apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Absolutely. Many people in New York City are in your shoes.

Definitely doable. I just hope you really like each other, and the cat. Having just moved out of a 1 bedroom that was a bit smaller than your studio - my best advice is to look for furniture that can serve many purposes - for example one of those scandanavian drop leaf tables that can seat 2 for dinners when it's just you two, or expand out to seat six when you have company (or need to spread out books for finals).

My second piece of advice is to go the real bed route, instead of trying to do a sleeper sofa or a futon. There are many ways you can make a bed part of your living furniture if you are entertaining, but you will not enjoy anything about your new apartment if you are not getting a good nights sleep.

2 cat in 500 square feet is absolutely doable, although the layout of this particular space seems a little awkward. The kitchen seems enormous for something that size.

do able- totally.

i lived in 508 sqf in brooklyn and worked out of the apt every day for a year. If I didn't have walls dividing up the space in awkward ways, I probably would have stayed there.

Its a lot of space- you just have to think creatively. Focus on whats really important to you and design around that. If you love having people over for dinner but not really to watch movies - try watching tv from your bed instead of a couch to make way for a table big enough to seat all your guests.

Or if you need lots of space to do your work, devote the most space to that and forget the couch and dinning table that you'll never use.

If you want it all - a space to do work, watch movies with friends and still have room to serve 5 course meals - find furniture that will do double duty.

Drop leaf tables, small scale couches, bookcase room dividers, these are your friends! good luck and send pictures of the space once you've designed it!!!

ok... TOTALLY DO-ABLE. a pic from the stairs would have been nice, but i'll assume, not much bigger than what we see. that place has a really nice reno done for sure, so it'll have that comfort factor built in. the cat is easy, since they blend well in any environment. is kitty trained to use the toilet? it'd save some space if it did.. http://www.citikitty.com/
other than that, it looks like there is storage under the stairs landing (could you put a kitty door there for litter???) the other things to think about are how long you and boyfriend have been together in tight spaces. Nowhere to separate for a while can mean stepping on nerves if solitude is needed (it happens) the other question is do you entertain a lot. if not, swell. otherwise it'll just be (very) small groups (something to think about) but other than that, heck yes that space looks sweet for what you are thinking about. just keep thinking multifunction and you're off to the races. cheers -Tim

It's a beautiful space. Totally doable! I think with proper and careful planning you can achieve a really neat space. I find Japanese apartments very inspiring in terms of solution for small space. Perhaps you'll find some ideas from there. Here's a few ideas/tips:

1. Take advantage of the height
2. Use furniture with dual purposes (or more)
3. Plan the room so that is flexible.
4. Put drawers where the risers are on the stairs for shoe storage.(I think there was a post earlier about that.)
5. Forget about having a dedicated dining area, use the living room as the comfy lounge-dining areas (kind of like some boutique hotels) and have a little breakfast area next to the kitchen on the other side of that bar.

Good luck, show us the results when you're done :)

My partner and I don't live in a studio, but we do live in a 400 sf one-bedroom with a black lab and a 20lb cat. It's totally do-able.

My boyfriend and I live with my small dog in a 600 sq ft studio. We have high ceilings as well and it really helps not to feel cramped. It is too bad they didn't put an over hang on that counter so you could have barstools. We use a book case to divide the bed from the living space. Also, invest in a good pair of head phones. It is the only way to deal with one person wanting to stay up and watch t.v. and the other person wanting to sleep. I think the bose headphones saved our relationship!

from a comment above, i've gotta say, the kitty box under the stairs is a great idea! a whole little kitty room!

so that takes care of the cat.

I lived in a 1/1 450 sq ft. with my bf & turtle, EASILY do-able. just always be mindful about buying things for your place, do you need it? small places easily can become cramped and cluttered. I agree to the statement about the bed, it's got to be rejuvinating.
1. there are tables that can go up and down to funtion as dining/work surface down to coffee table.
2. Always go up with storage, art, anything.
3. Also...mirrors reflect light...and help with making rooms appear bigger
4. Dark colored walls will make a space seem smaller. If you like dark...just do an accent wall. Or better yet use fabrics and art....stuff you can take with you to decorate in color.
good luck
5. My bf and I always went to goodwill stores for cheapy furniture...very eco friendly to reuse furniture.

