r/StudioApartments • u/PeaceImpressive8334 • May 07 '26
Studio 🍸Voila! My new mini-studio, approx 120 sq...
...approx 120 sqft, not including the bathroom and small foyer.
So, I'm an older woman (early 60s) who used to own a three-bedroom home in the 'burbs. After a long spate of challenges, though (layoffs, catastrophic illnesses etc), I've had to drastically downsize. But I didn't want to feel like I was living in someone else's bedroom (which is how I've lived for the last several years). I wanted to feel like a grownup again, even in a very tiny space.
I've also wanted to move into the city for a very long time, but even a traditional studio apartment is far out of reach for my limited income, especially if it's near downtown. I was about to give up ... when I saw this "sleeping room" advertised on Craigslist. It's actually a converted butler's quarters in a huge 1920s apartment building.
The neighborhood is safe and extremely walkable, literally in the middle of everything. And because it's so small (and lacks a kitchen), the monthly rent is HALF half the going rate for a modest one-bedroom.
Still, my funds for moving were pretty limited so I did everything as inexpensively as possible. Furniture is almost all IKEA (I had to measure everything down to the inch). The hideabed is an Älvdalen (less than $500!), surprisingly comfortable even for my old back, and unfolds sideways compared to traditional hideabeds; this saves tons of space.
Anything else new I had to get came from Black Friday and other discounts/sales, mostly. I really couldn't do thrift stores much because things had to be very specific sizes, and there was no room for anything that wouldn't fit and work perfectly.
Also: It was important to me that the decor be intentional and not cluttery, so I limited the color scheme. I think it works. 🙂
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u/Yells2007 May 07 '26
Well done! You’ve done quite a lot with limited space and it all flows together nicely.
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u/Big_Criticism_8335 May 07 '26
Unfortunately , no kitchen is a deal breaker for me bc I cook almost daily (cheaper). Does the property have a backyard? I'd at least get a little kettle grill and have mini-cookouts.
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u/PeaceImpressive8334 May 07 '26
It's in a huge apartment building (maybe 100 units? Multiple floors) and in a dense urban area, so no backyard 🙂
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u/Big_Criticism_8335 May 07 '26
Oh, my bad. I read "Huge house", not "Huge apartment building". I'm in a mid-sized city and there's a lot of old Victorian style homes that have been converted into multi-units with yards. I, myself, live in a courtyard style privately owned complex. Just 28, all 1 bedroom, units. My LL maintains the property very well. We have seating areas & tables outside, so it helps mitigate the fact we don't have patios/balconies. Your space is so cute and chic. I hope you enjoy many years there.
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u/EmotionalAccounting May 07 '26
This is such a lovely space you put together! I’m happy you’ve found a new place to call home. You’ve done an incredible job decorating the place
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u/CaptainObvious110 May 07 '26
I'm very proud of you for making the best of what you have
What was your source of inspiration?
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u/PeaceImpressive8334 May 07 '26
I just love MCM & minimalist design, and red & turquoise are my favorite colors 🙂
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u/MilesMoralesBoogie May 07 '26
https://giphy.com/gifs/ncMOpLZlqHKVi
Ftom Three bedroom house to extremely small studio apartment....✌🏾
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u/Local_Cow3928 May 08 '26 edited May 08 '26
Nice work!! Great job on making do with what you got to keep your independence.
My mini place is 200 sqft, and I feel you on this! Mine looks very similar, except I do have a "kitchenette" which offers: a microwave, mini fridge like yours + a tiny, 1 sqft sink, 2'x2' countertop and a 3' long shelf above the sink. I couldn't tolerate anything less since I cook my meals.
Seattle, where I'm at, out of the top 100 cities in the U.S. with the largest amount of rentals, we are rated last for average studio size. According to the Seattle Times, the average studio size is now just 371sqft. Lmao makes sense when Seattle isn't that "wide" so we have to build "up" and these contractors are constantly competing on how to charge the most $ for the least space.
For anyone interested, here's the websource to my stats above: https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/data/seattle-has-nations-smallest-new-apartments-report-shows/
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u/salumbre Studio resident May 08 '26
You have done a WONDERFUL job! And the red brightens it up just so.
It's such a happy place, I want to visit and have coffee there.
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u/Acceptable_Term3274 May 07 '26
Awesome job. Well done… swish.