California

Name: Carrie, Patrick and Nacho D. Cat Location: Los Angeles, California Size: 1,750 square feet Years lived in: 5 years, renting Longtime Apartment Therapy reader Carrie and husband Patrick discovered their apartment five years ago, when the desire for a bigger bed made them realize they needed a bigger bedroom.

It's fun, colorful, and has a lot of quirky elements, such as a soundproof massage chair room, an indoor swing, a forest bathroom and a mannequin that holds purses and keys.

Nicolette and Michael built their very own tiny house in 2018 in just seven months. And they've fit a lot in to just 300 square feet!

This interior designer's studio may be on the small side, but it has beautiful hardwood floors, picturesque windows, and original cabinetry and molding.

She didn't see a single piece of decor or furniture in person until it arrived, minus her curtains.

Before the remodel this house felt cramped. After the remodel, it feels as if it's gained 50 percent more square footage.

Every item must have at least three different uses, be used three times a week, or be used for more than three years.

Take a video tour of this studio that's beautiful and functional thanks to a lot of smart design tricks. But even more impressive? It's a rental!

Name: Adrien Rabago and Jon Schmidt Location: Leimert Park — Los Angeles, CA Size: 1,900 square feet Years lived in: 8 months; Owned Situated on a quiet tree-lined street in the up-and-coming Los Angeles neighborhood of Leimert Park, Adrien and Jon’s home cheerfully welcomes you with its mint green exterior—and what’s inside is no less affable and bright.

Name: Krystal Bick Location: Hayes Valley — San Francisco, California Size: 400 square feet Years lived in: 3 — rented Krystal Bick’s style blog showcases all of her designer duds and playful outfits. Her studio with attached kitchen and rather large closet reflects her fashion sense perfectly — eclectic, feminine, clean and glamorous. Krystal’s space is small but efficient.

Name: Caitlin Hackett and Dave McHale Location: Cleveland Heights — Oakland, California Size: 950 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; Rented When Caitlin and Dave shared photos of their home in a House Call post earlier this year, Apartment Therapy readers wanted to see more of their wonder-filled Oakland home. Stepping into their spacious two-bedroom apartment, it’s obvious that their tastes and experiences have influenced their home’s décor.

Name: Natacha Nay and Joshua Location: Berkeley, California Size: 600 square feet Years lived in: 10 months; Rented Natacha and Joshua live on one of Berkeley’s busiest and most historic streets. Though their neighborhood is generally hectic, their home reflects a minimal way of living that contrasts with the busy street scene.

Name: Clara of Banner Day & Sam (and their dog Morgan) Location: Rockridge; Oakland, California Size: 1,600 square feet Years lived in: 2.5 years; Owned Clara and Sam live in a 1930s cottage just a short walk from Oakland’s charming Rockridge neighborhood. After leaving a career in corporate law to start her interior design business Banner Day Consulting, Clara has been constantly pursuing her passion for design in their home, as well as for her numerous clients.

Name: Annie Oxenhandler Location: Adams Point; Oakland, California Size: 624 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; Rented Though a challenge at first, Annie managed to create a harmonious space with the illusion of having separate rooms in what would otherwise be an open studio.

Name: Olivia Smartt Location: Adam’s Point; Oakland, California Size: 700 square feet Years lived in: 3 years; Rented As a Bay Area photographer, Olivia likes her walls to remain mostly clear so that she can relax in her home after a long day, as her professional life is very busy and visual. Though bare in some areas, it’s clear that she has put much thought into which art, furniture and decor pieces takes up space in her elegant and minimal Oakland apartment.

Jon O'Shaughnessy is inspired by the things that make him happy—travel, the outdoors, and forests.

The soothing, neutral color palette of this small rental apartment keeps it interesting with cozy textures and natural materials such as leather, linen, sheepskin, and jute.

Tom converted this cargo van himself into a home on wheels... and it also serves as a mobile music recording studio!

