APARTMENT DREAMING

You guys. I have an adorable apartment smack-dab in the heart of Denver’s West Washington Park!

The catch? I don’t move in for another 3 months.

So in the meantime, brace yourselves for all the home design posts, as I brainstorm on how to decorate the place…

Here is the apartment, as seen on Craigslist. (Don’t worry, I’ve scouted it out in person and know all the nooks and crannies, too.)

600 SQUARE FEET IS NOT A LOT

…but it’s a good size for the desirable area I’ll be in, and it’s perfect for what I need.

As for what I want? Well, because I’m a firm believer in Dreaming Big, here are all the spaces I hope to somehow incorporate into the space, inspired mainly by Pinterest and Apartment Therapy!

A MAKESHIFT MUD ROOM

There are two small alcoves by the front door, and I’d love to create a small entryway for boots, keys, and purse storage.

With a little bench, perhaps a shelf, and some hooks, this might be totally doable.

A COZY DINING AREA

This is going to be tough, but I’m determined to make it work. There’s a small corner in the kitchen for a 2-seater breakfast table, but I’d love to house a small china hutch in that space. (The Renzo Rutili Vintage Sideboard seen above is a paltry $2,900. Chump change!)

I also want a bar cart, but I’m thinking I could consolidate with a hutch-and-bar-cart-in-one. My theory: If I keep the living area open enough, a small dining table will fit just fine. We’ll see!

Side note: The image above is from a story on My Domaine entitled: This Minimalist Home Is an Artist’s Dream. It’s true. It’s my biggest inspiration right now! Midcentury, minimal, clean, and purposeful in its use of limited space. Ding!

I’d also love to have a little coffee station because DUH. The apartment comes with a portable dishwasher, which probably won’t be used everyday. Instead, I could use the top as extra counter space for my daily caffeine fix.

A SEMI-OPEN LIVING ROOM

Since I’ll be divvying up the open space between a living and dining room, I’m worried about cluttering up the area. This is where true creativity will play a role.

Fun fact: I have the exact same white leather couch from IKEA, as seen above (found on Residence Style). I had been considering purchasing a brand new one for around $1,400… and then found it in mint condition on Craigslist for $600. What a steal!

I won’t be centering my living room around a TV, so that frees up some space, too.

Corner shelving would be an awesome idea to free up floor space… but I’d have to get my landlord to approve.

A GORGEOUS AREA RUG

They are hard to find for less than the price of your life, but I’d love to get a large and beautiful area rug for the living area. Depending on how the room comes together, it might be colorful, or it might be simple.

A READING NOOK

The second alcove near the front door is perfect for a creative space, a desk station, or a reading nook. Obviously I want all of the above incorporated into the design some way or another.

The best part of a reading nook is that it will also double as living room seating. I want an inviting area that can accommodate friends!

A CREATIVITY ZONE

I want to get back into painting again, and I’d love to figure out how to get a painter’s easel in there without consuming too much square-footage… A girl can dream!

And this is the only picture I’ve got of my silver keyboard (you can read that blog post on learning a healthy belt here). It will need a home in my new apartment! Perhaps something like this:

I also want a work station, where I can blog and work from home when necessary. I might have to consolidate these creative spaces, too (or just store the easel until I get inspired to paint).

…this could go on forever (and it will). Apartment dreaming will pause at this point and commence on another day very soon.

ANY IDEAS ON MAXIMIZING A SMALL SPACE?