I have to say that I would feel sort of claustrophobic in such a small space but the way you've utilized every square inch is amazing. I especially love the bed you've built. Much, much cooler than a futon and just a really clever design. I really enjoyed your video. Thanks!

I loved his comment at the end about his last home in Kenya. Many, many cultures wouldn't think of this place as "barely habitable". It really puts it in perspective.
He's so happy and positive, I would totally share a (veg!) meal with him, straight from the mini fridge.

Love it!

Luke could not be more charming—or inventive.

I'm sorry.... this is CRAZY. The smallness of the space is one thing, but the thing I can't get over is this: Dealing w/ this tiny apartment, just so you get to live in midtown? For a fraction more he could live in Queens, 20 minutes from midtown, in a sizeable studio. I guess if you like living in midtown, you like it, but there are much nicer neighborhoods where there are affordable, nicely sized apartments to be found. Life's too short!

Awesome!

That's not an apartment. It's a hallway. Kudos to him for his good attitude, and his interview was charming. It's shocking to me that his rent is more than my mortgage, taxes, and insurance on a 1400 sq. ft. house. I guess that's why I will never live in NYC.

I love it! And there is still plenty of room for him to add cabinets above the bed or window.

I think the video really helped clear up some of the comments and questions from the Small Cool contest.

His ideas are pretty creative, but I still wouldn't want to share a hall bath with three other people. It grosses me out a bit that he has to get water for tea from the bathroom sink.

Although the sad music didn't really match Luke's upbeat personality, I really enjoyed the video. Clearly, Luke loves not only his neighborhood, but small space living. It's not a sacrifice if you didn't really want it in the first place. From what I could see, the arrangement works perfectly for him. Sounds to me like he'd actually be overwhelmed by too much space, too many possessions, and the task of furnishing a much larger home. I say, Good for Luke. He seems like a really cool, talented guy.

On the other hand, I'm SHOCKED by the $800 price tag. I guess "sacrificing" doesn't come cheap these days. At least not in New York. Yikes.

Rock on Luke! You've totally given me confidence to make my (huge) 330 square foot studio work.

Good luck with your career!

I love that there is no clutter. So many people have a small place and it's packed! His work surface is clean and everything has a place. I don't know if I would survive but I think he has done the impossible with 78sqft.

This place is super-organised, I'll give you that; I think it's a waste of money, but hey, if the tenant is happy, good for him. But ... small space or not ... cuttlery above the shoes? That's kind of disgusting, sorry. Microwave under the clothes? Ok, not so disgusting but won't the clothes smell afterwards? Any way, Luke seems like a nice guy and as I said he seems happy, so I guess this post goes to show how different peoples' perspectives can be. Personally I'd go crazy in such a small place :)

I am beyond impressed! I'm also envious. I live in a 3 bedroom house in the burbs, and even without the furniture, my "crap" would more than fill his entire apartment. This is inspiring me to pare down. He is obviously healthy and happy, and knows what "enough" means. It has to be so liberating!

@ Moxie - It's crazy to you, but obviously not for him. And he's the one who chooses to live there.

He'd rather be a short five minute walk from just about everything he does than load up his Metro Card for the 20 minute (or more sometimes) commute from Queens just for more space. (The "niceness" of the neighborhood is subjective.)

It suits him, he uses the space very efficiently, it's not crowded with stuff...come to think of it, if I had fewer shoes, I could probably make it work too. ;)

Seeing this apt reminded me of Matthew Hofmann's airstream, that I featured out here in California. Again I am utterly impressed with the utilitarian approach to living and his absolute integrity in his use of space (and lack there of).
Well done!

I love his attitude! Such an creative and thoughful use of such a small space. Thanks for letting us into your home!

a creative*

I live a train away from the main "island" of Manhattan and just last week I was housesitting/petsitting for a couple who actually lived in Manhattan. I had been saying the same thing as "Moxie" but last week changed everything for me. All I can say is that it is worth is and those who don't understand -GOOD. More apartments for me!

As for the $800 thing, you can make more money in NYC doing creative things so it works out. My husband is a musician and we could live for literally 1/3 of our rent where we used to live in VA but he would be playing with church bands to make rent b/c there are no interesting jobs. I'm sure it is similar for all creative careers. You just have to go all out to live your dream.

What an interesting tour! Like many others, I'm truly impressed with how Luke makes this work, and he was so charming in the video.

Perhaps he mentioned it and I missed it, but are those ALL of his possessions, or does he have stuff in storage somewhere (parents' home, storage facility, etc.)?

(Hey AT, more video tours, please!)

@the urban girl - of course, he's the one who lives there and if it works for him and he's happy, that is all that really matters. I just would like to point out that this apartment is pretty different, singular even, and not necessarily a representation of what you can get for $800/mo here. For all the commenters saying "this is why I can't live in NYC," this is just so different than the norm. Many of my friends pay lower rent (in a share) for a lot more space.

All of that said (and sorry to rant), the kudos for the organized space and economy of "stuff" are absolutely well-deserved!

The video really helped me not feel so claustrophobic when looking at the pics!

I love that globe mobile.

