Hey friends! I’m excited to share a peek at a part of our home we don’t often show: the cozy basement apartment where our daughter Courtney lived for the past year.
If you’re new here, a quick recap: Courtney moved out of her Seattle apartment and into our lower level a year ago. What began as a short-term arrangement turned into a longer season when the pandemic arrived. Having her and her brother at home through 2020 was an unexpected blessing—we spent a lot of time together as a family, and now Courtney is getting ready for the next chapter.
She’s here to tell the story of the little space she’s called home, and what’s next for her.
Hello everyone—Courtney here. I’m happy to share the cozy basement space I’ve lived in for the last year. Moving out of my first apartment felt bittersweet, but it made sense to save and prepare for the future. I never expected the year we had, but I’m so grateful that I was safe at home with family instead of alone.
When plans changed, so did some of our basement design ideas. We considered converting the laundry room into a small kitchen for me, but after my brother returned from college we chose to eat together upstairs instead. That family time has been a bright spot during a strange year. We did give the basement bathroom a simple refresh one summer, and it turned out nicely.
I’ll walk you through the space.
When my parents bought the house, the basement was originally one large carpeted room with a white brick fireplace. Over time a wall was added to create an office and new flooring was installed. My living area with the daybed now sits where my mom’s desk used to be. The wall color is Coventry Gray by Benjamin Moore—a pale gray with a hint of blue that keeps the room feeling calm and fresh.
I’ve had this daybed for years. It was my bed in a tiny bedroom and later served as my couch in a studio apartment. It’s comfortable and versatile—perfect for a small space. Though the exact model I have is no longer available, similar styles and options with trundles work well for small homes.
One thing I love about this basement is how much natural light it gets. Even on gray Seattle days the space feels cheery. White plantation shutters add architectural detail and privacy, and cheerful curtains bring warmth and pattern to the room.
Now let’s move into the adjoining area with my bed and closets.
An armoire that used to hold linens became my closet when I moved in. I recently painted it with milk paint in Bergere to refresh the finish and love the new look. I’ll share a before-and-after in a future post.
I already had a narrow PAX wardrobe and added a double PAX wardrobe to increase storage. These wardrobes have Bergsbo doors and give the room a built-in look. The interiors are customizable; I chose shelves, a soft-close drawer, and hanging bars that suit my needs.
A peek inside shows the flexible configuration—perfect for small-space living. Note: these photos show the wardrobes less full than usual; they normally hold a lot more clothes.
I ordered long handles for a more custom look. They’re an investment but add a nice finish; there are more affordable alternatives available if you need multiple pulls on a budget.
A challenge in the bedroom was a mirrored wall at the back. My temporary—and simple—solution was to hang a tapestry over it. It’s an easy way to hide the mirrors and make the room feel cozier until a permanent idea comes along.
I brightened a wooden door by painting it Airway by Benjamin Moore, which adds a cheerful pop of color. The washable rug in the room is a Ruggable—great for easy cleaning if you have pets or high traffic.
I spent a lot of time on the daybed this year—it’s my favorite spot to unwind and sometimes to work from. A narrow LACK wall shelf unit from IKEA beside the daybed holds essentials and small decor.
That’s the tour! I’ve loved making this space my little home while also enjoying family time upstairs. Time has flown, and I’m about to begin my next adventure.
I’ll be moving to a charming waterfront town in Bellingham, Washington. My new apartment is a 500-square-foot one-bedroom—perfect for continuing to refine small-space living. I’ll share an empty-apartment tour soon and post updates on Instagram.
UPDATE: You can take a tour of this space after I moved out.
UPDATE: My new Bellingham apartment tour is now available.