Name: Ashley Petrone, her husband and their three kids Location: Southern California Size: 180 square feet Years Lived In: 9 months, owned Last year, Ashley and her husband sold their five-bedroom house and bought 2.2 acres of land to build a dream home. Instead of renting an apartment while their home is being built, they decided to try sharing an RV! Impressively, it only took them three weeks and $2500 to finish the RV’s renovation.

Name: Gabriel and Debbie Mayes and kids Gracen, Darby, Deacon, Jovey and Gideon. Location: Redding, California Size: 250 square feet Years Lived In: 6 months, owned Gabriel and Debbie Mayes’ journey to small home living started when they purchased a school bus in February 2017, with the intent to convert it to a full-time home for themselves and their kids. Unfortunately, their first bus buy turned out to be a (rust-covered) lemon.

California-based artist and designer Bridgette Thornton started taking painting seriously all the way back in 8th grade. “That age was very intense for me socially and academically. Art making was not only an emotional outlet but made me feel empowered,” she says. “As a child my mom would always have me working on a craft. Whenever I wanted to buy something, instead of purchasing it from the store, she would say, ‘you could make that!

Name: Shannon Schelbert of mac+cam photography, along with husband Michael, sons Mac (10) and Cam (8) and dog Tottenham (named after Tottenham Hotspur) and cat Messi (after soccer player Lionel Messi) Location: Aldridge Place — Austin, Texas Size: 2500 square feet Years lived in: 3 — owned It’s all about details and materials in this Central Austin home. It’s also about customizing a home to fit the residents’ needs.

Will and Kate don't just share this small studio apartment — they make it look stylish and easy!

Graphic design professor Summer Winston‘s plan when first deciding to move to California from Texas was to build a tiny house. But after taking a zoning workshop, Summer discovered California didn’t feel very welcoming to alternative living solutions. “They have all of these rules and regulations if you’re building a tiny house on a trailer, like in terms of how you can live in it, where you can live in it…” they said.

From above, gray metal starkly contrasts with the lush green trees surrounding the instantly recognizable shape. But Bruce Campbell’s airplane nestled in the forests of Oregon isn’t just a monument to humankind’s feats of engineering and mastery of aerodynamics… it’s his home.

Name: Sergio Gutierrez Location: Santander, Spain Size: 500 square feet Years lived in: 3 years, owned Sergio first lived in this small studio apartment—around 500 square feet—by himself, but when his partner and then a baby came along, the family moved from this space into a larger home.

Name: Rachana Pathak Location: Gowanus, Brooklyn Size: 960 square feet Years Lived In: 8 years, owned Rachana (@plantistan on Instagram) calls herself a “Brooklyn-based plant junkie,” and her large loft-like space in Brooklyn sports over 300 plants in under 1000 square feet. In the eight years she’s owned this large apartment, she’s filled it with not just greenery, but also warm colors and rich textures.

Name: Adrienne Breaux, Keith Fields, Stanley the shih tzu, Otis the giant yellow lab Location: Carrollton — New Orleans, Louisiana Size: 500 square feet Years lived in: 4 years, renting I’ve been madly in love with this apartment since the moment I walked in. After a long day of looking at horrifying rental apartment listings, I stepped into this small space flooded with light, took one look at the fireplace and the giant cove molding, and I signed an application on the spot.

Name: Natalie Papier, husband, two kids, cat Location: Oak Park, Illinois Size: 2,800 square feet Years Lived In: 7 years, owned Eight photos just weren’t enough when it came to seeing a peek of Natalie Papier’s Illinois house. An interior designer and one half of Home Ec., a vintage and eclectic interior design company. As Natalie wrote in her house call: “Our home is a historical Victorian in Oak Park filled with love and eclectic pieces we have curated over the years.

Name: Freddie Chavda and pups Location: Bushwick — Brooklyn, New York Size: Somewhere between 850 – 1,000 square feet Years Lived In: 1 year, renting Freddie’s Bushwick loft is a perfect example of taking a raw, industrial space and turning it into a home. But rather than just filling it with newly purchased furniture, he both thrifted and found elements to add warmth to his home… as well as custom built many of the elements in the home.

