Apartment

Andrea rents this hospital-adjacent apartment out to medical students and traveling nurses, and she wanted it to feel like home for them, "with an atmosphere more eccentric than the typical rental," she says. Because she sourced the furniture secondhand, she could splurge on special finishes.

Vocalist Dana Williams' latest song, "End of the World," has a warmth and coziness to it. It emphasizes slowing down, as does her rental apartment in Los Angeles' Loz Feliz neighborhood.

Content creator Luna Lindsay has DIYed and painted her rental apartment into a pastel palace... and recently launched a hand-poured pastel candle business called Moonwix.

Erinne moved into this apartment right before the pandemic, and she quickly learned several things: She would need separate zones for working and living, she wanted to love the way her apartment looked from every angle, and she actually loves the color pink.

Inside designer Colby Kern's apartment, high-end splurges, flea market finds, original art, and even a few big box-store scores coexist. The result is a style that exudes luxury without the high price tag.

Richal and Jenny's apartment, which they have lived in for 30 years, is in a pre-war, park-adjacent building built in 1931. Their warm, inviting space retains its original crown moulding and has beautiful chevron flooring in each room.

Bleached herringbone oak wood floors, white-washed wood detailing, high ceilings, and impeccably organized spaces all contribute to the serene atmosphere of this professional organizer's home.

Scarlett Langdon and Xandice Armah’s home, known as The Gal Palace, is full of their personalities. “When we moved into the flat it was our first time living together, and our first time living somewhere unfurnished where we could properly put our stamp on it,” Scarlett says.

Every detail of this rental appealed to Lauren Meichtry, the designer behind Elsie Home, from the high ceilings, wainscoting, built-in benches off the fireplace, green marble countertops in the kitchen, to the ocean view from the primary bedroom.

Jakia, the CEO and founder of SoleOrganizer, has done a beautiful job of creating an uncluttered, organized home that holds just what she needs.

"The goal for my home has always been to make it feel like the most fun place you’ve ever been in, and I want every room to have a surprise in it once you enter," says TikTok DIY decor star Taylor BeepBoop of her "Pee-Wee’s Playhouse chic" San Francisco condo.

When interior designer and artist Sophia E. Aguiñaga realized she'd be moving out of her Oakland rental apartment, she took the opportunity to pare down and refresh the home's style. She re-homed almost everything and used minimalism, ease, and traveling light as a style guide.

Artist and jewelry designer Sara Amrhein and her husband, Luigi Valerio, completely remodeled this 592-square-foot apartment in Florence, Italy, DIYing much of the work themselves!

"Having lived in a rented 'white box' for a few years where I couldn't put a single poster on the walls, this place turned out the opposite: There's not a single white wall!" says apartment owner Marina Chaccur.

Musician Katie King's 500-square-foot studio in Hillsboro Village is where she spends time writing and practicing — as well as on other creative pursuits, like painting and macrame.

Kristina's apartment is packed with rental-friendly ideas and secondhand finds — almost nothing in her home was bought brand new.

Interior designer Ryan Black incorporated family heirlooms and antique pieces from Asia and Europe along with a mix of modern design elements to create an eclectic, worldly feel in Jean-Francois Alix's newly purchased condo.

Apartment dweller and art advisor Rachel Elliott's apartment is filled with original works, some of which she planned specifically for her space with the artist. Rachel says: "If you have the opportunity to meet the artists you are collecting and collect from emerging artists, do it! These are relationships that can last a lifetime."

The homeowner, Jonali, says they are drawn to neutral textures and tones, and they add eclectic accessories for a bit of fun and color throughout.

"My style is modern vintage, eclectic, maximalist, seriously whimsical, adventurous, nostalgic, queer, unapologetically colorful and femme, bold, energetic, cozy, life affirming, unconventional, and wholeheartedly personal," explains Sarah Hartley.

"My style is sexy and edgy and a little bit frantic, but is also warm and simple and cozy," renter Xenia Polychronis says. "These two 'styles' do not go together on paper, but they go together for me!"

Leonor and Pablo live in this apartment that they have filled with secondhand and sidewalk finds along with beautiful retro furniture.

"My home is a physical diary of the places I’ve been and the objects and memories I cherish, a place to remind me of the incredible beauty I’ve found during the adventures of my life," Ashley Urban, an eight-year resident of Los Angeles says.

These two artists created a versatile home space for art making and showing off their tour posters.

When she and her husband first bought it, Kara Haren's apartment had cranberry painted walls, a kitchen that hadn't been touched in 20 years, and flimsy and cracked windows. In the six years they've lived there, they have renovated each room to feel special and specific to them.

It packs so much style (and so many mementos!) into 578 square feet.

Becca Crawford, who works at textiles and decor brand St. Frank, fell for the high ceilings and charming pre-war details of this Brooklyn Brownstone; it's the perfect canvas for her enviable collection of gorgeous textiles.

Brooklyn resident Lidey Heuck is a recipe developer, food writer, blogger, and the former assistant of Ina Garten — so it only makes sense that she designed the apartment she shares with her fiancé and their dog to reflect her love of cooking and entertaining. 

Ph.D. candidate and creative entrepreneur Taylor Evans and her partner have incorporated color and pattern into their small rental apartment. "It feels playful, yet sophisticated, and I think it reflects our personalities," she writes.  

The wall-to-wall exposed brick is the star of this small home, and Fredd has filled the rest of the space with books, plants, and music.