I agree that it can be do-able, but think it's just as important to consider factors other than square footage into your decision.

With a space that small, proximity to local bars, pubs, shops, and libraries is almost as important. No matter how much you love your roomie, when your living in tight quarters with someone, there will be times when you just gotta get away. Having a friendly coffee shop that feels like Cheers within walking distance makes 500 sq feet a lot more liveable...

Good luck -- the place looks gorgeous.

I'm with jede on the headphones... they are life savers!!! My boyfriend and I are in a 400 sq ft studio. We love the apartment and our neighborhood so we are really quite happy there :) Our space is pretty well set up though so that we've been able to divide the apartment into very distinct areas. It is definitely do-able and I wish you guys the best of luck!

Definitely do-able! You have some great bones to begin with in terms of being able to bring in color and your own personalities.

I would recommend looking at all the awesome Small Cool entries for some inspiration - there were a few of them who were in the same situation.

Also - I would recommend using some of the many recommended floor plan software to plan out your space and work everything in. That might help you.

Good luck! And congrats on finding such a cute space!

Thumbs up





I just moved into a tiny place. I like to either put flushable kitty litter and the box right next to the tolit, then I scoop every time I go and it needs scooped.

In my current tiny tiny space I switched to a pretty litter box. (slightly opaque turqoise and matching scooper) and crystal litter. I am using Mimi litter (walmart only) it is silica sand and scoops better than some of the bigger chunks.

Fresh poo smells strong, but once it has sat a bit the smell is much better. I twice a day and 3 lbs lasts almost a week for 3 cats. ( comes in 4 lb bag for about $4. )

I am just really happy with the set up. My kitty had a bit of an upset and even runny poo dries up and scoops out without a problem. I can dump the litter box and it is almost perfectly clean and brand new looking. The scooper is still clean and new looking. (In the past my box had stains and the scooper collected bits of the mess and became disgusting.)

I'd do it.

IMHO, one of the best features about this is the shot of the kitchen. I think if you're living on a budget, you'll really care about the kitchen, since I remember on my student budget that I didn't have the money to rely on eating out or takeout. Plus I like that it tucks back from the main space.

I'd go for it just for the kitchen alone.

I agree about the bed. I'd tuck it back in the corner from which we have our vantage point and hang something sheer and floaty from the ceiling to partition it off a bit (or get a screen or maybe a bookshelf/room divider to create separation). Turn the area just at the foot of the stairs into your sitting area. Tuck a little table against the wall where the sink is for dining/study space.

Sorry, I should have said "tuck a little table against the wall where the STOVE is", not sink.

CHICAGO IS A CITY WITH A NUMBER OF NEIGHBORHOODS, YOUR BOUND TO FIND SOMETHING.
I see this type of situation happing all the time, and especially with a surplus of new and rehabbed higher quality condos that developers put out daily.

For instance WICKER PARK, BUCKTOWN, UKRAINIAN VILLAGE & EAST VILLAGE all are known for smaller places which are more affordable yet meet higher standard lifestyle guideline(lets call it that for now, we all have our reasons for decisions).

WEST LOOP is also flooded with studio units as to that area has seen the biggest amount of overall units produced.

STREETERVILLE (source crains bussiness) Developers will add 1,676 units to the downtown rental market this year, a high for a single year, according to Appraisal Research. They'll shatter that record in 2009 by adding another 2,489 apartments downtown. Therefore this micro neighborhood will see the highest possible outcome in the times to come.

TOGETHER WE CAN. UNITED WE CAN.

www.uniquechicago.blogspot.com
www.designatedagents.com

you might want to think of adding shelves above the bar or windows then you can get a small ladder to put in the corner by the stairs out of the way.

make sure you keep it simple - i agree multi purpose furniture is a must.

