Well hello — Courtney here (Melissa’s daughter). If you’ve followed The Inspired Room for a while, you might remember when I moved into a tiny room on the entry level of my sister Kylee and brother-in-law’s Seattle townhouse. It was likely intended as an office, but it became my compact bedroom.
The room measures under 9 by 9 feet, with a sliding door on one wall and an angled corner that makes the footprint even smaller. At first I wasn’t sure a twin bed would fit, but with careful planning and intentional choices it became a cozy, functional space I truly love.
It’s hard to believe I’ve lived here almost three years. After college I landed my dream job working full time for The Inspired Room and moved into this little space. I had hoped to document the decorating process here on the blog, but life got busy with projects, posts, and book work — and then this reveal finally happened. Better late than never!
As I share the finished room, it feels fitting to tell you I’m moving — today, in fact. I’m moving into my very first apartment in Seattle, and I’m excited to start making it my own. Seattle is expensive, so I took my time finding the right place. I’ll likely share more as I settle in, and if you want a sneak peek follow me on Instagram — I’ll post stories during the move and as I unpack.
Back to this room: it has been a cozy nest with great natural light, an attached bathroom, and a tiny but useful closet. I’ll show storage solutions and closet organization below.
Daybed / Sisal rug
Furniture choices had to be purposeful. My daybed was the first priority — it serves as both bed and seating. I picked a model with storage underneath and used boxes to keep things tidy. Plenty of pillows (including three Euro shams) make it comfortable, and I’ll be taking this daybed to my new apartment to serve as a sofa as planned.
To the left of the bed I used an Ikea Lack shelf — a slim unit that fits the narrow space perfectly. It displays books and accessories and accommodates a clamp light for reading. The shelf could be wall-mounted, but I left it freestanding for flexibility.
An ottoman with a mirrored tray has pulled triple duty as a nightstand, coffee table, and shoe storage — the top lifts off to reveal space for shoes. Functional pieces like this help a small room feel organized and purposeful. The sisal rug adds subtle pattern and texture underfoot.
I used the angled wall for a small curved console table, which proved easier to navigate than a rectangular console. It provides a surface for decor and a lower shelf for books. Above it hangs a pretty canvas that adds softness and personality to the corner.
White Pencil Tin
String lights create a warm, magical glow so I rarely use the overhead light. They made the room feel cozy and inviting.
One small perk: to reach my closet I had to make my bed every morning because extra pillows were stored in that corner. It became a helpful routine — a tidy bed makes a small room instantly more welcoming.
For the closet I used a tension rod, a hanging shelf organizer, a plastic drawer unit, and over-the-door hooks to maximize every inch. These simple solutions kept clothing and accessories accessible while maintaining order.
Shower Curtain (sold out) // Bath Mat // Black & White Rug
The bathroom is small but functional. I layered rugs over the wall-to-wall carpet in the main room to make the space feel more homey and layered.
One key storage piece was an IKEA Pax wardrobe with a Bergsbo door. It ships as a customizable frame, so I added shelves and a soft-closing drawer inside. Closed storage was essential — it keeps the room feeling calm and uncluttered by hiding everyday items out of sight.
To personalize the wardrobe I installed a gold handle and practiced some DIY — I used a drill to fit the hardware and was proud of the result. An over-the-door mirror helps the room feel larger by reflecting light.
Hooks / Similar Backpack
Behind the door I installed hooks and a shallow shelf that act as a small mudroom for coats, bags, and quick styling. It’s a practical spot that keeps everyday items handy without crowding the main area.
I’ll miss this little room — it holds many memories and helped me transition from college to life after school. I’m grateful to my sister and brother-in-law for letting me rent this space while I saved and found my first apartment.
I hope you enjoyed the tour. Follow me on Instagram for moving updates and a sneak peek of my new Seattle apartment as I settle in.
Room Sources:
Daybed
IKEA Lack Wall Shelf Unit
Sisal Patterned Rug
Blue and White Floral Pillow Cover
Gray Textured Pillow Cover
Single IKEA Pax Wardrobe Frame with Bergsbo door
Wardrobe gold handle
Ticking stripe duvet and pillowcases
6 Shelf Hanging Closet Organizer
Copper String Lights
Hook Rail with Shelf
Over-the-Door Mirror (similar)
White Console Table
White Tin Pencil Box with Teepee (on console)
Floral Pencils
Floral Books on Shelf
White and Gold Plug-in Wall Sconce
Wall Clock by Newgate
White Alarm Clock
Floral Art Print
“A Good Deed” Art Print
Gray Storage Ottoman
Gold Mirrored Tray
Watercolor Calligraphy Canvas
Brown Cable Knit Throw
Pink Throw Blanket
Blue and White Lamp – Thrifted
Blue and White Backpack (similar)
White Euro Shams
Euro Pillow Inserts (similar)
White Cotton Blanket
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