Because Bigger Isn’t Always Better
Let’s be honest I love drooling over the latest issue of Coastal Homes, Architectural Digest or House Beautiful as much as everyone else. Whenever I drive by incredible homes I am always imagining how amazing the inside must be to match the immaculate outside. However, the likelihood of me living in a large, gorgeous home anytime soon is 0%.
For now I will be living in a little one bedroom apartment. And I’m content with that. We choose to live in California so therefore it’s more expensive to buy a house and we will be saving for awhile. In the meantime I get really excited whenever I see small homes, spaces or nooks decorated to perfection. I’m inspired, encouraged and suddenly ready to make great use out of my small space.
Apartment Therapy has a contest on “Small Cool” Spaces and I always look forward to seeing all the amazing pictures that come pouring in. Here are a few standouts so far…
Isn’t this window just beautiful? I’d love to have a bay window. I imagine it would make your small place seem so much bigger. I like the mismatched chairs and white dresser especially.
Something about this room is just intriguing. It feels almost slightly tropical with the low wooden frame, good light and that palm tree.
This couch converts to a bed at night and still looks just as cute. Love the storage ottomans that are also trays. We have one from Target and was a great purchase for us.
This apartment was decorated so well. The wall colors make it seem so homey. I also like how they used the floating shelves to add some interest.
Such a simple uncluttered kitchen. I really like the open shelving and the selection of glasses and bowls. I’m not sure I could actually do this without appear cluttered though. We have way to much stuff cleverly fit (by Mark) into our cabinets to maximize space.
Again the wall color and simplicity draws me to the space. I also love the wall of frames.
My favorite parts of this little kitchen are the rug and those EAT letters you see on the right. I want those letters. Are they the ones from Anthro?
all pictures via Apartment Therapy Small, Cool Contest 2010
What are your best tips for decorating a small space? Do you live in a smaller apartment/condo or a bigger home?
What a great post! I also enjoy reading Design Sponge’s guest blogger “Tiny-Ass Apartment” which has some really good tips. I can definitely sympathize on small spaces though. Our first apartment was 650 sq. ft. and my husband has lots of band equipment. Having a giant PA speaker in your bedroom, not so chic. haha.
Those fabric EAT letters could easily be recreated. If you have a JoAnn’s or a Kohl’s near you, they have large, inexpensive lettering like this. You could cover with fabric yourself! Anthro is amazing, but I can rarely bring myself to purchase because it’s so expensive.
1You could also recreate those letters by finding cool scrapbook paper and Modge Podging it on. I love Modge Podge!
2@Stephanie I love the idea of doing the fabric myself.
@ChubbyNewlywed Modge Podge is awesome! I actually bought some kraft letters a few weeks ago with the intention to Modge Podge but haven’t gotten around to it yet.
3One of my very good friends had her 200-sqft studio (no kidding…it’s literally 200-sqft and she lives there with her husband and two dogs!) featured in the contest last year and they made it to the semifinals! I look forward to this contest every year because it’s so inspirational to city dwellers like myself who are limited on space.
4Hi Michelle! One of my best friends’ boyfriend is in this contest! Vote for him!! http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/chicago/small-cool-2010/small-cool-2010-seans-small-space-big-view-little-division-1-113257
Also have you seen the video of a guy’s transforming apartment in Hong Kong?? It’s amazing! Here is a link: http://absolutelyfobulous.com/2010/02/21/hong-kongs-amazing-transforming-apartment/
Our house is about 1800 sq. ft. on main floor and then we have a basement too… it’s decent sized but it’s definitely very cluttered since we’re in the process of redoing our basement and a lot of stuff we had to bring upstairs. I don’t have many tips b/c our house is a MESS, LOL! But I do need to hear some tips and use them!
Have a great weekend dear!
5xo,
Sandy
I love this contest!! It’s the best. I was thinking about entering but I’m too chicken. Are you going to enter? I think those EAT letters are from Anthro.
6That bedroom is gorgeous. When I lived in a super small space…for me the name of the game was not to let it get cluttered…and mirrors…mirrors were my friend!
7I’ve lived in some tiny places and I think the best tip is decorating with things that can multi-task. I love benches that double as storage.
We live in a HUGE place now and most of the time I think it’s too big. Too much to clean, to much to decorate, to much to mess up. The grass is always green I guess.
8who has that low platform bed? I love it and I need a new bed.
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