Lessons From Our Tours: 4 Smart Ways Natasha Turned Her Small Studio Into Much Much More

So often studios are difficult to deal with because there’s no separation of the types of spaces you need: living area, bedroom, kitchen and entry. Well, I recently revisited Natasha’s Brooklyn studio tour and was wowed at all the smart things she did to carve out definition in her 500 square foot space. She’s moved all over the world (and has the decor to prove it) so it’s no wonder she’s great setting up a home. Here’s what she did that you can do, too.

Natasha carved out a private bedroom area with curtains! She sandwiched her bed against the wall and hung a double layer of drapery. Looks like she can pull the inner, thinner curtains for a little bit of separation or the heavy, outer ones to block the light when she wants to sleep in (or hide her bed from guests). Not only is this idea super functional and space saving, but it looks so pretty too. Her niece calls this area a “grown-up princess castle,” and we have to agree.

Another reason the bed nook works so well is that Natasha fashioned a room-dividing wall at the end of the bed to provide more privacy. What did she make the room divider from? Wardrobes, of course. What better way to break up the space, add storage and make a dressing area to boot. Great idea.

This is more than a regular gallery wall. This entire hallway is filled with art and trinkets from Natasha’s travels. She doesn’t shy away from using big and bold pieces, which gives her decor major personality (sometimes tiny things in tiny spaces just look like toys). It also helps really create the feeling of a specific entryway which adds to the illusion that there are many more “rooms” here than there actually are.

Natasha didn’t have room for a table in her tiny kitchen so she and friend made this one to fit the tiny available space. She used street-sourced reclaimed wood (free!) and pipes to put this thing together and not only does it look like an expensive custom piece, its style fits in perfectly with the rest of her global decor. Inspirational.