apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Sparkle, your kitchen is worthy of a food goddess. I love what you've done there and how clean and uncluttered it looks/ feels.

That being said, I find your living space a little disturbing from a feng shui viewpoint. One of the major problems I see here is the bed head up against a closed door...if this is a non-functioning "door to nowhere" then perhaps you could do something to disguise it.

If you plan to be here long term (two years or more), I'd suggest trading in the bed and freeing up your space for a very good sleeper sofa. "American Leather" makes one with a special patented no-metal system---it's one of the most comfy mattresses I've ever slept on---but they are a bit pricey (think of it as a piece you'll have for a lifetime, or, look for something similar at a price you're willing to pay).

Love your cat!
Katy
http://fengshuibyfishgirl.com

You have one of the nicest kitchens posted....but it may be helpful if you looked at the furniture layout at some of the others to get a fresh idea on how to place yours. These small spaces are really a challenge in order to get everything sorted out.

Why are you blocking off a door? If it's unusable, at least cover it somehow. This is not getting my vote - too cluttered and not original.

love the kitchen

The angles and areas you chose to photograph are odd. For ex., in the first photo, it's as if you were kneeling behind the couch, so the first thing the viewer sees is clutter. And why focus on the towels, deodorant and other stuff that should be hidden away when showing your bathroom?

Your kitchen is indeed the best feature of the place. I am curious to know what's behind the door that is behind your bed.

Thank you for sharing your space, Sparkle! It's cozy and looks like a real home. :) Can you please share where you got your adorable gray/yellow duvet (or comforter)? I love it!

Good luck!

I'm sorry but this to me is a perfect example of how NOT to live in a small space!

What's with the world's largest sofa and a double bed - in a space this size you can really only fit one or the other. You should either get rid of both and get a sofabed, or get rid of the sofa and replace with a single reasonably sized easy chair.

If you're so short of storage why are you using those ladder shelves and ladder desk, that give the least amount useable storage possible while still technically being shelves. And are they two side tables pushed together at the side of the couch being used as a place to dump books? There are many many better options for this spot. And for under the window, where that dark bookshelf is way to heavy looking for the space.

I recognise your bathroom storage unit as an Ikea unit - it provides a lot of storage in a tight space, but it also comes with a variety of (inexpensive) doors to hide that clutter, and if you chose a high-gloss or mirror door would make the bathroom feel bigger too.

And you should make the bed! I lived in a tiny space and no matter what you do the bed is always going to take up a huge proportion of the room, so it needs to look good.

Also, in a small space art on the walls can draw the eye and make it look bigger - so why does the wall to the right of the blocked door only have one picture, way off to the side and part hidden by a lamp?

Sorry, big thumbs down from me (and if that were an option I'd click it). Maybe you can learn something from the other entries and put some actual sparkle into this place.

I like the lived in look. So many entries look unnaturally tidy especially in small space living.

Wow some of you are Ikea freaks - LOL - the storage piece in the closet really just looks like a normal bookcase. My mother-in-law has one like it she got at Walmart.

If you live in a small space and you want to feel comfy in it, you are going to have it more cleaned up than this. Since only one lives here, I really don't understand why not store the bed somewhere and get a sleeper sofa. They could gain a living room.

I totally agree with idontdobeige; I thought these were the "before the cure" photos. Also agree about not blocking the door; very bad feng shui, but just bad in general. Could also do with some major tidying up. Sorry, but this place needs a lot of work.

Ok negative nellies, while I see where you're coming from with furniture placement (it is rather awkward) there are definitely some good things about this home. The kitchen is beautiful, gorgeous counter tops/backsplash/cabinet pulls = envy! I love the wall colour, it's neutral and serene. There are also some great accent pieces, like the yellow lamp, and what an awesome ceiling fan! I think this place has really good potential, the floorplan and furniture placement just need a bit of work. In such a small space there really does need to be that feeling of "openness" and placing the couch/bed against each other with the desk squished in behind really feels kind of claustrophobic. Maybe a murphy bed would be perfect in this situation?

Not everyone believes in feng shui get over it.

Now for some help. I would move the bed (vertical)to the wall where the door is and if possible place your couch where you now have the bed that should open up some space. Then find a really nice window covering to hid the door. I'm like you and have a unused door in my small space which I cover with a banner.

