Our Style Editor’s Small-Space Makeover Shows Us How It’s Done

Deciding to live in a small space means carefully weighing its quirky pros and cons. Do the soft, natural light and central location win over the temperamental plumbing and obnoxious kids upstairs? Such was the sticky dilemma of our senior style editor Annie Georgia Greenberg on whether she should stay put in her Chinatown apartment or make the trek across the river to Brooklyn.

The verdict? She opted to renew her lease for another year, but revamp the space into a single gal's peaceful, functional retreat. A brand new apartment, minus all the searching and hefty broker fees. With a few smart pieces from West Elm and some clever rearranging by interior stylist Kelley Carter, the 400-square-foot space adopted a fresh face. The key was quick switch outs — like choosing a new desk chair, not buying a $4,000 couch — and subtle touches, like copper curtain rods.

Keep reading for all the intel on how to easily revamp your own tiny sanctuary. (Plus, stop here for a chance to win a $2,000 West Elm shopping spree!) Yes, your little home may be a constant work in progress, but you can have a cozy pad right now — as in, this weekend.