- Name:
- Nicole
- Location:
- Raleigh, NC
- Square Feet:
- 306
- Division:
- Teeny-Tiny
- What I Love About My Small Home:
- I love how my tiny 306 sqft studio apartment influences my life daily. I'm a young architect, so this studio inspires how I think about space. From the huge windows to the custom built-ins, every part of my apartment feels intentional and perfect. It makes me so happy!
WINDOWS: The large operable windows really make the space. There are three windows in the main space and one in the bathroom -- it's more than enough light to keep my studio naturally lit during the day. The west sun glowing through my translucent curtains makes me smile when I return home in the afternoon, especially when there’s a breeze!
STORAGE: The amount of built-in storage is incredible. With a closet/shelf/built-in nook just outside the bathroom, and a hook/shelf/pantry combo at the entry, there is plenty of space to store or display my items. I even converted a former closet into a bed nook, which helps open the living space while providing a place to display photos and art.
- Biggest Challenge of Living in a Small Space
- In a space as small as my studio, decorating is quite a challenge, as it can quickly overwhelm the space. I kept my furniture selection as petite and simple as possible. My green mini sofa was the perfect yard sale find, and definitely my favorite item in my apartment. I found my table with expanding leaves on craigslist and lightened it up with turquoise paint. The subtly colored antique bedroom set creates a cohesive look. This combination of furniture adds character and keeps my space feeling open and bright. Then the rest is up to the fun details –- mini cacti and succulents, year-round Christmas lights around cabinets and windows, CityFabric artwork of Prague and Raleigh, hand-screened dishtowels, and an old window on my desk displaying postcards.
Categories:
Style,
Main,
2012,
Small Cool,
Small Spaces
Like this Small Cool 2012 contest entry? Favorite it below!
Smart & Simple Small Space Solution: Angela & Tania's "Murphy Table"
Monica & Austin's Charming Bungalow
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Ercol Bar Stool
Why I Became a 1-Gallon Homebrewer
True Greek Recipe: Paximadi Bread Salad with Tomatoes, Feta and Capers
I love this place...really fresh and clean and so little clutter! I love the little nook for the bed...is it a murphy bed? That wall of windows is amazing and makes the space feel so much bigger than 306 sf! Well done!
not a murphy. the bed is parked in the closet. nice floorplan. i think i'd put the settee at the foot of the bed though.
Yes, I agree with LadyJ that the furniture arrangement is a tad off, but fixing that would take 2 minutes. I could live, I would live there.
This is done up really well for its size! I'm in the same city - in what part of town are these lovely gems of apartments located?
The addition of a rug might really help bring things together.
Is it my eyes or are the curtains too short for the windows? Anyway, I like it, and I can imagine how fun it is to live here.
Curtains are way too short for the window, it would add height to have floor to ceiling curtains. One of my pet peeves is to have furniture only against the walls. It would be so much more open and "airy" with a new furniture placement. Furniture against the walls reminds me of communist country apartments. No offense.
"The addition of a rug might really help bring things together."
EXACTLY my thought, for the area in front of the couch.
I really like the branch over the bed too.
Again with the split screens....by next year entries will probably be squeezing 3 images into one....
I agree, great space but not the best furniture arrangement. That tufted sofa is amazing.
love the space, love the storage but it seems lacking in design and style. The walls and floor seem to have been ignored with no rugs nor colour on the walls.
Love this sofa.
Thanks for the comments!
@gigi5555 It use to be a murphey bed when the building was first built in the 50's. Now it's just a closet, but I turned it into a "bed nook" to save some floor space.
@ladyJ I'll give a try to moving the sofa. Thanks for the idea.
@usbekdeperse thanks!!
@ohmydarlin Yay Raleighites! I'm near Broughton High School, right above a dentist office. Perfect location for walkability - yeah @WalkRaleigh! Where are you?
@aurorava Totally agree. Rug selection is crucial.. and I just haven't found the perfect one yet :)
@betterbombshell YES! Hahah the curtains are too short. I'll prob just lower the hem b/c the light quality is outstanding.
@jewells Good points, but there is soooo little space that I don't have much of a choice. pushing furniture to the walls actually really helps the space feel more open. But I'm going to play with the sofa placement for sure.
@blandwagon The twig sculpture was a handmade present from my boyfriend! Rhododendron branches and yarn spun in Asheville, NC. I love it too :)
@designgratislondon hooray for split screens! the sofa was a yard sale steal for only $100
@indigosailor A rug is on my to do list! And paint is quite the undertaking with a rental... but considering it.
@alainnotebook THANKS! (me too)
And winner of the best couch award goes to THIS one!