The rise of the studio apartment
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
Many of us have scanned the listings pages of our local newspaper or website for rentals and noticed that the number of rooms we are able to afford is rapidly dwindling. Thanks to the bemoaned economic situation our salaries are relatively stationary while the cost of renting continues to grow. In response we have welcomed the dawn of the studio apartment.
Taking on a studio apartment doesn't have to have a negative impact on you; in fact, it is a fantastic way to simplify your life. Sort out the clutter that you have amassed over the years, throw out that collection of traffic cones from your student days and begin to truly appreciate your space.
With cheap furniture readily available these days it is easy and affordable to fill your single room flat with pieces that reflect your personal taste. Sofas can be used to break up the room into sections, while coffee tables and rugs are helpful too. Fold down tables mean that space for two can mysteriously open out into a size fit for a dinner party. Paint the walls with neutral colours to avoid enclosing the space and hang framed pictures to help reflect your room's multifaceted function.
If you're used to a more lavish style of living, say perhaps a separate bedroom, then the shrinkage of your personal space can be hard at first. However, there are ways to enjoy adapting to the confines of the studio apartment. Think about your monetary situation and praise your studio for saving you from the anti-social existence of a life of thrifty baked bean dinners. You could also try adopting a Zen approach to life where meditation removes you from the mere physical realms of your apartment. On a more serious note, a studio also allows people to rent in desirable places that they wouldn't otherwise be able to afford and with a little organization and planning towards the interior it need not feel like a step down. Some people even feel calmer in the smaller simplified spaces of these apartments and take solace from the efficiency they enforce. A sort of ergonomic lifestyle choice.
As rents stay high and our economic plight remains murky, it's good to reiterate that studios really are a great way to go about saving for a rainy day. Whether it's a deposit for a home, a new car or something wildly extravagant, settling down in a studio apartment can only be a positive step towards the future; and once you've lived in a room surrounded by your bed, living room furniture and all other worldly possessions, your next place will feel like a palace whatever its size.
Subscribe to read full newspaper »
Send to a friend
Please complete the following form to inform a friend about this page.
