You’d be surprised by how much can fit into a 240 sq ft. micro studio that is smartly designed. My older brother, Nick, has been living in his city apartment for the past four years. His building was once a historic hotel turned apartment complex. Though an incredibly small space, he was able to transform it into a cozy home by being creative and resourceful.
Nick, a former architecture student, was able to use his skills and background to craft a blueprint with various functions and flow. If you watched his original apartment tour a few years back, then you would know the general layout to his room is very much the same. However, he did make some new noteworthy modifications to enhance his space that were worth sharing. He recently bought a 55 inch OLED TV, added a hammock, and wall-mounted his bike. My new YouTube video highlights how he integrates these changes and continues to optimize every square footage of his home.
For most people, small spaces can make one feel boxed in, but for Nick – his life is not confined by the four walls of his micro-studio. In fact, living simple and minimal did the opposite. It opened up doors for him, giving him the freedom to travel. Due to the low cost of rent, he was able to save money and go on countless adventures. Last year, he accomplished one of his biggest goals which was to visit 30 countries by age 30. Next, he plans to visit all fifty states and seven continents. You can follow Nick on Instagram at @bu1ster to see some of his stunning travel photos!
As always, I appreciate you stopping by and watching my videos. I hope it helps spark design inspiration in your life! ~b
Hey guys! I’ve been wanting to make an office tour of my workspace for the longest time. I actually filmed this video at the end of November but just recently got around to editing it.
In short, my office is very minimal and modern. The main furniture pieces are all from IKEA which was provided by the company – but all of the extra decor items are things that I brought in to spruce up my space. I like to keep everything bright and colorful because unfortunately, I do not have a window in my room. However, despite this, I still love my cozy little office. I made it into a home away from home!
As I mentioned in the video, I work at my company’s headquarters. I am part of the marketing team. My responsibilities include designing (content curation + creation) plus marketing (social media + advertising) for our various locations. It’s a pretty good job and I am so thankful I get to work at a place where my skills and interest mesh so well! I put together a mini-list highlighting some of the perks of my 8-5. 🙂
– The Perks –
1.) Stability // I had a few offers to work for startup companies when I graduated from college but honestly, I really don’t think I would have liked those types of jobs. I am a person that loves structure and stability. Often times, I feel start-up positions are overworked and underpaid. If you can get your foot inside a company with a good reputation and track record then I think it’s better to work for a place that offers security.
2.) Resources + Tools // I feel very privileged to be a young professional and have an office all to myself. Working for corporate means you are provided with benefits (not just healthcare, 401 k, etc.), but also tools like a new laptop, phone, etc. We also have an intern that comes in twice a week to help me with some tedious tasks. She’s a life saver!
3.) Short Commute // I have a 10-15 min. commute to work every day. I live in Uptown but my workplace is a little outside the city center. Every morning, I see a long line of cars heading into the city as I am heading out. It makes me feel very lucky to be on the other side of the road!
4.) No Micro-Management // My boss is a really nice lady. She holds a lot of trust in her employees and never really checks up to see if we are working. It’s just to be expected of us to get the job done. I love the freedom and independence because I thrive in environments where I am in charge of my own schedule and tasks.
5.) Business Casual // I think the idea of getting dressed up to work is fun for maybe the first few months. But honestly, I love being comfortable. Wearing jeans and not having to steam my clothes for the week is definitely a perk.
6.) Work/Life Balance // Probably my favorite thing about my job. Granted, sometimes this isn’t always the case when it’s busier. But for the most part, I have been good at keeping my professional and personal life in check. I believe this creates an overall happier and healthier lifestyle.
7.) Career Alignment // I am working in a field that I want to continue to grow in. My position aligns with the future goals that I’ve had set for myself since I was a kid!
– The Cons-
1.) Hours + Vacation Time // I work from 8 am – 5 pm. Not the typical 9-5 like most corporate jobs. Although we do get an hour lunch break, I would much rather have a shorter lunch break if that meant getting out earlier. In addition, 2 weeks PTO is pretty standard but I wished we had the flexibility for more.
All in all, I feel immense gratitude for the life I am able to lead. Having a desk job and a comfortable profession is a luxury to have and I never want to take that for granted. Anyways, thanks so much for reading this post! I hope you guys enjoyed the mini office tour! ~b
Hellloooo, 2019! Kicking off the new year with a huge West Elm apartment haul! Living in the city this past year has definitely influenced my overall style. From fashion to home design, I have come to love and appreciate the contemporary, sleek aesthetics.
I remember when I was in college, I always wanted to have a city apartment full of West Elm decor. Fast forward a few years and this vision came to life! West Elm was the natural choice for me to go with when it came to decorating my urban home. I love the endless options of elegant and sophisticated furniture pieces that they carry. In addition, they also offer a wide range of handcrafted items which adds personal and unique touches to a home.
I hope you all enjoy this modern apartment haul! All the items in my video are linked below. Please keep in mind that a certain style/color might be unavailable at this time, but could be restocked in the future. Also, I included a link to the full tour of my high rise city apartmentso you guys can see these products in action! As always, thanks for stopping by! ~b
Hi guys! I am so excited to be able to share my completed high rise studio with you all!! This apartment was initially my boyfriend’s place, (you can see the empty tour here) however, fast forward about a year later and this quickly became our second home in the city!
As you can probably imagine, sharing a small space can be quite a challenge. Luckily, we had the opportunity to work with an amazing West Elm interior designer to help with the decorating process. She was able to create an open space layout with a sense of ebb and flow. So although it’s technically one room, it feels separated with distinct areas for various functions (sleep, eat, entertain, etc.)