My partner and I shared a 1 bedroom in West LA that was about 450 square feet. The landlord was awful, but we were quite happy with the location and the basic space. I'd be hesitant to go for a studio, mostly because the two of us are introverts and we *need* private space. Also, we both have awful tempers, and sometimes it really helps to have a door to shut in an argument. We don't have actual fights often, so the private space is a bigger deal.

The Stuff part is manageable, as long as neither one of you is deeply attached to particular things. Both of us are rather attached to certain bits of furniture (a table his mom refinished, our sofa, his childhood desk...) and that makes things less easy than it ought to be. We both have a mad fondness for books, and a pretty massive library. That also makes life harder. It *worked* but it was more exciting than it needed to be.

Totally do-able.

Get used to ear plugs when you sleep and you'll have no problem. Also, dim the lights if someone is still watching TV at bedtime.

When it comes to decor I suggest "less is more." Donate a lot and put some stuff in storage. A less cluttered space is soothing and the more organized it is, the easier it is to navigate with two people and a pet.

If you two are respectful, kind and open to each other, it'll be great (and fun).

Good luck.

Yes, the phrase "fresh cat poo" has been used on AT. It was only a matter of time. This is a very cat heavy site.

Wow! The college rental stock has gotten a lot nicer since my college days. However, I would never trade my days of 100 year old Victorians and an old gas station. I would trade the kegger complex and the cellar though.

You guys should be ok. I'd search this site for creative room division elements. It would be nice to have a semi-private bedroom I would think.

Very Do-able.

Center the bed on the wall opposite the entrance with low 2-3 drawer dressers on either side as nightstands & clothing storage.

At the foot of the bed, place a tall bookcase/room divider such as the 5x5 IKEA Expedit or Yoshi from Room and Board.
http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product.do?method=get&id=606474&coll=378099&cat=85
Leave one niche down low with a pillow for Mr Kittie...

On the other side, arrange a small seating area with loveseat, adjustable-height cocktail table (to double as a dining table while seated on the loveseat) a small armchair & ottoman and a couple of side chairs.

If you have a desktop computer, consider trading it in for a wireless laptop and a laptop desk, such as this one by Offi:
http://www.offi.com/products/tablesanddesks/LAPTBL.php?p2c=302

In terms of space, do-able. But if you and the boyfriend have different sleep schedules, not having a separate bedroom can be really problematic. I usually have to wake up at least an hour before my boyfriend, sometimes to do work from home (phone calls, working on the computer, etc) and it invariably wakes him up.

Our first apartment was only slightly bigger, and we really loved it. In fact, the floorplan was actually quite similar, only your kitchen has waaaay more cabinets.

Here's what we learned from our apartment:
1. Use every inch of wall space that you can for storage-- shelves, hooks, plate racks, magnetic strips, etc.

2. Be willing to store stuff in strange places. We kept our extra linens in a kitchen cabinet.

3. Furniture that doubles as storage is a must. We used an old trunk for our coffee table, an antique dresser (with huge drawers) for our entertainment center, and storage ottomans for footstools/extra seating.

4. Store stuff under furniture-- flat Rubbermaid containers under the bed and couch, baskets under the coffee table or end tables, etc.

if the folks at the link below can put up with living together in a yurt, you can make the studio work! that place is huge and lovely!

here is the yurt couple:
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/15/garden/15buddhists.html?ref=garden

but think not only of the Buddhist 'yurtis' above. heaps of peoples all over the world make do with whole families in places the size of your apartment (or smaller).

it's so easy for us to forget such things. it's all a matter of perspective. and value.

i'll be moving into my new duplex..about 600sqft with 2 small dogs and 2 cats.. DOABLE.

I hate to be a downer, but I wouldn't do it. Students need to study at odd hours. It doesn't seem worth it to me. The only way I think this would work is if you sleep the same amount, watch the same TV and study at the same time. And yes, I live in NYC, and I think small is totally fine--but you need to be able to have a little bit of separate space.

I have a few placement suggestions that might sound very strange, and only you will be able to tell by measuring if they will work or not.

