We try to feature a wide variety of homes, from the big and beautiful to the cozy and quaint. This time we toured a New Jersey townhouse that feels so inviting it stands out among its identical neighbors. Decorating a space that shares a floor plan with every other house on the block can be a challenge, but Heather and Christian made it feel unique, warm, and personal. They’re excited to show us around—let’s go!
Walking into Heather and Christian’s home, the open floor plan immediately creates an airy, expansive feeling even though square footage is limited. The kitchen sits to the right and is separated from the dining area by a solid L-shaped counter. They repeated that same visual separation in the living area with a low-profile L-shaped sectional, which preserves sightlines all the way to the glass doors at the back of the house.
It didn’t always feel this open. Here’s a before photo of the townhouse, showing the previous owner’s furnishings and an awkward 3/4 wall that separated the dining area from the living room.
Removing that oddly placed wall was one of the best decisions they made. The space now has an uninterrupted flow and feels much larger—and they did the demolition themselves with a sledgehammer and a handsaw.
Their kitchen is compact but extremely efficient. Muted, stained navy cabinets add personality beyond typical builder white, and practical touches like a pot rack and wine storage make the space feel ready for real cooking. In a small kitchen, vertical storage and hanging solutions are essential, and Heather and Christian use every inch wisely.
They also installed industrial-style Ikea shelving mounted vertically, which creates efficient storage without wasting wall space and keeps everyday items within easy reach.
The dining area features a simple table for six, and when they have larger gatherings the three counter stools increase seating to nine—an impressive solution for a compact footprint.
The living room centers on a cozy, low-profile sectional accented with pale blue and chocolate brown—two of Heather’s favorite hues that also appear in the rug. The large couch is great for hosting game day or movie nights and even doubles as an extra sleeping spot when needed.
The couple personalizes their walls with meaningful art and photos—hanging images from a rod in modular frames, and displaying a framed collection of Vegas poker chips, for example. These items make the space feel lived-in and uniquely theirs.
One clever detail: a large square mirror mounted over the fuse box. It hides an eyesore while keeping the panel accessible, and the mirror also helps reflect light and visually enlarge the room—an efficient, attractive solution.
Heather found the inspiration for the moody navy bathroom in a hotel powder room she admired. She promised herself she’d recreate that look someday, and when they bought the townhouse in 2005 she transformed the builder-grade bathroom for under $20. The navy finish ties back to the kitchen cabinets and creates subtle cohesion throughout the home.
Upstairs, the bedroom is intentionally lighter and more serene. A plush oversized bed creates a restful retreat, and pale blue-green walls give the room an airy, coastal feel—perfect for unwinding after a busy day.
That wraps up the tour of Heather and Christian’s cleverly arranged townhouse, full of space-saving ideas and personal touches. Stay tuned for more house tours—there’s always another inspiring home to discover.