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Im moving up to NY in about a week and due to budget constraints I've signed a lease for a very small (450 sq ft including bathroom) studio apartment. It's essentially one long room with a bathroom in the front, kitchen appliances along one wall in the middle, and living space in the back.

Now I need help decorating it (also on a budget). I'm a 23 year old male in college. At the bare minimum I need a bed, couch, desk, and TV stand. Attached are pictures of the space - bare bones loft - and I'll be posting pictures of furniture I'm considering.

I don't think I can attach more than 1 image per post so please excuse the torrent of posts I'm about to make on my own thread.

Picture of studio with back to window

Window shades: $30

I need window shades. These are pretty cheap and easy to apply and look pretty clean. Feel free to comment on everything I post.

Available at:
http://www.amazon.com/Redi-Sha...cm_cr_pr_product_top

4-Panel Room Divider Screen: $68 (including shipping)

I think I'm going to put my bed (full size mattress on raised metal frame for storage underneath) length-wise close to the window with the head end against the same wall as the kitchen appliances. This screen divider will create a division between the bed space and the living space.

Available at:
http://www.amazon.com/4-panel-...IW5S/ref=pd_sbs_hg_6

Congrats on your new digs. Focus on furniture that's multipurpose (sofa bed or murphy bed perhaps) and in scale, utilizing dead space and vertical space, decluttering/storage/organization. Also, consider armless pieces, bringing some out into the room to divide the spaces (if possible), maintaining a flow of color, the use of area rugs and the all important lighting. Here are some helpful links:

http://tinyhouseblog.com/tiny-...ll-studio-apartment/

http://www.bhg.com/decorating/...ur-apartment/#page=1

Futon-couch: $190

I've looked on Craigslist for cheaper furniture solutions and anything near this price has either been shredded by cats or looks like my grandmother's furniture from the 1970's. A real black leather couch far exceeds my budget so I'm looking at this black faux-leather futon. It should be compact enough to fit in the room and large enough a guest can sleep on it if need be.

Available at:
http://www.amazon.com/Dorel-Ho...itback/dp/B005FKMUHQ

This message has been edited. Last edited by: tazrockon,

The shoji screen is a good way to divide the space and create privacy, but it does take up a bit of valuable floor space. Consider hanging panels of curtain from a tension wire to create a soft wall that you can swag back. Even if you do so on one side (kitchen side) vs. both, it can be drawn closed when needed.

Handsome futon, but factor in it's comfort level since it's an important piece.

If you can spare the floor space, an open bookcase or cubed storage system can offer a division (when brought out from the wall near the stove) which not only allows light to filter in, but also storage space for books, decorative boxes or baskets to stash things, art objects, etc. Check out inexpensive units at Ikea. Don't clutter them tho.

Froo Froo:

The soft wall is an interesting idea. A quick google search turned up some cool possibilities. I've attached one that caught my eye.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: tazrockon,

I'm thinking 2 black ones hanging like this with a second accent color - red ? - falling flat behind them to separate the bed from the living space. And one curtain could be used with the same hanging but pulled to the side effect to create a small partition between the stove and living space.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: tazrockon,

You might want to spend some time looking at the Apartment Therapy web site to find some inspiration. I'll link one article that you might find helpful below to get you started.
http://www.apartmenttherapy.co...budget-furnit-140145

On second thought, I'm concerned about billowing fabric near the electric stove. Of course, you could add weights to the hem of the panels.

Is the open bookcase a viable option? It would allow light to pass and afford you storage (w/ decorative boxes/baskets) as well. I'm thinking something along these lines:
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/cata.../40047675/#/80071319

Your studio has alot of nice features. I think your idea to divide the space is a good one. Have you considered a piece like the expedite to divide the bed area? It would provide alot more storeage. I like the shades but might go with white to keep it as light as possible.

You are going to have a great space!

I am so loving that SINK! And you do have some storage. Wow you got a whole 4 burner stove AND oven.
The floors are wonderful and the light you get is amazing!
You got beige everywhere, so I am not sure about the black drapery because it will cut light from getting to the other side of the 'bed' area where you need it most. Are you going to get a desk? That might be better to put the bed along side of the wall (appliance wall) and a desk in front of the window to get full use of natural daylight.

You have a lot of great texture in the space too, you are lucky to find such space!
Is it inner city like Manhattan?

taz...google decorating 450 sq ft space...found a wonderful brazilian designer's...of course hgtv isn't letting me c/p for you...

saw a space done years ago wwith a dividing "wall" of shelving (a must for storage)

one side was a modest full bed on a platform(more storage under) the other was a simple loveseat, tv and wooden tray for eating...

hey found another awesome 450 on you tube...they did the space for $1500...

This message has been edited. Last edited by: sjf,

Is there a closet? If not, you need to factor in some freestanding storage.

I owned and lived in a 450 sq ft condo for eight years. It is quite do-able.

Thanks for all the input! The pictures are not displaying for me anymore but the links still seem to work.

