographed by Öhstlin for Historiska Hem
Ceiling-high vertical shiplap backsplash
The light gray cabinets in this kitchen are finished off with a white shiplap backsplash that continues on the wall behind the kitchen dining table. The white and gray color combination also comes back in the tile pattern painted on the kitchen floor.
The sage green kitchen cabinets in this beautiful farmhouse kitchen are complemented with a shiplap backsplash and a range hood in the same sage green paint color for a tone-on-tone look that has been finished off with a stainless steel stove, and a dark pink kitchen island.
The limestone countertop adds a modern texture to the kitchen design, while the farmhouse sink and the rail with the copper pans add a classic farmhouse touch to this dream kitchen.
The white glass cabinets combined with the white backsplash make this classic farmhouse kitchen light and airy, while the bottom sage green cabinets pair up so nicely with the green wallpaper on the wall at the dining table.
The bottom cabinets have wood paneling as well, matching the pattern of the shiplap kitchen backsplash in an elegant way and the space is even finished off with a shiplap ceiling.
Farmhouse-style cabinets finished off with tone-on-tone shiplap
This farmhouse kitchen is finished off with a sage green kitchen backsplash made out of shiplap and brass hardware combined with brass details on the stainless steel stove top to add some elegance to this classic design.
Photographed by Lisa Wikstrand, styled by Helen Sturesson for Kulladal
White shiplap walls on top of white marble countertops
Rather than going for a yellow backsplash, the kitchen was finished off with off-white shiplap boards that make the white trim on the ceiling and the white countertops stand out. The off-white makes the kitchen design look calm and elegant, while the brass peg rail and the brass sconces finish the look off nicely.
A sage green shiplap backsplash on one side of the kitchen
If you don’t want your kitchen backsplash to be the same in your entire kitchen, you can always opt for a single wall made out of shiplap. By painting the shiplap in the same color as the kitchen cabinets, the look is subtle and down to earth.
White shiplap backsplash behind the white cabinets on the top half
The white cabinets on the top in this kitchen layout are hung up against a kitchen backsplash made out of white shiplap for a subtle effect that brings out the beautiful historic window trim in the space.
On the other side of the kitchen a tile backsplash is used by the white range hood, also covered in tiles for more variety in the interesting material palette.
Shaker cabinets finished off with an off-white shiplap backsplash
The off-white shiplap kitchen backsplash is the perfect finishing touch to this sage-green kitchen with beige limestone countertops and chrome hardware. The interior design of the shaker cabinets is quite minimal and modern, yet by applying the shiplap, it gets a traditional farmhouse touch.
White shiplap backsplash with white shaker cabinets
The white shaker cabinets, white shiplap kitchen backsplash, and white door frames in this kitchen stand out brightly against the subtle sage green wall color.
Only a small part of the kitchen has been treated with shiplap, which makes its effect even more subtle. The fluted design of the foot of the table mimics the lines in the shiplap, which makes them match together so nicely.
The shiplap kitchen backsplash in this space has been painted in a sage green tone that is just a few shades lighter than the color of the cabinets, which has an interesting effect on the space.
The shiplap is continued over the entire kitchen walls for an impressive effect and the contrast of the black countertops and the black lamps adds a modern touch.
To finish the look off, a peg rail was added that spreads over the entire length of counter top.
While all the examples in the list so far use vertical shiplap, this sage green kitchen has an off-white horizontal shiplap backsplash that pairs up nicely with the stained wood countertop and brings out the white crown molding on the ceiling.
On the section by the window, where no upper cabinets are installed, the shiplap goes all the way up, while on the other side, it functions as a backsplash in between the lower and upper cabinets.
A gray marble countertop combined with a white shiplap kitchen backsplash
The white shiplap backsplash is very subtle in combination with the white walls and the white shaker cabinets, yet by placing wooden planks on top, it serves as a subtle focal point in the space.
The gray marble countertop and the black hardware add a contrasting modern element to this otherwise farmhouse-style kitchen design.
A shiplap kitchen backsplash on one side of the kitchen
This kitchen uses two color palettes on each side. The off-white cabinets on the left are finished off with a white range hood on a white wall, while the right side of the kitchen has been painted in a sage green color.
The sage green cabinets have been finished off by a sage green shiplap backsplash that also serves as a backrest for the seating bench by the dining table.
A shiplap backsplash behind a wood floating shelf set
The shiplap kitchen backsplash in this kitchen was added above a narrow white marble backsplash and integrates seamlessly with the open shelving in the same color. Since the walls have been painted in the same color well, it’s the white marble that really stands out in this kitchen design, yet the shiplap really adds a subtle farmhouse touch.
Photographed by Adam Haglund, styled by Helen Sturesson for Kulladal
Shiplap boards on the entire wall above the kitchen
The walls in this two-tone kitchen have been finished off with off-white shiplap boards in the same off-white color as the upper cabinets and the open shelving for a light look. The bottom cabinets have a darker green color, which is contrasted by a white countertop and a beautiful stainless steel stove and range hood.
