Post by Tracy Kaler.

Living in one room has its challenges for sure, but small spaces can be incredibly stylish and convenient. There’s something wonderful about having everything you need (almost) with an arm’s reach, and studio life allows that. Single room residences aren’t ideal for overnight guests, and for some, they work for a specific time in life. Many folks eventually outgrow the living/dining/sleeping combo and graduate to a one bedroom or even a house. Nonetheless, studios can be fabulous, as you can see in these five apartments.

This Hoboken studio is not only chic, but the narrow space offers great storage. Designer Marina Cheban used IKEA bookcases for the client’s shoe collection and added an armoire for dresses. I’d call this room organized – there’s not a hair out of place.

A wall separates the kitchen and small living space in this Venice micro-apartment. Deep gray walls, cabinets, and floors are the backdrop for simple decor. Yellow and orange work well as accent colors.

Solar skylights add plenty of light to this West Midlands bedroom. A wall mural of a street scene and bicycle propped against it create a design element that makes a lovely focal point.

A chocolate brown accent wall draws the eye in this San Francisco studio. Notice the tiny office area tucked into the corner. Modern accessories complete the space.

The designer of this oversized studio in Brooklyn created zones for living, eating, sleeping and dressing. Large, modern art leads the eye around the space.