A 400-Square-Foot Home Feels Spacious, Thanks to Planning, Painting, and IKEA
Adrienne Breaux
·5-min read
"I painted the entire apartment within weeks of moving in and installed several shelves and wall cabinets for storage. I cannot thank my friends enough for their help and muscle," begins Esther Rzeplinski, who's owned this 400-square-foot apartment for a year. She shares her home with two black cats, Ira and Mabel. Credit: Daniel TotinoCredit: Daniel Totino
"At first I was going to put my old dresser in the living room, but it was too heavy and not a good use of space," Esther explains of just some of the ways she's made do in a small home. "I'm really happy with these cupboards from IKEA that hold my extra baking and serving dishes, candles, vases, liquor, cookbooks, and 'junk drawer.'" Credit: Daniel TotinoCredit: Daniel Totino
Esther installed this TV mount herself. "My aunt and uncle have this one, too, and love it. It's amazing how much mounting my TV enhanced my space."
Credit: Daniel TotinoCredit: Daniel Totino
"The photo is of me, my mom, and grandma (Omi) after seeing Hillary Clinton speak several years ago. My Omi passed away recently, so having her in my new space is super special," Esther writes. Credit: Daniel TotinoCredit: Daniel Totino
I'm on the fourth/top floor and facing south. It gets toasty in the summer, but I love all the natural light and views. My patio garden is slowly winding down, but I enjoyed growing herbs, strawberries, lavender, salvia, and eucalyptus this season. Ira and Mabel love hanging on the balcony too," Esther describes. Credit: Daniel TotinoCredit: Daniel Totino
"I bought this scratch map as a background for when I was teaching English virtually from Germany. I finally got it properly framed and now get to reflect on where I've traveled to and everywhere I want to go (it's a long list, but next up is Vietnam and Taiwan!). The small framed sketch is by a dear friend who was my pandemic partner. It's a drawing of all the meals we ate together in 2020," explains Esther. Credit: Daniel TotinoCredit: Daniel Totino
The wall shelves in the dining nook were already there when Esther moved in, but then she "made a 'fake' banquette. I actually used an IKEA kids' bench (with a drawer for storage) and cut up a Poang armchair cushion because I couldn't find any other cushions I liked and getting a custom bench pad was going to be too expensive," she writes. Credit: Daniel TotinoCredit: Daniel Totino
"The bedroom doesn't fit more than a full bed, nightstand, and wardrobe, but it's enough. I painted the room during a snowstorm last winter and love how moody and calming it is. It was my first time using Farrow and Ball ('Pigeon Blue'), and it's worth the hype and money!"
Credit: Daniel TotinoCredit: Daniel Totino
Thanks, Esther! Credit: Daniel TotinoCredit: Daniel Totino
This is the first home that Esther Rzeplinski has owned. “Buying on my own was stressful and something I never thought I’d manage. I poured my soul into this little apartment immediately by planning, painting, and installing cabinets, shelves, and a finicky wall desk. I now feel such peace when I’m at home, and am so pleased with how things turned out. I think my kitties enjoy it, too. They love lounging on the balcony and watching activity on the street/sidewalk,” Esther writes.
"I painstakingly measured the wall to make sure I could fit my old bookcase, a wall desk (discontinued IKEA Svalnas I had found on Facebook Marketplace years ago and never installed), and a new cabinet. This is probably what I am most proud of," Esther admits. "I try to edit and limit other items, but definitely not books! I love looking at past and current favorites, and get quite nostalgic thinking about where I was when I read a certain book. I generally read literary fiction, some romance, mysteries, memoirs, and also have a collection of childhood favorites." Credit: Daniel TotinoCredit: Daniel Totino
“While my apartment was within my budget, I also chose it for its alignment with my values around climate, urbanism, and consumerism. Things are important to me, but I don’t want to serve them,” Esther continues.
The tulip table is thrifted and the print is from The Poster Club. "My family is German and it says 'Zusammen' or 'Together.' When moving in here, I wanted to focus on finding a romantic partnership or being 'together' with someone and, to my surprise, my manifestation worked!" Esther admits. Credit: Daniel TotinoCredit: Daniel Totino
“While I believe in function before form (i.e., waiting a while and seeing how you use a space/what you need before changing things or buying something), I had the entire floor plan, shopping and projects list, paint, etc,. before I took possession,” Esther admits. “So, sometimes do what feels right and throw out your rulebook.”
"Although small, my bedroom is the perfect sleeping nook. I have never slept better! I love the color I chose for the walls and my artwork, which feels empowering and very 'me,'" Esther admits. Credit: Daniel TotinoCredit: Daniel Totino
Esther, who describes her home’s decor style as “bright, airy, calming, functional” and “cozy,” has gotten inspiration for small-space living from a number of different accounts, like 600sqftandababy, minima organizing, Laura Fenton, and Erin Boyle. “Their advice for decorating, cleaning, and organizing (living, really!) has shaped me.”
"I also love the hardwood of my apartment and the green backsplash in the kitchen," Esther writes. "With a small apartment, I appreciate how the fridge and dishwasher are contained/hidden in the cabinetry." Credit: Daniel TotinoCredit: Daniel Totino
Resources
Bookcase — IKEA
Cabinet (limited green) — IKEA
Wall paint — Benjamin Moore “Chantilly Lace”
Chair — Thrifted
Lamp — Article
Couch — Originally from Article, “but I thrifted it and my best friend generously kept it for me until I got possession.”
Rug — IKEA
Coffee table — Article
Pillows — IKEA and Banquet Workshop
Bedframe — Article
Nightstand — Thrifted
Rug — IKEA, discontinued
Bedding — IKEA
Tulip table — Thrifted
Print — The Poster Club
Thanks, Esther!
This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.
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