A plant-filled 450 sq ft apartment in a Toronto walk-up
Arriane fills her rented Toronto walk-up with plants she's kept for years and furniture she found free, thrifted or on clearance.
Arriane rents a 450 sq ft apartment in an old Toronto walk-up with no elevator. Getting furniture up the stairs is a challenge. She paid a friend in dinner for her free couch, and carrying it up felt like the pivot scene from Friends.
Plants run the show in the living room. She has kept most of them for six or seven years, and they now frame the west-facing window. A sturdy shelf came with the apartment and holds plants and small objects that each have a story. A full-length mirror from Kijiji makes the room feel bigger.
Many of her favourite pieces cost little or nothing. Arriane found a colourful artwork on the street, left out for anyone to take, and it brought colour into the dining area. Her IKEA dining table has storage for guests' bags and coats. She bought her standing desk from the IKEA clearance section for about $180.
Arriane makes the small kitchen work. A wall table folds down for extra prep space, and she's thankful for the gas stove. A litter box cabinet hides her cat's box in plain sight.
Her dad gave her a big speaker so she can host karaoke nights, a tradition she says Filipinos love.
