28 Helpful Tips and Tricks for Small Homes Around the World
What these homes lack in space, their homeowners have made up for it in style... right royal style!
Home size is a tricky thing. What seems small to one person can feel like a palace to another. But after looking at these homes – which range in size from a little over six square metres (seriously … 65 square feet!) to 90 square metres (969 square feet) – it’s easy to see that what goes into making the most of what anyone considers tight, compact or tiny is pretty much universal. Multipurpose furnishings, clever layouts and, most important, the right kind of attitude can turn any space into one brimming with life and style.
Size: 42 square metres (452 square feet)
Who lives here: Graphic designer Chris Nguyen
Location: Montrose neighbourhood of Houston, Texas, US
This space, packed with Mid-century Modern furniture, is the result of Nguyen’s dabbling in small-space living. “Living in a small space forces you to be quite thoughtful of everything that you purchase, not just because of the smaller dimensions in which you have to put things, but because everything is visible,” he says.
One of the coolest elements is a room divider that partitions off his bed and acts as a projection screen.
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Who lives here: Graphic designer Chris Nguyen
Location: Montrose neighbourhood of Houston, Texas, US
This space, packed with Mid-century Modern furniture, is the result of Nguyen’s dabbling in small-space living. “Living in a small space forces you to be quite thoughtful of everything that you purchase, not just because of the smaller dimensions in which you have to put things, but because everything is visible,” he says.
One of the coolest elements is a room divider that partitions off his bed and acts as a projection screen.
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Size: 14 square metres (151 square feet)
Who stays here: This is the studio of writer Etgar Keret
Location: Warsaw, Poland
A living space, even a part-time one, doesn’t get much narrower than this. Keret has crammed a kitchen, bathroom, living room, bedroom and office into a 1.2-metre-wide (4-foot-wide) space that spans only a couple of floors. How does he do it? By keeping things simple, functional and really small.
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Who stays here: This is the studio of writer Etgar Keret
Location: Warsaw, Poland
A living space, even a part-time one, doesn’t get much narrower than this. Keret has crammed a kitchen, bathroom, living room, bedroom and office into a 1.2-metre-wide (4-foot-wide) space that spans only a couple of floors. How does he do it? By keeping things simple, functional and really small.
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Size: 8 square metres (86 square feet)
Who lives here: Hazardous waste specialist, volunteer and author Dee Willaims
Location: Olympia, Washington, US
Williams has learned a lot from living for a decade in this tiny house, in which she pays no rent or mortgage, but mostly how to get outside and enjoy life more. “If my neighbour is moving, I have time to help,” she says. “If an organisation needs volunteers to help pull invasive ivy, I can do that.”
The home has a kitchenette, bathroom, sleeping loft and what she calls a “great room”.
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Who lives here: Hazardous waste specialist, volunteer and author Dee Willaims
Location: Olympia, Washington, US
Williams has learned a lot from living for a decade in this tiny house, in which she pays no rent or mortgage, but mostly how to get outside and enjoy life more. “If my neighbour is moving, I have time to help,” she says. “If an organisation needs volunteers to help pull invasive ivy, I can do that.”
The home has a kitchenette, bathroom, sleeping loft and what she calls a “great room”.
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Size: 42 square metres (452 square feet)
Who lives here: Interior designer Megan Close
Location: West End, Vancouver, Canada
Though Close couldn’t paint the walls of this rented studio apartment, she made the most of the place with a smart layout, fresh colours and DIY spirit.
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Who lives here: Interior designer Megan Close
Location: West End, Vancouver, Canada
Though Close couldn’t paint the walls of this rented studio apartment, she made the most of the place with a smart layout, fresh colours and DIY spirit.
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Size: 69 square metres (743 square feet) – 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Who lives here: Furniture and design shop owner Katie Gagnon and her pugs, Theo and Sydney
Location: Tampa, Florida, US
Crisp white paint, a large mirror and right-size furniture helped create volume in this cosy apartment.
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Who lives here: Furniture and design shop owner Katie Gagnon and her pugs, Theo and Sydney
Location: Tampa, Florida, US
Crisp white paint, a large mirror and right-size furniture helped create volume in this cosy apartment.
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Size: 70 square metres (753 square feet) – 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Who lives here: Blogger Jeanne Chan, visual designer George Hu and their daughters, Hayden (3) and Hadley (1)
Location: San Francisco, US
Chan and Hu stuck with clean lines to make the most of their two-bedroom apartment. With two small girls they also keep a watchful eye on their possessions so they don’t take in more than they can comfortably store.
