Small rooms,real prices.
Decorating guides for small US apartments and rentals. Every room comes with its measurements and a price list.
25 guides · prices in US dollars · measurements in inches · last reviewed Nov 9, 2026
Find a makeover by budgetEvery makeover, by what it costs
- Living RoomsHang curtains high and wide$65
- IKEA & DIYDollar store decor that looks good$72
- Living RoomsWhat size rug you really need$75
- StorageDouble a tiny closet$85
- Living RoomsMake a small room look bigger$88
- StorageBathroom storage by the inch$94
- Renter-FriendlyThree layers of light for $96$96
- Kitchens & BathsRental kitchen storage for $98$98
- Living RoomsFind your room’s focal point$120
- Kitchens & BathsA rental bathroom for $121$121
- StorageNo entryway? Make one$127
- BedroomsA tiny bedroom for $146$146
- Kitchens & BathsA dining table that fits$190
- Living RoomsA whole apartment for $196$196
- IKEA & DIY10 IKEA hacks for tiny rooms$214
- Living RoomsHow to lay out a studio$232
- Renter-Friendly15 upgrades your landlord won’t mind$238
- IKEA & DIYFirst apartment: the $300 list$300
- Living RoomsThree plans for 400 sq ft$415
19 makeovers with a full price list.
Pick a room
Living Rooms & Studios 
Small Bedrooms 
Kitchens & Baths 
Renter-Friendly 
IKEA Hacks & DIY 
Storage & Organizing Left to right — Photo: rawpixel, CC0; Photo: rawpixel, CC0; Photo: Shixart1985, CC BY 2.0; Photo: Marek Ślusarczyk (Tupungato) Photo portfolio, CC BY 3.0; Photo: Wiki Farazi, CC0; Photo: mycurrency.com, CC BY-SA 4.0, cropped
New guides this week
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A whole apartment for $196
Living Rooms · $196 total
-
Hang curtains high and wide
Living Rooms · $65 total
-
15 upgrades your landlord won’t mind
Renter-Friendly · $238 total
-
What size rug you really need
Living Rooms · $75 total
-
10 IKEA hacks for tiny rooms
IKEA & DIY · $214 total
-
Three plans for 400 sq ft
Living Rooms · $415 total
Measure it before you buy it
Three free tools: one tells you what's making your room feel small, one turns your measurements into a shopping list, one is a daily price game.
- Does Your Living Room Look Small? →8-question quiz: find what makes your room feel cramped.
- Rug Size & Curtain Height Calculator →Enter your room and window — get the rug size, rod height and curtain length.
- How Much Did This Room Cost? →A new room every day. Guess the makeover total and keep your streak.
One person, official sources, real numbers
Martín Golia writes every guide from published standards, safety agencies and current store listings, and reviews it before it goes up.
No invented experts and no "we tested" claims: prices are rough US figures from store listings, and safety facts link to the CPSC, EPA and ADA. Who's behind Nook & Penny →
- Guides
- 25
- Prices
- US dollars
- Studio plan
- 400 sq ft
- Reviewed
- Nov 9, 2026
Start with one room
The $196 apartment makeover lists every item, its price and the order to do it in — free steps first.
Read the $196 makeover