230 Sq Ft Cozy Minimal Studio Apartment Makeover
Summary
TLDRIn this engaging video, Alexandra from Studio tackles the transformation of a small studio apartment under 500 square feet, aiming to make it beautiful, stylish, and organized. Sponsored by Brook linen, the video showcases the journey from a space lacking functionality and style to a refreshed, grown-up space that reflects the owner's personality. The makeover includes a new paint job, functional upgrades like an additional kitchen island for prep space, a coffee table with storage, and an L-shaped desk for better ergonomics. The design focuses on minimalism with a neutral color palette, textured elements, and the introduction of plants for warmth. The video also features a custom media unit cabinet, a stylish bed frame and headboard from Article, and a rug from Rugs USA to visually divide the space. With a mix of real and faux plants, new lighting, and decorative accents, the studio becomes a cozy and functional haven for its occupant, Naen.
Takeaways
- 🎥 The video is a sponsored content by Brooklinen, featuring a home makeover by Alexandra's Studio series focusing on small apartments.
- 🏠 Alexandra is helping Naen, who has lived in her Toronto apartment for 11 years, to refresh and organize her space.
- 💼 Naen works from home 85% of the time and needs a functional workspace that is currently lacking due to an ergonomically unsuitable setup.
- 🌞 The apartment has good natural light but lacks privacy during video calls, which is an issue that needs addressing.
- 🍳 Naen's kitchen space is narrow and she uses her stove as a prep space, indicating a need for more preparation space.
- 🪑 The current seating arrangement is not practical for eating or socializing, with a small table that doesn't fit Naen properly.
- 💄 Storage is an issue, particularly for makeup, which is currently overflowing and needs a better system.
- 🌿 Naen is inspired by bright, airy, and neutral designs with textures and warmth, and is open to incorporating plants into her space.
- 🛏️ Brooklinen's linen bedding in neutral tones is chosen to add a relaxed vibe and texture to the space.
- 🔩 Graham, a craftsman, is building a custom media unit and cabinet with wheels for added functionality and mobility.
- 🎨 The studio is given a fresh coat of paint in 'Cloud White' by Benjamin Moore to achieve a Boho California cool feel.
Q & A
What is the main theme of Alexandra's channel where she tackles tiny apartments?
-The main theme of Alexandra's channel is to make tiny apartments under 500 square feet beautiful, stylish, and organized.
How long has Naen been living in her current apartment?
-Naen has been living in her current apartment for 11 years.
What is the primary issue Naen has with her current work setup at home?
-The primary issue Naen has with her work setup is that it's not ergonomic, with a tiny desk that doesn't provide enough arm room and causes her to sit at an awkward angle to get sunlight during video calls.
What is the design inspiration for Naen's apartment makeover?
-The design inspiration for Naen's apartment makeover is bright, airy, neutral with lots of texture, aiming for a California cool boho vibe.
What is the brand of linen bedding that Alexandra recommends for Naen's apartment?
-Alexandra recommends Brook linen bedding for Naen's apartment.
What is the color chosen for painting Naen's studio apartment?
-The color chosen for painting Naen's studio apartment is Cloud White by Benjamin Moore.
What is the purpose of the additional kitchen island in Naen's apartment?
-The additional kitchen island is intended to provide Naen with more prep space in her kitchen.
What is the storage solution proposed for Naen's makeup and other items?
-The storage solution proposed includes a coffee table with storage where Naen can store her makeup and use it while sitting on the sofa, as well as organizers added to the window area for her makeup routine.
What is the material of the headboard that is being installed in Naen's bedroom?
-The headboard is from Article and can be bought in various sizes, with the option to purchase expansion packs for a whole wall.
How does Alexandra plan to address Naen's need for more desk space and privacy during video calls?
-Alexandra brings in a larger desk and an ergonomic chair from Branch, and repositions it so that Naen can comfortably take meetings without her bed being visible, using the new backdrop for a professional look.
What is the final touch added to the living area of Naen's apartment?
-The final touch added to the living area is a scalloped Roman shade and a side table that can also be used for storage.