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Who lives here: Blogger Jeanne Chan, visual designer George Hu and their daughters, Hayden (3) and Hadley (1)
Location: San Francisco, US
Chan and Hu stuck with clean lines to make the most of their two-bedroom apartment. With two small girls they also keep a watchful eye on their possessions so they don’t take in more than they can comfortably store.
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Size: 28 square metres (301 square feet) on 3 acres
Who lives here: Artist and creative director Tami Snodgrass and her dog Lewis
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Who wants to be confined by walls in a tropical setting like Maui? Snodgrass has everything she needs in her compact space: a loft bed, an open-air kitchen, a private outdoor shower, an outhouse and storage space for her surfboard.
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Who lives here: Artist and creative director Tami Snodgrass and her dog Lewis
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Who wants to be confined by walls in a tropical setting like Maui? Snodgrass has everything she needs in her compact space: a loft bed, an open-air kitchen, a private outdoor shower, an outhouse and storage space for her surfboard.
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Size: 84 square metres (904 square feet) – 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom
Who lives here: Le Michelle Nguyen, a design student, and David Klein, who works in business development
Location: Montreal, Canada
This creative couple completely customised their converted loft space, designing everything from the floors to the kitchen cabinet handles. By planning ahead and using smart furniture with built-in storage and ladders to make the most of tall storage, they were able to instil an incredible feeling of spaciousness.
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Who lives here: Le Michelle Nguyen, a design student, and David Klein, who works in business development
Location: Montreal, Canada
This creative couple completely customised their converted loft space, designing everything from the floors to the kitchen cabinet handles. By planning ahead and using smart furniture with built-in storage and ladders to make the most of tall storage, they were able to instil an incredible feeling of spaciousness.
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Size: 55 square metres (592 square feet) – 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Who lives here: Educator Mariët van der Kooij and Tim van Soeren, who works at a temp agency
Location: Amersfoort, The Netherlands
Abundant natural light helps open up this compact space. But custom furniture, such as a coffee table on castors, offers practicality for things like vacuuming. “We managed to fit in everything we needed without the room being cramped or cluttered,” says van der Kooij.
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Who lives here: Educator Mariët van der Kooij and Tim van Soeren, who works at a temp agency
Location: Amersfoort, The Netherlands
Abundant natural light helps open up this compact space. But custom furniture, such as a coffee table on castors, offers practicality for things like vacuuming. “We managed to fit in everything we needed without the room being cramped or cluttered,” says van der Kooij.
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Size: 28 square metres (301 square feet) – 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Who lives here: Multimedia producer Willa Kammerer
Location: Manhattan, US
Kammerer forced herself to stick with the furnishings she already had and come up with creative solutions for making everything work in her rental unit on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. She used pieces to establish private nooks for sleeping, working and hanging out to create the feel of more rooms.
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Who lives here: Multimedia producer Willa Kammerer
Location: Manhattan, US
Kammerer forced herself to stick with the furnishings she already had and come up with creative solutions for making everything work in her rental unit on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. She used pieces to establish private nooks for sleeping, working and hanging out to create the feel of more rooms.
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Size: 81 square metres (872 square feet) – 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Who lives here: Drew Dunford, an operations manager at a design agency; Margot Robinson, a project manager at a creative agency; and her Yorkshire Terrier, Lakai
Location: Vancouver, Canada
This couple has their decorating method pretty much figured out. “Edit down as much as you can; choose art that matches your personality; use colour sparingly,” says Dunford. An open layout, high ceilings and a great view add to the breeziness of their rental loft.
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Who lives here: Drew Dunford, an operations manager at a design agency; Margot Robinson, a project manager at a creative agency; and her Yorkshire Terrier, Lakai
Location: Vancouver, Canada
This couple has their decorating method pretty much figured out. “Edit down as much as you can; choose art that matches your personality; use colour sparingly,” says Dunford. An open layout, high ceilings and a great view add to the breeziness of their rental loft.
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Size: 33 square metres (355 square feet)
Who lives here: Nurse and blogger Jacqueline Clair
Location: Manhattan, US
Colour enhances the tight corners in Clair’s studio unit on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Creating boundaries and a clutter-free lifestyle prevent things from getting overwhelming.
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Who lives here: Nurse and blogger Jacqueline Clair
Location: Manhattan, US
Colour enhances the tight corners in Clair’s studio unit on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Creating boundaries and a clutter-free lifestyle prevent things from getting overwhelming.
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Size: 70 square metres (753 square metres) – 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Who lives here: Sarah Latta and Darren Carter
Location: San Francisco, US
Three large walk-in closets help tackle storage needs in this home, while creative use of textiles and standout furniture make up for the strict no-paint rule enforced by the couple’s landlord.
