David from Simple, Organized Life asked about pictures of my apartment.
Some of you long-time readers from Fabulously Broke in the City will have already seen this but here goes:
The Tour of my Studio!
Walking in, this is what our front hall way looks like.
The front closet is actually my clothing closet.
Here’s my closet, in the front closet.
My clothes are on the far right. BF took the other side.
Note: This was all taken before winter. My heavy jacket and stuff are out right now, so there’s less space in the closet.
Kitchen to your right…
And just above the right side, near the sink area, there’s a bar top counter where we keep all of our fruits and veggies.
This really frees up a TON of space on our dining room table.
On the other side is our other walk-in storage area with a fridge (don’t ask) and more shelves, plus a little storage room (straight ahead).
Here’s the storage closet in the walk-in storage area.
The walk in storage area also leads into the bathroom on the right.
We don’t have towels in there because we hang it up in the walk-in storage area
I love the little cubby thing that goes across. All my potions and lotions are hidden in there, as well as BF’s electric razor.
Heading out of there completely, you are immediately in the dining/office room area..
(see? clear, empty table! It’s great.)
.. and the view from the other side is where we sleep on our futon, and our “bedside” is the floor space beside the bed.
I am clearly the side with the teddy bear. 
That rack on the side also turned into a electronics station.
We have our folders for our companies, our mini netbooks, BF’s Macbook that he uses occasionally, and an iPod is set up in the middle of the two speakers (not pictured) that we use as a music center.
Printer is below, with items we have to scan, plus blank paper.
And below that, is more files, and our hard drives in cases.
That’s it!
Small eh? But we love it. We don’t feel cramped at all, it feels cosy and spacious at the same time.
BUT… HOW?
Well, the big things are that we don’t own a TV, and therefore don’t have a couch, nor do we have much furniture. Our dining room is also our office, and our bedroom is also our living room.
I think that when people say “I need a bigger home”, what they should be saying is “I need to re-think what I have, and maybe pare down”.
There are a lot of homes I’ve been to, where I just.. feel so cramped and cluttered, and the space was triple or four times the size of what I was living in!
There is just too much STUFF everywhere in people’s homes, and as I drift deeper and deeper into a minimalist lifestyle, I am noticing all of it in great detail.
Stuff on the walls, dysfunctional pieces of furniture that aren’t useful, everything in a mess, boxes stacked up to the ceiling….
I prefer the white, open space of what is otherwise a small studio.
WHAT ABOUT IF GUESTS VISIT?
In our other apartment, we had space for guests. That was nice.
But to be honest, how many people really visit us each year?
I’d say we get less than one visit a year, because people just don’t have the time to come to and chill for vacation when they could be in Vegas or NYC instead.
Sad, but true. I sometimes use food as an incentive to visit me…. and it only worked on my sister!
But seriously, having a guest room is nice, but it’s a luxury, and not really needed. If we get guests, we’ll get a Japanese folding panel or something, and put it up in the middle of the room, and set up a second futon on the other side as a bed.
And since guests are supposed to be temporary visitors anyway, this will be a nice way to get them to understand that they can’t overstay their welcome.
However, if you ARE a family that hosts a lot.. by all means, a guest room is a MUST HAVE for you.
But for us? Not so much. Kind of a waste.
Red
on Feb 10th, 2010
@ 1:36 pm:
I don't think people who live in studios can be that concerned about having guests over. After all, anyone you have over is going to spend most of their time in a room that doubles as your master bedroom.
I love your studio though. Just the basics. And even though it probably is small, it doesn't feel small because you don't have a ton of furniure weighing your down! It must be very easy to move when you have to.
This is inspiring. Maybe I'll do a photo tour… It could help me to see what I have that is still cluttering up my space!
(p.s. Odd that you have a clock sitting on the cubby thing. I just carry my cell phone in with me if I need to check the time – i.e., when I'm rushing to get ready for work because I've overslept *again.*)
Molly
on Feb 10th, 2010
@ 2:24 pm:
I recently found your website, and I really like it! Thank you for posting pictures of your apartment – it looks so peaceful…
Miranda
on Feb 10th, 2010
@ 8:56 pm:
I love the tour of the apartment, I do not believe that I could do a futon on the floor but if it works for you then that is great, I agree with the whole guest thing, people are too busy nowadays to visit people at their homes, unless they want something and that is why we have hotels. LOL. Love your insight on it all.