The kitchen transformation is great, but the entryway makeover might be one of the best we've ever seen.

Interior designer Jess Diab's home has an L.A. mid-century modern feel with a focus on contemporary artists and their stories.

Every room is a different, yet perfect, color.

James and Lauren are two artists living in Oakland, and their apartment is perfect for work and play.

Every single piece of art in their home has a personal significance, whether tied to a person, place, or meal they've loved.

Pre-remodel features included a sunken living room, an oddly positioned two-panel cook top, and a paver stone fireplace with no mantel.

Utilizing empty wall spaces. Investing in a few quality pieces to tie your room together. Esthetician Monique Aquino makes the most of her 600-square-foot rental apartment.

Interior designer Isabel Muller of Harte Designs has made it her mission this year to fall in love with her own home.

Features include: a bubble-gum-pink washer and dryer, kaleidoscopic bathrooms, and era-appropriate furniture.

Ali and Evan's Los Angeles home is filled to the brim with eclectic art from all over the world

The only pieces she paid retail price for where her couch and bed! Everything else is either an IKEA hack, DIY project, handmade art, estate sale finds, or discount buys.

The couple DIYed the whole thing using mostly recycled or second-hand building materials.

A lot of discounted decor items were found at placed like HomeGoods and T.J. Maxx, and the super organized laundry closet is worth checking out!

This tiny, woodsy studio apartment is home to an artist, her husband, and their dog.

These classic mid-century houses were meant to be homes with a garden in every room.

As a mortician, Caitlin Doughty is dedicating her life to creating a more open conversation about death and dying.

Living in this '70s wood and glass cottage nestled in Topanga Canyon has been a dream for the young couple who's renting it.

With the multi-colored rug anchoring the living room and the beautiful but still rather neutral blue walls in the bedroom, this is an example of how to add color to a rental without risking not getting your security deposit back.

They used to make kombucha in their small apartment. The success of the company allowed them to buy this beautiful home.

This expert update is great inspiration for anyone looking to refresh their own home without doing a complete overhaul.

Keeping everything in a neutral tone and playing with textures helps the small space feel visually cohesive and less cluttered.

Nicole Balin's home is a collection of art and collectables that she's found over her lifetime.

You can Instagram every corner of this San Francisco rental apartment, where every element inspires and tantalizes your senses.

The number one rule is there are no rules!

This coastal cozy home has lots of bright whites, wood tones, natural and woven materials, and soft places to land after long days at the beach.

550 square feet of peppy colors, fiber art, and smart furniture arrangements in Cindy Tung's rental apartment.

Name: Jamie and Byron with Roux, Simone and Coco Location: Cow Hollow — San Francisco, California Size: 2,300 square feet Years lived in: 1 — rented We first saw Jamie and Byron’s dining room in the 2011 room for color contest. Painted shades of grey, their apartment embodies a sense of mystery and glamour. Byron describes it as the canvas for Jamie’s artworks, and they truly make a statement on these walls.

It's not only home to Jennelle, but also to her white ball python snake Alfredo! Impressively, she also did the entire van conversions herself.

A dilapidated, detached garage tucked behind a Santa Monica bungalow is now a minimal, modern, and tiny rental house.

Kelsea Gaynor owns East Olivia Creative in NYC, lives in a fabulous two-story apartment, and has an eye for fashion that is fun, sophisticated and sensible. From her elegant wool skirt suits to her fuzzy pink hats, she knows how to make a fashion statement while keeping warm strolling those chilly city streets. This California native shared with us what inspires her unique style. Unfortunately, she couldn’t figure out a way to share her ridiculously good hair genes.

Name: E. Price (4) Location: Hollywood, California Ever since I brought home a “Yellow Submarine” storybook my son has been OBSESSED!! From going to Amoeba and buying every book, mug and record; to watching the movie 5 times a day; to listening to him sing along to “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”; to throwing him a “Yellow Submarine” pizza party; he’s had The Beatles on the brain and now he’s asked to learn to play the trumpet!

