If anyone has any insight into sharing a small space with another person (and pets), it’s got to be Julie and Andrew, who have been (successfully) living together in a Blue Bird school bus for a year. They graciously let us share their incredibly tiny yet stylish home in a house tour, and they’ve also shared some of their secrets to living harmoniously in a shared small space.

Studio living comes with a lot of perks, like saving money on rent and living closer to a city’s urban action. But it comes at a price, too—mainly having to sleep, eat, work and exist, all in one room. Those who use design wisely, however, can manage to make a studio feel…less studio-ish. Here are five studio apartments that do just that—and how they pulled it off.

Stop buying accent pillows. Buy an accent COUCH.

Is living with your best friend awesome…or a nightmare that ends with no one speaking to each other? We spoke to Amy and Steph of Two Best Friends (& Two Adorable Dogs!) Share a Comfy Minneapolis Home and asked them to give us the dirt on what it’s like sharing a space with a best friend, as well as share any advice on how to stay friends! Steph: We met in 2006 because our siblings were dating. I actually lived with Amy’s sister first in college.

Colorful patterned tile floors, tons of plants and gorgeous natural light—I have been in awe of the stunning Spanish homes we’ve featured on Apartment Therapy. They aren’t just inspiring to look at (and feel envious of), they hold secrets of decorating effortlessly—things you can incorporate into your own home (even if you don’t live in Spain). Some Spanish homes have jaw-dropping tiled floors in every room of the house.

You have to consider organization, tools, storage and work surfaces when designing your art studio, creative home office, or craft corner. But beyond just the practical are ineffable qualities that make rooms conducive for creativity. In this post: Gorgeous spaces with great ideas for sparking creativity and creating a space that functions for your craft. Fresh white walls, a big work surface in the center of the room and everything in its place (and place for everything).

Name: Elizabeth Location: Brooklyn Heights — Brooklyn, New York I recently moved into this charming (very tiny) two-bedroom apartment in a beautiful pre-war building. This being the largest place I’ve lived in on my own, I was excited by the opportunity to apply all of my favorite decorating styles in one space. From dark, moody walls to cheeky wallpaper, the space reflects my belief that homes can be fun yet sophisticated at the same time.

Tired of staring at your beige or blank walls? Paint would be an improvement, but wallpaper could be just the thing your room needs to take it to the next level. Still on the fence about wallpaper though? I “erased” the wallpaper from these three rooms so you could see the dramatic difference that happens in a space when you add patterned wallpaper (even on just one accent wall!).

Name: Annie Lee Location: West Village, New York City Everyone knows that studio apartment living can be tough. But wedding planner Annie Lee worked magic in her small space, creating distinct areas for different living needs. Filled with sumptuous materials and flirty florals, this small space oozes sophistication. (And has spectacular views!) I’m a wedding planner in NYC, my company is Daughter of Design (because I’m a daughter of an interior designer!

It’s halfway through 2016 and I’ve already spotted stand-out design trends in beautiful homes. But I’m not just referring to common colors, patterns and materials. This year, I’m spotting elements that infuse playfulness into interiors. Add some playfulness into your rooms today with these fresh and fun decor trends. Neon isn’t a new idea for interiors, but the ways that I’ve been spotting them in interiors recently is fresh.

Boisterous plant prints debuted decades ago, but these lively leaves have endured. They’ve become a classic way to add eye-catching glamour. Easier to care for than an actual plant, these bold prints add a vibrant, verdant feel to a space. Check out these eight rooms that got playful with plant prints in their design. (Pictured above:) A kitchen accent wall and ceiling use a palm print wall paper from Carleton Varney in Kristen’s Palm Beach-Inspired Home In Burbank.

A warm-toned rooftop in Mexico City filled with cacti. A tucked away French Quarter courtyard escape. Expansive and cozy alfresco spots bursting with lush plant life. These are 13 of the dreamiest outdoor spaces I’ve seen recently. And if I could, I’d park myself in any one of these locales with a book, a cold drink and the intention of not moving all day. Layers of plants and a view to die for spotted in this Bohemian Hotel in the Heart of Mexico City.

What is it about Paris homes that feel so chic and elegant? This apartment in a classic Haussmannian building in Paris is both those things. But it’s also a beautiful example of mixing traditional architectural elements with modern designs. Anna Piwonska of Atelier Anna Piwonska designed the remodel of this 1,150 square foot home. Tall ceilings, natural light and charming architectural features make this apartment a classic space, but Anna faced design challenges.

Name: Theresa Delaney and her boyfriend James Location: Tucson, Arizona My boyfriend and I live just north of central Tucson. We love being a quick ten-minute drive from downtown or the University of Arizona, and minutes from our favorite spots in the foothills. The large yard, quiet neighborhood and desert scenery don’t hurt, either! We share our home with two rowdy, furniture-loving dogs: the ultimate design challenge, especially for someone that loves bright, neutral interiors!

Name: Ashley Flotte Location: Plano, Texas I live with my college-sweetheart husband and our two sassy babies (ages three and one) in our two-story Plano, Texas home, built in 1992 in a traditional style with red brick, black shutters, and a charming front porch packed with rocking chairs. Our first viewing of it when we were house-hunting three years ago was at dusk, complete with glowy romantic light streaming through all the windows.

Name: Emily Location: Kansas City, Missouri Size: Living room/kitchen, 975 square feet I am sharing the living room and kitchen space of my loft apartment. I am 27 and moved into my one-bedroom apartment one year ago. The building was previously an industrial space and was converted into loft apartments within the last 15-20 years during the revival of Kansas City’s downtown Arts neighborhood, known as the Crossroads District.

Name: Cristina and Lucia Location: Brooklyn, NYC My name is Cristina, and I am 26 year old Spanish girl living in a beautiful loft in Brooklyn, New York. I am a follower of Apartment Therapy (we follow soooo many of your advice and tips!!). I share this huge loft with my sister Lucia, an amazing interior designer. Our loft is one of the apartments of the Mckibbin Lofts in Bushwick, very famous for their stories and big roof parties.

Name: Vincenzo & Alexandra Location: Park Slope South, Brooklyn, New York We bought this top floor apartment six years ago. It was the first we saw and we stopped searching; we fell in love with it right away. We had found what we were dreaming of: light, quiet, new construction, big rooms, and an amazing outdoor space. A place where we could raise a family, have breakfast and supper al fresco, throw sunset cocktail parties and grow plants, trees and an herb garden.

Name: Taylor and Steph Location: Santa Cruz Mountains, California Size: 560 square feet Years lived in: 3 years, owned Some people dream of living off the land, going off grid, building a home by hand — getting closer to nature and being more sustainable. Taylor and Steph (Find them on Instagram: @nomadic.roots) have done just that.