I recently received an apartment makeover that is not only lovely, but inspirational too. I decided to let the owner tell you all about it in her own words. Take it away Natasia!
“I’ve lived in my 272 sq. ft Los Angeles apartment for three years. I moved in after I got sick and tired of dorm life, and absolutely loved having a place to call my own!
However, I admit I never really put effort in personalizing and maintaining the apartment, since I figured it would just serve me as a place to sleep and store my stuff while I was in school. As you can see in the before pics, it was an untidy, mismatched space with free curbside furniture and half-hearted attempts at decor. I had planned to live with it in that state until I moved out into a bigger apartment after I graduated.
After my boyfriend and my pet lizard came to live with me a year ago, and after I graduated from college in June, I quickly realized (due to the dismal state of the economy and our credit scores) that moving out into a more spacious adult apartment was not going to be possible for the foreseeable future. That’s when I decided to turn my college bachelor apartment into a suitable home for two new adults and one lizard.
Everyone that has seen the apartment has been amazed at the transformation! I have also inspired a few of my friends to downsize, since they live in overpriced, over-sized apartments that they barely enjoy due to their busy schedules. After seeing my place, they realize that they don’t need a large space in order to be stylish and comfortable.
I hope you can feature my before/after on your site to inspire others to think small.”
Are you inspired? I am! What a beautiful transformation and attitude.
Pretty good stuff to think about as we head into Thanksgiving, right? More is not always more. Be grateful for what you have and make-do with what you’ve got, even if all you’ve got is 272 square feet and a lizard roommate. You might just surprise yourself!
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14 Comments
Karen Hetzer
November 27, 2013 at 2:35 PMAre we missing another ‘after’ picture?
Lindsey @ Better After
November 27, 2013 at 5:05 PMAll fixed! Thanks for letting me know!
Leslie
November 27, 2013 at 3:11 PMThe first two images are amazing so I’m dying to see the ‘after’ for the second ‘before’ pic. Is there one??
Lindsey @ Better After
November 27, 2013 at 5:05 PMYes! It’s up now. It disappeared for some mysterious reason I’ve yet to figure out.
Toni
November 27, 2013 at 3:28 PMWOW! That is great. Can’t wait to see the second after.
Lindsey @ Better After
November 27, 2013 at 5:04 PMIt’s up now! Sorry about that, I don’t know what happened!
Mandi V.
November 27, 2013 at 4:03 PMI am desperate for the second after!
Lindsey @ Better After
November 27, 2013 at 5:04 PMWhoops! Not sure why it disappeared. It’s up now!
Ariela HvM
November 27, 2013 at 8:23 PMGORGEOUS!! I live in a very small studio apartment during my dietetic internship – and making my place cute has really perked up my attitude. It feels cozy, and I end up appreciating every little thing I have. What a great transformation (the first after pic is to die for!) and attitude! 🙂
Terresa
November 27, 2013 at 9:11 PMThat is awesome. I love small space living and this is very inspiring!!!
Kris {Driven by Décor}
November 28, 2013 at 10:46 AMThat’s amazing and totally inspiring!!
Maria
November 28, 2013 at 4:43 PMWhen I moved into my flat I owned a fold up bed, a rubbish bin (doubled as a chair), and a black and white telly which could have fit in my handbag. I thought I lived in a mansion, I had so much space! Then stuff came in over the years….and like Natasia, I couldn’t swing a budgie let alone a cat! MY place NEVER looked at good at her place even in the before pics! I LOVE her kitchen cum loungeroom cum bedroom! Gorgeous!
Peggy
November 28, 2013 at 4:54 PMBravo, Natasia! You’ve made a wonderful bit of lemonade from some could-have-been lemons! My congratulations on this fabulous re-visualization of your small space! You’re right; bigger isn’t necessarily better but it’s definitely an opportunity to expand beyond our comfort. I REALLY like your re-invented smaller space!
DIY Couchbed Makeover | Pretty Paparazzi
June 17, 2014 at 1:56 AM[…] When I moved out of the college dorms, I didn’t mind that my new apartment was a minuscule 272 sq. ft, since the plan was to upgrade to a one-bedroom after college. Graduation came and went, and with the addition of a boyfriend and no reasonable job prospects in sight, I realized that the teeny home had to become a functional living space for two grown-ups. Using what was left of my savings I transformed the apartment from a crappy collection of curbside cast-offs to a mature living space … […]