Making My House a Home— Part 3: Living Room Setup of My Studio Apartment

Hey friend. I’m inviting you into a space that’s as much a part of my soul as it is a room in my studio—a living room that tells a story of careful choices, bold dreams, and that delicate balance between calm and conviction. Picture this: as you step in, the sofa nestles against the entryway shoe cabinets, facing a generous window that fills the space with natural light. Across from this inviting seat sits the media console and TV, gently delineating the bed area from the living room, while a Togo chair, positioned beside the console, transforms into a cozy reading nook with its dedicated third of the console’s expanse. Every piece has been chosen with purpose, contributing to an Eclectic Japandi design.

The Heart of the Living Room: Sofa and Coffee Table
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​I’ll be honest with you: I spent over a month without a sofa. That’s because my heart was set on the Jattabo Modular Sofa 🛋️ from IKEA. Even as it remained sold out, my determination did not waver. I knew that the sofa, a soft corduroy masterpiece without armrests, would serve as the foundation of my living room—a design decision that echoes my desire to let the kitchen and living area flow together seamlessly.

This wasn’t just any piece of furniture. It was the centerpiece of my eclectic Japandi vision. Though it pushed my budget to new heights, I trusted that its comfort—perfect for long conversations, quiet moments, or even a nap—would transform my apartment. And, as if that weren’t enough, it offers a smart storage solution beneath its cushions, merging style with practicality. In a delightful twist, I discovered a wood grain panel at Home Depot to cover the unfinished back of my entryway shoe cabinets, its medium wood tone harmonizing beautifully with the yellow-green hue of the sofa.

And what’s a living room without a coffee table? In a space where openness is key, I opted for the Low Side Table ☕️ from H&M Home—a round, low, beige marvel that defies the norm by being only 21 inches wide against a 75-inch sofa. It’s a deliberate break from tradition, echoing the balance of subtle colors and gentle proportions. And by placing it between my sofa and reading nook, it naturally bridges the two areas, creating a seamless, welcoming energy. On this table, I’ve placed a copy of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s 40th Edition 📖, a nod to art and culture that completes the setting.

The Living Room Rug: A Canvas of Texture and Movement
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There’s a saying that the floor tells the story of a room, and I spent countless hours searching for the perfect rug to narrate mine. My quest led me to the Loloi x Angela Rose Amira Collection 🚶‍♂️—a shag rug in ivory and granite that I discovered on Amazon after nearly committing elsewhere. Measuring 8ft x 10ft, this rug doesn’t just cover the floor; it defines the living space. Its checked pattern adds yet another layer of design, while its rustic style infuses a mature, masculine energy into the apartment. This rug is the unsung hero, adding movement, texture, and a whisper of luxury that ties the room’s playful colors and bold circles together.

Media Console and the Reading Nook: A Space for Stories

When it comes to melding form with function, my media console and reading nook serve as a beacon of light and wisdom. In keeping with the core of my Eclectic Japandi design—favoring the soft hues of white oak—I chose the Besta media console 🗄️ for its sleek, modern lines. Not only does it host my Samsung 43-inch Q60C QLED 4K TV 📺 (paired with an Apple TV 4K for that crisp entertainment experience), it also works in tandem with a DIY room divider to carve out a private retreat away from the bedroom.
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A dedicated slice of the media console is transformed into my personal reading nook, anchored by a meticulously sourced Togo Chair 🪑 replica. This chair isn’t just a seating option; it’s a sanctuary where I’m curating an assortment of treasured books--Virgil Abloh Icons 📖, Yayoi Kusama’s From Here to Infinity 📖, Charles & Ray Eames: 1907-1978, 1912-1988: Pioneers of Mid-century Modernism 📖, and eventually others. Soon, a lamp and bookends will complete the shelf. To finish the nook, the IDGRAN ☁️ throw pillow on the chair offers the perfect balance against the dominant green sofa. This little corner is my invitation to pause, reflect, and let the stories of art and design nurture my creative spirit.

Replacing Wall Sconces: Lighting the Way Forward

Every great design is about evolution. When I first moved in, the modern builder-grade wall sconces didn’t speak to my heart. One day, while scrolling through Instagram, I discovered The Poplight 💡 Denver and their renter-friendly, battery-powered sconces. I was instantly drawn to the warm, orange hue they offered—an accent that not only adds circular motifs to the space but also promises soft, adjustable lighting through the Poplight app. These sconces were perfect in adding a pop of orange to the living room.