Grey is a perfect color choice for your kitchen cabinets. Whether you go for dark gray cabinets or light grey kitchen cabinets, you will achieve a timeless look that is similar to a white kitchen, yet the darker tone on the cabinets will add a bit more depth to the color palette of your space than white cabinets can.
Light gray kitchen cabinets tend to work nicely with a contrasting worktop, or white marble countertops for a more subtle look. Finish the look off with brass, black, or chrome hardware to push the look more toward a warm, contrasting, or modern direction.
Below you can find a selection of my favorite grey kitchen cabinet ideas with a modern look. Some of the examples use affordable Ikea Veddinge fronts, meaning some of these beautiful grey kitchens don’t even have to break the bank.
Subtle shaker cabinets with modern black accents
The light grey color on these subtle shaker cabinets works so well in this space with off-white walls and a mixture of natural wood tones in the flooring and the dining section.
The white marble countertops, black wall lamp, and black faucet add a lovely contrast to this setting, while the stainless steel hood and chrome hardware add a modern touch.
Modern light gray cabinets with black marble countertops
This modern kitchen has light gray cabinets with a cool undertone that pairs up so nicely with the impressive black marble countertops and backsplash. The material of the cabinets is brought back in the form of a wall shelf as well, which functions as the perfect trim for the black backsplash at the same time.
The black faucet adds the finishing touch and makes the whole space feel more modern.
A combination of light and dark grey kitchen cabinets with a gray kitchen island
This kitchen combines a multitude of storage opportunities built into the apartment walls. The kitchen remodel was made interesting by combining two different tones of grey on the cabinets of the main kitchen model and that of the high storage cupboards.
The walls of the kitchen space have been finished with white tile from top to bottom and the kitchen island with the wooden bar stools separates the kitchen section from the rest of the open-plan apartment.
Light gray cabinets combined with a brown limestone countertop
This beautiful kitchen design features neutral light gray cabinets in combination with brown limestone countertops that add a warm tone to the setting.
The stainless steel appliances work so nicely in combination with the rest of the neutral color palette, while the black cabinet hardware adds a welcome touch of contrast to make the look interesting.
Light gray shaker cabinets with grey marble countertops
This majestic shaker kitchen with crown molding wrapped around the upper glass cabinet doors has a very classic look with a few modern elements mixed in.
While the shaker cabinets themselves have a classic look, because an under-mount sink was selected rather than a farmhouse sink and modern materials like chrome and brass are added, it has a modern look and feel to it as well.
Light gray kitchen cabinets enhanced with gold hardware
The subtle light grey cabinets in this kitchen are combined with white marble countertops and finished off with gold hardware on the cabinets and in the wall shelf brackets for an elegant effect.
Light gray kitchen cabinets tend to stand out against white walls in a subtle way when combined with white countertops, which makes this a perfect material combination for a subtle yet elegant kitchen look.
Minimal light grey cabinets with a white subway tile backsplash
This beautiful kitchen features Ikea Veddinge cabinet fronts, which are very affordable, yet the minimal and modern look has an expensive effect on the space.
The walls are finished off with a white subway tile backsplash and gold hardware for a clean yet elegant effect that brings out the subtle gray cabinets, while the stainless steel appliances add another material to the gray palette for an interesting effect in the interior design.
Light grey shaker cabinets in a kitchen with white floors and white walls
The classic kitchen has very light gray kitchen cabinets that are almost white, yet they stand out in such a subtle way against the white walls, white ceiling, and white floor in this interior.
The open shelving on the wall has the same color as the grey shaker cabinets a stainless steel countertop combined with a white marble countertop makes the kitchen design unique.
Blue tones and brass hardware spruce up the light gray cabinets
The material and color palette with which you finish off your grey kitchen cabinets defines the visual interest of the interior design of your kitchen. The brass details and the blue Series 7 chairs take up all the attention in this otherwise modest kitchen design with flat panel cabinets.
Minimal light grey cabinets for a modern kitchen look
In this minimal kitchen, the Ikea Vedding fronts are finished off with a warm limestone countertop, black hardware, a black hood, and a stainless steel faucet for a modern, contrasting effect.
The small white shelf on the wall with the little horse print above it finishes off the look nicely and adds a personal touch.
A classy kitchen with gray cabinets and gold hardware
The beautiful light grey shaker cabinets with the white tile backsplash and the grey marble countertops fit perfectly with the turn-of-the-century details in this gorgeous interior.
The gold hardware complements the ornate detailing in the historic fireplace and the kitchen island fits perfectly in this spacious kitchen with a light wood floor.
A traditional light grey kitchen combined with warm wood tones
While a grey palette can sometimes look a little cold or too neutral in a space, when combined with a variety of warm wood tones like in this spacious kitchen, these versatile colors together can result in a stylish kitchen look.
