Are you looking for ways to make your open layout apartment feel a little more open and spacious? This post looks at three apartments that get it right – from smart storage solutions to hideaway beds and multipurpose furniture, these homes have plenty of inspiration to offer. But that’s not all! Each one takes a different approach to naturally influenced color palettes and decor, so you can find ideas for larger houses and apartments as well. Stop by the comment section to let us know if you found any of these design techniques worth trying.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques
Visualizer: Leo D’uk Design   

Let’s start with a studio apartment that goes light with natural wood finishes and calming pastel green walls. It’s a cheerful space that makes great use of color blocking to define each functional area within its small interior footprint, easily appearing larger than it really is.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

The interior is open but each functional area feels distinct thanks to the clever division created by the geometrically clad wall that stands in the center of the living area.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

Rounded forms and wooden legs give the furniture mid-century appeal. Even the pendant lighting and bar design furthers this influence.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

The bar’s convenient location allows it to serve as extra seating in the living room while allowing residents to watch television while working, eating, or playing.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

Typographic art always make a great addition to interiors inspired by minimalism. These prints also serve to distribute color balance (especially white).

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

Tucked away as cozy as can be, the kitchen occupies a small space to the left of the central volume. It might look small, but the layout offers plenty of workspace and storage.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

Perhaps the most surprising part of this little studio is the bed – it occupies a very compact footprint but its position near the window opens it up to the entire world outside. Storage hides within the platform beneath.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

The tropical wallpaper adds even more character and cheer.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

A corner shower, compact washer, and convenient storage solutions ensure the bathroom feels spacious despite its small footprint.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques
Visualizer: Maxim Tsiabus   

If you’re looking for a home that pulls off wooden wall panels without pushing into rustic territory, this space combines those luxurious dark wood boards with greyscale tones to create an aesthetic that feels warm and comfortable without sacrificing an ounce of modern appeal. The space-saving features in this apartment are detailed later – some are quite surprising.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

Chain link fencing is a strong addition, an easy DIY project for anyone who wants to cover a radiator or add a cool industrial effect to the home.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

One of the most striking and hard-to-replicate features is the abundance of inset lighting that traces the ceiling and even parts of the floor. These strips likely contribute to a moody atmosphere in the evening.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

The layout is very open but sensibly divided thanks to a variety of large walls and pillars.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

The open seating area extends its functionality with plenty of storage above the television and versatile multi-purpose trays that attach to the sofa.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

It may seem like this wall remains intentionally blank just for visual effect, but it’s actually just a very clever disguise for a Murphy bed.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

Without relying on a hideaway bed like this one, the entire attitude of the apartment would feel altered. It saves an incredible amount of space.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

The addition of extra lighting elements hidden in the headboard portion of the wall serve as a fantastic complement to the stripes that trace the ceiling, walls, and floor.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

While this half of the room lacks the dividing walls that mark out the other functional areas of the open layout, this one separates living room from bedroom with a transition from matte black to white and then to those gorgeous wood cabinets.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

At first glance, the kitchen looks like one smooth expanse of cabinets with no worktops in sight. It allows for a clean and minimalist appearance, but the real surprise hides inside.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

Sliding doors reveal a fully equipped workspace with a small range and sink. Large cabinets expand storage space overhead.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

Dining and office areas share the same general area. The breakfast bar easily looks over the living room, outfitted with practical stools from the MIURA collection by Konstantin Grcic.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques
Visualizer: Eno Design   

While this living space approaches almost studio-levels of openness, a sense of division also allowed the designer to choose two different takes on a natural color theme to suit the distinct needs of private and public areas. Private spaces adopt an earthy neutral theme while the living room goes big with bright and vivid colors reminiscent of summertime. You’ll notice this interior does a lot within the primary living space – it’s multipurpose and very flexible.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

Eclectic decor gives the eye a unique focal point from every angle. And of course, it’s impossible to overlook that fabulously unique cabin-style ceiling! Combined with the animal prints and patterns, this style seems like a modern take on the lodge look.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

This color theme is especially admirable because of its sense of thematic integration. Without those rustic elements, the bold primaries might have instead evoked a more of a rigid Mondrian-esque attitude.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

This combination of color and pattern comes together brilliantly in the tiny corner reading nook. Urquiola’s famous Husk ottoman, an oversized beanbag chair, and a handsome Grasshopper floor lamp all contribute their own distinctive appeal.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

The little office has a few inspiring details as well. The storage system offers a mix of open and closed cubbies to keep things looking tidy, and the furniture itself is quite minimalistic.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

Both seats are from the About a Chair collection by Hee Welling. You can buy those from here. If you are a fan of minimalist scandinavian style chairs like these, do check out our post: 50 Stunning Scandinavian Style Chairs.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

The kitchen occupies a little space down the hallway from the living and bed areas. It’s exceptionally simple and compact.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

Hee Welling’s chairs join a comfortable upholstered bench, working wonders to save space in an already small area.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

And finally, a look at the bedroom first spotted through the door in the living room. It’s outfitted with a neutral theme distinctly in contrast to the rest of the home.

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

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3 Open Layout Apartments That Use Clever Space-Saving Techniques

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