A Minimal, Modern, and Cozy :) Small/Cool Space
A Minimal, Modern, and Cozy :) Small/Cool Space
Name: Catherine Murray
Size: 600 sq ft
Home type: Apartment
Location: New York, New York
Years lived in: 3 years, rented
Household: Partner and Boston Terrier puppy
Have any design professionals worked on this space: No
Describe your space:
We lived in our apartment for three months before buying any furniture. We wanted to get to know the space and make the most out of the small square footage. When picking furniture, we wanted to be able to fit as many friends and family as possible and make sure everything was comfortable. We want guests to feel like they never want to leave! We won't be here forever, so everything we bought was on sale or secondhand. Living in a big, busy city, it was important that our space felt calm and clean, and reminded us of summer days at the beach. Alexa, play beach sounds on Spotify! Cheers!
Did you DIY anything in your space? And, if so, what's your favorite DIY?
We couldn't find affordable dining chairs that reflected the gold and gray vibe of the space. We landed on gray chairs from Amazon (four chairs for $40!). When they arrived, the apartment next-door to us was being renovated, so we sneaked in and used that space to spray-paint the legs of the chairs gold. Don't tell our landlord, ha! The chairs have held up very well, and they are our dog's favorite place to sit in the apartment.
What's your favorite product that you bought for your space and where did it come from?
Our favorite (and most expensive!) purchase was our West Elm sofa. We wanted an L shape because it fits the most amount of people. We searched for the right piece for months and landed on this. The couch is very comfortable and holds up well with our messy puppy. When you remove the back cushions, each side is as wide as a twin bed, which is perfect for overnight guests!
What inspires you?
We find inspiration in making the most out of what we have. Sometimes we start to feel cramped, and we use that as an opportunity to look at what we have and decide what to donate. Having a small space forces you to be creative and only hold onto the things that make you truly happy. We are more conscious about what we purchase as a result of our small space. We ask friends and family for experiences instead of material gifts. Living in a small space inspires us to get outside, explore our neighborhood, and meet new people. Everyone should live in a small space at least once in their lives!