Empty room with beige walls, wooden floor, ceiling fan, and window blinds.
The “Blank & Boring to Cheery & Comfortable” Living Room Makeover
Project by: Molly of Awfully Big Adventure Location: Austin, TX This project focused on taking my tiny, boring, popcorn-ceilinged living room and turning it into a cheery, comfortable place to come home to- all on a serious budget. Using mainly Ikea, Craigslist, hand-me-downs, and tchotchkes galore, the living room came together and is now a colorful, eclectic space far from the oatmeal box it once was.
Dec 19, 2019
How to Make a Small Entryway Wall Organizer (with Magnets!)
As renters, we take what we can get, and what we often get are miniscule (or non-existent) entryways and a lack of built-in storage. This multi-faceted organizer has a variety of ways to hang your stuff — coats, bags, and umbrellas — so they are at your fingertips as you head out the door, and stay tidy when you come back in. As a neat bonus, it also has a magnetized area for keys. You can learn how to make one yourself, right after the jump!
Dec 19, 2019
Christopher & Merete’s Truly Tiny Home on the Range
Name: Christopher Smith & Merete Mueller Location: Hartsel, Colorado Size: 127 square feet Years lived in: 3 months; Own Christopher and Merete own a tiny house on some of the most beautiful land in Colorado. One hundred miles southwest of Denver, fifteen minutes down a gravel road just outside Hartsel, sits a 127 square foot home. It’s cozy, efficient and costs hardly anything to power, but most importantly: it’s theirs.
Dec 19, 2019
Faith’s Magical Bohemian Treehouse
Name: Faith Blakeney Location: The Treehouse – Los Angeles, California Size: 750 square feet Years lived in: 2 years I spent a warm Sunday hanging out with Faith at her bohemian treehouse. She is one stylish lady (and, yes, she is the sister of Justina Blakeney). When Faith moved from New York a few years back, she looked at place after place on Craigslist only to get frustrated because she had her heart set on lving in Venice.
Dec 19, 2019
Nina’s Styled Studio
Name: Nina Bakos Location: South East — Portland, Oregon Size: Approximately 500 square feet Years lived in: 2 — rented Nina’s job is to make objects fit into a space just right as a product merchandiser for Nike, so it’s no surprise her studio is arranged with love, care and impeccable taste. Her biggest design inspiration? The aesthetic of her Finnish mother and Slovac father. Great style runs in the family.
Dec 19, 2019
Rodellee’s Tiny Vintage Studio
Name: Rodellee Bas Location: Hancock Park, Los Angeles, California Size: 450 square feet Years lived in: Rent 3 weeks Rodellee’s previous home caught my eye in her House Call, and I knew immediately that her style and choices in decor were both charming and personal. Three weeks later, she’s moved into a studio three times smaller and has created another amazing space.
Dec 19, 2019
Living Large in an Airstream Trailer
Name: Matthew Hofmann Location: Coyote Canyon — Montecito, California Size Approx 160 square feet Years lived in: 6 months — owns the Airstream, rents the land After seeing Matthew Hofmann’s Before and After makeover of his retro Airstream trailer, I jumped at the opportunity to photograph it for a full tour. A licensed architect, founder of HofArc, he was able to reconfigure the original bones of this space while refurbishing it, and restoring some of the original charm.
Dec 19, 2019
Laura’s Inviting Live / Work Studio
Name: LauraLocation: Brooklyn Heights, BrooklynSize: 600 square feet studioYears lived in: 7 In addition to maturing tastes, Laura had a practical impetus for taking steps to upgrade. She was about to start working from home and she wanted to feel good about spending a lot of time within the same four walls. The addition of a refined and beautiful small home office in the corner of her studio was the beginning of great things.
Dec 19, 2019
Make the Most Out of Your Space With These Genius Living Room Layouts
Seven smart ways to turn one space into two.
