It’s a Wrap: Here Are Your Favorite Small, Cool Homes of 2016!

Twelve years after our very first Small Cool contest and readers are still impressing us with sumptuous style, creative solutions and sage wisdom for living life to the fullest in a small home. Every year we are wowed with the display of small coolness and we are excited to host all this small space inspiration. Thank you to everyone who participated in the contest by sharing your home with our community, by commenting and voting for your favorites. And now, to congratulate our winners!…

Pamela has squeezed a lot of style into her 365-square foot apartment and readers agree with Pamela that the natural light she gets here is key to making it feel happy and warm. She describes her style as “eclectic, clean and bohemian” and readers responded positively to the laid-back luxury vibe she’s cultivated in this small footprint.

Especially if you have great light, take Pamela’s advice to “Invest in vitality! That fiddle leaf fig you’ve been dying for, it WILL fit in your <500 square foot apartment”.

Several readers remarked on her well-styled bar cart. Said one: “Two words: Bar cart. #goals”. Her cart also signifies that living in a small space needn’t restrict you from entertaining at home.

Congratulations, Pamela!

Yasmine’s stylish sanctuary in Paris won readers over with its smart use of space, creating usable spots for different functions in about 300 square feet. Readers loved the memorable wall display of painted frames which Yasmine collected from flea markets and second hand shops. As one reader remarked, “it adds interest without overwhelming the small space”.

Yasmine’s kitchen and dining area are small, but smartly-designed. In her words: “Every inch has been carefully designed to be optimal and fit as much storage as possible.” Her home gives off a chic, yet relaxed vibe. As one reader remarked, “Your home looks serene yet modern, and while it is small it has nice personality.”

Carving out a distinct bedroom can be a challenge in such a small home, but using interior windows is a clever way to do so while still keeping an airy feeling. And though Yasmine’s bedroom is quite tiny, it’s also quite stylish — a “boutique hotel feel about it” — as one reader commented.

Congratulations Yasmine!

Thank you again to everyone who entered or voted! If you think you might have missed some great entries, you can find them all on the Small Cool 2016 page.