A 450-Square-Foot San Francisco Studio Is Small, But Ultra Cozy

Name: Hayley Dickson
Location: Lower Pacific Heights — San Francisco, California
Size: 450 square feet
Years lived in: 1.5 years, renting

I’ve always wanted to have my own space, but was worried with Bay Area rent prices I would never be able to afford it. So when I came across this studio in my price range and in a neighborhood I liked, I jumped at the opportunity!

Growing up a lover of HGTV (which I would watch for hours with my mom), I’ve always been interested in interior design and architecture. Now I work as a structural engineer, so though I’m not in the interior design world, I still work in the building and construction industry, which has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve collected all of the furniture and decorative objects over the years, and have carefully curated my space to really feel like an extension of myself. I tend to lean towards more neutral colors for larger furniture pieces to keep the space bright and open, but love pops of color and quirky objects.

A point of personal pride is that I installed everything myself—floating shelves, bay window curtain rods (which were a huge pain!), the large mirror, my guitar, and all of the artwork. There are definitely a couple extra holes in the walls, but so far nothing has fallen down!

What is your favorite room and why? Since this is technically a two-room studio (kitchen and dining nook are separate), I’ll say my favorite is my main living and sleeping space! I love that this room feels cozy and calm but I have incorporated pops of color and a couple of antique pieces that make it really feel uniquely mine. The orange patterned chair is an antique I inherited from my grandparents, and I had it in my childhood room growing up. The pattern and chair in general is little frillier than I usually would go for, but I think it ended up working well in the space and I love having it here.

If you could magically change something about your home, what would it be? Living in a studio has its challenges. I’m lucky to have two large walk-in closets for storage, but I would love to have a proper bedroom.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Cozy, calm, and bright.

Any advice for creating a home you love? Living in a small space means you really only have room for the things that you love, and keeping your space clear of clutter will make it feel more spacious and calm. Don’t just go out and buy a matching furniture set; take some time to curate your space according to your style. And always measure!

Thanks, Hayley!

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