Dec 19, 2019
This Type of Coffee Table Is the Best for Small Spaces
Whether you have a tiny two-bedroom loft on the outskirts of town or a teeny studio apartment in the heart of your city (or something in between, even!), chances are you’ve got a piece of furniture in front of your sofa known as the coffee table. Great for putting your feet up, eating dinner on, or displaying books and trinkets, the coffee table can also have a downside: It’s a bulky object taking up precious space. But that’s why you want to choose one that will work for you.
Dec 19, 2019
Ross’s Greenwich Village Home
Name: Ross Weiner Location: Greenwich Village, New York, New York Size: 700 Square Feet Years lived in: 1 year; Owned With a love of the arts and a strong sense of style, Ross went about turning a bare studio apartment into a one bedroom home with charm to spare.
Dec 19, 2019
A (Seemingly) Counterintuitive Trick That’s a Must for Small Spaces
It may seem counterintuitive, but it works!
Dec 19, 2019
These Prefab Homes Were Designed for Victims of California Wildfires
The modular units are being offered as a protective option, thanks to a design that helps them to resist wildfires.
Dec 19, 2019
Finally, the Best Decorating Ideas for Your Studio Apartment
Turns out, your small space can be pretty AND practical.
Dec 18, 2019
19 of the Smartest, Sexiest Storage Solutions We Saw in 2019
These are 19 of the best storage ideas from house tours this year.
Dec 17, 2019
The Very Best Ideas from Super Small, Stylish & Smart Kitchens
The smaller the kitchen = the smarter the storage and style solutions.
Dec 16, 2019
How to Cope with a Lack of Kitchen Storage: 10 of Our Best Posts
When you have a small kitchen (I do), creative problem solving stops becoming a resume catchphrase and starts becoming a way of life. Configuring cookware and food and utensils—while trying to keep it all from looking like a mad scientist’s lab—isn’t easy. Here are 10 great posts in one place to offer some tips, tricks and inspiration for all of us fighting the good I-dream-of-kitchen-storage fight. Don’t neglect the space above your cabinets.
Dec 16, 2019
10 Inspiring Small Kitchens
A lot of the kitchens we feature on this site are dramatic and beautiful and… well, huge. So today we’ve rounded up a selection of kitchens that are on the smaller side (some on the really small side) to inspire those of you who want a beautiful room for cooking, but don’t have infinite space. Above: this Parisian kitchen could not be any cuter, and is a great reminder that having a small space doesn’t have to mean skimping on style.
Dec 16, 2019
This $9 Trader Joe’s Buy is Perfect for Procrastinators and Tiny Homes Alike
Cheap, easy, AND adorable? The holiday trifecta!
Dec 16, 2019
This Couple Decked Out a Camper Van with IKEA for Under $1,000
The couple decided to bypass a pricey professional job and tackle the van buildout on their own.
Dec 12, 2019
The Smartest, Most Stylish Studio Apartments of 2019
These 10 small studio apartments are the most stylish we saw this year!
Dec 12, 2019
This Couple's 433-Square-Foot Apartment Was Renovated and Furnished on a Budget
It's tiny, but also stylish and functional.
Dec 10, 2019
Peek Inside an Eco-Friendly Tiny Cabin in Australia Designed by Matthew McConaughey
You can indulge in some equally gratifying rest and rejuvenation of your own in this eco-friendly escape.
Dec 10, 2019
This Double Decker Bus Is Decked Out—As a Vacation Rental
The converted bus is located on Ceridwen Centre, a renowned 40-acre organic farm in West Wales’ Teifi Valley.
Dec 7, 2019
This 400-Square-Foot Narrow Boat Is the Cutest Floating Home, Possibly Ever
Smart storage and sleek style make this small houseboat the perfect home AND office for a designing couple.
Dec 5, 2019
This Van Isn't Just a Small Home on Wheels... It's a Music Recording Studio, Too
Tom converted this cargo van himself into a home on wheels... and it also serves as a mobile music recording studio!
Dec 3, 2019
This Interior Stylist’s Small Stockholm Apartment Has Gorgeous Wallpaper and a Commode in the Hallway (Really!)
