This Manhattan 250-Square-Foot Studio Has Hosted 10 People Before (Comfortably!)
There are several features of Lauren Kohl’s Manhattan apartment that make it special. For starters, it’s only 250 square feet (and that’s shared between her and a cat, Mabel!), it doubles as a makeup studio for her side hustle, and it’s the true definition of a minimalist space.
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In fact, that last detail is what stood out to me most on the windy January afternoon I spent at her home. (I should mention that Lauren, Mabel, Kiritin (a photographer), and I all moved carefully yet freely within the tight space.) As a New York renter and former studio dweller, I’m familiar with space-maximizing tricks, but Lauren had a different approach. Instead of finding secret or aesthetically pleasing hiding places, she simply got rid of things that didn’t have a purpose. No woven baskets above your cabinets, I thought, how is this possible?
Several times throughout our visit, Lauren mentioned that decluttering her home also helped to free up space in her mind, making her home a “little pocket of peace” in the city. “I also got rid of a lot of stuff, which was extremely liberating,” Lauren explains. “I now live a very minimalist lifestyle.”
That same day, Lauren was leaving our photoshoot to board a flight to Rome for the long weekend. Looking around her home, it’s safe to say that she enjoys experiencing new places. Whether it’s her extensive mug collection (she picks one up whenever she travels!) or the photos of travels lining her fridge and her walls, these touches add color and sentimentality to her small space. She’s been there for a year, and plans to stay another. The home is perfect for Lauren and her cat, and is also cleverly designed so she can host guests (she says she’s hosted up to 10 people in the space).
“When I first saw it, I loved how it was totally renovated and a complete blank canvas for me to create a serene and safe space for me, and now my kitty Mabel,” Lauren says. “Now it is my favorite place to sip coffee, read, play fetch with Mabel, and decompress with a hot cup of tea after a long day.”
Resources
LIVING ROOM/BEDROOM
- Chair — Wayfair
- Table & Chairs — Wayfair
- Bed/Headboared — Amazon
- Nightstand/Dresser — Wayfair
BATHROOM
- All Decor — Amazon and Etsy
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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