A 300-Square-Foot Micro Condo Makes Living Small Look Easy

Name: Mitch Johnson and Winston, the Jack Russell Terrier
Location: Washington, DC
Type of home: Condo
Size: 300 square feet
Years lived in: 4.5 years, owned

Tell us a little (or a lot) about your home and the people who live there: Most people are shocked when I tell them how small my condo is, but I have learned to love the functionality of living in a micro condo. I specifically chose living in a studio so I could focus my finances and enjoy life. Living in DC and working in the nonprofit field already meant that housing costs were going to be a significant part of my budget, so going tiny was a way to minimize those costs. It also helps encourage me not to buy things I do not need, while being able to curate my space with nice things I really like. I like to call it “tiny luxury.”

I wanted a space that is extremely efficient for my life; there is everything I need and nothing that I don’t. I get the joys of owning my own place without the hassles that often come with home ownership. My previous two homes were stand alone single-family houses. There were rooms I was never really happy with and never used as well as just the time it takes to maintain and clean a large space. So I think my quality of life has improved by going small. I’m sure Winston misses his giant backyards, but he loves his walks around the city.

When it came to design, it’s a tiny condo, but I did not want to have “tiny” apartment-sized furniture. Obviously some things have to be to scale, but finding furniture I loved was really important. So striking the right balance of items that fit in the space, and do not look cluttered, has really been a struggle.

I have a minimalist aesthetic, but I am a hoarder at heart and have collected a lot of stuff over the years. While designing my current home, I have tried to be intentional in making sure everything really reflects both function and my love for art and design. For me, it is important to mix styles. I just think it makes a space feel more like home. The building and kitchen design are very Scandinavian and modern, so I decided to run with that theme as a base. I am also a big fan of mid-century modern design, so you will see that brought in with a lot of the furniture. Finally, for accents, I really like a more eclectic bohemian vibe, so you see that reflected in a lot of the accessories and in the large number of plants.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Scandinavian and Mid-Century Modern

What is your favorite room and why? My favorite “room” is my rooftop patio. I look at my rooftop space as an integral extension of my condo. At 135 square feet, viewing it as part of my home gives me a lot more space to live in. I love nature and having an outdoor space was one of my top three requirements when choosing a condo along with in-unit washer/dryer and of course allowing pets.

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? The last thing I bought for my home that I absolute love is my lamp. I believe it is vintage mid-century modern. I found it at Other Times in Brooklyn, New York while I was plant shopping. I don’t know much about it, so I would love to know the designer and when it was made if any readers happen to know. I had looked for years to find the perfect lamp, and when I saw it, I had to have it.

Any advice for creating a home you love? You don’t have to design your place to finish when you first move in. Take some time to live in your space, and see what works. There might be things you loved about previous homes that no longer work. I do not ever want to be finished decorating my home, and my style is always evolving. I already have new ideas. That’s the fun part.

This submission’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

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