Outlines
🏠 Introduction and Studio Apartment Makeover Challenge
The video, sponsored by Brook linen, introduces Alexandra, the host, who is excited about approaching one million subscribers. She discusses her channel's focus on transforming small apartments into stylish and organized spaces. Alexandra connects with Naen, the apartment owner, who has lived in her studio for 11 years and is ready for a refresh. They discuss the apartment's layout, current challenges with the workspace, and Naen's desire for more storage and a better functioning kitchen area.
🌟 Design Inspiration and Functionality Planning
Alexandra and Naen discuss the design inspiration, which is bright, neutral, and layered with texture. They agree on a color palette of brown, green, and creams. Alexandra plans to introduce functional elements like an additional kitchen island for more prep space, a coffee table with storage for makeup, and a convertible L-shaped desk to improve Naen's remote work setup. The design will maintain a minimalist and airy feel with an emphasis on texture and warmth.
🛠️ DIY Media Unit and Studio Transformation
Graham, a craftsman, creates a custom media unit and cabinet around an Ikea kitchen cart to provide more storage and prep space. He modifies the cart by adding swivel wheels for easy movement. The cabinet is designed to fit perfectly in the space and features adjustable shelves and an outlet extender for the TV. Alexandra also details the installation of a feature wall using pull wrap to create a timber texture effect without the need for many holes or individual wood pieces.
🛏️ Bedroom and Living Area Setup
The bedroom area is transformed with a bed frame, mattress, and headboard from Article, ensuring there is still ample space for Naen to move around. A side table with storage is added to serve both the bed and sofa area. Rugs are used to visually divide the living space, and a rug pad is recommended for better grip. A new sofa from Article is introduced, providing additional seating and a space for Naen to lounge.
💡 Lighting, Desk, and Storage Solutions
The room's lighting is upgraded with new fixtures from Mitsy, and a sconce is placed by the bed for added light. An ergonomic chair from Branch is added to the desk area, along with a solution to Naen's previous awkward desk setup. A table with an extendable piece is used to create a comfortable meeting backdrop. Storage is added under the bed, and a power bar is installed for charging convenience.
🎨 Final Touches and Reveal
The final touches include adding a butcher block to the kitchen cart, hanging plants for a touch of greenery, and introducing decorative elements like pillows, a quilt, a throw blanket, and art. Alexandra also adds a runner in the kitchen and ensures all cords are neatly organized. The big reveal shows Naen her newly transformed studio apartment, which now has a functional, cozy, and personalized space that matches her lifestyle.
🎉 Wrap-up and Next Project Teaser
The video concludes with Naen's emotional and positive reaction to her new space. Alexandra thanks Brook linen for sponsoring the makeover and encourages viewers to take advantage of their 10-year anniversary sale. She teases the next project, which will involve a living room makeover with a 'Grandma Chic' style, promising a colorful and patterned transformation.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Sponsored Content
💡Studio Apartment
💡Makeover
💡Ergonomics
💡Storage Solutions
💡Neutral Colors
💡Texture
💡DIY (Do It Yourself)
💡Space Optimization
💡Airy Feel
💡California Cool Boho
Highlights
Alexandra is transforming a tiny apartment under 500 sq ft into a stylish and organized space.
The channel is close to reaching 1 million subscribers, and the audience is encouraged to subscribe.
Many followers have been with Alexandra since her Shadow Lane days, and she expresses gratitude and excitement.
The apartment has been home for 11 years and has been a space of transition, including a big breakup and career change.
The current setup is not ergonomic, and the desk is too small, causing discomfort during video calls.
The TV nook is loved by the resident and is a favorite part of the space.
There is a lack of prep space in the kitchen, and the stove is currently used as prep space.
Airy minimalism is desired, but more prep space and storage solutions are needed without overcrowding the space.
The introduction of a coffee table with storage for makeup and an expandable table for guests is planned.
Storage solutions within the space are a priority, especially for makeup and other items.
Inspiration for the makeover includes bright, airy, neutral colors with lots of texture and warmth.
Plants are suggested to add color and life to the space, despite past difficulties with plant care.
Brook Linens is sponsoring the makeover, providing linen bedding made in Portugal from 100% linen.
The studio is given a fresh paint job with a Cloud white color by Benjamin Moore for a California cool feel.
A feature wall is created using pull wrap from pullwrap.com for a timber textured effect.
Graham, a craftsman, builds a custom media unit and cabinet around an Ikea kitchen cart for additional storage and prep space.
