Every inch of this 400-square-foot apartment is filled with style, demonstrating how to maximize small spaces. Roxy Te Owens, founder of Society Social, and her husband, engineer Alan Owens, live in this compact NYC home, showcasing practical and attractive decor without the clutter.
Roxy emphasizes the importance of organization with trays, stating, "When you put a pile of stuff on one, it instantly looks neat and stylish — even if you're just stacking remotes."
Instead of a bulky couch, Roxy opted for a sleek two-seater from her own line. She used two end tables as a coffee table, allowing them to be moved aside for more space, with additional storage on their lower shelves. To hang artwork, she used removable adhesive hooks to avoid damage, making it easy to rearrange.
A 12-inch-deep painted wood shelf serves double duty in the living room, providing space for decorative items and functioning as a vanity for Roxy's makeup. Roxy encourages using wallpaper in small areas, likening it to a large piece of art. She chose a red pattern by Thibaut for this space while clear stools are brought out for entertaining.
To combine functionality and aesthetics, Roxy placed a bar cart next to the couch, using it for books, a lamp, and bar essentials, thus not sacrificing her favorite decor options.
In their bedroom, an 8-foot-wide wall has been transformed into a mini office with a lacquered desk from World Market. The tall bookcase reaches the ceiling, enhancing the sense of space and holds a mix of office supplies and personal items.
To save floor space, Roxy installed a small metal shelf she painted gold, mounted on the wall instead of using a nightstand. She also selected a clip-on lamp for added convenience, humorously noting she would use clip-on vases if available. The removable Tempaper wallpaper adds a stylish touch without the permanence, ideal for rental living.
