I have a sense of how small this space is from the way you've arranged the furniture in the livingroom but man oh man, you have a really nice size kitchen. Granted, you're dining table is also there but still, nice size for such a small space.

Yeah, that kitchen is disproportionately large compared to the living room, but it's probably because of the walls. I would have floated the couch to create a division between the kitchen and the living space.

That is the first really useful use of those wineglass racks I've ever seen. Makes perfect sense in such a small space.

I'd suggest you put away the dishes in the rack before taking pictures next time. I know you don't have a lot of room for space, but my general impression is that the apartment is cluttered.

That said, it's admirable that you live on such a teeny space with a roommate.

That's a nicely laid out apartment. However, is it really 375 square feet total? It seems like a two bedroom with the spacious kitchen is at least 550?

I'd be interested in the square footage of those rooms, The bedrooms must be fairly small to fit all that in 375 square feet. Maybe 9x9 for your roomate's and 7x9 for yours?

I like the dishes in open view.. feels like there are people who actually live in the house.
Nice kitchen!

It would be nice to see the bedrooms instead of 3 pics of the kitchen.

I would probably recommend that Instagram filters not be used for this type of contest. Instagram'ing apartments just makes it look old and outdated. I think the apartment would look so much better (and brighter) if using a digital camera.

Side note: the kitchen reminds me of the kitchen scene in the Sixth Sense.

Hi guys,

thanks for all the positive feedback! I focused on our shared spaces rather than our rooms because I feel like it's where my roommate and I collaborated to bring out the best in the space. i tried to get a good shot of my room (my roommate wasn't comfortable with me using a picture of hers), but it's hard to get a good angle in my tiny room.
it's a tough space to work with, and believe me, the kitchen looks bigger in the pictures than it actually is. the floorplan is not 100% accurate because I eyeballed it, but yes, our apartment is actually 375 sq ft.
and while you guys have valid points, i entered because i'm proud of the space i live in. i don't think it necessarily has to look like it's straight out of a furniture catalog.
-Ann

Your kitchen is cool. I was just wondering, why do the curtains stop halfway down? I've been trying to figure this out...

I'm kind of on the fence here. I understand the comments that applaud photos that look as if a "real person" occupies the apartment, and I get it when others say the place could have been tidied up and organized a bit. I guess it's up to the individual. If I were to enter the Small Cool Contest, my house, at 927 sq. feet, would fit into the "Small" category. You can bet I'd clean everything until it sparkled and there wouldn't be a bit of clutter in sight. I'd hide all the electrical cords and make sure the seams in the lampshades didn't show and that all the throw pillows were plumped and positioned with the zipper on bottom. That's just me. I wouldn't be comfortable with posting a photo of my dish drainer full of dishes. But that doesn't make me "better" than someone who doesn't mind sharing their space and the way it is with viewers. I know people would make negative comments about my place, or at least parts of it. There would be comments about the "old lady print" I've used in the guest room for the last twelve years, my matching bedroom set, and the " boring" case goods in my living room. My Ballard Design accessories would stand out like a sore thumb. Nothing original or creative about my digs - but it's mine, and I like it. I guess that's the same with everyone, whether we enter the contest or not. To each his own. I would have preferred to have seen the bedroom in this apartment instead of the dishes in the kitchen, but the person explained. I just think we can express our opinions in as kind and considerate way as possible, even if we have something negative to say. ♥

I love your kitchen! I agree with PI about moving the couch to create a partition between your kitchen and living space. You gain an entire wall that you could use for storage or to create a little reading nook.

@Bejewelled Good question! The curtains stop halfway down because the lower half of our windows are frosted, so we still have privacy. My roommate made the curtains, and we contemplated having them go all the way down, but worried they would get wet from the sink or get burned from the stovetop.

@Raaina We actually considered that when we moved in, but we ended up buying a couch too big for that. It blocked the doors to our bedrooms. Other people in our building have love seats instead and it looks real cute.

At least people have guts to enter the contest! How many of us want to share our place with the whole world?

I like the photo quality ...looks like an Instagram.

I really like that the rug in the living room is round! Very cute!

The curtains in the kitchen bother me, even though I understand why they're short. I suppose that they could pose a fire hazard on the one end, and get wet on the other if they were longer. But maybe there would be some ingenious way to get them out of the way. Perhaps you could cinch them in the middle of the window when cooking? That window holds every possibility of making the kitchen seem more sophisticated: a missed opportunity, I think.

Also, I would move anything that complicates the view of the window, like that apron and rack hanging near it.

I love the (bedroom) doors and the curtains behind them!

It fascinates me every year that of all the entries, the teeny-tiny ones are invariably the best and most popular. I've learned so much from looking at them. I love your living room. I could happily co-exist with your coffee table. The kitchen is adorable too. Good for you!

I think this looks like a homey-home. Since I'm peeping Tom who likes to see how other people live, I was just as satisfied poking around this apartment as I was any of the other Teeny Tiny entries.

(Also, can people just read the comments section before positing something as mindless as "Is this a joke?" Because clearly it's not. It's an entry to an online contest.)

Again, I really appreciate the positive stuff people are saying. I'm really proud of my apartment (it's my first one!) and I wanted to share it. If it's not up to par for you cool, but it's where I live and you don't have to go so far as to trash it.

Also also also guys, I just entered for fun. wow.

I think it's cute as hell. First apt. and a room mate? It looks happy, homey, lived in and loved. You are right on to be house proud. It's tough to stick your neck out when your place or person does not a slick, magazine daydream make. This little gem is a Home-Sweet-Home. Good on ya, girl:)

I wish I could say my first apartment was this cute! Your place is quirky and adorable, and looks totally cozy and inviting. I can totally imagine a gathering of friends converging in this space.. particularly with the kitchen and living area kind of blending together (because everyone always ends up hanging out in the kitchen anyway, right?).

I really like how you incorporated a lot of hanging storage! Also, I used to live in Astoria for years and loved it! Totally loved how you brought your own vibe to the apartment. Don't mind the haters.

I like the fact that your place looks lived in. Some people's apartments look too perfect. Real life is not always having your dishes put away.

your rock'n the purple girl