If you are like me I hate sofa beds so if you want to keep your large bed think of getting a love seat or an over sized chair and a couple of desk like chairs for guest.

The best thing to do is to spend a weekend moving things around. In the end its what pleases you. Good luck.

It does seem cheerful enough, but its messy. And random. Like a dorm room. Trying to think positive here...it has a CAREFREE vibe. Yeah.

Sorry I get them mixed up I ment Horizontal.

Most of the 'tiny' rooms posts are beautiful, but seem a little easy. I think the shape of the room is really where the challenge comes into play. Having a square shaped room is probably the hardest to live in. So, though I don't think this post is the best looking, I think it is the most realistic. Give the girl some love and help, not everyone has the perfectly shaped studio apartment and $4000 to shell out on custom cabinets/storage.

I've always found my 'living space' to have too many (unused) doors. Through years of rearranging rooms, I've come to the conclusion that you MUST cover the door with something (the room will never look/feel right if you half cover the door with a bed).

I have white walls so a cheap white sheet tacked up around the door frame and then my dresser/vanity mirror in front actually does a good job at hiding the door. Some other suggestion would be a book case, large painting or a large mirror (this one from IKEA is huge and can lean up against your door to hide it. http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/50038213)

Also, I know you love all your furniture, but if you need to live in a small place, you may need to face reality and give up your couch....(let a friend/family member borrow it if your really attached to it, when you move into a larger place you can get it back). When I first moved into my studio, I insisted that all my furniture from my last apartment would fit. The first night in my new place reality set in and half of the furniture went out to the side of the road with a 'free' sign on it. I'm now beginning to invest in 'smart' furniture that has multiple uses.

I seldom post negative comments. The upside, the Kitchen is nice. But the rest of the apartment leaves me baffled. I can't imagine that this was selected as a well-designed space. It is so messy, I am nervous looking as it. There is no flow. Why block a door?

I guess it works for you. But hardly worthy of an Apartment Therapy Post. I guess I am a bit "Old Fashioned". You know people are going to see your place, can't you atleast tidy up a bit.

Sorry to have been negative, but I am truly confused by this selection.

You have definitely put some style into your home! Have you ever considered making a bedroom of your kitchen?

If these pictures had been posted as part of a "Help me decide what to do with my space" post I would have responded differently (well, the same but in a different tone).

However these pictures were entered in a "Small Cool CONTEST".

Having lived in an almost totally square room, I know how difficult it is to arrange furniture in that kind od space, fortunately for me, I had made the wise decision to go the fold up futon route on a metal frame that simly slid down to reveal a double bed across it's total length, worked well when in a studio apartment who's main space was 14.5x15Ft w/ 2 large double hung sash windows on the East facing wall. I did have a "door" it was part of the murphy bed that no longer existed as the mechinism was taken out and the door simply rotated in the middle to reveal the former bed which then dropped down. I was lucky that the closet was a walk in and w/ the old bed gone, had space to place my dresser inside so that helped w/ the furniture arrangement.

That said, while the furniture was a mish-mash of stuff I had at the time, it was not crowded and I even had a small maple drop leaf table by the kitchen door near one corner and the sole radiator for the space and it made for a nice dining spot.

Here, I see 2 large pieces of furniture that are squished together and the desk and a tiny access spot to the side of the bed, or do you access the bed from the foot? The shelves you have in the space, while nice don't seem to hold much and while you have a fantastic kitchen and bath, I find the main room lacking cohesion and order and if this was a cure, I don't see it unless the kitchen and bath were it. The biggest thing here is clutter and a lack of any major color outside of what's on the duvet and the orange lamp.

The walls are too neutral w/out anything else to bring life to the space.

That said, I would love to have your kitchen and with a rethinking of the space, this could be a super cute, fun apartment.

I don't care what others say. Your cat is fabulous. Now go tidy up.

I love your bright airy front door and window treatments and your kitchen, and your random pops of yellow everywhere! But the giant couch (is it actually a chaise? It doesn't look like it has a back) confuses me. Is it pointing at the front door? Do you have a TV wardrobe or some place I can't see?
Also you say you have a lack of storage, with your awesome molding high on the wall could you get some floating Lack shelves or something to put up there? That would give you some more room for books, DVD's and things you don't use everyday. The apartment is super cute!