Full size bed, against the half-wall where the stove is. Your bathroom is located right off the kitchen, which is perfect. So you're close to the bathroom AND the kitchen, right from bed.

Use the space under the bed for your dresser, like this image (see previous image to see the whole bed):
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/small-spaces/strategies/smart-decorating-ideas-for-small-spaces/?page=5

You can buy under-bed storage too:
http://www.ultimatebed.com/

You turn that half-wall into your headboard. Looks like you have outlets on either side of the stove. So you can easily put in reading lamps, books, etc.

Looks like you have a ceiling mount exhaust fan for the stove. So that can help draw in fresh air, while the ceiling fan will help circulate it. You will love that ceiling fan on hot nights to keep you cool. And on low, it can be very effective at redistributing the heated air on cold days.

Your bed does not need to be near the windows, if you sleep at night. There's no view when you're sleeping because you're asleep. And it's usually dark at night. ;)

So save your window space for daytime. For your gathering areas. For your study areas.

Right at the base of your entry stairs, perhaps a corner unit, which you can use as your landing strip. It's the place where you'll both dump the daily stuff. Mail. Keys. Handbags or wallets. This one is set up for computers:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10059151

This smaller desk is not a corner unit, but might fit in that space, as well as providing enough space to slip a chair underneath:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/10115213

There's an add-on hutch you can consider too:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30115212

There's an indentation in that hutch on the doors, that I've always thought would be fun to customize. Sky's the limit. Mirror. Cork. Wallpaper. You could have a small canvas for each indentation and only a bit of velcro on the four corners, so you can redo the canvas with fabrics or paper whenever you want. So it's more like art, greeting people as they enter.

Using the cork on the inside of the corner unit or putting a bit on the inside of the hutch part, you can leave notes for yourself or your partner, without them being broadcast to any additional visitors or guests.

If you want to see what can be done with small spaces, this is an outstanding example of what can be done with only 150 sq ft. It houses a guest bed, a media center, a full-size desk, enough books to start a library, and the end table is also a dog bed...
http://www.bhg.com/decorating/room/home-office/four-in-one-home-office/

The way the companies, like at IKEA, are making storage these days, you can get a custom look via their modular systems.

YOU have to make the decisions on the rest. Starting off with eat, sleep, excrete, you have that covered with the kitchen, the bed near kitchen, and bathroom near both. Everyone gets mail and bills, so you need a spot for it.

Combine or change items to suit your needs. You can do a dining table as a desk, with room for both of you:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/00116265

And then put a bookshelf on one of the long sides:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/30117386

The bookshelf is taller than the table, so that it would block the view of the table from the door. And gives you a place to study and keep your books handy, without it looking like a bunch of desks.

As others have suggested, using a laptop means you COULD use that table for dining too. It's expandable, so that you can seat four even with the bookcase along one side.

Forget what they call various items, instead, think "What can I use this for?"

My partner and I live in a 530 sq ft condo with a dog, 2 cats, and 2 guinea pigs. You guys will totally be fine. Here are some suggestions/advice.

- Think about using glass/acrylic furniture so that it keeps the apartment light and airy.
- when thinking of storage, take advantage of height and under the bed storage. Because you have nice high coffured ceilings, you might want to think about raising the bed by building a platform bed that has built in storage. It will also help define the bedroom area.
- the most important thing to do is make it your home since you'll be there for a couple of years.
- Our bedroom doesn't have a door so we've used a shutter divider that we got at Pier 1 and it works great.

As long as you both get along and love sharing your space then it'll work out just fine!

Goodluck.

That studio space looks lovely - I especially like the big kitchen and high ceilings! I think Fiona has a valid point about the TV, but if you're both students, maybe you'll have similar working hours. I'm a student but my boyfriend works and when I stay over at his studio (~525 ft), him watching TV does bother me sometimes. Were there any 1 bedrooms like it available?

