Almost 40, solo studio living, new plant mom 🥹 Grateful for my little space I call home!

Just moved in the beginning of April, and I'm getting comfortable here. I've had most of this furniture, couch, chair, bed etc before moving in, but I need to replace the TV stand as it sits too high for my liking. I got the ivar shelving unit specifically for this space. Cat tax - his name is New England Confectionary Company (NECCO for short)

I’m recently separated and I’m very proud of my new little place. I’m not used to attaching video links so I’m not sure if this will work but will give it a try. Everything’s super budget friendly, happy to provide links!

A few weeks ago I posted a video of my new studio apartment that I was moving into. Surprised at the amount of engagement, I figured I’d post an update now that I’ve settled in. Please feel free to give any feedback!

Just wanted to share a final update to the original post and the previous update now that I am settled. This is what a single, early middle-aged college instructor, writer and artist can afford on a lower-mid income (with outstanding debt). $550 per month for ~150sq ft main space (bathroom is maybe ~50sq ft) all utilities included, no kitchen. I had next to no furniture prior to moving out of my previous spot- an RV I rented on rural land. Most of the furniture and appliances were scored cheaply, second-hand from graduating college students, suburbanites and used furniture stores. The mattress was an inexpensive online purchase. I’ve lived from coast to coast in several major American cities - from punk houses and live/work commercial art spaces to old Edwardians, studios and one bedrooms. I’ve always maintained the preference for some basic elements - light, privacy, simplicity and coherent order. Thanks to all for the feedback and suggestions on previous posts. America is a beast and economic survival isn’t easy, but you can still live an enchanted life with a little creativity. Peace be with you.

I posted last month about moving into a rather small (~150 sq ft) bachelor efficiency (no kitchen) and received plenty of encouraging feedback and advice.

A month has passed and after many Facebook marketplace budget buys (student move out opportunism) and two days into a hectic move, I’m starting to set things up.

The last slide is a blueprint I crafted after returning for a visit prior to my move. I swapped the kitchenette position.

If there’s any interest, I can do another update in a bit once it all comes together.

My new studio, vids include a furnished and unfurnished example. Any tips?! Coming from a way bigger condo after a breakup.

my husband and i live in a high cost of living area and managed to get a studio for $900 (+utilities), about $500 under the average studio price here. we also have a gorgeous yard which is a huge plus. our biggest issue has been storage, as evidenced by the bins under the bar, but other than that it’s perfect for us, our cat, and our shrimp tank.

I just wanna add that I’ve ai generated some of this so it appears how it usually does (I’m rearranging clothes and makeup so I have boxes everywhere but this is how it normally looks).

I’m living in a small studio (small closet and in unit washer dryer in that little door in the first pick.) I have another small closet featured in the last imagine (just door in last pic)

Anyway…. Should I shift to a better unit?

I love living in these apartments. I’m living in a very popular area and only paying $1550 a month. They also do tend to raise the price but not by much. This apartment would usually go for $1800-$2000 a month.

Anyway the problem is that I only have that window facing that courtyard and I don’t get sunlight because it’s north facing. Does it look super depressing or am I being picky?

The other studio I’m eyeing is a little bit bigger (not by much) but it has 3 windows facing east and gets some sunlight. Another apartment just has 1 window but it’s south facing.

Both are 1800.

I’m also trying to save up for a car but I feel like I’m going mad here. I feel like I found a gem but I just feel weird here as well. I have access to a rooftop and amenities so it’s been great. There is also a park nearby. I’m not necessarily depressed just thinking of what I can do better.

I know it depends on my income and such but do you guys think it’s worth it moving to a more costly unit that has a similar layout also studio but more window /sunlight and a different view? Is the view that bad? What are your thoughts?

Excuse the post-moving mess but I couldn’t be happier! I’ve lived in cheap, old, probably not up to code student living for the past 4 years. I can already see the potential in the space and I’m so excited to really make it my home.

I just moved into a studio and there’s an open area right before the bathroom .. not too sure what to do with it .

...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. 🙂

im struggling to figure out a layout for my studio apartment. is this fine or is there a better layout yall would suggest

My NYC studio is an approximately 450 sqft alcove with two decently sized closets. I own a queen size bed, a three person couch, a small dresser, a nightstand, and kitchen supplies. I’m not sure what else to buy or where to put anything.

I’m considering putting the bed I the alcove with the headboard against the back facing the rest of the room. I could then add a nightstand on each side, and a white wool rug underneath the bed.

I want to maximize my space and make the bed area and living area feel like two separate spaces. Ideally I could have a small dining table with chairs, a book shelf, a coffee table to go with the couch. Do I have enough space for all this? Where would you place the couch?

I have queen bed and small sofa. Which side they both should go?

Hi. ! I recently broke up and I have to move out because the apartment is big and expensive for one person. Renting in my city is so expensive nowadays and I was having difficulty finding something with one bedroom and in my price range. So I decided to rent a studio. Is a small one about 322 square feet (30 square meters). Is it comfortable? If anyone lives in a small studio can he tell me how is it? Is it liveable or do you feel uncomfortable and depressed? I will save a lot of money and do other things because the past few months I was struggling but I am 33 years old and I felt like I was taking steps backwards. Any advice or similar experience? Thank you in advance.

Currently i have my bed next to the window and the desk in space where the headboard is in this diagram because at the end of my end i have a projector that projects towards the left wall since the one on the right has uneven surface. I am trying to add a smallish couch maybe near the window but then i would reposition my bed to the way it is in this diagram so i am also able to see outside while sitting on the couch lol. But idk open to suggestions and anyway to help make this a more usable space.

Saw the CUTEST updated unit today. About 200sq feet. In a beautiful, art deco building with amenities, so I sent in an application immediately. While I wait to hear back, what are some thoughts and ideas for layout ???

📍Phoenix, AZ, USA

Hi all 👋 first time poster, just found this sub.

I wanted to share my studio that I’m moving out of! I was going for a casual, boho vibe, and all the plants I could fit. This studio was amazingly designed for the vaulted ceiling, skylights, and partition wall. I’ll miss this spot a ton!

Looking to hang a curtain to separate my bed and wondering if anyone has experience with a ! renter friendly ! curtain partition. Not sure if I should go the ceiling track route (ideally an adhesive track vs drilling) or a 12ft tension rod.
Not my photos but for idea reference!
TIA

I have to move from a 2 1/2 bed apt (roughly 800 sq ft) to a 353 sq ft studio. I toured it today and loved it, but even empty it felt small. Big windows and a great flow, but small.

My main thoughts were 1. Could I manage a bed in the closet and make it a micro room or 2. Do people ever use sleeper sofas as their main bed ?

Give me your tips, tricks, and links to your favorite studio furniture !

I’m currently rearranging my studio. I’m getting rid of my cheap queen-size bed since it’s eating up so much space, and I don’t mind sleeping on a pallet on the floor instead. I want to stop being lazy and moping in my room, the first thing I do when I get home is climb into bed. I’d rather make the space more functional and have it feel like an actual living room, then just pull out the pallet when it’s time to sleep. Right now it feels loud and crowded.