Name: Julian Thomas Location: Bushwick — Brooklyn, New York Size: 700 square feet Years Lived In: Less than a year, renting “Who needs TV when you have Bushwick? This is live entertainment at its finest,” remarks 28-year-old self-proclaimed bachelor Julian Thomas as he looks out of a window of his Brooklyn loft in this video tour he posted on YouTube. His 1,000-square-foot home might be right next to a train—but that’s part of the city-life charm the space has.

Name: Aya Cash and Josh Alexander and Lucy Tammy Cash (the dog) Location: Hollywood Hills — Los Angeles, California Size: 1,000 square feet Years Lived In: 4 years, owned There was nothing easy about buying a house for actress Aya Cash—star of “You’re the Worst”—and her husband, Josh Alexander. “This was the sixth place we bid on in six months. I did not think we were going to get it.

Name: Lara and Adrian Location: Australia Size: Around 150 square feet Years in: 1 year, owned From the house tour of the cute and quirky Melbourne home of Lara Ivachev, Adrian, and their two dogs Otis and Kiku, it’s clear this is a couple that has great style. And that knack for decor extends to the road; they recently renovated a van for taking long and comfortable road trips.

Name: Melanie and Dalton Tarver Location: Dallas, Texas Size: 1088 square feet Years lived in: Owned 3 years Melanie writes: “My home is a mid-century traditional built in 1950. I have lived here for three years with my husband Dalton and two pups, Addie and Mr. Cooper. It’s in East Dallas which has a bit of an eclectic vibe and really feels like an escape from the city without being too far.

Name: Alex Geriner and the amazing shoulder-balancing cat Isfahani Location: Uptown — New Orleans, Louisiana Size: 1,100 square feet Years lived in: 2.5 years; Rented The colorful exterior, the big bright windows, the original wood floors – Alex’s apartment in New Orleans’ Uptown neighborhood certainly isn’t lacking in charming architectural details.

Name: LonAnne Culver Magnuson, design and organizing consultant, with sons Thomas and William. And Lucy the cat. Location: Brentwood Neighborhood — Austin, TexasSize: 1,848 square feetYears lived in: 10 There’s this intangible, mythical quality that Texas-born men and women ethereally possess. Something about always saying “thank you” and “ma’am.” Pulling off cowboy boots and any article of clothing. Always having a cold beer ready for a guest.

Name: Erin Curtis and Aaron Dubrow (and 4 part-time, indoor/outdoor kitties) Location: East Side — Austin, Texas Size: 1400 square feet Years lived in: Owned 1 year What would you get if you mixed a 1920s bungalow, the inside of a vintage boat and a lofty barn with clean lines? The unique look of an East Austin house that has completely won us over. Full of incredibly smart space and money saving ideas, we’re quite impressed with the path the look of this home has taken.

Name & Location: Steven in Brooklyn My Favorite Room: Bedroom Specs: 50 Square Feet What would you do if faced with a tiny (like, 50-square-feet tiny) bedroom space that was nearly all-white and felt like the inside of an empty closet? If you’re Steven, you pick a dramatic paint color, do a little hunting and gathering for interesting items and you create a room that—despite the size—would be a nice place to cozy up in, day or night.

Name: Faith and Hannah Russell Location: South London, UK Size: 1158 square feet Years lived in: 2 years; Owned Faith Russell and Hannah Russell aren’t just sisters; they’re roommates, business partners and the co-founders of Layer. What started out first as an Instagram account, then morphed into a popular lifestyle blog, has now evolved into a UK-based online marketplace featuring thousands of vintage and pre-owned furniture items for sale.

Name: Zainab Ahmed and husband Farhan Ahmed (and for six months of the year, Farhan’s mom who divides her time between Pakistan and here) Location: Business Bay, Dubai Years lived in: Renting 3 years The rental apartment Zainab shares with her husband (and an occasional visiting mother-in-law) is considered large by local Dubai standards.

We show peeks of stylish homes from all over the world on Apartment Therapy (with our great house tours), but as you know, a home extends beyond the walls you rent or own. Your home is also the walk to the neighborhood bar or boutique and the drive along tree-lined streets to pick up groceries or to a favorite restaurant. And of course, that wonderful coffee shop that provides your life blood every morning is part of home, too.

