The Fundamentals: Shop 5 Tiny But Perfect Studios

Whether you live in one at some point or not, there’s a lot to be learned from stylish studio dwellers. The ways many of our small-space House Tours bring major style (and function) to their homes always inspires us. Another spot for major inspiration, naturally, is Pinterest, where your next major room refresh or overhaul could be a few clicks away.

It’s one thing to pin and love an image, but another thing entirely to transform that image into reality. We’ve done the hard work for you here, taking our five most-pinned studios and finding products that can take that saved image and bring it home. You can buy a few products to steal a small tableau or color scheme, or get (nearly) the whole room.

Name: Lauren MacLean
Location: Montreal, Quebec
See the full House Tour

There’s a lot to love about this color-washed, art-filled Montreal studio. While we might not all be able to have a fireplace with that much architectural oomph, there is still a lot we can steal to make a typical white rental look amazing. White bedding and decor pieces are accented with jewel tones and pops of black for a bedroom that still manages to feel minimalist, not busy.

Name: Catherine Shannon
Location: New York, New York 
See the full House Tour

Even the smallest kitchen can look chic. Almost everything pictured is functional, but selecting white and natural tones as much as possible (over black or stainless steel) makes the tiny nook feel more open. Two large cutting boards allow even the stove to provide extra counterspace when not in use.

Name: Cindy Tung
Location: Los Angeles, California
See the full House Tour

Unquestionably feminine and fun, this tiny sitting area feels both personal and curated. With lots of pink throughout, the use of neon pops of color keeps it from feeling too sweet. Tying in pink throughout also prevents things from being too busy.

Name: Jacqueline Clair
Location: New York, New York
See the full House Tour

Here, books, flowers, and a candle provide the pops of color, while the rest of the color scheme is more neutral with white, gray, and natural tones. While “rainbow bookshelves” can be controversial, it also helps the shelf feel decorative instead of simply functional in such a small space.

Name: Cindy Zhang
Location: San Francisco, California
See the full House Tour

This sitting area shows how to make use out of a few key pieces: a gallery wall, throw pillows, and a bright coffee table are really all that’s needed (plus some beautiful magazines and plants to make it feel personal).