Real Spaces: Mackinley's Maximalist Modern-Rustic Apartment
Welcome back to Real Spaces with Furniture Row—where we step inside the real homes of our team members and show you how our furniture comes to life in authentic, lived-in spaces! This episode, we’re heading underground (literally!) for a tour of Mackinley’s charming 1920s Denver basement apartment—a space packed with personality, clever solutions, and plenty of Furniture Row finds.
A Home That’s All About Smart Choices
Mackinley and her girlfriend moved into this cozy basement unit about a year ago, and right away, they faced a challenge familiar to anyone who’s ever tried to squeeze a sofa through a narrow stairwell:
“We kind of lost hope when we couldn’t even get a futon in here, but we ended up learning that we needed furniture that we could assemble in the home, that was going to be small space friendly." - Mackinley
Their solution? Embrace flexibility, mix-and-match styles, and choose pieces that fit both their space and their story.
The Kitchen: Small But Mighty
The kitchen in Mackinley’s home is proof that you don’t need a big footprint to create a functional, welcoming dining zone. The star of the show is the Merril Creek 3 Pc. Round Dining Room Set—a compact table that’s perfect for everyday meals but can expand when friends drop by.
“We did end up going with this table because it is so easy and the function is great. You can open up this leaf and pull some more chairs around. There’s only two of us, so we leave it like this (partially closed) most of the time. - Mackinley
They also placed the La Paz Dining Chair by the door, which doubles as a spot to slip on shoes or drop your bag, and the versatile sofa table adds a touch of style and extra surface space as you move on towards the living room.
Check out all of the products in Mackinley's kitchen:
The Living Room: Maximalist Style Meets Moveable Comfort
Step into the living room and you’re greeted by a playful mix of color, texture, and style—a true maximalist’s dream. It also showcases an expert use of furniture designed for small spaces.
“Welcome to the living room. Lots of color, lots of fun stuff going on in here…originally when we moved in, our initial thought was to get a sectional, for friends and family, but it actually worked out better to have a bunch of smaller pieces that we can move around." - Mackinley
Instead of a bulky sectional, the couple opted for three smaller, lightweight seating options (including the Trinity Padded Arm Sofa and Laguna Chair) that can easily be rearranged for movie nights, game nights, or just lounging.
A reclaimed Antiqua Coffee Table and industrial-style sofa bring in character and function, while the Block Rug Upholstered Bench and Kollam Cabinet add storage, seating and additional texture without overwhelming the space.
Mackinley's Spotlight: The Trinity Padded Arm Sofa
"We ended up going with (the Trinity Padded Arm Sofa) because we knew it would be a good size, but also because we measured and knew we could make it fit through the door.
The best part was, I was able to pick it up from the store, load it in my C-RV, get it in my home, and put it together all by myself.”
Check out all the furniture in Mackinley's living room:
Home Office (in the Living Room): Real Life Work-From-Home
Who says you need a dedicated room for a home office? Mackinley’s workspace is cleverly tucked along one wall of the living room, featuring the sleek Rupa Writing Desk in a contemporary black color paired with rustic shelving and desk lamps.
“I originally had my workspace somewhere else, but I realized I needed to see the light of day if I’m going to be working here all day. So we moved it out here, and it’s so much better with the light coming through the window. And, I can move around. I can move to the couch, or the kitchen." - Mackinley
Check out all the pieces featured in Mackinley's home office:
The Bedroom: Small Space, Big Style
Mackinley's bedroom is another masterclass in maximizing every inch of a compact space. Anchored by the Miura Metal Bed and flanked by two different-sized wood nightstands ( the Cristo and Bering), the space feels both contemporary and warm.
A narrow Cristo Lingerie Chest tucks perfectly into a recessed nook—one of those “a-ha!” small space moments. Then, finishing touches like the Alpine Woven Bench and Willow Way Dining Chair add functionality (hello, shoe-tying station!) and style.
“The bedroom has this divot (wall space), which we didn’t know what to do with... Then we were like ‘oh, this is the perfect place for a dresser’. This (Cristo Lingerie Chest), worked out perfectly and saved us a lot of space,” - Mackinley
Check out all the furniture in Mackinley's bedroom:
Final Thoughts
Mackinley’s basement apartment is living proof that you don’t need a sprawling space—or even a ground floor—to create a home with heart, style, and function. By embracing flexibility, clever storage, and a mix of Furniture Row favorites, she’s transformed a challenging layout into a cozy retreat that’s uniquely hers.
Ready to bring your own Real Space to life? Explore more inspiration and shop the looks at Furniture Row. Your perfect fit is waiting!