Name: Joanne O’Callaghan Location: Melbourne, Australia Size: 510 square feet Years owned: 16 years Joanne recently renovated this late-1940s Art Deco apartment in East Melbourne, Australia. The entire place is full of light and charm, but the apartment’s living and dining space, called the “blue room,” is a particular jewel: It features Art Deco cornices, a tiered mirror above the original fireplace and a large framed window.

Name: Jon and Nina Hans of Weekday Studio Location: Downtown Los Angeles, California Size: 800 square feet Years lived in: 2 years We first got a peek at Jon and Nina’s home in their house call. It’s a clean, simple sanctuary in a busy Downtown LA area—but it isn’t boring in the slightest. Bold contrasts add drama while design details stand out in a space without a lot in it but that has a lot going for it.

Name: Carson, Mel and Costello the Goldendoodle (in Elsie the trailer) Location: Roving the lower 48 States Size: 120 square feet Years lived in: 5 Months They’re both from small towns. Carson is a freelance writer, and Mel has years of experience in PR and marketing and is now an entrepreneur. Together, they spent eight months toiling away at renovating this tiny, 120-square-foot 1968 FAN travel trailer. They lovingly call her “Elsie.

Name: Séverine Piller and Gianfranco Location: Milan, Italy Size: 1400 square feet Years lived in: 6 months If you believe that home should be a retreat from the hectic outside world, you’ll find plenty of inspiration in this home shared by a couple in Milan. Séverine is an interior designer and co-founder of atelier BOEMIA, “an online retail store selling decor made by artisans… .

Name: Isabel, her husband and her two children Location: Mexico City, Mexico Size: 1830 square feet Years lived in: 4 years This is the bold, globally inspired Mexico City home of Isabel and family. Over the years she’s lived in Tunisia, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic and Washington, DC while serving as a Foreign Service Officer, and has traveled to even more places.

Name: Kathryn Baugher of Up to Date Interiors Location: Okinawa, Japan Size: 1500 square feet Years lived in: 1 year It takes creativity, guts and energy to turn a plain space into something spectacular, and Kathryn’s done it. The home in Okinawa that she shares with her family exudes both serenity and excitement—and those floral covered kitchen cabinets are amazing!

Name: Kristen Ley and pups Willow Scarlet Ley (photographed) and Henry Albert Ley, and cat Norman Location: Jackson, Mississipi Size: 2300 square feet Years lived in: Renting 1.5 years Kristen Ley is the creative mastermind and founder of Thimblepress, a letterpress, stationery and celebration company out of Jackson, Mississippi (perhaps most recognized for their incredibly cheery and colorful Push-Pop Confetti).

Name: Maria, Boris, and a dog named Fish Location: Fashion District, Downtown Los Angeles Size: 1500 square feet Years lived in: Rent for 1 year Maria and her boyfriend Boris share a sunny, industrial loft in the Fashion District of Downtown Los Angeles. A large and open space, the couple had to create rooms in a floor plan without many existing walls or distinct areas. They combined styles to craft cozy hangout spots all over the beautiful apartment.

Name: Jessica Davis and family Location: Nashville, Tennessee Size: 4200 square feet Years lived in: 2 years Full of fresh white walls, warm materials and bold splashes of color and pattern, it’s not surprising that the home of Jessica Davis, principal Interior Designer at JL Design Nashville, is lovely to look at. But it’s the way she has incorporated smart design choices—and fun—that has made this home so warm, welcoming and family friendly.

Name: Amanda Holstein and dog Auggie Location: San Francisco, California Size: 550 square feet Years lived in: 1 year Amanda is the voice behind the blog Advice from a 20 Something. And seeing what a smart job she did designing her San Francisco studio apartment, it would seem she’s got great advice to give! The small space she shares with her dog Auggie is full of interesting furnishings, yet feels bright and airy.

Name: Seth and Ali Rongkawit Location: Ballard — Seattle, Washington Size: 900 square feet Years lived in: Renting 2+ years When Seth and Ali moved into this Seattle space, they faced the same design dilemma that many renters come across: How to create distinct areas when your apartment is wide open. After two years of living here, they’ve found a layout that functions well. And they’ve added their personality to create a bright and sweet home.