Small or large, one room or ten, a home renovation is a big undertaking that often involves a few unavoidable hiccups along the way. When I visited Dustin & Maya’s Eclectic Silver Lake Home, I was surprised to learn that they had completely renovated and designed their spacious house in just six short months. I picked up a few tips for you renovating readers when I visited the busy hands-on couple.

This professional project by Sundling Studio is located in Thousand Oaks, California, and is an example of how splurging on one show-stopping decor element can really make an entire room shine. Occupied by a family of three, this house’s kitchen before featured black cabinets, a plain stone-colored backsplash, and a more closed-in layout.

Name: Thoey and Sutty Location: Jingletown—Oakland, California Size: 1,600 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years, rented Thoey and Sutty’s spacious loft is filled with colorful, vintage items that create a happy home they and their friends love to spend time in.

Name: Rebecca and Jared Raskind Location: Glendale, California Size: 1,350 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; Owned Rebecca reached out to me in an email, expressing interest in a possible House Tour, and when she sent over images of their recent renovations and before and afters, I knew I wanted to feature her home. This three-bedroom, two-bath house sits on a lovely block in Glendale complete with gorgeous landscaping and a pool.

Name: Joe Cafuir and Keith DeNatale Location: Grand Lake—Oakland, California Size: 300 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; Rented It’s easy for a tiny apartment full of plants and tchotchkes to feel cluttered. But when done the right way—as Joe and Keith have with their tiny 300-square-foot studio—the space can be warm and inviting without feeling crammed or excessive.

Name: Tirsh Hunter and Minky Lew and their dog, Arnie Location: Oakland, California Size: 1,200 square feet Years lived in: 2.5 years; Rented Minky and Tirsh cite their family’s resourcefulness as their biggest inspiration, and their North Oakland loft is filled with vignettes demonstrating just that. Minky takes after her grandmother, who instilled such traits in her.

Name: Girolamo and Alex Location: Dogpatch — San Francisco, California Size: 871 square feet (1,200 square feet including the coffee shop) Years lived in: 7 years; Owned Very few people can roll out of bed and be at work in just a few steps. For Girolamo and Alex, getting to their coffee shop—La Stazione Coffee and Wine Bar—is just a quick commute down a spiral staircase.

Name: Molly Cranna and Andrew Rudmann Location: Silver Lake — Los Angeles, California Size: 1,700 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; rented Molly Cranna and Andrew Rudmann have lived in their Silver Lake apartment for two years, but at first it’s hard to tell. The couple has taken their time making the space their own, filling it with only the most essential and desired pieces.

Name: Amanda, Brandon, and Gatsby Location: Los Feliz; Los Angeles, California Size: 800 square feet Years lived in: 1 years; rented This is one of those apartments that never gets advertised, because it gets handed down from friend to friend. Architectural designers Amanda and Brandon knew they had to have this sunny, large unit with vintage tile and hardware and outdoor space for their first apartment together as soon as a mutual friend talked about moving out.

Name: Ashley Drost, pups Lazer + Leroy Location: Silver Lake; Los Angeles, California Size: 1,800 square feet Years lived in: 3 years; owned Enter Ashley’s sunny and revamped 1914 Craftsman home and it’s immediately clear that the saying is true, home is what you make of it. After years of renting on the West side and an exhaustive real estate search, she stumbled on this home in Silver Lake.

Name: Hannah Ruskin and her dog, Stella Location: McClymonds — Oakland, California Size: 700 square feet Years lived in: 2.5 years; Rented Having previously used her Oakland live-work space for her now thriving business, Hannah is happy she can now claim the space as her own. Although her small studio continues to allow her to work on creative projects, most of her work from home is personal in nature, whether crafting at her desk or caring for more than 40 flourishing plants.