If you don't mind sharing, how did you find the studio and what area is it in? My boyfriend and I are in a similar situation (minus the cat) and I'd really appreciate any tips on where to start looking. :)

um, I'd have to say no. It's not about sq. feet, you'd be better off with a smaller one bedroom and the added privacy.
the most important question to ask is how long you've been together... if it's less than a year and you're at the "we-spend-every-night-together-so-we-might-as-well-move-in" stage of your relationship, definitely don't do it.
if one of you is a light sleeper, tends to be more moody than the other, or if you vary a lot in how tidy you are, also think about it seriously, and try to be realistic about issues that may come up.
keeping a studio uncluttered and feeling nice is a time consuming project, and invariably one of you is going to be more disciplined about it than the other, leading to unnecessary conflict.
If you are in college I'll let myself assume that it's the first time you will be living with a partner and there are enough challenges getting used to that without the studio-challenge (being lovers, best friends, roommates, study-buddies, etc.)
I think it's a bit irresponsible for some of the above to tell you "it'll work out just fine"... without knowing you.
after you've lived in a one bedroom for a while and you know one another's habits and quirks I would say try a loft or "upgrading" to a studio in a better neighborhood etc.
I feel like such a skeptic, but I really do believe that in order to preserve all the beautiful things that you have you need some separateness. at least a door.

You COULD, but that doesn't mean I WOULD. Are you in Chicago? A few more details about the location and your budget would be uber-helpful. If you are in Chicago, I'd really, really recommend doing a little more investigating (not to sound all motherly, but it's true). I ended up moving from a 555 sq ft apartment into one nearly twice that size in a different neighborhood for less money (an a much prettier apartment, too--hardwoods, recessed lights, choice neighborhood, etc.). I also saved some money by not living in the throes of Wicker Park, living a bit away from it all (but actually in what I think is a better neighborhood for me--closer to the transportation I want, a little quieter, cheaper grocery stores, etc.). If this IS in Chicago, this place looks like it could be anywhere (Bucktown, Lincoln Park, Pilsen), and I really think you could find something that is still really lovely and well-designed (maybe not those rich floors and stainless, but still hardwoods and good light) that's bigger for the same price.

FWIW, I could have lived in my 555 sq ft place with my boyfriend, but having that separate bedroom was imperative for me, I think. If we had a disagreement, I could go decompress; if I couldn't sleep, I could go watch a little TV or go internetting without waking him; if I came home late, I wasn't causing a ruckus. It definitely depends on your sleep schedules, personalities, independence needs, etc., but that space would be a little claustrophobic for me a boy, if I had a choice. Especially given that you're students, I think having a door you can close off to get a last-minute project done while your partner gets some much-needed Zzzs would be invaluable.

Ha! I've seen that studio on the Milwaukee Craigslist. I want it soooo bad but it's out of my price range! Good luck!

My husband and I have lived in about 250 sq. feet for about 20 years and our only built-in storage space is one closet. We have a queen-size bed and a treadmill. The space is not cluttered, but things can feel cramped to those who aren't accustomed to close quarters.

The layout of the space and the furniture choices you make are paramount. You also have to not be messy as anything you do will create an instant mess that will feel as if it is taking over the whole place. That means doing dishes right away, putting stuff away, and not letting your laundry get out of hand.

I think 500 sq. feet is more than enough for 2 adults as long as you both aren't collectors or clothes horses.

I think you can make it work if you love the space. Having recently gone through an extensive apt search in NYC, I saw 1-2 bedroom places with the same square footage. My boyfriend and I (along with our pup) are moving from an 1100 s.f home with a huge backyard in Michigan to a much smaller apt and are doing the whole downsizing, getting rid of things we don't need process too. The only thing I'm not sure I could do personally is a studio.

