A 200-Square-Foot Studio Apartment Has Smart Small Space Storage Ideas

published Jun 18, 2020

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Gray sofa with colorful pillows, a cat sitting on the backrest, and a wooden cat tree by the window. — Credit: Jamie Norwood

Name: Jamie Norwood, and my cat Viola
Location: Washington Square West — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Type of home: Studio Apartment
Size: 200 square feet
Years lived in: 1 year, renting

Credit: Jamie Norwood

I go for white and neutral bedding so I can add color with fun pillows and not get sick of the design. This floating shelf is Ikea and I'm constantly changing the arrangement of it!

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: Welcome to my little 200-square-foot studio! My name’s Jamie and I’m a 26-year-old business owner in Philly. I’ve been working full time on my company Stix with my co-founder for about 18 months now. When I rented this apartment, I was looking for something affordable and close to my office. I didn’t think I’d be spending much time at home—but, of course, 2020 proved me wrong.

Credit: Jamie Norwood

This is the entryway/kitchen/doors to the bathroom and closet. This Ikea kitchen cart is the lifesaver. It holds everything I need and I use i's also a ton of counterspace.

I signed the lease on the spot upon viewing the apartment. It’s small but mighty. It’s a corner apartment, so three walls are covered with windows. The ceilings are high and the light pours in every day—I swear this place never feels small! There’s a tiny kitchen with no counter space, but I hacked together enough room to bake up a storm (one of my favorite activities) with an IKEA kitchen cart. I think I’ve gotten space out of every inch in this apartment. Over the door pantries are my best friend! Another draw to this space is the storage. I have two large closets, so I’m able to tuck away anything that I don’t use on a daily basis. I even fit my bike in one of the closets!

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Airy, cozy, and warm.

Credit: Jamie Norwood

I got this basically new West Elm sofa off Facebook Marketplace and it's the comfiest.

What is your favorite room and why? The whole space is one room, but I love the couch and rug. I stalked Facebook Marketplace for weeks and found this gorgeous, like-new West Elm sofa for a few hundred bucks. My cat sheds like crazy so I bought a Ruggable rug and I’m able to throw it in the wash whenever it needs some freshening up. When the weather’s nice, I can open up all the windows and sitting on my couch, it feels like sitting on a breezy, screened-in porch.

Credit: Jamie Norwood

This little table has become my office during quarantine. It's a cheap Amazon buy but it feels high quality..

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? I’ve been stocking up on plants during quarantine, as well as coffee goods. Buying a milk frother truly changed the game…

Credit: Jamie Norwood

Tiny but mighty kitchen! This magnetic fridge organizer holds all my spices and oils. I take advantage of every open space in this kitchen and it holds a surprising amount.

Any advice for creating a home you love? Add pieces you love! I don’t think I can describe “my style” but I do think everything fits together cohesively. I’m by no means a minimalist, so I move things around and add pieces whenever I get the urge. Also, I never regret pieces I bought traveling. I was in Oaxaca, Mexico and bought some hand woven pillow cases. I wish I bought more.

This submission’s responses were edited for length and clarity.

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