Despite Being Just 250 Square Feet, This NYC Studio Is Overflowing with Cute Decor
Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
For more than 10 years, I've led Apartment Therapy's real home content, producing thousands of house tours from around the world. Currently, I live in my maximalist dream home in New Orleans, Louisiana, with my partner, a perfect dog, and a cute cat.
published Oct 2, 2025

Despite Being Just 250 Square Feet, This NYC Studio Is Overflowing with Cute Decor

Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director
For more than 10 years, I've led Apartment Therapy's real home content, producing thousands of house tours from around the world. Currently, I live in my maximalist dream home in New Orleans, Louisiana, with my partner, a perfect dog, and a cute cat.
published Oct 2, 2025
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About this tour
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Home Type

Studio Apartment

Location

Upper East Side, Manhattan, New York

Style

Minimal

Scandinavian

Bedrooms

0

Square feet

250

Sq ft

250

Product designer Hee Yeon Hwang says she’s always thinking about solutions to improve her tiny living space, which is this 250-square-foot studio apartment on the Upper East Side she’s rented for three years and shares with her dog, Doo Yoo.

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Credit: Hee Yeon Hwang
The crocheted tissue covers that mimic frosted cakes were a DIY! "I've also handmade a lot of the planters, trinket dishes, ring holders, and mugs through my ceramics classes."

“Because I live in such a small space, I tried to maximize all the wall space as well as dividing up the space,” she writes. “Working from home, it was important to love how my tiny studio looked because I spent most of my days in it.”

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Credit: Hee Yeon Hwang

She describes the space before she moved in as “bare and cold.” But after decorating, it’s a bright space with pastel colors that’s filled with things she adores. “I love color, art, and trinkets, so it’s reflected boldly in my home. My favorite colors are lavender and green, so that ended up being the main color palette for my home, but I added accent colors like yellow and sky blue in the same pastel hue to bring them together.”

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Credit: Hee Yeon Hwang
"The high ceilings and the bring south-facing window with the view of the tree-lined streets make the space feel bigger than it is," she writes of her small space.

“I love collecting trinkets and blind boxes so it’s fun seeing my collection being displayed around. As a Korean American I like the K-pop groups such as NewJeans and Red Velvet, so I have some of their albums displayed as well,” she continues.

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Resources

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Credit: Hee Yeon Hwang

MAIN LIVING AREA

  • Shelf, Standing Lamp, Bed, Couch, Side Table, Desk, and the Lavender Bedding, Vanity, Under-Desk Storage, Chairs — IKEA
  • Rug — Justina Blakeney x Loloi Buena Onda Bue
  • Daisy Pouf — Urban Outfitters
  • White Circle Pouf — Target
  • Green Bedding and Pillowcase — Target
  • Shelves — Amazon
  • Lamp — Urban Outfitters
  • Big Pillow — Muji
  • Yellow Throw Pillow — Urban Outfitters
  • Mirror — Gustaf Westman
  • Watch Necklaces — @BySweatyPigeon on Instagram
  • Glass Bowls and Dishware on Shelves — Lucie Kaas
  • Desk Chair — Branch
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Credit: Hee Yeon Hwang

BATHROOM

  • Curtain — QuietTown
  • Rug — Urban Outfitters
  • Towels — IKEA

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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