Spaces: Stephanie Chrusz

Stephanie Chrusz
50 1/2 Florence St #3 (East Somerville)

Chrusz bought her 603-square-foot East Somerville condo three years ago. She and her boyfriend, Ryan Hannus, took advantage of the open layout and managed to have two workspaces, a living room and a kitchen – all without feeling cluttered. They solved the tiny bedroom problem by placing a screen rather than a door between the living room and bedroom, providing privacy while making both rooms feel spacious.
In their bright, large living room, they painted an Ikea bookshelf the same color as the wall and mounted it to look like it was built-in, maximizing the space and adding visual appeal. “Having it go up to the ceiling really maximizes the amount of storage,” says Chrusz. The lesson: If a room feels small, open it up by eliminating a wall or door. If you can’t afford pricey furniture, get something sturdy and get creative.