Trying to decorate a small studio apartment to have EVERYTHING | bed, living, dining & office

Do you have a room that needs to do multiple things?Here I have a space that needs to be a living room, bedroom, dining area, as well as office.Let's see if I can make that happen.Today, I'm going to completely transform this studio into the dream apartment.It's going to be a game changer, y 'all.Today, I'm in Madison's apartment.

This is her first apartment on her own, which is so exciting, but it's also meant that she's needed to take it a little bit slower when it comes to decorating her space.And Madison's friend, Mel, is actually the one who nominated her for this makeover.

She works so hard, and this is finally the first space that she can call her own.She's always had, like, multiple roommate situations, and she writes all the time.She's, like, an amazing writer.And when I read her stuff, I'm like, how?And then I walk into her space, and you didn't.She has to furnish very slowly, and she has to choose, you know, between the curtains and the couch, and she chose the couch.

She really wants to host as well.Yes, we're all very excited to watch Love Island together.It's like our favorite show we own.So that's what all the group chat is for June and July.It's just Love Island.She really wants to host the Watch Parties.

But, you know.It hasn't been able to happen yet, so she's going to be taking that responsibility on this summer.

Honestly, I love this couch, so it will definitely be staying, but I'm so excited to give Madison her dream apartment, including hooking her up with some curtains.Like the entire neighborhood can see me.So this is Madison style, which I'm kind of calling cool girl plus vintage and retro and eclectic.Everything that communicates a cool and effortless girl lives here.However, I'm about to put a lot of effort into this apartment.Now, if you're a subscriber, hi subscribers, thank you for clicking that subscribe button as we provide you this free, entertaining content.

I start with coming up with a plan and taking measurements.Now in this space, we need to solve for the overheating as well as no privacy issue.Definitely some curtains will help with that.Madison would love a little bit of division between the bedroom and the living room.So I'll have to figure out what that means.Madison would also like to host people here and we definitely need more lighting because there's literally only one lamp.

I actually don't know what it looks like in here at night because it must be dark.So let's fix the space for our girl, you know?I'm here at Ikea and I will definitely not be eating this time.Just kidding.you could eat.But I am here for a very specific product that I've been wanting to use for a while now.

This is the Alvarly system and it can be used for a closet but my main purpose is going to be a free floating shelving room divider.That is until I realize that it's not purely tension as advertised.It does require screws at the top.Now, I am allowed to drill in Madison's place, but I am very concerned this will be just like too many holes.So I decided to reach out to Mel to see what she thinks about a few more holes in the space.

Okay, Mel said screw into the ceiling.She will personally help her patch holes when the time comes.

I'm feeling good now, okay.Okay, with the green flag from Mal, I'm going to get the shelving as well as some lighting.And nothing says cool girl more than a paper sphere pendant.Also, never forget to go to the as is section because the paper pendant that I wanted, of course, was here because I always just have the best luck.Also, I have been looking for a coffee table option and seeing this low profile wood coffee table is perfect, so I am picking it up.Actually had such a good 24 hours on Facebook marketplace.

I found a locker that I'm gonna use for something and Also a rug and these are both like message and basically came the same day and they were both 15 20 minutes from my house So right now we're gonna go get a rugI just got a storage locker for when I'm doing makeovers, and I think my life just got so much better.I'm so happy.Okay, I got some of the larger items down, but it is time to keep shopping and thrifting for lighting and some additional seating options.I'm also loving that it's summer now, so I can shop at garage sales, which is just such a good time.It feels so community -oriented, and I think the prices are much better than the thrift stores.

Okay, with pretty much all of my prep and sourcing done, I am back in Madison's space and I've had her move out.I've also had... about half of her furniture move out.So we're in a really good place to get started.And I actually have Rochelle working with me on this project in a few ways.She's already installed an AC unit, which is going to really help with how hot it is in here.It's the summer.

The sun is shining and I need to get that thing on already.But Rochelle also has been working on an epic IKEA upcycle.I've challenged her with trying to turn a basic bed frame into a luxe bed frame.Upholstered one and she made a whole video on this.So if you want to pause and not spoil it for yourself You can go watch that right now.Otherwise spoiler alert in three two one No, because Rochelle absolutely ate this upcycle.