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Who lives here: Sarah Latta and Darren Carter
Location: San Francisco, US
Three large walk-in closets help tackle storage needs in this home, while creative use of textiles and standout furniture make up for the strict no-paint rule enforced by the couple’s landlord.
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Size: 46 square metres (495 square feet)
Who lives here: Maryline Lambelin, president of a Montreal decor company, and her labrador and Bouvier-Bernese mix, Canaille
Location: Montreal, Canada
Lambelin turned a structural column into a media centre with storage and used French pocket doors to let in light between the tight rooms.
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Who lives here: Maryline Lambelin, president of a Montreal decor company, and her labrador and Bouvier-Bernese mix, Canaille
Location: Montreal, Canada
Lambelin turned a structural column into a media centre with storage and used French pocket doors to let in light between the tight rooms.
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Size: 52 square metres (560 square feet) – 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Who lives here: Attorneys Sasha and Sabrina Kolmakov
Location: London, UK
A neutral palette keeps things bright in this renovated flat even in the foggiest of London weather. Scandinavian style, meanwhile, maintains a clean aesthetic.
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Who lives here: Attorneys Sasha and Sabrina Kolmakov
Location: London, UK
A neutral palette keeps things bright in this renovated flat even in the foggiest of London weather. Scandinavian style, meanwhile, maintains a clean aesthetic.
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Size: 79 square metres (850 square feet) – 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Who lives here: Tamiza Marcinkow with her husband Cory, an electrician
Location: Burnaby, British Columbia
Bold punches of colour in artwork and accessories and a contemporary design approach maintain a polished look.
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Who lives here: Tamiza Marcinkow with her husband Cory, an electrician
Location: Burnaby, British Columbia
Bold punches of colour in artwork and accessories and a contemporary design approach maintain a polished look.
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Size: About 70 square metres (753 square feet) – 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom and an office
Who lives here: Shoemaker Isobel Schofield and her dog Billie
Location: Brooklyn, New York, US
The abundant charm of this home makes visitors forget they’re in an apartment unit. Schofield kept multipurpose function in mind with the furniture and layout.
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Who lives here: Shoemaker Isobel Schofield and her dog Billie
Location: Brooklyn, New York, US
The abundant charm of this home makes visitors forget they’re in an apartment unit. Schofield kept multipurpose function in mind with the furniture and layout.
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Size: 46 square metres (495 square feet) – 2 bedrooms, 1 bathroom and a freestanding guest room
Who lives here: Interior designer Frances Merrill, with her husband Chris, the director of production at the American Film Institute; and their children Honor and Rex
Location: Los Angeles, US
Don’t believe a family of four can live in fewer than 50 square metres? Then you haven’t met the Merrills. A converted shed guest room helps free up space, but the real sanity saver has been the family’s willingness to adjust. “One Christmas we moved our bed into the backyard to make room for a table that could seat 12. We love to entertain and we never let the lack of space stop us,” Frances says.
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Who lives here: Interior designer Frances Merrill, with her husband Chris, the director of production at the American Film Institute; and their children Honor and Rex
Location: Los Angeles, US
Don’t believe a family of four can live in fewer than 50 square metres? Then you haven’t met the Merrills. A converted shed guest room helps free up space, but the real sanity saver has been the family’s willingness to adjust. “One Christmas we moved our bed into the backyard to make room for a table that could seat 12. We love to entertain and we never let the lack of space stop us,” Frances says.
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Size: 12 square metres (129 square feet) of living space plus a 6-square-metre (65-square-foot) sleeping loft
Who lives here: Chris Tack and his wife Malissa who works in 3D design
Location: Snohomish, Washington, US
Built-ins, a fold-down desk and a little help from friends and neighbours allow the Tacks to embrace serious small-space living.
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Who lives here: Chris Tack and his wife Malissa who works in 3D design
Location: Snohomish, Washington, US
Built-ins, a fold-down desk and a little help from friends and neighbours allow the Tacks to embrace serious small-space living.
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Size: 6.3 square metres (68 square feet)
Who lives here: Hal David
Location: Seattle, US
It might not sound like much, but it turns out 6.3 square metres is enough room for a kitchenette, bed/couch, shower, bath, writing desk, loft sleeping bed and even a balcony.
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Who lives here: Hal David
Location: Seattle, US
It might not sound like much, but it turns out 6.3 square metres is enough room for a kitchenette, bed/couch, shower, bath, writing desk, loft sleeping bed and even a balcony.
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Size: 56 square metres (603 square feet) – 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Who lives here: Interior designer Robert Holgate and his dog Buddy
Location: San Francisco, US
For Holgate living in this relatively small space is all about having the right attitude. “I like the feeling of having everything close by and being able to see everything – I love the intimacy of it,” he says. His experience as an interior designer helped him make the most of the space, too, like when he decided to angle the furniture layout so guests could circulate through the living room more easily.
