This 300-Square-Foot NYC Studio Cleverly Solves Small-Apartment Headaches

published Jun 3, 2025

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Visual artist Elizabeth Pattyn has rented this 300-square-foot studio apartment in Brooklyn for a year-and-a-half, and estimates the building it’s located in to be from the 1920s. Before moving in, Elizabeth says that the space was pretty basic-looking, “drab, and dirty (I recall dust, grime, and even cigarette butts in the kitchen sink upon moving in, but I looked past all of that for the great layout and price!).”

Credit: Elizabeth Pattyn

"Many of my favorite mid-century designers are highlighted through the pieces I've collected. The vintage 1970s Saarinen tulip chair was one of my best Facebook Marketplace finds when I lived in Boston — $100 with free delivery!" describes Elizabeth. "My living room area highlights my television, as well as a selection of vintage posters from my collection. I enjoy having a few additional pieces out for display, but tried to make sure that they feel intentionally curated and not cluttered."

Elizabeth admits to having an “intense love for color, pattern, and all things vintage.” So it’s no surprise that the home she’s created in this small space over the last year-and-a-half is a “vibrant, cheerful, and inviting” home. And it’s not the first time she’s created this kind of style in a petite space.

Credit: Elizabeth Pattyn

"All of the furniture pieces (sofa, coffee table, dresser, and bed frame) are vintage mid-century modern, and purchased at estate sales or vintage shops," Elizabeth writes. "I found the four-leaf clover tapestry locally on Facebook Marketplace — it is by one of my favorite mid-century designers, Alexander Girard, and fills the wall space perfectly!"

“I was actually featured on Apartment Therapy back in 2019 when I was a graduate student living in Boston, and I still enjoy many of the furniture pieces I’ve owned since then!” Elizabeth writes. “I moved to New York City about two years ago, and this is the first apartment in which I have lived by myself. I greatly enjoy the freedom of living alone, and the opportunity to decorate my space exactly how I please.”

Credit: Elizabeth Pattyn

"My biggest advice is to decorate with pieces that you love, regardless of trends, to create a home that makes you smile and reflects your own personal taste," Elizabeth advises. "I also think that it is of great importance to take your time when decorating a space, and perhaps save up for those bigger purchases if possible. I have found that putting ample thought and consideration into purchases has paid off for me, in that I have owned a lot of my favorite pieces for over a decade now, and hope to have them for many more decades to come. I ultimately value quality over quantity, and try my best to invest in well-made pieces that will endure through future moves and seasons of life."

Along with a few renter-friendly updates to areas like the kitchen, Elizabeth has mostly added vibrancy to the home through her collection of cool items. “I strive to surround myself with objects that I find both beautiful and functional, as it is very important to me that my home make me feel happy and comfortable,” Elizabeth writes.

Credit: Elizabeth Pattyn

"I am lucky to have a decent-sized bathroom for New York City standards," admits Elizabeth. "I love the vintage-style shower rod that wraps around the tub!"

“I am also very passionate about sustainability, and particularly shopping secondhand whenever possible. Most of the items in my possession have been collected over many years, and were often purchased at estate sales, thrift stores, and on Facebook Marketplace. While I find the thrill of the hunt much more enjoyable than simply purchasing from big-box retailers, I also appreciate the ability to acquire unique, high-quality pieces at reasonable costs from the secondhand market.”