Warm gray cabinets against gray walls for a soft effect
The warm grey cabinets in this kitchen blend into the warm grey wall color on the walls, which is matched up by a warm limestone countertop to finish off the look.
The white plank floors work well with the variety of warm grey shades and the kitchen decor transforms this space into a stylish and inviting interior.
Minimal light grey kitchen cabinets and brass hardware for a modern style
The white subway tile backsplash and the gold hardware finish off this minimal light grey kitchen in an elegant and subtle way, without sacrificing the modern look and feel brought on by the flat panel cabinets with white countertops.
A balance between soft beige walls and grey cabinetry
The grey shaker cabinets in this gorgeous kitchen have a subtle cool undertone, which complements the soft beige wall color above the kitchen counter nicely.
The white marble countertops are paired with a small marble backsplash and the stainless steel appliances and the light wood floor add a modern style element to the kitchen design.
When combining different functionalities in one room, a glass wall partition is a perfect way to separate the functional areas from each other, while still ensuring natural light to flow throughout the space.
While glass partition walls are often used in small studio homes to create the impression of different rooms, they can also be used to divide a room into smaller areas which each serve a different functionality, just like in this beautiful bedroom.
A contrasting black glass and metal partition wall by the bed
This beautiful bedroom has been divided into two main functional areas. The side of the bedroom by the window contains the bed and a big wardrobe, and the glass wall transforms the floor plan into a visually smaller bedroom. On the other side of the glass partition, however, you can find a home office, which is nicely separated from the rest of the room.
The light-soaped oak wood flooring combined with the sheer white curtains by the window and the white and pink bedding make for a light base palette, which has been contrasted nicely by the eye-catching black metal frame of the glass wall.
The bedroom walls have been painted in a subtle light gray color with a warm undertone, which gives the room a warm base palette that is accentuated by the peachy tones in the duvet cover and the warm area rug behind the bed.
Behind the glass: a pink home office
The other side of the glass wall partition is turned into a home office area with a spacious desk and at the same time, it functions as additional storage for the bedroom. The walls of the home office section have been painted pink, which along with the use of the glass wall, really sets this section apart and visually separates it from the other side of the room.
The bold paint color on the wall is toned down by a neutral color palette in the desk and wooden chair and the accessories and table lamp have all been picked out in a neutral color palette as well.
The mirror by the door reflects the other side of the room, yet it also reflects some of the daylight coming through the windows on the other side. Even though the glass partition ensures daylight can flow freely, this is a nice touch to make sure enough light reaches this home office spot that is placed behind the big wardrobe module.
Vintage furniture pieces can add so much to an interior as they always tend to tell a story and add character. I love them, especially when combined with modern and contemporary elements for a contrast between old and new and I think they look amazing in Scandinavian interiors.
Use a small antique desk as an impromptu home office
Antique desks tend to combine well with modern design styles or a contemporary interior just as well as in a Scandinavian interior. A small antique work desk can be the main item to create a home office corner in a dining room, living room, bedroom, or small spare room without having to dedicate a whole room to it.
Below you can see 15 beautiful home office ideas with vintage desks in bedrooms, living rooms, or hallway spaces. Each one of them is styled to perfection, sometimes painted (like in the first bold example), sometimes left in their original state, sometimes paired up with a retro desk chair, but always unique and perfectly blended into a Scandinavian interior design.
A pink-painted vintage desk combined with a petrol blue wall color
As if the bold color choice of this pink-painted desk wasn’t yet enough of a statement, the fact that it has been combined with a petrol blue wall enhances the bold effect of the vintage desk in this room. Modern interior elements like the white table lamp, the rice paper shade on the ceiling, and the white Fritz Hansen ANT chair contrast against the vintage look of the desk, and the blue hue of the wall come back in the art print above the desk.
Painting a vintage piece is an easy furniture makeover you can achieve with a piece you no longer like. You can even replace the handles if they are not to your liking or give the desk a more modern expression with a different handle. Beslag design has a really nice collection of nordic design vintage and modern handles if you are looking to give your furniture an upgrade.
I featured the full bedroom with this vintage desk in this blog post from a while back (have a look, the bedroom itself is so elegant and inviting). The small furniture piece is a vintage writing desk, which is perfect to do some small home office tasks or to reply to emails on your laptop. The sheer curtains combined with the white table lamp and the HAY About a chair in grey upholstery work perfectly together for a Scandinavian-style home office design in a modest, neutral color palette.
A vintage desk combined with a sage green gallery wall
I love the way the warm color of the wood vintage desk contrasts with the cool tint of the sage green wall color decorated with a gallery wall with minimal posters. The white Flos Gatto table lamp combined with the white metal chair balance out the warm color palette in both the wood of the vintage desk and that of the gorgeous wooden doors leading up to the bedroom. Make sure to check out the full home tour here.
