It's no secret that both the rental and buyer's markets are hard to break into, and accordingly, many of us find we have to compromise somewhere along the line - whether that means sacrificing outdoor space, enduring a longer commute, knocking off a bedroom or two, or living in a smaller space than we might like.
Happily, in regard to the latter, going small doesn't mean sacrificing your style. On the contrary, there are so many gorgeous studio spaces available these days that we can finally put the 'size doesn't matter' argument to bed. For proof, keep reading to check out eight studio spaces from around the world that showcase how to do small in style.
1. An East Village studio
This studio is located in New York's trendy East Village neighbourhood, where every square metre counts.
With about 45 square metres to work with, the occupants have made the most of their space by utilising the popular 'layering' technique, which requires you to build up. In this particular case, the bedroom is a raised loft-like room that has been built into the wall, above and behind the kitchen.
While the bedroom isn't closed off from the rest of the studio, building it 'above' the studio does give it an extra element of separation and privacy. Bonus: The steps leading up to the bedroom are built-in drawers.
Find inspiration from popular bedroom designs
2. A Los Angeles studio
A quick glance at this Los Angeles-based studio reveals an eclectic aesthetic, so you would never know that this 37 square metre studio was once a car garage.
Post-renovation, the owner has made clever use of furniture and decor to divide the studio into separate areas.
For example, the bedroom area is separated from the living area by a small television stand, while the kitchen is sectioned off by using a long dining table that runs parallel to the kitchen. Both of these elements create the illusion of separate rooms, without blocking off light or creating a hodge-podge of areas.
See this garage conversion for yourself
3. A West End studio
This gorgeous 42 square metre studio, located in Vancouver's leafy West End neighbourhood, makes amazing use of its natural light to create a soft, romantic space.
Again, we see how to break up a room using furniture - in this case, a low white dresser separates the bedroom from the living area, while the kitchen is automatically separated with a breakfast bar.
What sets this studio apart, however, is the design. Combining the natural light with white walls and softly-hued furniture instantly opens up the studio and makes it seem bigger than it is.
To continue down this path, the occupants have installed a large mirror against one wall. This is another clever trick often used for making a room seem bigger and brighter, and in this case it worked.
Check out more photos of this gorgeous apartment
4. A Northern Ireland studio
This 25 square metre studio in Northern Ireland is a perfect lesson in how to do a lot with very little.
During the day, this studio functions as a lounge and mini-office, with separate areas set aside for each use.
At night, the sofa turns into a two-person bed, giving the studio a bedroom area - and thereby ensuring the occupant makes their bed every morning!
This type of setup is not unusual for studios. While folding away your bed every day could become tedious, having multifunctional furniture and decor is really the key to studio living.
See more photos - and a floor plan - of this functional studio
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5. An Astoria studio
This Astoria, Queens-based studio is billed as 'teeny tiny' and it certainly stays true to its name - but it also shows how you can fill a small space with plenty of personality.
With around 32 square metres to put to use, the main issue for the occupant was how to separate the space so the individual areas seemed just that: separate.
The answer was to 'build in' a wall and to paint each room a different colour.
See that 'window' space in the wall? That was originally an open window that looked into the bedroom area. Now, it has been filled in using a fabric board. This helped to create the illusion of a separate bedroom and proves that with some smart DIY tricks, you can really do a lot to a studio.
See more photos from this quirky studio
6. A Tennessee tiny home
So-called 'tiny homes' are the new big thing thanks to their modest way of living, but they're not for everyone. Until now, perhaps.
One glance at this 'tiny home', which is basically a studio on the inside and a miniature house on the outside, suggests that downsizing might not be so bad.
Again, you can see the beauty in using layers - the bedroom area is accessible only by ladder, and it sits above the bathroom, which is accessible via the kitchen.
But the other reason why this tiny home works is that the occupants have used their walls well. By mounting the television on one wall, you eliminate the need for a TV stand. Likewise, by pushing the couch back against the other wall, they have created a streamlined look that actually allows you to walk from one end to the other without diverting around furniture. This, in turn, makes the room feel larger than it is.
Explore more small spaces on Houzz
7. A Tathra studio
This small Tathra-based studio is a masterclass in how to best make use of unused space and create a home that looks like it has room to spare.
The key is to build inwards. Notice the shelf area just above the bedhead? Because it doesn't protrude from the wall, and is instead built in, it doesn't encroach on the small amount of space that this studio does have.
Likewise, the television cabinet is built into the wall, but better yet, it can be closed off when necessary.
This creates a streamlined aesthetic, especially when combined with the minimalist furniture and decor picks.
See more photos of this studio, including a peek at the bathroom, which again shows how to build inwards to create storage space
8. A San Francisco studio
In many ways, this San Francisco-based studio combines all the previous lessons into one perfect studio.
First, note the use of multifunctional furniture - specifically, the bed doubles as an extra-large sofa simply by adding a second 'bedhead' on the side.
Second, the wall behind the bed uses the mirror trick to evoke thoughts of a larger, brighter space than is really there.
Lastly, the way the furniture is arranged once again sections off separate areas of the studio and creates mini-rooms that have their own design and appeal.
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This article originally appeared on Houzz.