I HIGHLY recommend the alsarp bed base from Ikea... it lifts up (with those hinges that go "pssshhhht" like a hatchback on a car or minivan) and holds itself up until you lower it and gives you sooooo much additional storage space. It's where we keep off season clothes and bedding (spacebags are your friends) and everything Christmas related and three huge boxes of photos I will someday scan. Just try to picture how much space is sitting empty inside of a tallish box spring... it holds a lot and looks fairly nice too... basic white canvas-y cover. But, make sure the cat is out before you close it! :) it isn't on their website in the states but is in stores... our queen was $300. My kids are each getting a smaller version soon (to banish insane quantities of stuffed animals we aren't allowed to get rid of, among other things). You can see it on the UK Ikea site.
http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/catalog/products/00098884

I would also suggest making sure your cat has some special hide-y places to run behind/in/up to if she/he choses when company comes or when she/he is just sick of you. :) You can share a space that small with a HAPPY cat. Keep cat HAPPY. Quite crucial to the plan. Don't forget, you guys can go out for dinner when things feel too small... not so much for the cat.

The funny thing about such a pristine space being a rental is that it almost looks like you should buy everything NEW, so it fits in with the space. I've never lived in anything quite that new-looking.

But the answer is ... yes, you can live in that space, as you see from other people's answers. But seriously, I would consider a Murphy bed, because it will give you MILES of extra space every minute that you're not using it, and will look like an enormous living room, instead of an awkward bedroom-ish space.

You guys are college students and worried about two people sharing this awesome space? When I was in college, I remember sharing dorm rooms with virtual strangers that had half the space, cinder block walls and no kitchen.

The space will be great for a living room and bedroom... it's bigger than my 1 bedroom now and I have more than enough space.

As for the space with 2 college students, you have a couple of options:
You can get into the same pattern of sleep and studying... you can use it as motivation to go to bed at a decent time so you don't have to worry about studying all night and keeping your boyfriend awake, you can locate a coffee shop that stays open late (even if it's a 24 hr dunkin donuts) so you don't have to worry about keeping each other up on nights you really need to cram, or you can get those bose headphones and a bunch of booklights. I would be hesitant to give up the ability to just leave a room and close the door behind me, but I know tons of couples who live in studios and make it work... you just have to be adaptable.

After researching loft beds and murphy beds, I think the storage bed is a really good way to go. In particular, I love west elm's despite the nearly 1 month rent cost (I think it'll be my christmas/b-day gift from my parents). The expedit bookcase is something I've seen in a lot of studios and I have it myself... you can fit an enormous amount of books in it (it's thick enough that you can have 2 rows of books per cube), it's excellent for storage (Ikea has a bunch of bins and doors for it) and it makes a really good room divider.

My husband, two cats and I live in a 500sf 1-bedroom and we haven't gone crazy. We're lucky enough to have a separate sleeping space, but I think you could block off a sleeping area in any studio. It would help to see a floorplan, since those two pictures are very small and don't seem to look like 500sf of space.

PLEASE READ.

1. there are tables that can go up and down to funtion as dining/work surface down to coffee table.

That one's actually true, but a desk (with doors) would give you a better solution for extra storage AND I hope you don't try eating spaghetti right on your couch.


2. Always go up with storage, art, anything.

Art, always at eye level. Storage would be really helpful going up, but if you're going to need special installations, ladders to go up there, and if you've THAT much stuff to storage, then it's not going to be used. It's better and easier for you to edit what you own so there's a place for everything without resorting to the vertical pack-rat plan.


3. Also...mirrors reflect light...and help with making rooms appear bigger

Mirrors reflect EVERYTHING, including clutter (making it look even more cluttered) and a mirror house might appear bigger but it's not necessarily comfortable. in 500sf nicely placed mirror (not wall sized, lol) with an attractive frame, and a full body mirror on a door (bathroom, closet, etc.) should do the trick. More than that and it'll start to look like a fun house.


4. Dark colored walls will make a space seem smaller. If you like dark...just do an accent wall. Or better yet use fabrics and art....stuff you can take with you to decorate in color.