Rather than combining a vintage desk with modern elements and clean lines, I like how the stylist leaned into the vintage look and combined it with an old painting to enhance the vintage look and feel even more. This desk is used for keeping perfumes and cosmetics but can be a stand-in on home office days at the same time.
Just like in the first example, the wall of this bedroom (see the full apartment tour here) has been painted in a petrol blue color, which is a perfect cool tint to add some character to your bedroom. If you are looking for some more blue bedroom wall inspiration, check out this summary I made a while back: 13 inspiring bedrooms with blue walls.
A wood vintage desk in an all-grey bedroom setting
This bedroom consists solely out of tints of grey, with the exception of the beautiful warm wood color of the vintage desk and the wooden picture frame hanging above it. The Fritz Hansen Drop chair and the subtle olive branch add the finishing touches to this cozy work-from-home spot.
Just like the first home office example, this desk has been combined with the white Fritz Hansen ANT chair (€306*– $436*), while the warm grey of the wall has been matched by the Flowerpot VP3 table lamp designed by Verner Panton for &Tradition. Rather than creating contrast in this space, more warm elements were added to the room design to enhance this warm and inviting home office setup.
A black-painted vintage desk and an iconic desk chair
This beautiful black vintage desk has been fitted with a modern desk lamp: the popular HAY Matin table lamp (€184* – $165*) with it’s delicate pleads contrast so nicely against the black of the vintage desk and mirror. To finish things off, a Fritz Hansen Series 7™ Swivel Armrest Chair in leather (€ 1.837*–$2,139) was added, which is a true classic and iconic design piece that enhances the look and takes it to another level. The terracotta jug filled with a dried branch finishes things of nicely.
I love the bright look of this home office created in front of a bedroom window. The elegant white vintage desk has been finished off with a house plant in red tones and framed by these beautiful full-length beige curtains and a vintage chair. The pink comes back in the bedding on the bed as well, for a cohesive, elegant look.
Vintage pieces and indoor plants always go so well together I think. This work space has been combined with a classic Tolomeo Tavolo Desk Lamp in black by Artemide (€ 284,75*– $362*)- and the HAY Result chair in beige and lacquered oak (€ 359*– $374*) with a design that reminds of a vintage school chair, fitting perfectly with the rest of the home office setting.
A classic vintage desk combined with blue tints as a bedroom home office spot
The vintage desk in this beautiful bedroom with blue tints has such beautiful detailing and it looks like such a treasure. The blue in the art print on the wall finishes things off nicely and the small green plant that has been added on the desk in the Dora Maar bowl designed by Jonathan Adler (€55 – $50*) is such a playful addition to the setting.
Sometimes old buildings have these weird layouts, which are often a challenge to design. A small home office spot is the perfect setup to fit in such a small niche though, as you can truely optimize the space. I love the way the String system shelving (€142 for the shelves* + €69 for the sides*// $174 for the shelves* + $116 for the sides*), provides extra open storage on both of the walls.
A black-painted vintage desk combined with white and grey
The combination of black and white in front of the subtle grey wall works very nicely in this home office setup. The brass accents of the drawer handles and the rattan of the bentwood chair add elements of interest to this otherwise modest style.
This home office fits inside of a tiny room and even though it has a very similar style to the previous example (the same stylist designed both of these Scandinavian homes), I think the modern interior design touch distinguishes them from each other. Also in this example, the white Fritz Hansen ANT chair makes an entry and contrasts wonderfully with the black vintage desk.
While I think the power lays in the combination of vintage pieces with modern elements, this beautiful and characterful home office combines a vintage desk with a vintage desk chair and a vintage desk lamp.
A white vintage painted desk combined with a blue bentwood chair
The color combination of this home office setup in a Scandinavian bedroom is so intriguing. The blue-painted bentwood chair combined with the dark grey wall color works so beautifully and I love the way the space next to the wardrobe has been used in such an optimal way to fit in a small home office.
This antique secretary is one of those perfect writing desks for a guest room, as it also provides you with lots of storage space in the drawers and cabinet on both sides.
The warm wood of the secretary contrasts nicely against the white walls and the white-soaped flooring in this beautiful turn-of-the-century space and the warm tones in the accessories and art prints complement the look nicely.
A small vintage office desk painted in the same color as the wall
Smaller antique desks are perfect to add to a bedroom as an impromptu home office spot, but can also be used as a dressing table when combined with a mirror above it just like in this beautiful bedroom. The desk has been painted in the same color as the wall for a tone-on-tone effect and the XL mirror reflects the daylight coming from the window in a perfect way.
A desk with an exposed wood top and black-painted legs
When you discover a vintage piece, it doesn’t need to be perfect. You can always give it a small DIY transformation like in this beautiful example where the top has been kept bare, but the legs have been painted in glossy black for a more dramatic effect that pairs up nicely with the light grey walls and the light oak flooring in this beautiful apartment.