The installation of a desk that can pull out to be an L-shaped desk to solve ergonomic issues during video calls.
The space is designed to be minimal, bright, and airy, with a focus on texture to keep it cozy and warm.
A reveal day is planned to show the transformed studio apartment with new functional and stylish elements.
Transcripts
this video is sponsored by Brook linen
hey guys welcome back to my channel I'm
Alexandra and you are watching Studio
fix the series where I tackle teeny tiny
apartments under 500 squ ft and show you
how to make them beautiful stylish and
organized I just think it's so funny
that I'm doing this in my skirt you got
a makeover to do so wow that looks
stunning oh my god let's get started
[Music]
[Music]
we are steadily climbing to that 1
million subscriber number I'm so excited
it feels it feels close but I need your
help so please hit that subscribe button
if you're watching on your TV you can go
to my little face in the circle click it
hit subscribe if you're on your phone
it's even easier I've actually been
receiving a lot of DMS on Instagram
recently about how so many of you have
been following me since my Shadow Lane
days which is absolutely wild and if I
could get all of you in a room to do
like a big Collective hug I definitely
would I just got goosebumps actually at
the thought of that that would be
amazing my hair was
like today I'm helping naen I'm going to
hop on a call with her get to know her
and her space and see what her dream
space looks looks like this feels very
surreal it was my birthday last week so
I feel like this is like the cherry on
top of a really good birthday I'm just
so excited for you congrats on winning a
makeover with us thank you so much to
get started I would love to know how
long you've been in your studio this
year will be 11 years yeah in the same
apartment in the same apartment I moved
here with the intention of like living
here for a couple of years and then
buying a place but I honestly can't
afford to move it's way too expensive in
Toronto unless I win the lottery this
place has become a space of transition
for me a big breakup a massive career
change so this like new year for me with
my birthday last week and now on my 11th
year I'm getting a refresh of my space
I'm not tied to anything do whatever you
want that's amazing I'm welcoming this
new grown-up energy that I feel like I
have you've lived here for a long time
so you know what's functioning for you
and what's not
yeah just talk me through what you want
to see change in that regard when it
comes to function during Co I had to
like most of us work remote so I'm here
like 85% of the time got it I've managed
with it but like every time I take video
calls which is all day long it's like
this and I'm sitting on an angle so I
can get sunlight but if I sat
comfortably at my desk like you can see
my whole house that makes a lot of sense
yeah this setup is not ergonomic the
desk that I have have here so tiny that
I'm like I don't even really have any
arm room and like I sometimes I'll spill
my coffee over actually a lot of the
times I'll spill it over so we will try
and find another solution for that but
that brings me to where your TV is cuz I
feel like that Nook is so cute is your
TV working there for you I love it there
this is my favorite part of my space the
layout that you have actually really
works for the space that's good I know
you were mentioning that you don't have
a lot of prep space my mom does doesn't
know how I cook in here I don't know how
you do either I bake I cook I use like
the stove as my prep space sometimes
nice to have would be a little bit more
space to prep on but I love that like
Airy feel of minimalism that I also
wouldn't want to overcrowd the space
just to have that yeah like I mentioned
the flow of your space is really nice
even though the kitchen is narrow I love
that you kind of have a bit of
separation from it like it's at the end
of your bed but it still feels a little
bit tu way which is nice I eat on my
couch and I just put like a pillow on my
lap yeah I have this table that I slide
at the side there but I'm tiny so it
doesn't really fit me it comes up to
like here and I just use it for when
people come over like you can use this
to eat it's obviously not realistic to
bring like a dining table in but maybe a
coffee table that expand so when you
have people over they can gather around
anything else function-wise before we
get on to your inspiration yes just like
storage
within my space because I know the cix
is most likely going yeah my storage for
my makeup is also overflowing like crazy
could you have a system where if
everything was corralled nicely you
could like bring that over to the mirror
yes okay to be honest as you're seeing
this half of the time I take like a
drawer out of the organizer and I take
it to the couch so I can do it in front
of the sun got it let's move on to inspo
definitely very like bright Airy neutral
like a lot of neutrals going on I feel
like you don't love a lot of color but
like just so much texture and warmth you
basically nailed it like the words that