Carolyn
on Feb 10th, 2010
@ 10:04 pm:
Wow. I mean WOW. When I get around to filming my apt tour (which I WILL as soon as i can clean the darn thing!), you will die at my surplus. It's ridiculous. It's awful. Help?
evrydaymnmalist
on Feb 11th, 2010
@ 1:54 am:
You just need to start using all that paper, girl!
Meg
on Feb 11th, 2010
@ 3:06 am:
I could feel very at home there. My mom would freak, though. But she freaks out about our place now saying how "Spartan it is" and it's "Not really a home" and "When are you going to paint your walls?" Blah blah blah. And it's not nearly as empty as your place. We have quite a bit of computer parts related to our business (organized for the most part), then there's the treadmill (which I do use — honest), LOTS of musical instruments and music books (my collection), a sizeable shoe and bag collection (also mine), yard tools (the joys of owning a house!) and then some stuff for the kitties (their litter box is behind a shoji screen, though, for what it's worth). And we do have a couch, or two if you separate it out. A few tables, too, though no kitchen table at this point.
Part of me still wants to downsize more — and we still are a bit — but even my husband has said that we should take a break for a while. I've definitely done a number on our book collection! But you know what? I'm even more of a book lover now. Where once I saw a to-do list of books I'd probably never read, I now see a few favorites I know I'll want to revisit and an ever-changing shelf of library books.
Rik
on Feb 11th, 2010
@ 2:30 am:
Hey EveryDayMinimalist,
i’ve found your site a while ago, and have been following on a regular basis. Your last few post are of top quality!
A very nice and clean appartment: for me personaly way to clean, but it show me a possible destination on my trio to minimalisme. Thumbs up for you girl! You achieved somerhing many people are hoping/working for.
Greetings,
Rik of DutchMinimalist
Rik´s last blog ..Humor – George Carlin over “Stuff”
evrydaymnmalist
on Feb 11th, 2010
@ 10:12 am:
That's a good point about the books — I did a similar exercise, getting rid of 90% of my books, and I only kept what was out of print or what I'd actually want to carry around and read.
Charley Forness
on Feb 11th, 2010
@ 1:12 pm:
Thanks for posting EM,
I really miss having a bed on the floor. I absolutely hate having to move a queen bed around to clean under it regularly and my blood pressure goes to about 10 million over eight hundred thousand when I see what the cats do to the underside of the box spring.
It reminds me a bit of my early to late 20's stage (am mid-30's now) where everything was a whole lot simpler in my recollection.
- Charley
JEM
on Feb 12th, 2010
@ 4:05 pm:
I think it is great that you are pared down and purge unneeded clutter. Your studio is lovely and so organized. I however could never live with zero décor. I have been finding my way to a minimalist lifestyle. We have shed so much and I can honestly say we are living with just the basics. However I still felt the need to keep art up on the walls and have a throw pillow or two. I kept it very simple with just a few key pieces that represent my hubby and I and things that we love. Do miss décor at all? You say you love white walls…will they always be bare? Just curious.
Money Funk
on Feb 12th, 2010
@ 10:26 pm:
Wow, I had no idea you lived so minimally or had two other blogs. LOL. Where is all your stuff? It looks so empty. I will have to share a pic of my living room and you'll know what I mean.
Theresa
on Feb 12th, 2010
@ 11:54 pm:
I'm sorry to be so contrary, but I do not feel that this is a warm and inviting home. There is no personality, no design,no atmosphere, nothing. Does being minimalist mean having no aesthetic appeal? Is there no room for a splash of color and style? Your slogan says "Living with less, but only with the best," yet you have paint peeling off the door, folding chairs for your dining table, cheap bar stools, table, and shelf unit. How about when you want to cozy up in a comfortable chair with a cup of tea and a good book or cuddle with your BF? My home is clean and uncluttered (and getting more uncluttered as I read your blog and others on minimalism), but it has warmth, appeal, and personality. People can get a feel for what I'm like and what I enjoy from stepping into my home. It is inviting. Maybe if you'd add a little personality and prettiness to your home (in a minimalist way of course), you wouldn't have to bribe visitors with food.
I do enjoy and appreciate your blog, and I don't mean to offend; I was just stunned by your photos of a place you call home. Thanks for your blog and for allowing me to voice my opinion. Like my mom always said, "To each her own."
everydayminimalist
on Feb 13th, 2010
@ 2:14 pm:
Your comment was pretty harsh Theresa.
Thanks for voicing it, but I am going to reply to you publicly with a blog post so that you understand.