Renter Jiske Kosian describes her apartment as eclectic, goofy, colorful, original, and Jugendstil (the German iteration of the Art Nouveau movement).

Musician Emma Frank and her husband work from home in this bright rental apartment in Park Slope. "It’s a really nice space to be creative in."

Josua Kärnbo completely transformed this dated, run-down, and small Stockholm studio apartment, turning it into a stylish and modern one-bedroom apartment, and doing it on a budget!

Liz S. and her daughter Olivia share this Pittsburgh rental apartment that's filled with a beautiful yet budget mix of decor from thrift stores and Facebook Marketplace, along with a few splurges like Panton chairs.

Photographer and technical writer Kimberly Nesmith describes her home's style as "mystical bohemian meets goth meets tropical meets vintage." And during Halloween season it definitely has "Practical Magic" vibes!

"I'm most at home outdoors, so our apartment is a nod to nature," says Cathy, who owns this apartment with her partner, Stephen. They even painted their dining nook Pantone's "Pine Green" to match the plants that sit on the windowsill.

Celia runs a YouTube channel and founded the decor shop Sticki Icki, and shares this 760-square-foot apartment with her partner, Sean, and their baby son, Cassius.

When Annabell Ren and Steven Karvelius moved in to this unit in a 120-year-old historic four-flat in Chicago's Lincoln Park neighborhood, the interior was dated and there was very limited storage space. But it had potential.

As soon as photographer Colleen O’Toole saw this rental apartment's gorgeous stained glass, clawfoot tub, and original hardwood floors, she fell in love with the place!

Originally from Taiwan, Kathy Hao-Hsuan Chang, moved to Norway 3.5 years ago, and fell in love with Scandinavian style design. "It is minimalistic, but still with very beautiful things to look at."

"I decided to go full on with the decor and the wall art," Erin, who rents this space in St. Louis says. "In a new state literally and figuratively, I allowed myself to really settle in and get out everything that I'd been holding inside."

"I often say the vibe I’m going for is the home of a Time-Traveling Anthropologist," says artist Keighty Alexander, who has owned this two-bedroom apartment for four years.

Sarah Campbell, a graphic designer, and her boyfriend and roommate, both music producers, share this apartment, which is colorful and "artful but not cold or pretentious."

Journalist and soon-to-be published book author Brianna Holt wanted multiple places to sit down and write in her home. Her decor is the inspired by the creative spaces of the artists she admires.

Nicole, also known as "The Cuban Carrie" on Instagram, transformed her entire 600-square-foot rental apartment, including turning a tiny loft into a very chic dressing room, home office, and yoga area.

Roxy Michaud brought in textures like wicker, dark wood, bamboo and greenery to her Brooklyn home, as well as used the color black to make the space feel more warm and cozy.

Lavinia and her partner live in this 1860s apartment, which they have renovated beautifully with clean, modern lines and a simple and soothing palette.

Over time, Joseph and Mike's style has evolved from subtle mid-century to Art Deco to bohemian maximalist. But no matter what your style is, Joseph says, ask yourself this: Does someone feel comfortable, and can they put their feet up while they visit?

Laura is a pro at designing and optimizing small spaces, and lives in this condo located in a 1909 Victorian building. And a clever dog crate camouflaging idea is just ONE of the great ideas you'll find in her home.

A ceramicist and her roommate share this one-bedroom apartment and have filled it with vintage finds, artwork, and of course, lots of cool pottery.

A few words to describe this one-bedroom apartment? Maximalist, Eclectic, Graphic, and Neon. And the best part is that all of the added details are renter-friendly. (You've probably never seen such creative uses for washi tape or such colorful cabinet upcycles!)

Alex is a consultant who’s spent the past decade working in strategy and Alyssa is an educator who now works at a global non-profit. Together they have filled this gorgeous rental apartment in Melbourne with great vintage finds.

Aly, her partner Mitch, and their parakeets moved to this one-bedroom after living in a studio and have enjoyed filling their larger (but still small) space with furniture and fun energy. Mitch has a knack for finding cool vintage furniture while Aly's original paintings hang throughout the space.

When Monica moved into her apartment, the fireplace tiles were painted over in a standard off-white rental shade, but in her gut, she knew there was something special underneath.

Mellissa's apartment balances coziness and vibrancy and is filled with abstract finds that reflect her style as a painter.

Because Natalie Wong's condo in Los Angeles' Koreatown neighborhood was built in the 1930s, her interiors were heavily inspired by the Hollywood Regency era.

Marie-Helene's Quebec City studio apartment may be small, but she fits a ton of style in just 275 square feet.

At 622 square feet, Ariel and Patrick's Prospect Heights apartment has just two rooms, and they set out to make this small home a multi-functional space they can work, relax, and pursue creative endeavors in.

Lily, a fashion designer and Holistic Health Practitioner, and Llew, an illustrator and folk tattoo artist, find inspiration from their collection of antiques and treasures found at flea markets.

Johanna's rental came with tall ceilings and windows and a spacious floorplan for one person. But the space needed a lot of work!

Apart from the bathroom, Matt's Auckland pad is all one room, which means you can see the cool wooden shelving, the art-filled living room, and the cozy kitchen (including a must-see emerald Smeg) from any vantage point.

This apartment is a mix of new furniture, family hand-me-downs, and personal artwork.

Check out the cozy but vibrant space.