An antique secretary desk against a dark grey wall
The combination of the vintage secretary with the green vintage bankers’ lamp and the modern stool against the dark grey walls works like a charm. The secretary functions as a home office spot in the bedroom, yet at the same time, it offers storage opportunities in the drawers.
A grey-painted antique desk combined with a round wall mirror
This beautiful antique desk has ornate details and has been painted in a neutral light grey paint color that complements the deep green-grey wall color of the bedroom. The combination of the desk with the rustic table lamp and the large round mirror works perfectly and the black chair finishes the look off in an elegant way.
A simple antique wood desk against historic attic walls
The natural wood desk with three antique drawers fits perfectly against the rough white plaster walls of this attic apartment with exposed wood beams. The warm wood tone of the desk complements the dark wood beams and the natural oak chair. These three wood tones make for an interesting warm color palette in the space.
I live in quite a small apartment myself (not a studio apartment, yet I always have to pick and choose very carefully which furniture pieces I select), so I always find it most inspiring to find great studio apartment design ideas that I can apply to my own apartment and save space in the process.
What is a studio apartment?
Studio apartments are small apartments where the living room, kitchen, and bedroom are all combined in one single room.
How to decorate a studio apartment
Making a studio apartment design work is all about making the right design decisions and finding the right solution to be able to combine the main functionalities in an apartment: the bedroom, dining room, living room, and home office depending on whether you need it or not. Kitchen and bathroom functionalities should also be fulfilled, but usually, they are included in the apartment, especially if you are renting.
Studio apartment ideas
A smart studio apartment design makes the layout look spacious even though there is not a lot of floor space to work with and makes smart use of a room divider in any form or shape to visually separate the functional areas from each other.
I’ve listed my favorite studio apartment design ideas and inspirations below and while I was looking for studio apartment inspiration, I tried to include both functional solutions, as well as easy design and color choices that can be applied to rentals and small apartments that you use temporarily.
From a micro-apartment to a smart use of hidden closets, to places with slightly larger square footage, this post is filled with smart tips and tricks to make studio apartments work and ample studio apartment decor inspiration to give you a head start into decorating your studio space.
How to separate functional areas
If you are planning your interior design from scratch, you might want to consider functional separators like a partition or a custom-built module that separates the functional areas, yet makes the space feel like one. A glass door with a black metal frame can be a great focal point in your small apartment and if the space is really tight, it might even include a sliding door.
Studio apartment ideas with great visual separation between areas
a glass separator between the bedroom area and the living space
This Scandinavian studio apartment has a partition separating the bedroom space from the sofa area, which fits the bed exactly and is closed on the side by subtle white linen curtains*. This is one of the best studio apartment design ideas to invest in, as it creates a division without forming an obstruction for daylight, which makes your space look bigger.
The living space is decorated in light colors with peach accents in the throw pillows* and by the wall opposed to the bed, there is even space for a small home office area, such a must-have for so many of us these days as well. The elegant color scheme makes the contrasting black glass separator stand out even better and the open-plan space has a very elegant, sophisticated look.
Notice the modular sofa in the living area as well (this is Ikea Soderhamn), which can be enlarged with other modules once you move from a small space to another, larger apartment. The combination of a small coffee table in wood and another one in white metal works nicely in this studio apartment and in general, combining smaller tables looks more spacious rather than opting for a big coffee table.
The Formakami papershade pendant* is the perfect statement lamp for this small space, as it draws attention, but has a light and minimal design at the same time.
A glass partition to close off the bedroom from the rest of the studio apartment
The glass double door in this beautiful Scandinavian studio apartment allows the natural light to flow into the small space with an open layout, yet the door can be closed to separate the rooms in a high-quality fashion without having to build a solid wall that makes the space look smaller. You can even place a curtain behind the glass which can be closed for complete privacy when necessary and the glass partition wall will also offer sound insulation in case you need it.
Note that the hallway of this studio apartment has a complete wall of storage space, which is such a crucial element in a studio apartment. Nothing makes a space appear smaller than having clutter around, so you better invest in some good quality closed storage space. If the space available is super small, you might want to use sliding doors for your storage solution as you will have more space to pass by when the closet is open. Clean lines work best for big storage modules, preferably even without handles so it blends into your open-space studio apartment.
Your studio apartment’s layout will highly depend on the floor plan, but with some custom solutions, you can make the layout work to your advantage. When designing small spaces, makes sure to measure everything before buying (also do this when decorating a bigger space) and utilize vertical space and natural light as much as possible.
A custom-built room divider in an attic studio apartment
While we covered the main advantages of glass partitions above, they can also be a great solution when you have beautiful structural elements in your architecture that you don’t want to cover up. The bedroom area in this Scandinavian studio apartment has been separated from the rest of the space, yet the view throughout the living and sitting area have not been obstructed.