Miss L
on Feb 16th, 2010
@ 1:29 am:
I loved it.. So peaceful..
@eemusings
on Feb 16th, 2010
@ 1:41 am:
I've never lived in a house with a guest room! My parents aren't big on having people over to stay, and I don't think they enjoy it. I certainly don't! I like home to be home, just for me and T. (If that sounds antisocial, oh well). And I certainly don't care if people don't want to come and stay over! (I DID care about not wanting friends to visit my old place because my flatmates were so filthy, but that's another thing entirely.)
Man. Apartments in other countries are SO different. That's a studio? honestly, it looks MASSIVE. Apartments here are literally BOXES – you can barely move in them.
Chandra
on Feb 17th, 2010
@ 4:24 am:
I really like your place, and I've always wanted to sleep on a futon. It looks very cozy; I love that blue blanket and the teddy bear is SO cute. I'm partial to warm wood though, so thats, like, my only complaint. Its gotta take some strength to totally put yourself out there like that, but I LOVE seeing how other people attain minimalism so THANKS for sharing!!!
terri sammons
on Feb 17th, 2010
@ 9:20 am:
love it could really get used to this style!! love all your sites!!
terri sammons
on Feb 17th, 2010
@ 9:23 am:
sorry forgot to ask where did u get table? love it and perfect size for us. if you don,t mind me asking?
evrydaymnmalist
on Feb 19th, 2010
@ 10:47 am:
It's really not that big.. I just flattened myself up against the wall to take a picture.
Actually, the hotel room I am staying in now, is larger than my apartment
lynda
on Feb 21st, 2010
@ 7:59 pm:
EM, I love how much open space you have here! It is such a bother tripping over things that you never use!
I admire how you splurge on the things that mean the most to you: clothing, computers, etc.
I am not near so minimalist, but your life is one to be admired. Should I still be single when my daughter turns 18 and moves out to her own home I hope to be as minimalistic as you… It is my hope to have a tiny tumbleweed house to live in, spending my time visiting wherever I desire – or perhaps live in a van-sized RV!
Please keep up the good work, and know that while some may not understand why and how you choose to live your life that there are others who understand perfectly!
Rose
on Mar 4th, 2010
@ 2:31 am:
Mmm yeah, this post took me back to when I was between 16 and 23… I loved having hardly anything and sleeping on a futon on the floor. Now I am accumulating stuff, probably because I actually have the money to, but this has really inspired me to both have another purge, and perhaps change the way I store the items I do have.
I'm going to save these photos, I think… I find them inspirational and it's the sort of place I'd love to visit and have =)
Day 175 « Roads are made by Traveling
on Mar 4th, 2010
@ 11:13 pm:
[...] of apartment therapy, check out this blogger’s studio apartment tour. But then again, their jobs require traveling often so they don’t have time to decorate [...]
irishbell
on Mar 13th, 2010
@ 4:36 pm:
Gosh, I didn't find what Theresa said to be rude at all. She was simply stating her opinion and her feelings. Isn't that what forums are for? You cannot expect everyone to agree with you all the time, it just isn't possible. If we were all the same and everybody liked/loved the same things, life would be a yawn. Even in my teen/early twenty years I could not possibly have lived so spartanly. I like a little cushion here and there, a rug , a sofa, some artwork, a plant/flowers, candles. And any age, I wouldn't possibly find sitting on a futon on the floor comfortable. But so many other people could, so I say good for all of us! Different ways of living open our eyes to new and exciting things. People can take minimalism to whatever extreme they like. As long as they are comfortable with it, who honestly cares what others think?
Tee
on Apr 24th, 2010
@ 8:12 am:
huh? I thought she was surprisingly polite about it, she just has different taste.
Connie
on Apr 26th, 2010
@ 10:58 pm:
That apartment does appear large. Maybe it is the camera? I wonder, what are the overall dimensions, not the individual rooms, just overall.
I have been planning to build a small house, 24 x 32′ and maybe a small deck on one side. I have been wondering: Is that the right size?
My aesthetic is minimalism, although I admit I have not seen the Blogs about minimalism until today.
everydayminimalist
on May 1st, 2010
@ 5:25 pm:
It’s actually a room 450 square feet in total. It has a little section to store things that we adore.
I think if you feel it’s enough for you, any size can work. I’ve seen 300 square feet houses too!
tiara
on Jul 11th, 2010
@ 11:44 am:
nice apartment.. very unclutter. i always look up this post for inspiration to declutter my 'messy' place. thank you very much!