LIE! LIE!!!! BIG FAT NASTY LIE! Dark colored mate paint, specially the closer you get to black makes the walls virtually dissapear, shadows, corners and all. It'll make your place look depressing, you'll waste a lot of money trying to light it up and overall it's bad feng shui, but it'll make it feel HUGE. If you want to take advantage of color, pattern detail and softening your colors is of more concern. A house with 1000 things, all different colors will look smaller than one with 1000 things, 800 hidden (tall shallow wardrobe will do wonders for you) or the same color, 195 a beautiful color of choice and 5 accent pieces.

good luck
5. My bf and I always went to goodwill stores for cheapy furniture...very eco friendly to reuse furniture.

IT'S ALL A TRADE-OFF.

Make sure you get your money's worth EVERY time. That includes storage space, which ultimately is costing your every month via rent. The problem with getting older stuff is that usually it's BIG. A flat screen tv might feel like a HUGE waste of re$ources, but it'll save a LOT of sq.ftage. (nowadays, they sell high-quality $600 32in ones, and they double as a monitor) Moving all your media (including movies) to a hardrive (hooked up to a Pop Corn Hour or similar Media Tank) will do the same thing. I assume you've a laptop instead of a desktop, if not, going lap might be a HUGE space saver. Going wireless might affect your internet speed, but it's worth it when you're free to move around without cables, and whenever you need REAL speed, just conceal the cables onto a docking station.


Placing a sheer curtain between your bed and everything else will give it a feeling of privacy without robbing much space visually. But really... it's all about your personal taste. You (or your cat) might HATE curtains, beige or no places to hide.

Your place looks great with HUGE potential, so I hope you manage to make the best of it. :)

One would think that on a limited (college age) budget - that it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to buy specialized furniture (mulitfunction table - inventive storage - those things are usually quite pricey) to make living in a cramped space do-able. Just find a bigger space.

As a midwesterner raised on wide open spaces it hard for me to wrap my head around buying so much expensive stuff in order to make a small space work. Save your money and get a bigger space.

and rethink living with your boyfriend at such a young age.
= disaster.

It's a beautiful space! My fiance and I have lived in tiny places as well, along with our two cats. We lived in about 550 sq. ft. in brooklyn for years. I wanted to second the headphones comment. He has wireless headphones from sony that he got for about $50. They are great and he puts them on whenever he's watching tv and I want to read or sleep. It really helps!! I also second the cat box under the stairs idea. Unless there's room somewhere in the bathroom? and with those awesome ceilings i would totally look into making a kitty crawl/play space. there are lots of examples of that on AT.

good luck!

I would suggest looking into a very simplified way of furnishing, something like traditional Japanese homes. There isn't a lot of furniture, you sleep on futons (not our kind, these are like big duvets) that lie on tatami mats (the mats are padded so you're not just sleeping on the floor) and you roll up the futon during the day and stow it in a cupboard. It's like "instant bedroom" when you need it.

Thank you for all your help! We have been together for almost 4 years (we are actually not that young - we are non-traditional college students) and have lived together for 2 years already. Although the space was beautiful, it ended up just not being practical. We are both students, and the place was actually smaller than it appears. Like someone said before, we would have had to ditch all the furniture we have, and buy new stuff - and that is just not do-able on our budget right now. If anyone is interested I found this place on Craigslist Milwaukee and it is a really nice place in Walker's Point! So by-all means take it if you can make it work for you! The landlord was also very nice!

I feel compelled to add more to my previous post! I did not mean to imply that the main reason we did not take the space is only because it is small. We actually would prefer to live in a smaller, more organized space, than something huge with filler items. This website (and its members) has shown us living in small spaces is really doable and cool.

But the space of this studio was just too akward for two people and a cat. Like someone previously said, the kitchen took up WAY too much of the sq. footage. The landlord is a professional photographer, and he is obviously very good at his craft, because the pictures of the apartment look much bigger than what it really is. They wanted 25$ extra a month for a cat! I thought that was very overpriced for our city, especially when it was a studio space. Our cat would have had no where to hide, and would have been confined to a small one room area. It also only had one very small closet, and then a loft attic for storage. Not very practical.

This space would be PERFECT for a single man or woman though, and so if you are in the Milwaukee area, and that description fits you, check it out!

i can't find the craigslist link for it anymore! I'd love to check it out if only I could find the phone number.