It's gonna change the space so much I think it's gonna be one of Madison's favorite parts and we get to hook up Madison with a much improved mattress Thanks to today's sponsor

Leesa.

If you're a subscriber, you know that we are big fans of Leesa mattresses, and we put them in so many bedroom makeovers that we honestly have our own little focus group now, and the results are in, everybody is happy and sleeping much better.I like to think a room makeover can change lives, but honestly, so can a good night's sleep.This is something I do not mess around with.I go to bed at 9 .30, I wake up at 5 .30, have a sleep routine, You'll thank me later.So I sent Madison the Lisa sleep quiz in order to get her personalized mattress recommendation based on her sleep preferences and needs and the results are in drumroll, please She got the legend chill hybrid mattress.This mattress is great because it's a hybrid meaning it's foam and dual springs So you get cooling layers of cradling foams and dual spring systems provide support.

Are you ready?Lisa, chill.Everybody, chill.

And since we know this apartment gets so hot, I think Madison will especially appreciate the cooling features.Like, literally, this mattress is cool to the touch.And speaking of what this mattress is made of, Lisa is committed to eco -friendly materials as well as sustainable manufacturing practices for a better planet.This specific mattress is the Wirecutter pick of 2025, which, if you know, you know, is the place that we all go for our tried and true recommendations.A good night's sleep is something I strive for literally every single night.So if you feel like that's something that's missing in your life, it might be time to upgrade your mattress.

In which case, you do not want to miss the 4th of July sale, which is 30 % off.Plus with our code, TheSorryGirls, you'll get an extra $100 off.You can shop Lisa.The link is in the description down below.This bed is so cool, girl.I think Madison's going to love it.

But there's a few more things I want to do to bring this bedroom together today.So I was actually looking for a new secondhand side table for her, but then I was like, wait, I'm looking for basically the same thing, but with this much more character.So instead I decided to add character myself with this.knob how cute is this chunky chrome knob I picked up now I will say the picture on the website showed two and they were $30 so I was like that's expensive but it'll save me from buying a new side table so I think it'll be worth it you got to read the fine print because the fine print said one even though the picture showed two now this was $30 so So I'm not ordering a second one.And I actually think just one is gonna make it special.And since they kind of already have built -in handles, this is just for show anyways.

You're getting one handle, Madison.It's gonna be all that more special, you know?And the last thing I wanna tackle today is getting up some much needed curtains on these windows.So I already went ahead and installed my clips here for my favorite telescopic curtain.track system.I will link it below for you but basically it requires very minimal holes and it's great for any size because it's telescopic.

I don't have to cut any track or anything and the sliders are super smooth.I'm picking up today's furniture and decor pieces from my storage locker and honestly it's just so cool that I can turn this cart of what seems like not much into a very cute living room.So that's what we're tackling today is like mostly the living room and the layout.I'm so excited because I'm actually using some pieces that Madison already has but I feel like we're gonna be able to make a big difference by just like rearranging something.Okay I'm gonna get started with clearing out the things that I don't need or that are in my way.I love when people have things that they love.

It makes my job so much easier because I feel like no matter what I do, this place will still feel like home because things that you love are in it, you know?

Okay, next I'm moving out this rug.I think it's just too small for the space and we can do better.I picked up a really cool secondhand one.It's a pretty big rug, so I'm hoping it works in this space, but we're gonna have to move the couch out of the way.Okay, let's see.Cute.

I did buy a rug pad.We need a rug pad.Sometimes you're like, today's the day I won't need a rug pad.Today's not that day, my friends.And better now than later, because we don't wanna have rugrats and rug pad regrets, which are honestly kind of worse sometimes.Okay, now we get the couch back in position.

Actually, before I finalize where this couch is gonna go, I wanna put in some pieces that are kinda gonna decide the layout of the room.This lamp, The one lamp she has, I think I'm going to be relocating towards the bedroom.And this, which is kind of her desk slash dining space, I think it's taking up a lot of this kind of hallway.So I want to actually put it right here.

Oh, my next trick.I'm so excited.