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Who lives here: Interior designer Robert Holgate and his dog Buddy
Location: San Francisco, US
For Holgate living in this relatively small space is all about having the right attitude. “I like the feeling of having everything close by and being able to see everything – I love the intimacy of it,” he says. His experience as an interior designer helped him make the most of the space, too, like when he decided to angle the furniture layout so guests could circulate through the living room more easily.
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Size: 51 square metres (549 square feet) – 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Who lives here: Kees de Zwart, who’s in financial services
Location: Amsterdam
Shiny copper reflects light in this apartment; de Zwart sought the help of experts to get the most out of her space.
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Who lives here: Kees de Zwart, who’s in financial services
Location: Amsterdam
Shiny copper reflects light in this apartment; de Zwart sought the help of experts to get the most out of her space.
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Size: 22 square metres (237 square feet)
Who lives here: Alek Lisefski, a web designer, and Anjali Krystofiak
Location: Sebastopol, California, US
The desire to not pay high rent drove this couple to create a life in a 2.4m x 6m (approx. 8 feet x 20 feet) flatbed trailer. Ten windows, mostly facing south, help combat claustrophobia, while being organised helps with efficiency.
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Who lives here: Alek Lisefski, a web designer, and Anjali Krystofiak
Location: Sebastopol, California, US
The desire to not pay high rent drove this couple to create a life in a 2.4m x 6m (approx. 8 feet x 20 feet) flatbed trailer. Ten windows, mostly facing south, help combat claustrophobia, while being organised helps with efficiency.
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Size: 84 square metres (904 square feet) – 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Who lives here: Interior designer Clark Collins
Location: Laguna Beach, California, US
It’s all about the details in this cottage. Carefully chosen materials are durable, while layers upon layers of textiles and textures hammer home cosiness.
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Who lives here: Interior designer Clark Collins
Location: Laguna Beach, California, US
It’s all about the details in this cottage. Carefully chosen materials are durable, while layers upon layers of textiles and textures hammer home cosiness.
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Size: 12 square metres (129 square feet)
Location: Marcola, Oregon, US
You wouldn’t think reserving space for a tea room in a 12-square-metre home would make much sense, but the Zen-like vibe makes the tight space feel as infinite as a meditative mind.
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Location: Marcola, Oregon, US
You wouldn’t think reserving space for a tea room in a 12-square-metre home would make much sense, but the Zen-like vibe makes the tight space feel as infinite as a meditative mind.
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Size: 32 square metres (344 square feet)
Who lives here: A retired widower based in Dallas
Location: Manhattan, US
If you can manage to avoid having your bed in the living room, then cramming an entire home into 32 square metres is a cinch, says architect Stephen Killcoyne.
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Who lives here: A retired widower based in Dallas
Location: Manhattan, US
If you can manage to avoid having your bed in the living room, then cramming an entire home into 32 square metres is a cinch, says architect Stephen Killcoyne.
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Size: 91 square metres (980 square feet) – 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms
Who lives here: Elaine and John Carney
Location: Wilson, Wyoming, US
You often hear that homeowners gain a unique perspective after seriously downsizing, and architect John Carney is no exception. “I like walking three metres from my bed to the kitchen,” Carney says. “It’s like being on a boat. You learn what’s essential. It’s made me a better architect.”
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TELL US
Do you live in a tiny home? Please tell us about it and share a photo of your house in the Comments section below.
MORE
15 Ways to Work With a Tiny Living Room
12 Big Ideas to Visually Enlarge Your Compact Space
Chic Studio Apartments That Don’t Skimp on Style
Who lives here: Elaine and John Carney
Location: Wilson, Wyoming, US
You often hear that homeowners gain a unique perspective after seriously downsizing, and architect John Carney is no exception. “I like walking three metres from my bed to the kitchen,” Carney says. “It’s like being on a boat. You learn what’s essential. It’s made me a better architect.”
See more of this home
TELL US
Do you live in a tiny home? Please tell us about it and share a photo of your house in the Comments section below.
MORE
15 Ways to Work With a Tiny Living Room
12 Big Ideas to Visually Enlarge Your Compact Space
Chic Studio Apartments That Don’t Skimp on Style
Who lives here: Industrial designer Aafke Kauffman and her cat
Location: The Scheveningen district in The Hague, Netherlands
A stark backdrop with lots of white gives an airiness to Kauffman’s home, a former grocery store. She’s also diligent about keeping things pared down and tidy. Meanwhile, she scours second-hand shops for one-of-a-kind pieces that give the space big personality.
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