You're pretty amazing! Not only in the way you have creatively and beautifully utilized your space, but also in your choice in living a minimalistic lifestyle. I applaud and envy you!

I like this dude! He does what he wants to do and doesn't let the rest of society dictate his choices. And he's doing it at very little expense to the planet. What's not to love about that?

I just can't get over that he lives *and* works in that tiny space. Kudos, but I could not do that.

elankat , where do you live??

Kenya definitely primed him for this, and it suits his lifestyle (mostly a place to work and sleep). The only objection I have is that IT IS STILL $800. I pay just a little below that ($850 with utilities for most months out of the year) and have about 500sqft in Philadelphia. All his utilities must be included, right? Right?

Honestly, if I met a guy who lived in an apartment like that and I had to go into the hallway to use the bathroom, I wouldn't be spending a lot of time there. That kind of a place really cramps your social life. It's great to go out and meet friends in bars and restaurants, but that's not the whole of NYC living. We like to come home and entertain too. This is a very small dorm room.

Good for him for making it work. I would not be able to live in a small space like this. A guy I dated at 19 lived in a closet, just enough room to put a futon in, with 2 other people. But his rent was like $100 a month. That was the smallest place I've semi lived in. This was in San Francisco, another city with crazy high rent.

Beautiful! Luke is obviously happy and his ability to thrive in this space is testament to that! I am jealous; I have too much space and too much stuff; I feel as though I have boat anchors. Luke seems to be free as a bird and able to travel anywhere he desires! Great job, Luke! You inspire me!

Er, wow. This really is a charming video, and I really enjoyed seeing the furniture Luke made. I don't know how he doesn't go stir crazy - particularly if he works there too - but kudos to him. I think being able to thrive in that kind of space is probably testament to having a rich and interesting life *outside* the apartment.

He's adorable and obviously creative but this landlord should be tarred and feathered for charging $800 for this space. I don't care if it is midtown.

-- Signed former Brooklyn girl

Seems like there's a lot of vertical space on the walls which could be utilized, especially given the high ceiling.

The bed is very cool, but he is sacrificing nearly a foot of floor space for the mattress even when it's up during the day. IMHO, a futon, day bed, or loft bed would've been a much better solution.

I'm a little grossed out at keeping the microwave in the same closet as the clothes.

I think its just plain stupid to live this way - life is too short to have to go outside for a cup of water and I suspect that as he ages he'll think the same way. But, he gets credit for living within his means and not buying useless crap that he doesn't need. But he lost me at shoes stored next to the microwave. That's just gross.

Luke's small cool entry remains one of faves. Glad to see Faircompanies followed up on making the vid.

Many good ideas and he's charming. Still, I wouldn't want to live like that, but then, I am not him and if its what he wants then good for him.

This place is adorable. I've seen tiny places like this in Japan and they are super cute and surprisingly efficient. But this is America damn it! Where do you keep your giant turkey fryer and 5 liter bottles of soda? Or the 46 roll package of toilet paper I got at Costco? Haha! I really love the ingenuity of the place but I'm actually more concerned that he is paying $800 for this closet. Really Manhattan? $800?! I'm sure that's normal for some but I find it more ridiculous than 5 liter sodas!

very impressive!

the going outside for a cup of water thing - although Im not so keen about getting it from a shared bathroom, he had less far to walk than many people in their houses...

amazing! your living choices are inspirational! kudos for not giving into the lure of unnecessary materialism.

Luke is charming. He makes his choices and they are inspired. Personally, this would make me crazy living like this.

I was imagining that Luke deals with his cramped space by thinking, "I live in midtown Manhattan for only $800 a month! Yay!" Then other commenters suggested that this is a relatively high price in Manhattan for the space.

By way of contrast, I checked my local real estate listings in Australia. Where I live, in a city of 1.8 million people, there are exactly THREE non-share dwellings available for rent at $800 a month or less. Yes, you read that correctly. Three in the entire city.

You could share, of course. In which case the number jumps up to twenty two.

And baby, this place is NOT Manhattan.

I am simply blown away by this. He has such a great personality. You must be living your dream. Being young and living in NY is so exciting. You are young and flexible. Take advantage of it now. I think I could stand the room better if it wasn't so thin. If it was square it would be better. Putting a shelf above the door would give more room.

Myaliya, I live in Overland Park, KS. It's a suburb of Kansas City.

He's so cute! I love his laughing-talking and positive but realistic attitude.

So you proved you can live in an extremely small space, you've gotten the exposure, and have the bragging rights. Stop rationalizing these conditions and find a bigger place. I guarantee that the value you will get from at least another hundred square feet will make you happier. Sorry to be so critical and not "jealous" for being able to live like that.

BillyRes, who are you to tell him (or anyone) what to do? You're not even being critical, just controlling. Why do you care what he does? What a weird comment.

Yet another reason I don't live in NY.

I think it's awesome! $800/mo does seem a little high, but who cares! …As long as he's happy in his little, cozy, well-designed space. Having the small space makes you go out and explore and experience the world around you, rather than holing up in your big house by yourself.

i have a little crazy dream of living in manhattan and having a tiny appartment...but for $800 bucks its out of my budget u______u

What's behind the door by the window?