OK, so what I didn't like about the TV stand that Madison had here is that, first of all, it was a little boring.Second of all, it had open storage and her couch is really low.So I don't know.go with a slightly lower TV stand and closed storage and something interesting would be nice so I'm actually gonna do something I've never done before okay decided we should do a A locker as a TV stand.Hear me out.I honestly don't know how I came up with this idea, but when I was searching on Marketplace looking for a replacement TV stand, everything was either so expensive or just like not that interesting or really deep.

At some point, maybe I came across a metal TV stand, like something from Ikea, and that made me start thinking of metal as a material.And I was like, you know what's metal?Metal lockers.And metal lockers, if you turn them on their side, are skinny.And low profile.Also closed storage.

Is this one of the weirdest things I've done?I don't know.

That's so good.This has to be the bottom.Are we obsessed?I fear we may be obsessed.Hold on.I need to see if it works.

So we're all doing this now, right?Please hold while I play Tetris to figure out how this living room should be laid out.This chair is Madison's and I actually want to put it on the bedroom side, but it's not really fitting there.So it's going to go here.

which I'm happy with.Matches the couch nicely.

So honestly, the whole point of getting this living room layout figured out was so that I can do the thing I've been most excited for.And that is the floor to ceiling room divider.That being a sound.The vision is that it divides the bedroom from the living room and still feels like open and airy, but if you're like chilling in one or the other, you don't feel like you're in the same room, you know?And I do have support to do this because I looked up some instructions online and everybody was like, it was hard and you need two people, so.So I have Araji with me and we're gonna figure it out together.

So I am Confucian.So I just put one on the inside.Wait, where's the sliding end?Oh, I knew this.

Goes in there and chills?

What the hell, fellas?That's the way to go.Just flip it upside down.Magnet!Yay!Oh, no.

Not much, but I know that this is looking so good.So we have these shelves up here.These are almost in place, but this is really the only placement I know I want, is that a shelf high so I can put a trailing plant.or like a light up there and also a shelf right here.the back of the couch so that acts like a console Table since I don't have a lot of room on either side of the couch to do like a side table And I'm just realizing you could like sit here and watch TV ain't that right rush?Like imagine the Love Island viewing parties like everybody just lines up And watches we've like it is like theater seating we have options.

That's all I'm saying I saw so many cool things people are doing with this.I saw somebody make like a walkway.Like imagine there's no shelves here and you made like a walkway.I almost did that for the bedroom, but also painting these or doing like wood shelves, like your own custom wood shelves.It'd be pretty easy just to buy everything except for the shelves and then do your own chunks of wood stained.I love this so much.

It's not even done yet, but you may see me do this again in a different kind of way.The shelves are shelving, but before I send Rochelle away, I do want her help with something in the bedroom.I picked up this faux cow hide, because I really want this little closet and mirror area to become kind of like a little dressing area.And I do have a rug pad to put down, because this one definitely needs one that I can cut.This is a weird one, folks, not gonna lie.I think so.

It's really hard to tell, but I think so.Guys, Rochelle helped out so much today.We got the rug down, we got the shelves built, and this bed.Thank you, Rochelle.But wait, there's more.You will not believe what she made me.

The most perfect brown scrunchie out of the fabric from the bed, if that's not obvious.I love this.

This is Rochelle's tradition.It is.

But I actually love that it's brown, because I feel like then it matches perfectly, you know?

That looks great with your hair.

OK, thanks, Roche.My pleasure.

Good luck with the rest of the stuff that you're taking care of.

I'm going to cut out some rug and style some shelf.Since this shelf is double -sided, I actually alternated the way the books are facing so that it looks good from both sides.Okay, we're basically starting final touches, but there is a lot of final touches.We're basically doing an entire gallery wall, and I have so much lighting to install.Starting with this one.This is such a gorgeous thrifted lamp that I've grabbed, but it didn't have a lampshade or like a harp system, so that made me a little nervous.

But then I found something called But then I found something called a saddle base and this I need a bigger size.Hold on.It came with a bigger size.And I can actually just add this to the lamp to give it a harp.And when I was at the thrift store, I did see this other lamp with a nice shade.And I'm personally a big fan of like oblong or oval shaped shades.

I just think in a small space, it takes up less room.So you can put it up against a wall nicely or on a slimmer bookshelf.This is also an adjustable harp because I didn't know exactly how tall I wanted to be.So this way I can move it up or down.It's gorgeous.You've seen us do this before, but I'm doing it again because it's just too good.