This is also a great solution for a guest bed in a shared area, that you want to leave open when you don’t have guests over. The daylight coming into your studio apartment will not get obstructed, yet the guest room can be closed off when needed.
studio apartments with custom space-saving solutions
A studio apartment with the kitchen block as a separator between rooms
In this small apartment, the kitchen block itself functions as a separator between the two rooms, and when you walk behind the kitchen cabinets, you find a small, yet super cozy and light-flooded bedroom with a double bed that fits the space exactly.
The small kitchen even includes a home office integrated into the niche with floating shelves on the wall, combining three functionalities in one small space.
A studio apartment with a loft bed that creates extra floor space
When you live in a small space or studio apartment, like so many of us do, you have to find solutions to make it work and save space. This often includes a smart combination of both open and closed storage space so that every object has its place: either stored away in closet space or on display in a special spot. The owners of this beautiful studio apartment took it to a whole other level and turned their home into a treasure box full of smart space-saving solutions, optimizing the layout with great studio apartment design ideas for you to take inspiration from.
The kitchen, bedroom, and wardrobe are one module. By the window, you can find the kitchen with a built-in breakfast bar. On the opposite side of the window, the combination of both open and closed cabinets forms the base for the loft bed, which has been added on the second level, utilizing the space beneath the bed as extra storage. Underneath the bed, you have a hidden closet, which can be accessed from the other side. The loft bed utilizes the vertical space available in this beautiful studio apartment design and the use of wall space is done in an efficient way.
The storage wall in the hallway provides spots to store shoes, jackets, and bags and is made out of the same material as the elevated bed for a cohesive design language.
Create a loft bed on a second level to save floor space
When you have to plan a tiny apartment layout, yet you can work with high ceilings, it makes a lot of sense to build a loft bed so you can create another level. This tiny studio apartment utilizes the space underneath the loft bed as a small sofa area including a TV and open shelving built into the wall.
The grey walls combined with a color scheme of warm accessories and soft furnishings is a great choice for such a small space and the white flooring makes this tiny home seem bigger.
A loft bed with integrated functionality in the steps of the stairs
A bit similar to the previous example, yet in this beautiful studio apartment with nude pink walls throughout, only part of the space has been covered with a loft space and the stairs leading up to it are also an open shelving solution for storage.
When going up the stairs you reach the bedroom area of the studio space and underneath the loft, you can find a small dining area with a built-in bench. By painting the walls and all the custom-fitted solutions in the same nude pink paint color, you get a very cohesive effect. Note that also the wardrobe module beside the sofa area has been painted in this same color.
Styled by Lind, photographed by Ostling for Historiska Hem
A studio apartment with a canopy to separate the bedroom from the rest of the apartment
This studio combines the apartment living room and bedroom in one big space, and even though it would be easy to add doors in between the two areas, the open plan makes the apartment look spacious.
By adding a canopy above the bed, the two rooms are visually more separated and the area where the bed is placed becomes its’ own space. While a canopy works best with high ceilings, it can be used as a visual separation in any room and it also does double duty as an atmospheric element in cozy living spaces like this one.
Hanging a sheer white curtain* in between two functional areas is one of the simplest compact studio design ideas to visually separate the apartment layout. The entire space consists of a small living room that is also a bedroom and it’s the textiles that make all the difference. The living room furniture and soft furnishings have been picked out in modest colors, with an area rug adding an extra dimension to the compact studio design.
Surround the bedroom area with a curtain to separate it from the rest of the studio apartment
This is one of those easy studio apartment ideas that doesn’t cost you a lot of money, yet it has a great effect. You can easily separate your bedroom area from the rest of your studio apartment by adding a curtain around the bed.
The curtain will visually create another room and it will also keep the sleeping area dark which is an added benefit.
Create a loft bedroom area on top of another functional area
Another example with a loft bed, yet the area underneath the bedroom area is not open like in the previous example, it contains the bathroom. The color scheme of the small studio apartment is based around the beige wall color, enhanced with blacks, greys, and warm tones.
The module with the loft bed is painted in the same wall color (try out Farrow & Ball Jitney* or Oxford Stone* if you are looking to try out something similar), which integrates it nicely into the apartment layout.
A loft bed with storage underneath the stairs above a compact kitchen
This must be one of the best efficiency apartment decorating ideas I have seen so far. The loft bed is built above the tiny kitchen in such a smart way, allowing for extra storage underneath the stairs. The small kitchen has been made to fit the area underneath the stairs perfectly and the small dining table with bar chairs fits nicely together with the kitchen. On the other side of the studio home, there is still ample space for a small sofa area.
A Murphy bed to optimize the studio apartment design and layout
A Murphy bed is a great space-saving solution for combining functionalities in especially small spaces. This allows you to use a regular-sized bed during the night, yet turn the unused floor space when the bed is stored away into a living or dining room area.
Optimizing the apartment layout to fit all functionalities
While most studio apartment decorating ideas in this list focus on smart built-ins or ways to visually separate functional areas from each other, we might have missed one of the best apartment decorating ideas altogether: optimizing your furniture selection and layout towards the functionalities you need and the size of the space.