She embraced the fact that it's small, using faded and warm colors to make it feel cozy rather than trying to make it look bigger.
Dec 2, 2019
A 500-Square-Foot Attic Apartment in an Old, Historic House Is an Adorable Home
A couple of coats of hunter green paint and a once-gross attic space turned into a modern bohemian-inspired sanctuary.
Nov 28, 2019
8 Sneaky Ways to Create the Illusion of More Space
These are pretty clever.
Nov 26, 2019
Joan & Matt’s Joyously Eclectic Home
Name: Joan Hiller and Matt LeMay Location: Williamsburg, Brooklyn, New York Size: 550 square feet Years lived in: 1 for Joan, 2 for Matt; Rented We first met Joan when she was living in this stylish studio in Portland, so we already knew about her phenomenal sense of individuality and style. Knowing this, it’s not surprising that upon moving to New York, she would meet and fall in love with someone whose creative energy parallels her own.
Nov 25, 2019
The Mars Desert Research Center Got an IKEA-Style Makeover
Even space is decorated in IKEA.
Nov 24, 2019
A 100-Square-Foot Mini School Bus Is a Surprisingly Cozy Tiny Home on Wheels
It feels a lot larger than its small size, too!
Nov 20, 2019
The Small Space Dweller’s Guide to Having People Over
Easy Untertaining
The people you’re hosting aren’t coming over to be wowed by extra counter space or a second bathroom; they’re coming over to spend time with you.
Nov 20, 2019
Before & After: An Abandoned Airstream Turned Warm Tiny Home on Wheels
Formerly used as a storage shed, this 1972 Airstream was filled with mold, lizards, mouse traps, but after a full gut renovation, “Honey” is now a 31-foot home on wheels.
Nov 15, 2019
A Small Brooklyn Apartment Is a Great Example of How to Decorate on a Budget
Rachel's budget-friendly style is "modern, muted maximalism—with a touch of humor and a tiny bit of Texas."
Nov 12, 2019
A 425-Square-Foot Studio Fits Farmhouse Industrial Style in a Small Space
Natural wood, toned-down whites, and neutrals in all shades make this small studio apartment feel good.
Nov 12, 2019
This Cute Renovated Tiny Home on Wheels is Called Augustine the Airstream
Augustine the Airstream is freedom in a tin can.
Nov 8, 2019
A 160-Square-Foot Tiny House Could be One of the Most Beautiful Built This Year
The builders were inspired by the serene and airy atmosphere of Japanese tea rooms and American mid-century modern architecture.
Nov 7, 2019
A 550-Square-Foot NYC Rental Is Organized, Colorful and Decorated for Under $4K
Must-haves for the renter were: a space for entertaining, a dedicated area for her to work from home, and a sofa and/or daybed that could be converted into a comfortable spot for guests.
Oct 31, 2019
A Minimal 269-Square-Foot Spanish Studio Makes Living Small Look Easy
And the rooftop terrace with city and sea views is STUNNING.
Nov 1, 2019
This 300-Square-Foot Studio's Decor Was Inspired by Haunted Houses
Electrical tape wall decor, a Halloween-themed kitchen...this artist's teeny tiny studio apartment is absolutely one-of-a-kind!
Oct 31, 2019
A Day in the Life: Katie & Soloman’s California Homestead
Name: Katie & Soloman Location: Arcata, California Size: ~750 square feet inside Years lived in: 5.5; Owned Have you ever dreamed of getting away from it all, maybe living in a little house with a big garden, growing your own food, making your own clothes? That’s life for Katie and Soloman, whose home in Arcata, a California college town 280 miles north of San Francisco, is full of color and warmth and the sense of a life well lived.
Oct 31, 2019
7 Homes Under 400 Square Feet that Master Smart Storage, Organization and Style
Each one of these homes is 400 square feet or under, but they're all well organized and good looking. Find smart storage solutions, double-duty furniture, and other clever ways to make the most of a small home.
