Hey everyone! Courtney (Melissa’s daughter) here. I’m excited to share a tour of my new 500 square foot apartment in Bellingham, a charming waterfront city I moved to in January. I previously shared an empty apartment tour and my bedroom plans, and now that I’ve lived here for a few months I wanted to show how the space feels now—cozy, practical, and full of personality.
This is the entry. I wasn’t sure a tiny apartment would allow for an entry table, but my half-round table from the previous place fits nicely. It does intrude slightly into the bathroom doorway, but that’s a small trade-off—an entry table instantly makes the space feel welcoming. I’d love an outlet here for a lamp; until then I might try my mom’s rechargeable-bulb trick for extra light.
To the left of the entry is the kitchen. Compared with my last one-wall kitchen, this layout feels surprisingly grown-up for a 500-square-foot apartment. I’m grateful for the extra counter space and storage, and of course I carved out a coffee station—an essential for me.
My coffee maker has served me well for years, and I recently added a milk frother/steamer to make oat milk lattes every morning. I keep a selection of mugs on a small mug tree and enjoy picking a different one each day—something I inherited from my mom. A compact lamp in the kitchen corner adds warm, cozy light in the evenings; I chose a rattan mini lamp for texture and color.
Small details like a gooseneck kettle, toaster, honey pot, and a few cookbooks keep the counter functional but still styled. I like to keep frequently used items accessible and attractive—clear canisters for staples, a pretty honey pot, and a couple of favorite recipe books on display.
Click the photos for sources and ideas.
An island was an unexpected bonus in this unit, and it makes the space feel more versatile. I added counter stools so the island doubles as dining and a workspace. To save space I don’t keep a full dining table out in the living area; instead I use the stools or a foldable table stored in the bedroom when needed.
Storage is limited, so I invested in a woven console cabinet that added warmth and texture while providing much-needed shelving. The honey tones in the cabinet and stools help offset the apartment’s original gray and white finishes and create a cozier atmosphere.
A black floor lamp brings contrast and extra light to the seating area. I kept the larger settee from my mom’s house; its taller back gives a sense of privacy and works well in the narrow living room when placed against the window. A patterned woven rug ties the seating area together and complements the warmer wood tones.
The island stools are comfortable for meals and as a makeshift desk when I’m working from home. Storing a drop-leaf table in the bedroom gives me the option to create a larger dining area when guests come over.
My string of pearls plant (affectionately named Rapunzel) has survived the moves and adds life to a metal-and-glass shelving unit. Vertical shelving is an excellent strategy for maximizing storage in a small space while keeping things visible and organized.
In the bedroom I chose a simple upholstered platform bed and a linen duvet with pom-pom trim for texture. The mattress was generously gifted and has been comfortable and convenient to receive in a boxed delivery. I keep the bedroom minimal and calm, a restful retreat after days exploring the area.
Behind the double doors near the entry are the washer and dryer—such a convenience. In the bathroom I use a woven laundry basket and a small tiered cart for organizing toiletries and linens; I’ll share more small-space organizing ideas in a future post.
Thank you for joining this tour of my little home. I have more plans for decorating, organizing, and renter-friendly updates, and I’ll be sharing those soon. If you’d like more frequent updates and daily snippets, follow me on Instagram stories for apartment and life updates—I enjoy connecting with people there!
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Scroll the photos for inspiration and styling ideas.
PS: While I love settling into my cozy apartment, I’m even more excited about exploring the stunning nature nearby. I plan to do a separate post highlighting favorite local spots—there’s something truly refreshing about having beautiful trails and views just a short walk from home. I’ve shared videos of some adventures on Instagram if you’d like a preview. Thanks for following along!
For more apartment decor sources and inspiration, check the related posts and image captions in this tour.