This beautiful studio apartment inspo combines a bedroom area with a living area and a home office space in such a natural way while still achieving a layout that looks spacious since the furniture has been picked in so carefully.
The small bed fits exactly in the space by the door, while still allowing a small stool to be placed next to it as a bedside table. Instead of a desk, the String system* with an integrated bookshelf was used to provide space for books in the home office area and a small daybed was used instead of a big sofa to still create a cozy seating nook, without taking up too much floor space.
a light color palette enlarges the apartment visually
A studio apartment with a light yet warm color palette
A light color palette enlarges a space visually. While white might be the obvious choice here, you can also go for a warmer palette and work with a mixture of beiges, natural materials, and a spot of yellow. I love the way the Ikea Kallax bookcase by the bed has been decorated in a subtle yet elegant way, combining wonderfully with the area of the bed and the sitting area.
Both functional areas feature soft tints of yellow for a vibrant, yet calm look. Even though limited space is available in this studio apartment, the light palette makes it look spacious.
Sometimes it can be a little bit tricky to make a white space like this one, with white walls, floors, and ceilings look cozy and inviting, but I think this cozy studio apartment makes it work really nicely. The color palette of the main furniture items has been kept very light, which makes the apartment appear larger than it actually is. Some contrasting pieces are added as well to give the look more character.
The white (It’s an old Ikea model customized with a Bemz slip cover*) sofa combined with the white fluffy area rug, white chairs, and coffee tables set the stage for a bit of color in the linen pillowcases* on the sofa, the art print on the wall, and the small accessories on the table. The darker color of the bench against the wall adds a lot of contrast and the light beige curtains* soften out the light coming from the windows.
Keeping the room white is one of those easy-to-apply studio apartment design ideas that will contribute the most for very little effort. Introduce a cozy seating area into the apartment, combine with a few contrasting elements and you will have a stylish home that looks spacious and inviting. Low furniture like the bench works well with low ceilings, as there will be a lot of white space above it. Hang some wall art above the bench to finish off the look.
A studio apartment with light beige walls and blue and pink accent pieces
When it comes to decorating small apartments, it’s important to thoroughly consider the color palette of the space. This studio apartment design consists of a living space combined with a bedroom area all on quite a small surface, yet by selecting a light beige wall color that highlights the crown molding it still looks and feels spacious. The blue and pink elements around the bed and sofa add interest and character to the look.
The black bedside table adds contrast to the sleeping area, yet it also functions as a visual room divider between the bed and the lounge area. The apartment layout even includes a section for the TV and a narrow Ikea Pax wardrobe painted in the same color as the wall in between the bed and fireplace functions as the main storage space inside the living space.
a bold or dark color palette adds character and personality to small studio apartments
A studio apartment with dark grey walls
This beautiful studio apartment has darker grey walls, which makes it a little bit more on the dramatic side, yet the tints of peach, beige, and terracotta soften it out in a nice way. The warm beige curtains* warm up the daylight coming from the windows which makes the peach tints pop.
The large antique mirror by the bed reflects the space and the light coming from the window, which is a great trick to make a small space look bigger and one of those studio apartment design ideas that will transform your space and bring it to another level. The peach-colored bedsheets* combined with the burned orange throw* match the color palette in the print above the bed. This color combination adds so much warmth in this corner and ties the bedroom area together.
The round dining table in between the kitchen and the living area works so nicely with the white bentwood chairs, the chequered tablecloth, and the pop of light blue in the art print. The dining area is placed in between two open spaces, which visually separates them from each other and provides extra seating when you have guests over and want to hang out in the living room.
This small studio apartment with rounded windows has these mesmerizing deep green walls (similar to Farrow & Ball Beverly*), which makes the otherwise modestly colored furniture and accessories stand out in such a beautiful way.
The light wool area rug, which covers a large portion of the room adds a soft texture to the white-soaped hardwood flooring. The white linen sofa (it’s an old Ikea model with a Bemz custom linen slip cover*) combined with the linen pillows* and the light oak furniture pieces in the sitting area enhance this soft look, while the red autumn arrangement on the coffee table and the graphic art prints on the walls add a subtle contrast to the space.
Even though this studio apartment has some great architectural features, to begin with, I think the green wall mixed up with the neutral furniture pieces is a design that can work in other small spaces as well to add some extra character and personality.
A studio apartment with an olive green accent wall
This home has one of the nicest studio apartment design ideas of all: an olive green accent wall (similar to Farrow & Ball Studio green*) to visually separate functional areas from each other. The studio apartment is planned in a very open way, with a doorway between the kitchen and the living space and a niche for the sleeping area.
I love the fact that the bedroom area is visually separated from the living room because of the dark olive green wall color of the niche only, such a lovely interior design detail.