I put down were literally what you said
I know we're not leaning into color
necessarily for this one but are there
any colors you're like absolutely not I
think like the soft is comfortable for
me totally brown green creams like those
kind of colors I love your intro so much
cuz I do think it's like really warm
really inviting and your is so cute I
just think it's really conducive to the
style the other thing that I don't have
a lot of in here but I think could add
more of that color would be some plants
I've killed all the plants that I've
owned but I'm open to like trying okay
got it well thank you so much for
jumping on this call I'm really excited
and I will see you on reveal day oh my
gosh that feels so surreal to hear that
I I'm so looking forward to it thank you
so much I'll see you soon all right
sounds good
bye nen's inspo is so bright very
neutral but layered with tons of texture
these inso images are giving me kind of
like a California cool boho Vibe I'm
here for it here's what I'm thinking
function is so important in this studio
and although the design is simple the
pieces I'm adding in are going to be
game changers I want to bring in an
additional kitchen island so naen has
more prep space I'm thinking of storing
it in a DIY media unit cabinet more on
that later in the video I also want to
bring in a coffee table that has storage
so nine can store her makeup in there
she can do her makeup while she's
sitting on the sofa which she likes to
do I want to bring in a desk that can
pull out to be an L-shaped desk I think
that's going to solve the issue naen was
having with like putting her computer
awkwardly on a diagonal when she takes
her calls so all of these functional
changes are going to be really big
priorities but then I also want to keep
the design really minimal really bright
and really Airy and texture is going to
be so important in making the space
still feel cozy and warm even with all
of these neutrals and varying wood tones
I going to be bringing in some beautiful
neutral linen bedding for naine from
Brook linen I have used Brook Lin and
sheets in my own home for the past 3
years I've used them in countless
makeovers and I truly cannot recommend
them enough this month is actually
Brooklyn's 10y year anniversary
you can also see that their website has
100,000 plus five-star reviews more than
any other online betting company the
linen is 100% linen made in Portugal and
it's their lightest most breathable
fabric I personally love linen because
it gives a really relaxed Vibe and the
texture looks so beautiful I'm keeping
the bedding neutral for an Aden with
cream bedding but you can also mix and
match 20 plus colors and patterns in a
bundle Brook linen kindly sent their
linen heart cor bundle which includes a
duvet cover core sheet set and extra
pillow cases Brooklyn and also sent
their comforter their down pillows and
this textured throw blanket in the color
sand whether you've been a longtime
Brooklyn and supporter like me or if
you're just hearing about them now is
the perfect time to head to their
website and take advantage of their
10-year anniversary sale it only comes
once a year so you don't want to miss it
so I knew we had to give nen's Studio a
fresh paint job I picked the color Cloud
white by Benjamin Moore because we're
going for a Boh a California cool feel I
wanted an off-white pinkt color that was
bright but cozy Dave is painting out
this whole studio and man it looks so
good and so
fresh hey guys we're here doing a studio
fix uh we haven't done a studio fix in
what feels like forever and I think we
kind of all forgot how you know small
Studios can be Dave did such a great job
painting so it looks very bright in here
I'm loving the creamy white on the walls
but let me just show you like how many
boxes there are it's kind of out of
control okay this is it this is the
studio there's Dave
Elena this is like the kitchen hallway
situation so as you can see there's like
basically no room and yeah um we're
going to have to figure it out like we
always do right team know it I I don't
know if we're going to do our usual
unboxing I think we're just going to try
and start like getting stuff installed
to to free some space
but yeah tight quarters Grand and I are
going to start uh with this feature wall
right behind me and we're using pull
wrap from pull wrap.com to create this
like tamber textured effect which I'm
really excited about so we are going to
try with Brad nails first I'm not sure
that they're going to take to the
concrete wall if they don't we have
anchors and screws as the back back up
but we ideally want to have like tiny
little holes first we're going to cut
this pull wrap down it's a little long
and we're going to try and cut it
already rolled up which will save us
some time we're only installing this
pull wrap halfway down the wall because
later we're going to bring in a media
unit that's going to cover the entire
bottom half of the wall this kind of
look is called a tamber effect and
usually you would use like tiny little
pieces of wood like this and cut like a
million of them and install them with a
