She Needed More Clothing Space in Her Tiny Apartment — The Entryway Became Like a “Boutique”

As someone who works for the fashion brand Uniqlo, it’s no surprise that Catherine Taveras needed a closet fit for a full-blown house. There was just one small problem: She had just relocated from a 2,000-square-foot house to a Brooklyn apartment that was about eight times smaller (around 250 square feet). 

But the apartment’s small size wasn’t going to be a roadblock for Catherine; it would actually be a challenge that proved her dream as an interior designer could be realized (at least, IMO). By selecting a modular wardrobe from IKEA, she designed an entryway that, while unexpected, makes the most of the space.

Downsizing to this degree is no small feat, and Catherine took it seriously. While living in her previous home, she used painter’s tape to map out her current apartment’s layout (it all fit into her living room) and get a sense of where things should go. Knowing the layout by the front door was small and awkward, she wanted to maximize the space in the entryway instead of leaving it empty. It ended up being the perfect spot for a closet.

“Inspired by a simple and functional entryway, I set out to source the proper open closet system for the space. I landed on the IKEA ELVARLI modular wardrobe system, which fit perfectly in the space,” Catherine said during the House Tour. “My configuration was $320.00 plus $114.40 for an IKEA-verified Task Rabbit to install the unit, which needed to be anchored to the ceiling.” 

I’m not going to lie: If I had an awkward nook there, I’m not sure I would’ve imagined a closet fitting perfectly (especially because it’s right where Catherine opens the door). Her choice is proof that whether you’re dealing with an awkward layout or another tricky space, you can make it work. The way she has the closet designed doesn’t feel overwhelming and likely encourages her to keep it organized because it’s constantly on full display.

So when a storage bed didn’t work out, Catherine likely wasn’t too pressed because she had the closet to use for hanging clothing. She’s quite happy with her situation. “[The closet] fits the nook to precision and makes me feel like I’m in a boutique when getting dressed.” To learn about Catherine’s other unexpected storage spots, visit the full House Tour.