Name: Drew Location: Platinum Corridor — Addison, Texas Size: 650 square feet Years lived in: Renting 1.5 years Though Drew works in the medical device industry, he has a deep love for interior design, and his loft studio in Addison, Texas (north of Dallas) showcases that love.

Name: Dave and Mollie Code Location: West Loop — Chicago, Illinois Size: 2,300 square feet Years lived in: 1 years Tall ceilings, brick walls, sleek surfaces—this raw, industrial-style space is the home of Dave and Mollie Code. They run Studio Code together, a development firm based in Chicago with the goal of restoring the historic elements of homes while also creating functioning spaces.

Name: Danny and Lyndsay Gugger Location: Portland, Maine Size: 950 square feet Years lived in: Renting 2 months Danny writes: “My wife and I live on the historic Deering Street in Portland, Maine. The building was built in the mid-1800s and our unit is around 950 square feet. We have 10 foot ceilings and black marble fireplaces in both the living room and bedroom. We recently moved from Wisconsin, where we lived in another mid-1800s home.

Name: Vanessa Matsalla Location: South Oceanside, California Size: 1800 square feet Years lived in: Owned 2 years The words “California Cool” come to mind when you see interior designer Vanessa Matsalla’s South Oceanside house. An earthy color palette mixes with natural textiles and textures. But contemporary—and even quirky—elements are sprinkled throughout the home, making for a dynamic space.

Name: Lesli DeVito Location: Greenwood — Charlottesville, Virginia Size: 3624 square feet Years lived in: Owned 12 years Lesli, a painter, and her family first rented this Charlottesville home—originally built in 1880. But after only a year of living in the space, they bought it from the owner. They are only the second family ever to own the house. Lesli, who runs the blog My Old Country House, has put a lot of heart into this home for the past 12 years.

Name: Stephanie Michaan Location: West Village NYC Size: 1,495 square feet Years lived in: Owned 6 years Though Stephanie has owned this apartment in New York’s West Village for six years, she says it feels brand new thanks to a recent redesign she gave the home. White walls maximize the beautiful bright natural light that pours in from big windows. Sparse furnishings are kept interesting by choosing good designs in rich materials.

Name: Stephanie Michaan Location: Bridgehampton, New York Size: 2,000 square feet Years lived in: Owned 2 years Stephanie gave a peek at some of the details of her current modern house in a house call not too long ago, but we wanted an extended look. Striking just the right balance of minimal and modern, it’s a simple and sparse space, but still exudes a lot of warmth.

Name: Angelina Rennell Location: La Selva Beach, California Size: 700 square feet Years lived in: part-time 1 1/2 years The “Spaceship” house is owned by designer Angelina Rennell’s mother, Cynthia. She helped her mom both restore and decorate the space, and it’s 700 square feet of groovy, modern, space age style. Angelina lives in the home part of the year, and she also uses it as a backdrop for photos of her products that she designs with her brand, Beklina.

Name: Ashley Mary Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota Size: 650 square feet Years lived in: Renting 1 year It’s no surprise that abstract artist Ashley Mary‘s home is a blend of textures, styles and materials. Her art features soft color palettes melding with gentle shapes with the occasional pop of black drama…just like her Minneapolis rental apartment.

Name: Becca and Doug, daughter Audrey and pug Seymour Location: South Bay Area, California Size: 1850 square feet Years lived in: Owned 2.5 years I think I might smile every day if I lived in Becca and Doug’s South Bay Area home. Natural light pours in through big windows, bouncing off white walls and light blond wood floors. But it’s the bold, colorful and stunning pattern that Becca’s infused in nearly every corner of this house that makes it so cheerful.

Name: Edwin Nikkels Location: Amsterdam – The Netherlands Size: 645 square feet Years lived in: Renting 1 year Edwin played it smart when it came to furnishing his small space; he kept the design minimal, the colors neutral and found a unique way to carve out a bedroom (despite there not being an actual bedroom). He also invested in high-quality pieces of furniture and decor. The result is an airy, “feels bigger than its size” space.