bunch of veils
this pull wrap is a hack because it
gives you that tamber look but you don't
need a million holes in the wall and you
don't need a saw a million pieces we're
now going to start installing the pole
wrap and like I said we're going to try
with Brad nails first wishes luck good
luck all the best go
SED we're both wearing sunglasses
because we don't have any safety goggles
so these are safety goggles safety first
people seriously when you're using a
staple gun
glasses it's a brown
nailer the awesome thing about using
grat Nails is
that you're like the
awesome the the awesome
thing the a the awesome thing about
um when nen takes this down she just has
to patch tiny little holes and not many
of them imagine if we had have installed
these like wood piece by wood piece
there' be so many dag Nails in the
wall we're going in with wood filler
we're going to use our fies to make sure
that we're not getting the wood filler
everywhere we want it to just be like
really precise over the nails okay so
normally you would wait for this to dry
and then go in and sand it gram and Dave
just gave me a really great tip they
said use a damp Rag and just go over the
wood filler okay see how it's kind of
clumpy whoo and it stays in the hole
okay so next up we are going to install
Graham's cabinet DIY I asked him to DIY
a media unit and DIY a media unit he did
since the cabinet is being built
entirely around this Ikea kitchen cart
Ram had to build the cart first and do a
couple modifications the Ikea cart
already comes with two wheels but in
order for nen to move the cart in and
out of the cabinet easily I knew we
needed four swivel wheels so that it
could move in all directions Graham
picked up these black 2-in swivel stem
casters from Amazon he's cutting the
existing Ikea wheels off the cart using
his miter saw he's drilling a small hole
in the center of the bottom of each leg
and gluing some threaded inserts in so
that the swivel casters just screw
easily into them in order to actually
get this cabinet into nen's Studio
Graham has to make this cabinet in
multiple pieces it's going to consist of
two identical sized cabinet pieces four
doors and one solid MDF top to hide the
seams hot tip from Graham MDF is cheaper
and it provides a much smoother finish
than plywood gr is cutting the MDF using
his track saw and table
saw he's gluing all the pieces together
using wood glue and securing it together
using wood
screws for the left side of the cabinet
I wanted a couple shelves so naen could
also use this cabinet for storage Graham
is cutting two shelves out of some scrap
Plywood And MDF and is Edge banding the
front of the shelves with some dowel
that he cut in half using his table saw
Graham is using a Craig Shelf pin jig to
add columns to the Shelf pin holes into
the left cabinet so that naine can
easily move the shelves up and down if
she wants to put larger objects on the
shelves lastly Graham is cutting a small
hole inside the cabinet this is where
we're going to add an outlet extender so
naiden can power her
TV now on to the doors Graham is cutting
four identical size pieces of
MDF he's using some extra Ikea hinges we
had from a previous project and using a
forcer drill bit to cut out the holes
for the hinges to sit
in he's rounding the doors with a round
over router bit so the doors don't look
too
boxy for the front of the doors Graham
is making a semicircle router jig to cut
a perfect semicircle on the
front he's priming and painting
everything in Cloud white by Benjamin
Moore in their Advanced line of paint I
asked that he go into the semicircle
with bone by fum ball just to give the
cabinets a bit of
contrast Graham has made the counter bit
of this cabinet a little bit bigger so
we can fit it perfectly into the space
and so he can cut it to fit the Contours
of the wall for a perfect fit I am
screwing the front of the two cabinets
together so they sit really nice and
flush nen has an outlet back there that
we need access to for the TV so this is
a desktop Outlet you can get them on
Amazon at the hardware store and it's
basically supposed to sit in the top of
the desk we're putting it in one of the
cabinets and then once the Top's on
we're going to drill a hole so that the
plug can drop down and plug into this
Outlet okay so Graham and I are going to
work on installing the doors work on
installing the top there's a lot of like
rejigging we need to
do it's actually quite nice it's like
having a little rest you know
so we're going to install the top of
this cabinet now Graham has created this
really cool method to help guide a
perfect fit because walls are never
straight they're never on a 90° angle so
if we had have cut this top beforehand
there would probably be gaps and it just
wouldn't be like a perfect 90° fit like
we can still the sides and like
fill in any Gap but this will get it as
snug as possible yeah so we've pushed
these two side pieces all all the way to
the sides we're going to screw this like
guy together and then we're going to put
it in the corners of the top down here
and then cut to
sides
[Applause]
yay these look so good we've just upped