Thanks for the comments, everyone! I don't mind the negative comments, I understand not everyone is going to see things in the same light as others. And it's nice to see other people's perspectives, even if it may come across as crass (I'm rather sarcastic and harsh myself, so I can take it).

I know my apartment isn't perfect and I know there are a bazillion ways I could make it better, but I unfortunately do not have the luxury of trashing my current belongings and running out to buy a murphy bed, or a sleeper sofa, and custom shelving. I have to work with what I have.

To answer a few questions:
My duvet cover is from BlissLiving Home.

Yes, I actually have considered moving my bedroom into the kitchen! Unfortunately it wouldn't really work unless I gutted the kitchen, which I will never do in my entire life because I love my kitchen.

I blocked the door because there's nothing behind it (just the crawlspace under my neighbor's stairs). I could have tacked up some fabric but then I would have just gotten the "it looks like you just tacked up some fabric" comments. :)

I too, have to put my bed in front of a door. There is a small closet behind the door, so I kept the door open, and placed my bed right in front of it. And, I made sure the "closet" became a little arty area where I store my knitting items, wrapping paper, and added some decorative vases. Take a look at the crawlspace and see if you can revive it. Keep the door open and maybe add some art work on the door to make seem to be another piece of wall. I see lots of potential in your place. Good luck! =)

I agree that your kitchen is really super for the teen-tiny space category. Seems to have ton of storage too. What is the backsplash?

pier723, I thought about removing the door and just keeping it open, but it's not a finished crawlspace and it's very cold/drafty in there (think unfinished basement) and I don't really want to confront any creepy crawlies that my have a home in there. :)

quiltmaster, my kitchen is ridiculously large in relation to the overall size of the apartment. The backsplash is travertine tiles. I have the same type of tiles (just larger scale) in my bathroom. The owners of this house did an absolutely phenomenal job remodeling everything.

want...to... rearrange... furniture so bad! Slide the bed towards the front door or turn it counterclockwise up against the other wall. It's hurting my brain the way the couch and bed and door are all touching. It's like a bad game of tetris gone awry.

Crawl space under the stairs? Sounds like possible storage space to me.

I know you said you aren't able to replace the furniture for the time being, but for the future, you might consider getting a loft-style bed that you can put your couch underneath (has anyone mentioned this already?) Might make it hard for Peppermint to get on and off the bed, though, unless you have some sort of cat-friendly ladder. And I'm not sure if they make them to accommodate full- or queen-sized mattresses.

I think it's a cute place. It's just that the bed and sofa are competing for space and neither one is winning.

I love your kitchen and the yellow lamp.

I think the sleeping area is a great use of space. You have a cozy little nook in an open room, then a big sofa as well. For me, no matter how small the space, I would want an actual bed and couch- I could forget the desk and dining room table, as long as I had those things!

And you have a sweet kitty! :)

You don't necessarily have to rid your furniture - borrow it out to friends who have bigger spaces or even store some. But you're not gonna get many positive comments until you either remove the bed or the couch - you gotta choose.

There's a lot to like -- I like the open shelving, and the openness of the white table, both work well in a smaller space, they don't seem as visually heavy since they are open. I love the yellow lamp and the row of pictures above your bed. You were lucky to find something in this size with such a great kitchen!

Listen, I'm sure after reading all these comments you're in a big hurry to throw everything out and start over because obviously you've got a lot of nerve etc. etc. So, can I, like, have your yellow lamp?

love ya!

Sparkle, I think it is amazing! 280 sq feet! Thank you so much for being an inspiration!

Elaine in Kansas
1000 sq feet (that looks NOWHERE near as good as this!)

I can't believe people complain about "unnaturally tidy" in contest photos! If you can't straighten things up to win a contest, when can you?

i agree with what some others have said here about spinning that bed around, i think that would look great. something i did in a very small space was suspend some gauzey white fabric from the ceiling to conceal half of the bed, it felt very open but felt like a sleeping nook. this kitchen is wonderful! that is one of the first things i was thinking--wow, this would be the perfect set-up for someone who loves to cook. especially with all of that CA goodness at your farmer's markets!

I love the colors in your house! So cheerful but not headache-inducing in its brightness. And that lamp in your living room is gorgeous.

I understand wanting your favorite room to be larger. My bedroom is ridiculously large considering the teeniness of my livingroom/kitchen (yeah, I don't even have a real kitchen) but I love having a nice bedroom to "escape" to. You have a pick a home that has what makes *you* happy.

