The (Mostly) Functional Decor Items That Make My Studio Apartment Feel Anything But Small
My design philosophy and the pieces I'd buy again and again.
My apartment is incredibly special to me. While San Francisco has felt like home practically since the day I moved here 8.5 years ago, this apartment is the first place that I’ve felt 100% at home. A lot of that has to do with the fact that moving into this apartment also marked the first time I lived on my own, and all of the growth and change that comes with that chapter of life.
I live on the top floor of a 1920s building that still has its original windows, so I have both an incredible view of the city and all of the quirks and problems that come with living in a 100+ year old space. These quirks, like the fact that the floors are uneven and there are all of 4 outlets in the main living space (all on one side of the room), have required me to get extra creative in order to maximize the limited amount of space I have. It’s been quite the challenge, and at times incredibly frustrating, but it’s also helped to define my style and improve my design skills.
My Design Philosophy
My first rule of thumb is that design should never be 100% finished. I like to live in a space for a bit before I make any major decisions to really get a sense of how I need or want a room to flow. I lived in this apartment with boxes on the floor and no place to sit other than my bed for months. That was partially because I was a bit paralyzed by decision, but it was more about the fact that I wanted to make sure I was making the right choices for the space and how I wanted to exist in it.
Your needs and wants of a space will also likely evolve the longer you’re in it, which brings me to my second rule of thumb: invest in pieces that are multifunctional or can work in multiple spaces, bonus points for both. This is especially relevant for apartment living because maybe that’s your home for a decade, or maybe only a year. Either way, I don’t want to constantly be starting from scratch, emotionally, spatially, or financially.
For example, when I finally did decide on seating for my living space, I bought these chairs, which I know would work in any future actual living room, or even as a reading chair in a bedroom, and the color and style will work with just about anything around it. Or take this desk, which is one of the more recent purchases I’ve made. It’s not my dream desk (that would be this one, or vintage Bauhaus), but in addition to it being the exact width of the bay window it sits under, it’s relatively inexpensive, won’t fall apart over the years (though it’s naturally acquired a few scratches), and will work in any other space, either as a desk or a console table in a dining room, or practically anywhere else.
It’s a constant battle between the pieces I really, really want, and what will actually work in this unique layout. It’s meant passing up a lot of fantastic pieces at the flea market, but it’s also made me a lot more thoughtful about how I approach design.
I’ve lived in this studio apartment for nearly three years and despite the fact that there is still an entirely empty wall (we’re not going to talk about it), I’m really happy with where the design and decor is right now. Check in with me in a year and maybe the space will look entirely different, but no matter what, the pieces below are ones I’d buy over and over again. They’re items that are as enjoyable to look at as they are functional, and have made all the difference in making the most of my studio apartment.
There are a few things I bought as soon as I signed the lease for this apartment. Sabre flatware was at the very top of that list. They’re not only beautiful, but they’re a very simple way to add personality (and fun) to everything you eat. I started with Dinner Spoons, Dinner Forks, and Dinner Knives, then very quickly purchased the butter spreaders, which are a must. If you’re ever in Paris, stop by one of their boutiques to make your own custom set—you can even make one-off two-tone pieces.
What’s not to love about a butter yellow coffee maker? For awhile I was convinced that there wasn’t room in the kitchen for a full size coffee maker, but there are few greater feelings than simply flipping a switch to brew a full pot of coffee (if you prepped it the night before, of course). I still use my Aeropress from time to time, but the Moccamaster has massively upgraded my morning routine.
This kettle was another immediate purchase. Somewhere throughout my 20s, a kettle became an essential item. And for an appliance that will always be on display, the color couldn’t be more perfect. It’s on the pricier side, but more than worth it.
My bathroom is a lot larger than you would expect and also gets a lot of natural light. When it was time to replace my old shower curtain, it was a very easy decision to get one from Quiet Town. Not only are their shower curtains available in some of the most delightful colors and patterns, but their Sun Shower curtains remove the need for a shower liner. And because they’re see-through, they help make your space look even bigger. I’ll never go back to a fabric shower curtain.
Bath mats are one of the easiest ways to add color to your bathroom. I was already on the hunt for a new one when I happened upon a HAY design store in Rotterdam last December. I love everything HAY makes, and seeing this bath mat in person sealed the deal. It’s really soft and fluffy, perfectly compliments my shower curtain, and is slightly longer than your average bath mat, which is something my bathroom required. Eventually I’ll pick up the matching bath and hand towels.
Vintage Lighting
I love an orb lamp, especially a vintage Space Age orb lamp. An orb allows for omni-directional light (essential when lighting sources are minimal) but also doesn’t force you to look directly at a lightbulb. If you’re looking for something a little more interesting than the IKEA FADO lamp, vintage lamps will be your best bet. My Etsy favorites are full of really fantastic orb lamps, like this one or this pair of green lamps, but I’ve also had luck sourcing lamps at local flea markets or from local sellers like Upper Line Vintage.
Urban Outfitters Ryan 4-Tier Shelf
This shelf is a great example of slowly and intentionally designing a space. First I bought the chairs, which then meant the full-length mirror had to move, and then I became someone who doesn’t turn on the Big Light and thus needed surfaces for lamps. All of my books had also been sitting in piles on the floor and I needed a solution for that too. Not only is this shelf a great shade of blue and the perfect height—not too tall that it overwhelms the space—but because it’s made from powder-coated metal, it costs less than $200, is easy to clean, and won’t fade or stain.
Art
Walking into my apartment you’d never know that I grew up thinking art was a waste of money. My entryway features a floor-to-ceiling gallery wall that I very proudly did not measure at all when hanging. In the kitchen you’ll find an appropriately-themed collection of food and beverage pieces that double as my background on client calls. This bowtie pasta print is probably the most-complimented piece. I’ve come to learn that art not only makes an empty wall a lot less boring, but it gives a space the character it needs to feel like a home. You can learn a lot about a person by the art they hang (or don’t).
I’ve shockingly kept several plants alive over the last few years, but I’ve always struggled with where to put them. Enter: funky plant stands! I love these for my bigger plants that are too heavy to sit on a shelf or table so that they don’t have to just sit on the floor. Usually, I’d opt for something that’s not as single-purpose, but these stands take up less space than your pot and are priced well enough that you can buy multiples if needed.
Colorful Cutting Boards
If there’s one thing (design-related) to know about me, it’s that I hate wood. And that includes cutting boards. I know they’re much better for the planet and for us, but they get so gross so fast and I genuinely just don’t want to look at them. That doesn’t mean I haven’t had them, but I finally got to replace them when I was gifted the HAY (what else) chopping boards and the mini version of this confetti-style board for Christmas last year. As expected, they all look stunning on my kitchen counter and make chopping things more enjoyable than you maybe thought possible.
You’ve probably seen these crates everywhere (and plenty of knockoffs) but they really are as useful as they are pleasing to look at. They’re a fantastic storage solution for anything and everything, hence why I have so many in such a small space.
Thanks for reading Room to Grow! You can follow along on Instagram, connect with me on LinkedIn, or shop my favorites. If you’re interested in partnering with me or Room to Grow, you can email hello@skylarallen.co or fill out the form on my website.