When designing we opted for very simple but sophisticated furniture pieces. We are both are a big fan of contemporary aesthetics so we thought these modern pieces paired perfectly together. As a whole, they really elevate and craft a cohesive look within the space. (Pst..I’ll be sure to make an apartment haul video in the future featuring these items for you guys!). All in all, I absolutely love the transformation of our 585 sq. ft. studio. Now it looks and feels like a city chic apartment – there’s no other place I rather call home!
~b
The breathtaking view of the city skyline from our high-rise apartment building!
Hi guys! When I filmed my brother’s micro studio tour using my iPhone over a year ago – I had no idea that it would have blown up as much as it has. I have gained so many views, likes, and shares worldwide. I can’t thank you guys enough for the support! It means a lot to me. 🙂 Whether you live in a small space or not, I truly hoped my brother’s 240 sq. feet studio helped give you decor inspiration somehow. I wanted to make this blog post including some pictures of his space because I think it will also be beneficial to guys. Enjoy!
My brother, Nick, lives in Uptown. His apartment is located in a coveted spot within the city. It’s a five minute walk away from restaurants, parks, and entertainment. His building is also one of the oldest apartment complexes in the area, therefore it lacks all the fancy modern amenities. Though an outdated infrastructure, his $500 monthly rent has not increased in the last few years and the water is always free here which is an added bonus.
Nick is a minimalist by nature and avid traveler (visited 23 countries thus far) so his studio is well suited for his lifestyle. Living in a space that does not eat up his entire expenses makes it possible for him to go on all his adventures. And having a smaller apartment allows him to be happy with less stuff. Nick’s contemporary micro studio is both cozy and practical. When designing his home, he was mindful of every decision. He managed to divide the space into three areas – work, sleep, dine. He built a mini kitchen from scratch, crafted a creative office, and made room for a full size bed. With the help of multi-functional furniture pieces, every inch of the room was maximized. His modern vision and clever layout breathed new life into the old unit.Overall, with an affordable lease and an unbeatable location, his city studio apartment is of great value…so he’s not moving anywhere soon. 🙂 ~b
P.S. // click here for the micro studio haul featuring his apartment furnitures
Living in a small space can be super challenging, not to mention claustrophobic. However, having the right furniture pieces can make a big difference. Pieces that have dual functions can provide both storage and expansion. These clever designs are a must-have for small space homes. Here’s a roundup of items that my brother used to decorate his tiny 240 sq. feet studio in the city!
~b
P.S. // click here for the full micro studio apartment tour
This comfy space-saving sectional makes the most of his small studio. He bought it from Ikea in the as-is section and it can easily be converted from a sofa to a full-size bed! There’s even a compartment for pillows and blankets. Ikea – Kitchen Cabinets // about $60 for big unit & $30 for smaller unit
The Ikea Besta shelving units are the foundation to his mini DIY kitchen. He mounted three units to the wall to create kitchen cabinets. While placing another on the ground to act as a microwave stand. Simple, sleek, and spacious – they are perfect for a minimalist’s kitchen.Ikea – Gateleg Table // $100 as-is
Gateleg tables are a classic staple for small kitchens. They feature two drop leaf extensions on both sides. They have the ability to extend, making it ideal when guests come over or having extra room for cooking. Ikea – Magnetic Knife Rack // $9
Magnetic knife racks are a practical and inexpensive way to organize kitchen utensils. Plus they also save a ton of drawer space for other items.White Mid-Century Modern Chairs // $60 each – Similar Style
This stylish midcentury modern chair adds an understated elegance to any room. He purchased two for $60 each online. The chairs are used for dining or extra seating for his guests. (P.S. he forgot where he bought it so I linked a very similar style from Wayfair). Marshalls – Rustic Dresser // $75 – Similar Style
My brother found this affordable nightstand at Marshalls. It is made out of real wood so it’s really great quality. It also has a rustic charm to it that adds character to his home. This is where he stores his extra clothes and socks.Ikea – Computer Desk // $135
To create his mini office, he customized his workspace from Ikea. He chose a bamboo tabletop with stainless steel legs to construct his desk. This combination was a nice balance between traditional and modern.
His desk chair is also very contemporary in design. It has a chrome steel frame with ribbed upholstered leather throughout. The chair adds instant sophistication to his computer desk.Ikea – Floating Shelves // $15 each
Finally, to make the most of his wall space he added floating shelves. These shelves are filled with family photos, books, and travel souvenirs.
Hello friends! As promised, here’s a collective haul featuring furniture pieces for my boyfriend’s apartment. He has been living in his high rise studio for a few months now , but as you know – decorating a home is always a work in progress. While shopping, we sought after minimal modern designs that would help craft a contemporary space that was simple, practical, and stylish. We managed to get a lot of items on sale around the holidays due to the monsoon of promotions going on. However, please be aware that the listed prices in my video might not reflect the same price on the retailer’s website. Even so, all the furniture items are still very affordable and great pieces to consider if you are interested. As always, thanks again for stopping by. I’ll talk ya guys in my next blog post!
I also included a mock up picture that a talented interior designer created for our space. It was a fun experience and I am so appreciative for her help. However it is a more of a girly glam look which doesn’t fit our overall style.
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White Mid-Century Modern Chairs // $60 each – 
Marshalls – Rustic Dresser // $75 – 
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Marshalls – Sleek Night Stand 
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