Oct 30, 2019
Small and Organized Danish Remodeled Apartment Tour
Blogger and journalist Caroline Sølver renovated this entire Denmark apartment herself, with the help of friends and family.
Oct 27, 2019
A 500-Square-Foot NYC Home Is So Beautiful—And Filled with Mostly Secondhand Stuff
Most of the items were purchased secondhand or found on the street.
Oct 23, 2019
A 400-Square-Foot Miami Apartment Proves You Can Be a Maximalist Even in a Small Space
It's the perfect little oasis in the middle of the wild and bustling city of Miami.
Oct 21, 2019
A Small and Stylish LA Loft Features Smart Space Maximizing Tips
Utilizing empty wall spaces. Investing in a few quality pieces to tie your room together. Esthetician Monique Aquino makes the most of her 600-square-foot rental apartment.
Oct 18, 2019
A College Senior Made a Standard-Issue Dorm Room Actually Look Stylish
This college senior challenged herself to design a dorm room that's a happy, bright, and organized refuge...and one that DIDN'T feel like a little white box!
Oct 17, 2019
Before & After: A Rental Apartment’s Dingy Kitchen Is Unrecognizable
It's only 582 square feet but it feels much bigger thanks to a bright, modern remodel.
Oct 16, 2019
Live Out Your Tiny House Dreams Amongst the California Redwoods With This Charming Pair of Cabins
Need help with choosing the location of your upcoming fall getaway? Allow us to call your attention to this gorgeous cabin escape overlooking California’s Armstrong Redwoods. Located near the town of Guerneville, the property at 18237 Old Cazadero Road is currently up for sale. Situated on 6.7 lush acres, the secluded property consists of a main cabin and detached sleeping cabin, both with glass walls to take in the inviting views and connect to nature.
Oct 14, 2019
Small Space Organizing Ideas Make A 275 Sq. Ft. Studio Feel Much Bigger
This is one of the most successfully laid out, well-appointed tiny studio apartments we've ever seen.
Oct 11, 2019
The Founder of Cabin Porn Shares His Favorite Submissions from the Past 10 Years
Zach Klein is the co-founder of video platform Vimeo, but if you’re reading this here website, he might be more famous for his other project: Cabin Porn. What started in 2009 as a Tumblr quickly morphed into a pre-Instagram vision board for those who dreamt of getting away from it all and experiencing nature firsthand, preferably from a charming little cabin.
Oct 8, 2019
8 Prefab Tiny Houses You Can Order Right Off Amazon, Starting at $5K
These start at just $5K.
Oct 7, 2019
This Tiny House Is 500 Square Feet of Modern Design
The diminutive residence offers 500 square feet of space, but thanks to its signature cathedral ceilings, space-maximizing design elements and bright interior, the home feels much more spacious than its meager measurements suggest.
Sep 27, 2019
Before and After: A Standard School Bus Gets a Stylish New Life as a Tiny Home on Wheels
When Brooke Cook came across a school bus converted into a tiny home on Instagram, she was smitten. Almost immediately, she and her husband started searching for a potential bus they could turn into a tiny house of their own.
Sep 25, 2019
The Big List of Small Space Organizing Ideas & Inspirations
Living in a small space comes with its ups and downs. One thing is for sure: learning to do it right and keep it organized is an art. But once you figure out a system that works for you, it’s like a well oiled machine. If you try to bring your big past life and seamlessly fit it into your smaller lifestyle, you may find yourself in a constant state of disarray and frustration.
Sep 20, 2019
This 400-Square-Foot Studio Features Clever Budget Decorating Ideas
The decor challenge for this studio was to counter the dark, heavy furnishings within such a small space without having to sacrifice style.
