This 350-Square-Foot Studio Is a DIY Dream

Upon facing pandemic restrictions and being unable to hire someone for assistance, Lisa Lu took on the challenge of installing a mirrored bar shelf in her home. This project sparked her interest in taking on more home projects and ultimately led her to single-handedly redecorate her 350-square-foot studio in New York’s Chelsea neighborhood. Using paint, Ikea hacks, and renter-friendly upgrades, Lisa transformed her space which was later featured in Embrace Your Space, a home design book by Real Simple’s Katie Holdefehr. In an interview, Lisa shares her tips for maximizing space, creating extra storage, sourcing secondhand finds, finding design inspiration, and completing renter-friendly DIY projects. Her colorful and personalized home is a testament to the potential of small spaces.