The sofa area has a beautiful mixture of beige textiles and prints as well and I love that there is space for a small dining table in front of the windows. When you peek into the small kitchen from the living room area, you can see a little curtain underneath the sink, which has the same tint as the wall of the sleeping area. It’s touches in the color scheme like these that make the interior design in this studio apartment so special.
Bold color choices in a small and efficient studio apartment
This is one of those apartment designs that are truly unique and it really doesn’t matter that it’s a small studio apartment, does it? The kitchen is the central element in the space and it really stands out because of its gold surfaces.
The bedroom has been placed behind a half wall combined with one of those glass dividers for studio apartments that still let daylight into the bedroom area. Since the ceilings of this historic apartment are very high, a loft bed was also built into the space, which can be reached by using the metal ladder in the kitchen.
The entrance has been painted in a bold pink combined with gold details and a big wardrobe provides ample storage space for the small apartment. The wardrobe has mirrored fronts, which reflect both the space and the light for an optically bigger look.
Deep faded blue walls make a bold statement on a small surface
When it comes to how to style a studio apartment, you have to think a bit outside of the box. If you want your studio home to look stylish and unique, you have to make some bold choices because you have limited space and opportunity to make the apartment designs stand out.
This turn-of-the-century home has a layout with a small niche space for the bedroom, and the walls of the entire studio have been painted in a beautiful pale blue that makes both the studio apartment furnishing, yet also the historic architectural details stand out in a lovely way.
Things to consider when designing your studio apartment
visually separate functional areas from each other
How to setup a studio apartment will depend on the space available and the functionalities you need in the space. Whether you use architectural features like a glass separator or a strategically placed kitchen block, a murphy bed or loft bed to save space, it’s smart solutions like these that will make it possible to include all functionalities in one area.
Make sure to think about storage space when you plan the layout of your studio apartment
Whether you built a full wall of closed storage, hide storage modules underneath the bed, or behind a curtain, you will need a way to keep your studio apartment clutter free and organized. A murphy bed is a great solution for the smallest of spaces, but other flexible furniture pieces like folding chairs or a sofa bed can be great companions in a small home as well.
Studio apartment beds are usually as small as possible, to make room for other functionalities in the space.
pick a color palette that fits the space
You can achieve great results in your interior design by picking the right colors for your space. Go for a lighter color palette if you want to make the space appear larger, or go for darker, bolder colors to add character. Use an accent wall or paint certain walls to visually separate areas from each other solely by using the color scheme.
I think art and art prints can add so much character and personality to a home. The selection and the way you combine the artwork will always be personal and individual, and you can put your own mark on it by combining different styles, artists and color palettes.
This beautiful Swedish apartment has a bright, sun-lit living room, which also functions as a home office and dining room. The shelf on the wall functions as a desk, and at the same time, it can be used to store away books. The sofa area combines a neutral grey sofa with an accent black coffee table, which is a perfect neutral base palette so that the art prints on the wall are the eye-catcher in this area.
The bedroom has been painted in a neutral grey wall color just like the living room, with the warm color palette of the bedding adding a cozy touch to the space. Another home office spot was added to the area in front of the bedroom window and just like in the living room, the bench in the corner is decorated with a beautiful combination of art prints that add character and personality to the space.
I think this cozy studio home is decorated in such a lovely way, with so much attention to detail. I love how every single detail in this styling is so carefully chosen. Even though the color palette has been kept rather neutral, the mixture of textiles, textures, and materials makes for an interesting and inviting look. The living area is used as a bedroom as well, but I imagine the bed is also used as a second sofa when more people are visiting. A narrow bench is used as a coffee table, which leaves plenty of free space around it for a more spacious look. The subtle linen curtains* in front of the windows blend out the light in a lovely way and I love the mixture of linen pillow cases* on the sofa in the same colors as the gallery wall above it.
There is still space for a small office desk in the room as well, combining three different functions in the same space without it feeling too crowded. I love the way the bed is made with the white linen bed skirt* and the mixture of linen in different shades on the bed itself. The group of art prints in the room separate the three functional areas from each other: you can find a bigger gallery wall above the sofa and two smaller ones by the bed and above the office area.
The big mirror in the hallway is not only great to check out your outfit before you leave the house, but it also reflects the light coming from the other rooms, brightening up this dark area of the home that doesn’t get any direct sunlight. The kitchen has its own room and has a beautiful dining area in all white, which makes the wall wooden shelving and green plants stand out in a nice way.
Ideally, a home has so many rooms for each purpose (wouldn’t that be great), but in reality, we often have to combine different functions into one space. Luckily you can get creative and find custom solutions so your small space can have everything you need. This bedroom office is a great example of combining purposes in a creative way.
The bed is placed in the main area of the room by the window, with space for a large wardrobe for ample storage space. Behind the wood divider wall, the owners created a cozy work spot, still allowing the natural daylight to come through, but creating a separate area.