Name: Su Pang Location: Highland Terrace; Oakland, California Size: 500 square feet Years lived in: 1.5 years; Owned After spending some time in Sweden, Su fell in love not just with Swedish culture, but with the architecture. “I fell in love with the red wooden Swedish country homes,” she said. “Being a designer, I always wanted to design my own home.” So when she had an opportunity to build in her very own backyard, she jumped on it.

Name: Butterfly House Location: Silver Triangle — Venice, California Size: 3400 square feet Years lived in: 3 years, owned Nestled close to the famed Venice Canals lies the Butterfly House, a net-zero home constructed by architect David Hertz. The home was built to fully utilize its sunny south facing position, with a dark exterior, photo-voltaic panels, and evacuated glass tubes that provide hot water for heating the home and pool.

Name: Sasha Darling, owner of BellJar Location: Los Feliz — Los Angeles, California Size: 1300 square feet You may remember Sasha’s Silver Lake bohemian home tour from a few years ago. For the past year, Sasha has been working hard on closing her San Francisco boutique, BellJar, and re-opening it in Los Angeles. It was a bittersweet goodbye in San Francisco, but Sasha sees her Los Feliz boutique as a fresh start and a cool new hangout for her dogs, Violet and Piglet.

Name: Ashley, Dara, and their two daughters, Sage and Sophie; dog, Dylan, and cat, Luna. Location: Topanga Canyon, California Size: 3500 square feet Years lived in: 2 years Nestled in the hills of Topanga Canyon, Ashley and Dara have created a home that honors their creative spirit and inspires their collaborative jewelry line, Alkemie Jewelry.

Name: Ashley, Dara, and their two daughters, Sage and Sophie; dog, Dylan, and cat, Luna. Location: Topanga Canyon, California Size: 500 square feet Years lived in: 2 years You may remember Dara and Ashley’s bohemian Topanga home tour, and if that wasn’t inspiring enough, check out their Moroccan-inspired guest home dubbed The Topanga Gypsy Hideaway. The guest home is freestanding with peaceful views of the Topanga mountains.

Name: Hopie Stockman and David Branson Smith and Otto the pup Location: Venice Beach — Los Angeles, California Size: 800 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; renting These California transplants have had to get resourceful in decorating their apartment in a 1920s Venice Beach house. Rose Bowl Flea finds, hand-me-downs and tons of books blend into an eclectic, East Coast-meets-California beach cottage vibe.

Name: Lulu Brud Zsebe and Justin Zsebe Location: Los Feliz — Los Angeles, California Size: 2 Bedroom and 2 Bath Years lived in: 2.5 years – rent Lulu and her husband Justin are lucky to have found an apartment that suits their lifestyle—it’s a space that has been passed on though the hands of friends for the past 13 years. They love the coziness, and have created a dwelling that invites their guests to feel at home.

Name: Ashley Jones and Laura Fama of Dimepiece LA Location: Downtown — Los Angeles, CA Size: 2,300 square feet Years lived in: Renting 3 years Dimepiece LA is a positive, stylish women’s street wear brand created in 2007 by Laura Fama and Ashley Jones. They’ve been running their brand out of a warehouse space in Downtown LA and just recently remodeled the front end.

When Maggie and Jose could no longer justify paying such high rent in San Francisco, they decided to pack up and cross the bridge to Oakland.

Name: Michelle, James, and their son Triston Location: Santa Fe — Oakland, California Size: 1,200 square feet Years lived in: Rented 1.5 years When a family of creatives lives in one open space, creating nooks where each person can work and relax is challenging. But Michelle, James and their son Triston have successfully completed the difficult task of creating a functional live-work space utilizing pieces that are well-designed and beautiful.

Megan Jorgensen’s Los Angeles home features many colorful, unique items—watercolor paintings, vintage hand-me-downs, and vibrant textiles. Although Megan is lucky to claim some of these one-of-a-kind items as her own, it’s easy to get a similar aesthetic in your own home using these shopping sources.