It's using a plant or a bird feeder hanger as a pendant light hanger.If you don't have room for lamps on surfaces or your floor, definitely use your vertical space.Obviously, wall -mounted lights and small spaces go so well together.I thrifted these stools, which will be great for hosting dinners when necessary, but can be used as a tabletop when not in use as seating.Also, this light, I also got it in the ads section at Ikea.One last rifted pendant over the dining nook slash desk, and this may seem like a lot of lighting, but lighting is the key to a well -designed and cozy space.

And if you need help with your lighting situation or space, Becky and I design our StorySquad Plus members' spaces every other week over on our Patreon.I'll link that down below if you want to join in for that content over there.

We will also react to the spaces that you've already made over, which I have been loving.

Okay, I can't believe how many lamps I got in this space, but they were all Necessary and something else I think is necessary is getting some art up on this wall Madison actually has a bunch of like art and posters.So i'm pretty much using what she has and going to try to do a full Gallery wall moment like maximalist style Okay, so I'm trying my best to iron out some of these wrinkles in this poster that Madison had rolled up but please share your tips for the situation because Madison loves this poster, but it is Very wrinkly and ironing it is only getting me so far.I'm also hanging the non -framed pieces with these magnetic pushpins Honestly, they're so easy to use and they don't leave holes in your art, which is greata hack and they look chic as heck you may have noticed a few empty pots laying around literal pots too and that is because I need to go get me some plants Folks, we've made it.The slow -mo shots means it's finally final touch time.Over here in the bedroom corner, Madison had this black mirror, which was a little small and simple for the space.

So instead, I'm bringing in this larger, thrifted gold mirror that can lean against the wall and it just opens up the space so much.Okay, Madison just messaged and she's on her way upstairs.I'm so excited to show her.I'm actually feeling quite confident.I think it looks so cozy in here and I cannot wait.to see her reaction.

Okay, so follow me. I'm nervous.

I'm excited.I feel like there's like people in here as well.No, it's just me.It's just me.

Okay, check out your new space in 3, 2, 1.

That is so comfortable.It feels like a cloud.You just like fall into it.Oh my God, the leopard print.

I know you had under bed storage and I didn't want to get rid of that.So this is actually

a hijab.Oh my God, you're kidding.Wait, that's life changing.I know.I was not expecting this at all.This is amazing.

This is really perfect because I think before it felt like I was sort of just sleeping in a really big living room.I couldn't even fathom this layout.This is so...Now there's like a divider and everything is just...Wait, I love this.Wait, I love this.

That's yours.That's mine.This is so good for hosting.And like where the desk is, it's perfect.

Yeah, I just, now it's not in the way and I feel like we can pull it out and you have a lot of secret like stool situations here.

Oh, that's so smart.

So that way you can like pull it out, get some people around and you want to sit, you can.

Oh my God, wait, the...

Necessary.So, oh my goodness.Is that all I really needed to do?

Honestly, just like the curtains.

It was such a big, I was getting real, real close with my neighbor.

Oh, this is so beautiful and like so well curated and it feels so me as well.I think I was like kind of worried.I don't know what if I don't like resonate it with it, but this is like, this is, I could, wow.I literally could have never done this on my own.Thank you so much.You're welcome.

Okay, hold on.I'm going to head down until I'm out the hallway.Yes, my girl.Yes.

My gallery room.Are you kidding?This threw me for a loop.I was not expecting a divider for some reason.I have plants now.

Keep them alive.

I'm going to try very hard.Yeah.

Because you by far have the best apartment now.Ooh!

When's the Love Island watch party?

Well, would you believe it?They share it every day.So if you want to stick around, we're going to be watching it tonight.

Your first big girl solo apartment is such a big milestone in any woman's life.And being able to make this apartment into a home for Madison is what I love so much about what I get to do.Just seeing how much this is going to impact her life and the people around her is so, so special.I'm honestly jealous I'm not at these Love Island watch parties.Next week on The Sire Girls, Becky is transforming this, dare I say, offensively millennial gray bedroom into a space that you would actually want to spend your time in.So we hope to see you there.

Bye.