It's not in Manhattan (I wish!), it's in upstate NY. I found it through a property company online and from the pictures it was hard for me to determine if a closet was included. Off the bathroom they mentioned there was a closet but I have a feeling it's just a linen closet, so I'll find out when I get there in about a week.

Graciepj, I'll definitely check out the apartment therapy website.

Originally I didn't really care for the Ikea Expedit shelving but it's starting to grow on me. The fact they make all the drawers and attachments for it is really cool. I'm going to spend some time browsing the Ikea website as they have desks and other pieces in my price range.

Also, the island/rolling counter is a great idea. Maybe I can find like a rolling bar with shelves?

I'll be sure to post up pictures once I'm in my place.

Several people are having trouble seeing the pics.

here are links to a few AT smallest, coolest apartment contests. You may find some fun ideas!

http://community.apartmentther...llcool/2012/entries/

http://community.apartmentther...llcool/2011/entries/

http://contests.apartmenttherapy.com/2010/small-cool/

I can't wait to see what your project once you get started.

I know it's been a while but I said I'd post pictures once I was finished moving in. I finally feel like my place is livable.

I ended up finding most my furniture on Craigslist for a fraction of what I was planning to pay online. This is great because I ended up having to spend more than expected on other things (mattress, curtains, clothing storage wardrobes).

So here's the run-down on my furniture and cost:

Futon: $190 from Walmart.com
2 leather chairs: $40 each from Craigslist
TV stand: $20 from Craigslist
Computer desk: $20 from Craigslist
Coffee table: $30 from Craigslist
2 clothing storage wardrobes + extra sheet to cover back side: $50/total from Bed, Bath, Beyond
Curtain rod + curtains: $100
Mattress, mirror, other minor essentials: $350

I bought some large red/black/white abstract art pieces online that I plan to hang above the couch but they have not yet arrived.

Here's a few pictures. Any recommendations?

Another pic.

And another pic.

And another.

I think you did a great job and were a smart shopper as well!!!

I hope you enjoy your time in your new space!!!

You went with all black things... interesting, and an opportunity to now bring in some color!

I like that you picked items all from CL so you saved a lot of money! And the scale of the items do not overwhelm the room.

Your sleeping area looks cozy and like an actual bedroom!

You listed your purchases, you chose all on your list. So, you have a great start for future moves and places you will live in.

My favorite purchase you made was those tow chairs, they were a great buy AND they actually look comfortable!

Thanks for sharing with us and providing great photos of your process in furnishing this nice place!

Hi Taz, you did a good job with a difficult and small space to decorate.

The pictures you took are a tremendous aid in seeing exactly what you have done and how you laid out the furniture.

IMHO the back of the closet fixture is the dominant focal point. It definitely serves the purpose as a room divider (yet lets in light from the windows). However the black is oppressive esp with all the other black in the room. A nice large colorful print could do a lot to brighten that space.

Also as an additional storage space and room divider, if you had a piece of pegboard as deep as your stove and as high as the cabinet over it fastened perpendicular to the brick wall you could hang pots or kitchen utensils from it and not have to see the kitchen when watching t.v. with friends.

quote:

Originally posted by tazrockon:
I bought some large red/black/white abstract art pieces online that I plan to hang above the couch but they have not yet arrived.

Any recommendations?

Very nice! You have done an excellent job of furnishing this small space. When you get your art pieces you might then find some red accessories, and also perhaps some white ones to further decorate your home. A white shag rug (possibly a flokati) would lighten and provide more soft texture. Red pillows for the futon and some red kitchen utensils hanging on the wall might be other choices.

Do you find the lighting in this apartment sufficient for your needs? I don't see any lamps so wonder if you'd like/need to add one or 2.

Good job of pulling together a functional space for yourself and on such a tight budget! I hope your studies progress well and that you enjoy your time in New York.

It looks great!!

not crazy about black, usually...but i LOVE the black bed accessory...the dog!
hope you're both happy in your new space...

I've been looking at rugs to bring some color to the floor but many of them are very expensive. Also, my dog has black hair and does shed a bit so as much as I'd love a white shag rug, pretty much any light color on the floor is out of the question.

If you look in the original pictures you'll see the apartment has lights that hang from the ceiling so those + the light from the windows are more than sufficient.

I'll definitely find some red (maybe red/white) throw pillows for the couch once my art arrives.

I didn't see your dog til someone mentioned...but WOwww, you did a fantastic job furnishing your place...everything you need, but not crowded looking at all!

Since you have that great natural light, how 'bout bringing in a couple live plants...appealing and they help clean your air

Congrats on your new digs and hope your classes are going well.

Keep us updated as you add goodies to your home.

Wow, I have to say that I'm very impressed.

Just add some prints, a rug and a little more color here and there, and you're done.

Good job.

Great job, you've made it look alot bigger, nice furbaby too !!!!

Your space looks great. Thanks for posting the after pictures. Gotta love craigslist eh!!