The furniture arrangement does put me off a bit. I understand not being able to get rid of stuff and buy new (trust me, I can't afford any new furniture, not even Ikea) but rearranging can do wonders. I just know that I personally couldn't handle a couch right next to the bed, and it does look a little funky. Maybe you could try setting off a "sleeping nook" with some white gauzy fabric like universal mod said, or one of my friends scrapped the couch alltogether and just put pillows horizontally on her bed so it acts like a couch and that opened up a TON of room. Just a thought.

In the end, it's what makes you comfortable and happy. Your place is very sweet.

PS: to those who said she had too much clutter on her bathroom shelving area, take a look at how well she's grouped/arranged it. And you know what? Putting away everything you use for pictures is silly. To me, it doesn't look like clutter, it just looks like someone LIVES there. Because, you know, someone does. And some spaces are small enough that it's not practical to tuck everything away.

~Amanda

Thanks Amanda. :)

I actually took everyone's advice and decided to rearrange my furniture (regardless of the fact that my floor planning told me nothing else would work) and it seriously like a million times better now. I was planning on rearranging before I submitted but I had absolutely no time. If only the entry due date was THIS Monday instead of last. :)

RE: "Not everyone believes in feng shui get over it."

I'd just like to shed some light on the practice of feng shui. There's a lot of misinformation about feng shui out there and many people think it is a superstition or a religion or black magic. It's none of these things. Many --if not all-- feng shui principles are based originally on practical Common Sense. For instance, the reason something blocking a door is not good feng shui is because it represents blocking an exit which would mean trapping you inside a space...subliminally the blocked door in this case, even though it is a closet door, it gives you that sense of being trapped.

Likewise, the position of your stove is of most importance in feng shui because back in the day, fire was carefully guarded and if you let your guard down, someone could come into your cave and steal your fire and it wasn't always so easy to light a new one. Same with the Command Position for both bed and desk---the best position allows one to see the entry door so you won't be surprised by someone entering your personal space (whether it's a home invader or the boss looking over your shoulder while you're playing poker online).

What happens is these feng shui rules have been handed down often without explanation as to why they exist so sometimes they don't make sense unless you know the reasoning behind them. Several of the posters expressed how simply looking at the photos made them claustrophobic or nervous. They didn't mention anything about feng shui but that is a classic way to know if a room has good feng shui or doesn't.

Sparkle, I can't quite tell from photos or floor plans which is the entry door to the apartment and which is the closet door? I'm glad you rearranged the room and I for one would love to see photos of what you did. I would also suggest if you keep the bed, why not make it look like a "day bed" / sofa like AT has recently shown elsewhere. No need to buy a new bed frame. You can just put a few support bolsters at the wall and then add on tons of cheerful pillows so you can sit in it to watch tv etc if guests come over.
Namaste,
Katy
http://fengshuibyfishgirl.com

fishgirl - Feng Shui isn't really like that. Mostly because how is someone going to steal FIRE? LOL - they might remove one piece of wood that is also on fire but then both of you would have had fire, which is just an improvement. Or they could have put it out - but I would like to think we were even smart enough then to remember how we made a fire.

I also never like to post negative comments - but I don't understand why this is on here. Couldn't you even make your bed nicely before you took pictures? The layout of everything stresses me out - I thought AT had higher standards than this.

@ChrisGal,
Imagine ancient times. Imagine you didn't have flint in your neighborhood and it was very very precious and had to be traded from faraway places. Now imagine a warring tribe coming to your village or cave and dousing out your fire and stealing your flint along with everything else. Either way, stealing your fire = stealing your Qi (energy). Even if you remembered how to start a fire, without your firemaking flint or other tools, it may put you at a disadvantage for awhile. Anyway, the concept is that you protect yourself from home invaders. One of my Taiwanese master feng shui teachers taught me this 26 years ago. It resonates with me.
:)
Katy
http://fengshuibyfishgirl.com

The furniture is too much and too large. You have to work within your means which means sacrificing a little. It also appears cluttered.

In case anyone is curious, I made changes to my place. I meant to make them before I entered the Small Cool contest but I was pressed for time.
You can see the changes on my flickr.

where did you get the bedding? - i really like it!

jade3226, the bedding is from Blissliving Home.