Of all the rooms in my house the "second bedroom" has been the hardest to resolve. Yes, I'm grateful for the extra space, but rather than be efficient with it, the room has mostly become an oversized storage closet — all the miscellaneous stuff gets thrown in there, including a desk, old couch, drying rack, books, etc. I'd really love for it to be a true combination home office and guest bedroom. But is it even possible? Here are few inspirational photos that give me hope.

Like this Small Cool 2013 contest entry? Favorite it below!

Name:

Hani & Andrew

Location:

New York, NY

Square Feet:

440

Division:

Tiny

What I Love About My Small Home:

We love the organic modern feel and our art, including a prized secret ceramic glaze recipe from our dear friends at KleinReid. The built-in shelving connects to two distinct living areas -- we especially love the vintage jar collection that we use for our pantry to elegantly extend the tiny kitchen into the dining area while the opposite wall is filled with books and functional items and connects into the living area. For dense city living, we're also lucky to have an incredible view of a brick wall covered in Boston ivy that changes fiery red in the autumn, instead of facing another apartment window or an alley. We love the live "tree-light art" that we wake up to in the morning on the balcony doors, and enjoy our six distinct living spaces all within one rectangular room: dining room, living room, bedroom, kitchen bar and workspace, a cozy reading chair, and a balcony cafe.

Name: Faith and Mike
Type of Project: Master Bathroom Creation
Location: Columbus, Ohio
Type of building: 1920s, multi-level, single family home

Last week we were introduced to Faith and Mike's master bathroom project. Rather than renovate an existing bathroom, they're getting really ambitious and creating a master bathroom out of whole cloth in a space that was once a sleeping porch. Here, they share some of their inspiration for the project. 

In a small space, a dining room table that seats more than two can easily make the "we can do without" list.  If, however, you enjoy entertaining, it becomes far more valuable. 

Name: Lily (2.5) & Oli (1.5)
Location: Montreal, QC, Canada

We're pregnant with our third child, so we decided to do a quick, affordable re-design to our nursery in anticipation. Our nursery is already home to Lily (2.5) and her brother Oli (1.5), so regardless of the sex of our third baby, it has to be a gender neutral space where everyone's comfortable.  

Like this Small Cool 2013 contest entry? Favorite it below!

Name:

Garrett

Location:

New York, NY

Square Feet:

340

Division:

Teeny-Tiny

What I Love About My Small Home:

I love how I can clean the whole apartment in a few hours. Everything has a place, and everything is in reach. It feels really manageable for a young person living in the city. I get to see and use everything that I love every day; nothing is shut away in an unused space.

Name: Austin White, Monica Rodgers and children, Manon and Shaw 
Location: Kingston, Rhode Island
Size: 1,850 square feet
Years lived in: 1.5 years; owned

It all started with a ship captain in the 1920’s. He translated his passion for the seafaring life into a nautical-inspired Arts and Crafts home. Wood planks from the deck of his boat became flooring, a porthole became a window, and ceramic tiles, souvenirs from his many ports of call, became embellishment for a stone fireplace.

My friend Britt recently agonized over choosing between the sofa of her dreams, which was beyond her budget, and a sofa that she liked well enough that also had the benefit of being affordable. She asked for my advice.

Like this Small Cool 2013 contest entry? Favorite it below!

Name:

Julia

Location:

Philadelphia, PA

Square Feet:

550

Division:

Tiny

What I Love About My Small Home:

My home is the perfect size for a live/work, solo artist space. I have designed it such that I wake up surrounded by my imagery and mind-escapes that motivate the creative process. I wake up, make coffee, tea, do yoga, and set to work at the long work tables against the window. In the evening I can entertain friends and show curators, interior designers, and art directors my work in my small kitchen area.

I love that I can only collect and house what is most necessary -- nothing beyond the art, the basics, and the small items I have accumulated through my travels and from friends that mean the most.