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Lily Chen

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Lily Chen, Small Space Designer
Small Space Designer

Lily Chen

Lily has transformed hundreds of compact apartments into functional, beautiful homes across major cities from New York to San Francisco.

  • Small Bedroom Ideas
  • Compact Living Rooms
  • RV & Camper Ideas
  • Tiny Bathroom Design
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Articles by Lily Chen – Page 5

A wall mounted TV can make a bedroom feel instantly bigger because you’re not giving up precious floor space to a bulky stand. I’ve tried a lot of setups in tiny rentals, and the best ones always balance comfy viewing with a calm, uncluttered vibe. Build a Mini Wall-to-Wall Look With Shelves Fake a built-in media wall: mount the TV and flank it with matching shelves for storage. I’ve faked an integrated media wall by…

A small game room feels instantly more “hangout-ready” when you can grab a drink without leaving the action. In my tiny-apartment years, I learned that the trick is building a compact bar that hugs walls, corners, and vertical space so your games still get the floor. L-Shaped Nook Bar for Alcoves A tiny L-shaped nook bar that turns an alcove into a chic game-room service corner. In one studio, I built a tiny L-shaped bar…

A nursery office combo can absolutely work—even in a small room—when you treat it like two mini-zones instead of one messy “everything space.” I’ve set up more than a few tight work-from-home nurseries, and the magic is always the same: hide the office clutter, keep baby essentials grab-and-go, and make the whole room feel calm. A Rug That Ties It Together One oversized rug unites nursery + office zones—instantly calmer, bigger-feeling small space. A single…

A tiny house closet can absolutely hold a real wardrobe—you just have to get a little strategic with every inch. I’ve lived with closets that were basically an afterthought, and these are the ideas that made mine feel organized, calm, and actually easy to use. Fit a Closet Into an Alcove or Nook Make a tiny-house nook closet: a short rod and two shelves turn dead space into storage. I once turned a weird little…

A boys’ bunk bed room can be equal parts practical and fun when every inch has a job to do. Cabin Cozy With Plaid and Layers Cabin-cozy bunk bed look: warm wood, crisp plaid, and chunky knits—perfect for small rooms. Plaid bedding, chunky knits, and a natural wood bunk bed make a boys’ bunk room feel like a cozy hideout. I’ve used this look when a room felt boxy, and the texture made it feel…

A camper bathroom gets cluttered fast because every inch has to work twice as hard. I’ve organized enough tiny baths to know that the secret is using vertical space and hidden storage so nothing has to live on the counter or floor. Removable Sink Counter Extension Lift-off sink side shelf: instant get-ready space for tiny camper bathrooms—no remodel needed. For the ultimate tiny-sink problem, I’ve helped create a removable counter extension shelf that sits beside…

When a brother and sister share a small bedroom, the goal is keeping things fair while still letting each kid feel like the space is truly theirs. With a few smart layout tricks and some cozy details, you can carve out two “mini rooms” inside one tiny room—without building a wall. Color Blocking for Instant Territory Color-blocked bedding makes one small bunk bed feel like two distinct zones—fast and space-smart. I love a neutral base…

When you’re working with a tight layout, a traditional nightstand can feel like one bulky thing too many. Sturdy Stool or Step Stool A sturdy wooden stool doubles as a chic, movable nightstand—perfect for small bedrooms. I’ve styled a simple stool beside my bed more times than I can count, especially when I wanted something light and easy to move for cleaning day. For you, it’s a no-fuss nightstand alternative—and I usually add a small…

A daybed in the living room is one of my favorite small-space moves because it gives you real lounge comfort without the visual bulk of a traditional sofa. Whether you use it as your main seating or a flexible extra perch, it’s a stylish way to squeeze more function out of every square foot. Tuck a Daybed Under the Window A daybed under the window turns a tiny living room corner into a bright coffee-and-book…

A shed cabin can feel like a real little home inside when you treat every inch like it matters. Rug-Zoned Open Layout One statement rug + slim runner instantly zones a shed cabin without adding clutter. In every shed cabin interior I’ve styled, I use one main rug to “claim” the living zone and a smaller runner to mark the kitchenette area. I learned in my own studio apartment that zone decorating makes one-room spaces…