Good Questions: How Should I Layout My Apt?

Hello AT,

My name is Jen. I will be entering my senior year at Ohio University as a journalism student in the fall. I recently signed a lease for next year with my boyfriend (who will be a International Relations graduate student) for an apartment (see attached document for apt layout specs)...

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It is a fairly small space and I am curious to see what advice I could receive on what key pieces I would need to hunt down to put in the space and what would be the best way to arrange the space to maximize its utility. Any suggestions/creative ideas are appreciated!

Being college students we are on a budget but don't want to sacrifice style too much.

Thanks! -Jen E.

Dear Jen,

You've got plenty of room! Pardon our shaky photoshop drawing, but we've sketched in what seems to us a good first pass for the space. Assuming you'll do much of your work in the library, you can have a nice living room and a small dining area if your furniture isn't too big.

Take a look at this and if you write in more specific questions, perhaps we'll be able to answer them in more detail.

Best, Maxwell

Comments (2)

Furnish it cheaply for now - you can get awesome stuff off of craigslist cheap. You must have wonderful luck to get that big of place in NY - you basically can use normal furniture everywhere and shouldn't have a problem with space.

I would say don't get over a dining table for four and then place it near the kitchen where a dining table should be. You already got a breakfast bar area - just let it be used as a buffet or place to store collections.

Please use the alcove in the living room to place one large desk - it could very well be used as the main study area in the apartment. Other than the desk, you probably shouldn't add more than maybe a loveseat and one or two sitting chairs - plus a tv stand - as major pieces of furniture. If you don't have an overlight in the main room, I would recommend a minimum of three lamps (and maybe even a small desk lamp in the alcove).

For the bedroom, keep it simple - bed, two nightstands with each having their own light (it's wonderful for couples at night), etc. If you need extra clothes storage, a nice armoire/wardrobe on the wall joining the living room would be good. Depending on how simple you want to keep it, you might possibly be able to fit a small reading chair in there.

I see three closets at least - possibly you could convert one into a small office...would let both of you have your own personal desk area.