Over the last few years, renting a home for your travel stays (as opposed to a hotel) has been on the upswing. There is something about feeling at home while you're not at home and getting to fully immerse yourself in another neighborhood that turns traveling into a different experience.

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Name:

Lois

Location:

Hartland, MI

Square Feet:

683

Division:

Little

What I Love About My Small Home:

I love my home! I love the small utility bills, the short cleaning time, and I especially love living in my small home has taught me to keep what is necessary and what I love. I have learned that "stuff" is not that important in being happy.

Q: My boyfriend and I just moved into a one bedroom apartment we're renting in downtown Chicago. It's incredible — the owner is a DIY maven who created a custom desk and entertainment center. One place is a problem, though - the window treatments for the large window located in the living room. 

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

Name:

Jennifer

Location:

New York, NY

Square Feet:

550

Division:

Tiny

What I Love About My Small Home:

What I love best about my apartment is the exposed brick. It evokes a warm and comfortable mood, so that I feel as though I am living in a cozy bungalow in the country and not a major city! I also love the clearly defined spaces. The kitchen is separated from the main living area by a door, and I have a private office space in the tiny alcove next to my bedroom area.

Whimsical lighting by Artecnica. 

Cube table by Pelle

I've always loved seeing people's collections, from ceramics to typewriters. Lately, I keep coming across stylish teapot arrangements. Even if teapots aren't your thing, these displays may give you ideas for showing off your own beloved collection.  

Name: Jack (7), Finn (4) & Rowan (2)
Location: Fort Collins, Colorado

My hope was to make the little fellas a whimsical childish "undone" room that they could grow in and share memories in. I love listening to them giggle and talk at night from outside their door. 

Commercial Flour Sack Towels

• $26.95 for a dozen
• Amazon.com

My go to dish towels at home are now these large, thin and very absorbent flour sack towels that you can find on Amazon and elsewhere. "Frugal folk used to cut up floursacks to create these soft, white, pure cotton floursack towels."

It's pretty easy to create your own "custom" table by using IKEA table legs. The legs are set at a perfect height for making a desk, and people have often turned to an assortment of surfaces to match for a simple DIY desk solution. But I wanted to set out to build something a little more advanced...