A “Giant Pink Bookcase” Makes This Studio Apartment Feel Spacious
Cullen Ormond
·7 min read
"I would describe my home style as colorful yet traditional, with a lot of historical whimsy thrown in! I am inspired by colors, textures, and patterns, especially those from the early modern period," describes Ashley, who runs History in High Heels blog. Credit: Amanda ArchibaldCredit: Amanda Archibald
"As a historian of the early modern world, I love finding inspiration from the past. I would also say that my style is unapologetically feminine and playful since I have the luxury of living alone," she continues. "I believe your home should bring you joy!" Credit: Amanda ArchibaldCredit: Amanda Archibald
"My biggest challenge was space, or lack thereof," she admits. "We tend to equate success with living in larger spaces, but I like living small, as long as it is well-planned and has adequate storage. While I don’t need a lot of space, I do need a balance of form and function. I want my place to look great, but also function for my life and needs." Credit: Amanda ArchibaldCredit: Amanda Archibald
"Working from home, I knew I needed to create three separate and functional spaces — a bedroom, living room, and office all from my 480-square-foot studio. And all without feeling like my stuff was caving in on me!" she continues. Credit: Amanda ArchibaldCredit: Amanda Archibald
"The apartment was pretty much a blank space when I moved in. It had a horribly beige kitchen, outdated bathroom, and gray walls, but fantastic vintage parquet wood floors. Focusing on maximizing space and balancing form and function, I got to work space planning before I ever moved in." Credit: Amanda ArchibaldCredit: Amanda Archibald
"My first and biggest challenge was the arrangement. I measured every inch and drew the apartment to scale. I mapped out my paths of travel and all of my furniture, trying an endless combination of arrangements," she continues. Credit: Amanda ArchibaldCredit: Amanda Archibald
Some of her advice for how to design a home on a budget is to be intentional where you spend money. "You can also splurge on furniture finishes, like knobs and legs, to elevate cheaper or basic items. Raising an affordable Amazon sofa with stylish legs will make it look much nicer. And, adding details to IKEA basics can completely transform the look of the piece," she describes. Credit: Amanda ArchibaldCredit: Amanda Archibald
Some more of her advice: "[Y]ou probably need a bigger rug! Most people attempt to save by purchasing smaller rugs. But I promise, you need a bigger rug! For example, in your living room all of the legs of your conversational furniture arrangement should sit on your rug. Properly-sized rugs really elevate a space. Spend the extra to make sure your rug is big enough for your space." Credit: Amanda ArchibaldCredit: Amanda Archibald
Ashley says that all of her IKEA hacks are her proudest DIYS, but that she is "quite proud that I managed to dupe an Anthropologie bar cabinet that costs over 2k for just $250 using pool noodles!" See more at her blog. Credit: Amanda ArchibaldCredit: Amanda Archibald
After Ashley figured out the best floor plan, it turned out the thing that made the most sense was putting her bed next to the entryway. Credit: Amanda ArchibaldCredit: Amanda Archibald
"For me, near the entry was the best solution. I don’t entertain beyond close friends, so it does not bother me that my bed is the first thing you see. It does, however, seem to upset many people on the internet," she admits. Credit: Amanda ArchibaldCredit: Amanda Archibald
"I firmly believe that in small spaces every item (EVERY!) needs a place. If every item you own does not have a place, you need to revamp your organization. Tiny homes feel messy and overwhelming fast," Ashley admits. Credit: Amanda ArchibaldCredit: Amanda Archibald
"Having a designated place for everything makes keeping clean and organized a breeze. My favorite organizing systems for small spaces are IKEA’s Elvarli system and Elfa’s back-of-door-storage. Both allow you to really maximize small spaces with customizable storage to fit your specific needs." Credit: Amanda ArchibaldCredit: Amanda Archibald
Ashley explains that she's a "big fan of open clothing storage. For me fashion and home decor are simply an extension of one another. I want to see all of my beautiful clothes! It is also a practical solution for me. As a very visual person, I have trouble imagining the possibilities of my clothing when tucked away in closets and drawers. Not only is my IKEA Elvarli tension closet system renter friendly, it helps me wear and appreciate the clothing I already own." Credit: Amanda ArchibaldCredit: Amanda Archibald
Another budget decor tip Ashley says is to go with throws. "Why break your budget on a costly comforter or duvet when you can just add a bold and luxurious throw to your bed? Sure $168 seems like a lot to spend on a throw, but it is better than the $300 plus you would need to spend to get the same look and feel with an entire comforter or duvet. Plus, with an affordable white comforter, you can easily update/change your décor without replacing your bedding," she writes. Credit: Amanda ArchibaldCredit: Amanda Archibald
Six months ago, when Ashley, who runs the History in High Heels blog, started looking for a new rental apartment in Washington, D.C., the experience was disheartening. “It felt like people who can’t afford $3,000 a month on rent didn’t deserve things like a decent kitchen, dishwasher, windows and natural light, or updated finishes,” she says.
However, as luck would have it, Ashley soon found her current apartment, which checked a lot of boxes: It was a great price and had gorgeous natural light, amenities like central air, and an incredible layout. In a word, it was almost perfect.
“The only downside was its smaller size and age,” Ashley writes. “It was a bit of a diamond in the rough. But I knew with some thoughtful space planning and strategic DIYs, the space would be perfect for me!”
Credit: Provided by Ashley BuchananCredit: Provided by Ashley Buchanan
When she moved into the apartment, it was essentially a blank slate — with beautiful parquet floors. So, to maximize space and functionality, Ashley mapped out the space. “My first and biggest challenge was the arrangement,” she notes. “I measured every inch and drew the apartment to scale. I mapped out my paths of travel and all of my furniture, trying an endless combination of arrangements.”
It’s not just a shrewd layout that Ashley pieced together in her home; she also DIYed several rooms and furniture items, like a $250 Anthropologie bar cart dupe, transforming her basic kitchen into a citrusy oasis, and used an IKEA bookshelf to divide her living room and bedroom areas.
And when it came to decorating, Ashley was able to create a high-end-looking home by knowing where to spend money. “My best decorating advice is to know when to splurge and when to save! If you aren’t settled in long-term housing, or simply don’t have the funds to invest in pricey furniture, you can elevate the look of budget furniture and your decor with very strategic splurges. Items like lamp shades, pillows, and curtains are small items that make a big impact when it comes to style,” she suggests.
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