Sep 18, 2019
Juan’s Garage Turned Modern Guest House
Name: Juan Vasquez  Location: Highland Neighborhood; Denver, Colorado Size: 400 square feet Years lived in: Owned for 9 years; Remodeled garage 1 year agoNine years ago, Denver resident, Juan Vasquez purchased a 1920s bungalow  in the bustling Highland neighborhood of Denver and set out to make it his own. Shortly after, he took on the project of renovating his old two car garage into a restful haven out back.
Sep 5, 2019
Space Saving Toys for Small Homes
“Kids! It’s time to fold the toys!” Every parent should be conscious of what you’re bringing into your home for your kids to play with, but if you live in a small home the size of a toy can be a deal breaker. Mostly, I limit the sheer number of toys we have but another strategy I employ is to look for toys that store easily. Does it fold up to a smaller size? Can I tuck it in the closet or on top of our wardrobe? Suddenly a tricycle in a small apartment seems feasible.
Sep 5, 2019
This 500-Square-Foot “Mid-Century Mexican” Style Studio Apartment Is Like a Cool Dorm for Grown-Ups
The papaya wallpaper is so cute!!
Sep 4, 2019
This 450-Square-Foot Rental Makes Organizing and Designing on a Budget Look Easy
A lot of discounted decor items were found at placed like HomeGoods and T.J. Maxx, and the super organized laundry closet is worth checking out!
Aug 28, 2019
Emily & Jonathan’s Urban Homestead
Name: Emily and Jonathan Power, with Ramona (almost 2) and Ottoman, the Wheaten Terrier (there are also four goats, three chickens, and two ducks who live out back). Location: Lower Highland (LoHi) Neighborhood, Denver, Colorado Size: 564 square feet Years lived in: 3 years; rented / owned Almost three and a half years ago, the Power family decided to put down roots in a 1910s charmer located in the (now ever so popular) Lower Highland neighborhood of Denver.
Aug 28, 2019
A 305-Square-Foot Hell’s Kitchen Apartment Proves Small Can Still be Sophisticated
When Amanda first bought this tiny apartment, the walls were yellow, there were old glass flush mount lights on the ceiling, and the kitchen needed some love.
Aug 16, 2019
A 300-Square-Foot Studio Is a Perfect Fit for This Couple
This tiny, woodsy studio apartment is home to an artist, her husband, and their dog.
Aug 13, 2019
Before and After: This Vintage RV Makeover Is Unlike Anything You’ve Ever Seen Before
This vintage RV has been torn down, fixed back up, and glittered, dangled, and frocked within an inch of its life.
Aug 13, 2019
A 190-Square-Foot Hong Kong Studio Apartment Is Perfect for a Minimal Lifestyle
This tiny studio apartment's style is "minimalist and functional in a small space."
Aug 9, 2019
7 Genius Small Space Organizing Tips to Steal from the 2020 IKEA Catalog
When it comes to decorating—and organizing!—small spaces, IKEA is one of our go-tos. And for good reason: not only are most storage products affordable and customizable, the annual catalog is a treasure trove of smart solutions for storing your stuff in a beautiful way. Here are seven tips from the 2020 IKEA catalog. One of the easiest ways to maximize your space is to look up.
Aug 6, 2019
This 205-Square-Foot ‘Mini Studio’ in Hungary Has the Neatest Pull-Out Bed
Only 205 square feet were available for the kitchen, dining room, living room, bedroom, and bathroom.
Aug 6, 2019
This Tiny House Meets Coffee Shop Is Cool Beans
What happens when a tiny home company and a coffee shop owner join forces? It results in some caffeine-infused, architectural magic. Greenville, South Carolina design company Olive Nest Tiny Homes decided to link up with a local coffee shop owner Andrew Carter of Barista Alley to create a 500-square-foot coffee shop named Barista Tiny.
Aug 5, 2019
This Charming 323 Square-Foot Tiny House Has Its Own Greenhouse Attached
If this was our place, you could find us on the porch swing more often than not.
Aug 2, 2019
I've Lived in 25 Small Apartments—The Best Ones Had These 4 Things in Common
One temporary sublet led to another... then another... then another.
Aug 2, 2019