• Studio apartments present decorating challengesapartment house image by Mats Tooming from Fotolia.com
  
  Studio apartments offer an intimate and cozy home option. In many larger cities where housing is expensive, studio apartments offer an affordable option for single people or couples. Defining the small physical space of a studio apartment is often challenging but can add character to the space and increase its functionality. There are many ways to divide the room in the studio apartment that won't break the bank.
  
  

Shelving

• An open shelving unit defines the studio apartment space without blocking light to sections of the apartment. Place the open shelving where a wall might go to define the bedroom area of the studio. This gives some privacy for the bedroom area while maintaining the open feel of the studio floor plan. You can also place living room furniture against the opposite side of shelving system so it feels more anchored rather than floating in the middle of the room.
  
  

Folding Dividers

• Folding room dividers or freestanding screens are another option for dividing the space. This option offers flexibility because you can fold the screens or dividers over to the side of the room easily if you want to open up the space. They are also decorative, with many different styles and options available, which allows you to find a screen or folding divider that matches your decor.
  
  

Curtains

• Curtains offer a soft divider for the apartment. A rod hung across the room allows you to draw the curtain as needed. The wide selection of material, style and color for curtains makes it easy to find an option that fits the style of the apartment. A sheer curtain helps retain the open feeling by allowing light to filter through. Heavier curtains offer a more definite division but also block more light.
  
  

Area Rugs

• Area rugs are a way to visually divide the space without installing a physical barrier between the areas of the apartment. A large area rug under the living room furniture sets it apart from the bedroom area of the home. An area rug in a different color or style can also go in the bedroom area for more division. Consider the style of the home when selecting the rugs.
  
  

Color

• If you own your studio apartment or have the flexibility to paint it, use color to divide the apartment into functional areas. Light colors are the best option because they make the smaller space feel larger. Choosing colors within the same color family with a few shades difference helps keep the space feel united while giving a subtle definition to the areas. If you can't paint the walls, use colored or patterned fabric panels on the walls as another option.