I haven’t even turned in my filled-out lease application yet and am already surmising that I will be spending a large amount of time at Home Depot and maybe the Ikea store way in Round Rock. The design challenges of a smaller place will be really difficult but I am so thankful for google images and Apartment Therapy. The hardest part will be that the apartment is not a complete railroad design. It’s more of an backward L-shape. I’m pretty aware of where my bed will go. The bottom L part is to the left of the front door so it will go there. I’m thinking my beautiful bed frame is going to have to be left out of this move though. Just one more thing to stub my toe on.

My kitchen is straight ahead from the door so I’m wondering how I will have a couch, chaise, or a couple of chairs. I love the couch I have but it’s way too bulky. I might need something a lot simpler. I could do a chaise and a nice chair. I’m thinking I want to make my own bar table with a stool if I can’t find one thrifting. It would probably make for a good place to eat and to work off of. I like this collapsible wall-mounted table too:

I want to partition off the space with my bed with a gauzy curtain and maybe one of the smaller Ikea Expedit bookshelves, although I think if I made a series of sturdy milk crates attached together that may work (and may be a cheaper solution). Totally not my style but I could probably paint them. I could find some way to make them less grungy and more cutesy. Speaking of paint, I’m am so allowed to paint my space! I like that blue in that first picture. I’m liking the idea of a light green also but am interested in pretty wallpaper such as this. I probably wouldn’t do all the walls. Color-blocking seems to be a good idea. I have some cute artwork to hang but a part of me really likes white walls. Color-blocking seems like a good way to just get a splash of color without it being overwhelming.

I think the difficulty in doing this is that I like a lot of styles. Vintage is probably my favorite but bright colors that make things look overly futuristic is fun too. Simplicity is key also so I just want to have the best storage. The bathroom and bedroom have lots of shelves but my freestanding storage boxes and chests will have to fit somehow in the process. I think I could take a few tips from nice hotels. I forget how comfy hotel rooms are despite their size. I want to have a place like that only more unique.

The idea of it being completely D.I.Y. will be difficult too. You don’t often find good furniture or decorating pieces for spaces this size. A lot of things will have to be modified or made from scratch. That will be pretty scary but this will be project numero 2. I’m pretty excited and will be crossing my fingers that the application gets the go-ahead and I can get to work!

(maybe Dad will help :)