In the heart of Park Slope, Brooklyn, graphic designer Owobu Ijewere has crafted a cozy and functional living space in her 330-square-foot studio apartment. Her journey to finding and personalizing this space has been an adventure, filled with lessons in adaptation and creative problem-solving.
After moving from Atlanta to Brooklyn in 2026, Owobu embarked on a two-year-long apartment search. Her initial three-month sublet stretched into an 11-month stay in a mouse-infested apartment before she finally found her current home last March. Despite the challenges, she has made the most of her space, creating a stylish and inviting environment.
Living Area: A Blend of Modern and DIY
The living area is a testament to Owobu’s design sensibilities. She opted for modern amenities over the charm of an older building, DIYing the moulding to achieve the look she desired. Her furniture and decor come from a mix of sources, including Wayfair, Facebook Marketplace, and Marshalls, creating a unique and personalized space.
Owobu’s armchair found on Facebook Marketplace, adds a touch of comfort to the room. She also shares her love for romance novels with a recent emergency purchase of Reel by Kennedy Ryan, bought on a desperate bathroom break in a bookstore.
Hosting in a Small Space: The Art of the Apartment-Café Party
Hosting in a small space comes with its own set of rules for Owobu. She has mastered the apartment-café party inviting up to three guests at a time to enjoy pastries and drinks. Her Ikea stools serve as handy seating for these gatherings, which is how she met Joanna, a stylish stranger who caught her on the sidewalk with her big Ikea bag.
Owobu’s party headcount is limited to three guests, as she believes her space can’t comfortably fit more than four people. She insists on everyone being able to sit down at the same time, with a strict no-sitting-on-the-bed rule.
Kitchen and Storage: Prioritizing Location and Space
In the kitchen, Owobu’s Ikea light pendant and vintage wooden fork from Kudzu Antiques + Modern add character to the space. Her apartment-hunting advice is to prioritize location over size, a lesson she learned during her extensive search.
To save space, Owobu maintains a storage unit about 10 minutes from her building. She keeps winter clothes, holiday decor, and sentimental items like her prom dress and old journals there. She calculated that paying $150 for a storage locker was more feasible than an extra $1,000 for a bigger apartment.
As Owobu prepares to move to Toronto with her fiancé, she leaves behind a space that is a true reflection of her creativity and adaptability. Her journey serves as an inspiration for those looking to make the most of small living spaces.
