This 420-Square-Foot Studio Feels Much Bigger Thanks to Lots of Light

Written by

Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director at AT Media
Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director at AT Media
I grew up watching TV shows like "This Old House" and "New Yankee Workshop" with my parents, and learned early on that not only is it possible to remake your home’s surroundings to fit your lifestyle and personality, but that it’s also fun. When I got to college, I started…read more
published Nov 5, 2024

This 420-Square-Foot Studio Feels Much Bigger Thanks to Lots of Light

Written by

Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director at AT Media
Adrienne BreauxHouse Tour Director at AT Media
I grew up watching TV shows like "This Old House" and "New Yankee Workshop" with my parents, and learned early on that not only is it possible to remake your home’s surroundings to fit your lifestyle and personality, but that it’s also fun. When I got to college, I started…read more
published Nov 5, 2024
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Bedrooms
Square feet

420

Sq ft

420

Rhea knows a thing or two about maximizing life in a small space. This self-described “single professional” finds “comfort and creativity” in this 420-square-foot studio apartment she’s rented for six months in Vancouver’s Downtown West End area.

Credit: Rhea
Rhea added brass and gold pieces to accent the space. She stayed on budget by shopping through IKEA, Structube, Amazon, Temu, and Wayfair.

She describes the space as a “typical urban city dwelling in a city challenged with providing affordable housing,” and pays $2,300 a month in rent. She says words like “cute, boho, traditional, and bright” describe her home’s style.

Credit: Rhea

The apartment’s location in the West End neighborhood of Vancouver, “right along the banks of Sunset Beach” was certainly a selling point to Rhea, as are likely all the big windows in the space that afford views of “English Bay where daily views of the sunset skies, Seawall and the idle cargo ships peppered within the bay never disappoints,” she admits.

Credit: Rhea
Rhea suggests adding area rugs with soft colors and pattern to "add not distract from space." Rhea says she wanted to keep the bedding light but saturated "as this would be a main focal point when entering [the] space." Since there is a lot of natural light, she wanted to keep the color palette light but inviting.

Rhea had been living in a one-bedroom apartment when she moved into this studio apartment, and says she had to get creative in figuring out how to lay out the space. “I found a way to find separation for my work area and resting area while still finding flow and connection with the entire space and furniture,” Rhea writes.

Thanks, Rhea!

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

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