Hey everyone! I’m Courtney (Melissa’s daughter) and I’m excited to share a tour of my new 500-square-foot apartment. I moved to Bellingham in January, a charming waterfront city, and after a few months of living here I wanted to show how the space has come together. If you missed it, I previously shared an empty apartment tour with mood boards and a closer look at my bedroom. Now I’ll walk you through what feels cozy and functional in this small home.
This is the entry. I wasn’t sure a table would fit, but my half-round table from my old apartment worked perfectly. It slightly intrudes into the bathroom doorway, but in a small space that’s a fair trade for a welcoming entry surface. A lamp here would be ideal — I may try a rechargeable bulb solution if an outlet isn’t available.
To the left of the entry is the kitchen. Compared with my previous one-wall kitchen in Seattle, this layout feels surprisingly “grown up” for a 500-square-foot apartment. I’m grateful for the counter space and the unexpected island.
A coffee station is essential for me. My longtime coffee maker still performs well, and I recently added a stainless-steel milk frother that I use for oat milk lattes every morning. I keep a few favorite mugs on a small mug tree so I can pick a different one each day.
I searched for a small lamp for the kitchen corner and chose a rattan lamp that brings texture and warm evening light. It adds an inviting glow and ties in with other natural tones in the space.
Click the photos for product details and sources.
The island was a delightful surprise and provides a useful prep area as well as seating. I kept counter essentials like a kettle and toaster handy, and some clear canisters and cookbooks add personality to the counters without cluttering them.
A woven console cabinet became a favorite as soon as I saw it online. It adds warm color and texture, and its internal shelves have been invaluable for storing items I no longer have space for in closets. With limited built-in storage here, thoughtful furniture choices make a big difference.
A simple black floor lamp adds task light where needed. In a neutral, gray-and-white apartment, I focused on bringing warmth through furniture finishes, woven textures, and natural tones.
I brought in a patterned woven rug that ties together the honey tones of the cabinet, stools, and rattan lamp. The ottoman I use for extra seating is compact and doubles as a guest seat when needed.
My island stools provide casual dining and workspace. To save space I opted not to keep a dining table in the living area; instead I sometimes use a drop-leaf table kept in the bedroom when I need more surface area.
My string of pearls plant has endured the moves and sits in a cheerful pot. I also use a vertical glass-and-metal shelving unit from Ikea to maximize storage without taking up floor space.
My bedroom features a simple upholstered platform bed I found on sale. I paired it with a light-gray linen duvet trimmed with pom-poms and crisp white linen sheets. The mattress was generously gifted and has been comfortable and convenient to receive in a boxed delivery.
Back by the kitchen and entry, behind double doors is my washer and dryer—such a luxury in an apartment this size. Nearby I keep laundry and small organizing solutions that I’ll share more about in a future post.
The bathroom is compact but comfortable. I use a woven laundry basket and a tiered cart for extra toiletries and storage. Simple updates like a pretty shower curtain and organized solutions keep it feeling neat.
Thanks for joining the tour of my little home! I have more ideas for decorating, organizing, and living comfortably in small spaces, and I plan to share those tips soon. If you want more frequent updates, follow me on Instagram stories where I post apartment and local adventures.
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Scroll the photos for visual sources and ideas.
PS: Beyond the apartment I’m loving exploring the breathtaking nature around Bellingham. I hope to share a separate post highlighting favorite outdoor spots—there’s so much soul-refreshing scenery just a short walk or drive from home. Thanks for following along with my little apartment journey!
More photos and decor sources are available in the photo captions.