February 12, 2025

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Regular Rental No More: 7 Ideas to Steal from a 200-Square-Foot Studio in Brooklyn (DIY Closet Included)

When this teeny-very small condominium appeared on my Instagram feed, the 1st point that caught my focus was its airiness and considerable mild. The second matter was the kitchen. Past the considerate structure and fittings, just barely viewable in the history, was the normal rental kitchenette, the form that comes with so a lot of New York flats, familiar to any individual who’s ever lived in one particular.

Even with common-fare rental bones, Katie Hovland’s second-ground wander-up in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn feels considerably extra spacious than it is (it is 200 square feet, counting that kitchen area and the bath). But it just about was not that way. “I discovered my studio by using Fb Market,” Katie states. “I was seeking for somewhere with quite affordable lease and heaps of mild.” The condominium, when she viewed it, felt “very claustrophobic, cluttered, and gray,” she remembers, although it had superior ceilings and big home windows. “Once moved in I felt incredibly discouraged and experienced a little bit of mover’s remorse because the condominium seemed lesser than I remembered.”

Fortuitously, just after a few modest tweaks, simple furnishings shifts, and a coat of white paint (many thanks to a practical landlord), the place feels thought of, vibrant, and livable. Furthermore, Katie, a senior designer at Laura Mercier, managed to Do-it-yourself the only necessary lacking: a closet, encouraged by boutique dressing rooms and ringing in at $300.

In this article are seven lessons to discover from Katie’s regular-no-more apartment.

Photography by Katie Hovland.

1. Increase a fresh coat of paint.

a fresh coat of paint, particularly in a rental, spruces things up. katie
Higher than: A refreshing coat of paint, specifically in a rental, spruces items up. Katie’s landlord agreed to paint the entire space in a bright shade of Benjamin Moore. The Breuer chairs are from Seats and Stools.

2. Choose critical pieces diligently.

i didn’t have a budget for my space, but i knew i didn’t want to  10
Above: I didn’t have a finances for my house, but I knew I didn’t want to invest a ton of funds and held almost everything underneath $2,000,” Katie says. “I needed furniture that could store a great deal of stuff and not choose up a ton of house.” The white storage device at the conclusion of the bed is from Ikea, and the bed—with place for storage beneath—is by Thuma.

3. Finesse the structure.

A useful format is key to creating a tiny place livable. “I took measurements of the house and drew all the things up in Adobe Illustrator, like an interior structure floor plan,” Katie claims. “I moved furniture all over till I discovered anything I favored and then tried using it in authentic lifestyle.” Now there’s a (petite) zone for the essentials: sleeping, ingesting, dressing, and even a landing pad for Katie’s pet, Mickey.

4. Don’t overcrowd.

no need for a side table when a radiator makes a perfect spot for a vase; the f 11
Earlier mentioned: No need for a aspect desk when a radiator makes a excellent location for a vase the hearth acts as a normal area divider. The linen cover established and the toss pillows are from Zara Property.

5. Double your windows.

it bears repeating: hanging a mirror by a window is a simple way to bring in mu 12
Over: It bears repeating: Hanging a mirror by a window is a very simple way to bring in a lot, much much more gentle. This a single is from Umbra.

6. Really don’t undervalue refined shifts.

a subtle but impactful change: moving the fridge next to the kitchen freed up w 13
Over: A delicate but impactful alter: Shifting the fridge up coming to the kitchen freed up wall area for yet another mirror (from Focus on) and manufactured the fridge much more accessible though cooking. Shut bins above it add additional storage.

7. Do-it-yourself a closet.

the big project: the closet. 14
Earlier mentioned: The huge undertaking: the closet.

“I only had one particular clothes bar hanging on the wall when moved in,” Katie claims. “I searched for months for a wardrobe. Most ended up out of stock or also deep for my space, but they have been all over $300 so I experienced that in intellect. I obtained inspired when I came across retail corner dressing rooms.”

katie
Above: Katie’s Do-it-yourself closet. “There are two outfits rods—one for large coats and jackets and an additional for shirts—and a shoe rack,” Katie says. Observe curtains would be tricky mainly because of the ceiling molding, so a curved bar proved the fantastic option. “I took images of the space and Photoshopped the curtains to uncover the right coloration and fabric I preferred,” Katie adds. “I didn’t want my closet to glance like a shower with rings, so I pinned the linen curtain in excess of the rod as an alternative. Now it capabilities just like a dressing home, and I can pull the curtain all the way to the still left or proper.”
Higher than: “The closet cost $300, which include the handyman I hired to cling the curtain rod,” Katie claims. The curtain itself is from Solino Residence (as are the window curtains).

Prior to

the apartment has tall ceilings and original molding. 17
Above: The condominium has tall ceilings and primary molding.
before, cluttered and painted grey. 18
Previously mentioned: Ahead of, cluttered and painted gray.
a grainy listing photo shows the kitchen and bath before the fridge was moved. 19
Over: A grainy listing photo reveals the kitchen area and bath just before the fridge was moved.
and the ad hoc closet in progress. 20
Earlier mentioned: And the advertisement-hoc closet in development.

Katie’s consider on the area now: “I would like the condominium was greater and the fridge was not in the residing place, but I enjoy my apartment for its natural light-weight. It is quite cozy and has a calming vitality.” Future up, she states: subtle alterations to update the rental kitchen and bathtub.

For a lot more teeny areas, see: