Small Spaces

Graphic of Laverne Cox
Laverne Cox’s 634 Square-Foot NYC Studio Has So Many Space-Saving Details You’ll Want to Steal
“I’m 50 years old, and I bought my first place four years ago, so there was a lot of catching up to do — and all of that is okay,” she said.
Olivia Harvey
Oct 17, 2022
5 Design Lessons from a Tiny Paris Apartment
Here’s a story that might make you more than a little jealous: Alain Meyer, who works at an advertising agency in Paris, was bored one day at work. He heard some of his co-workers talking about studio apartments, and decided to do a little hunting online. He happened to find one that he really liked — a trim 30 square meters (323 square feet), in the sixth arrondisement, where he grew up. So he bought it. Just like that.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 15, 2022
Drum Roll, Please! The 2020 Small/Cool Contest Grand Prize Winner Is…
This spring, we brought back our Small/Cool contest for the first time since 2016. Now we have one more update, and it's a big one...
Alison Goldman
Oct 14, 2022
The Best Decorating Tips for Long or Narrow Rooms and Hallways
Does your home feature a long, narrow living room, kitchen, hallway, bedroom or some other space? There are some decorating tricks and tips that can really help balance out a long and narrow space and make your room feel more visually balanced (and more comfortable to be in). Try one or more of these tips today. It’s not that you always have to match the shape or style of room you have when you’re looking for furniture.
Adrienne Breaux
Oct 14, 2022
This Is The One Indispensable Piece of Furniture Every Small Home Needs
Sometimes the simplest pieces of furniture are what you need the most.
Nomita Vaish-Taylor
Oct 14, 2022
A Travel Writer's 450-Square-Foot Studio Apartment Is a Cabinet of Curiosities
Alexandra Charitan is a travel writer and the features editor at "Roadtrippers Magazine." She's been renting this 450-square-foot studio apartment in D.C.'s Capitol Hill neighborhood for two years.
Amanda Archibald
Oct 14, 2022
Small Bathroom Ideas: 6 Changes to Make Tiny Bathrooms Feel More Spacious
Do you have a cramped, small, hard-to-move in bathroom? Do you feel slightly claustrophobic every morning when getting ready for work? If you rent or don’t have the funds for a huge wall-moving renovation that will literally give you more space, try one of these six ideas that could improve the feel, at least. Some changes are big, and some are small, but all will go toward creating a more spacious feeling space — perhaps you’ll find something you can try this weekend?
Adrienne Breaux
Oct 14, 2022
Sleep in a Sustainable Geodesic Dome on the Canadian Forest
When it comes to eye-catching structures, geodesic domes lead the pack. They’re quirky, futuristic, and they tend to stand out wherever they’re situated. On the flip side, architects at Canadian firm Bourgeois Lechasseur have managed to come up with a trio of domes that blend into their natural surroundings.
Kenya Foy
Oct 14, 2022
6 Ways to Make a Small Kitchen Look Infinitely Bigger
You might not be able to change a lot of things in your small kitchen, but you can do the next best thing: give the illusion of larger, more open, space. Breathe better, and move about with ease, with these six suggestions: Low Contrast Color: Keep everything in the same color family, with minor variation. Light colors, or all white helps too. In the kitchen above, the cabinets and appliances blend in with the walls, and things feel more spacious than they actually are.
Dabney Frake
Oct 13, 2022
How To Make a Small Apartment More Fun for Your Cat
Cats who live in apartments face one very serious threat: boredom. Here are a few ideas for how to make your apartment a veritable kitty playground.
Candace Bryan
Oct 13, 2022
Here's An Unexpected, Practical Way to Hang Curtains
Curtains have never looked so chic.
Savannah West
Oct 13, 2022
Small Space Solutions: Get Those Closets Under Control
In much the same way that properly fitting underwear is the foundation of any good outfit, a happy, organized closet is the foundation of a happy, organized home. Of course, this can be a bit of a challenge in a small space with correspondingly small closets. If you’re struggling with fitting everything into a tiny closet, or even just looking to streamline your storage so that finding your clothes is a more pleasant experience, we’ve got a few tips for you.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 13, 2022
Before & After: DIY Crib Turned Toddler Bed (Turned Crib Again!)
Long time readers may remember father and small space problem solver Jason who built his daughter Annabelle a stylish crib (above) to fit into a nook that was a few inches too small for a traditional crib. He took charge of his home and made it work for his family. As they all do, Annabelle grew up and was ready for a big girl bed. Here’s how Jason converted the crib into a toddler bed…and then back again when brother William joined the family!
Carrie McBride
Oct 13, 2022
Small Space Solutions from Our Tours: Multipurpose Rooms that Work
Living well in close quarters requires, among other things, efficient furniture placement. These studios, one-bedroom apartments, and one house show how you can make your home’s spatial quirks and shortcomings work in your favor.Studio apartments offer the obvious challenge of making one space function as several. In slightly larger apartments, the living room often works overtime as an office area, dining room, and entryway.
Kim R. McCormick
Oct 13, 2022
“Yeah, I Could Totally Live Here”: House Boats, RVs & Other Unconventionally Stylish Homes from Real-Life Nomads
I’m risk-averse. Quite a homebody. Somebody who likes a routine and finds comfort in being surrounded by her collections of things day in and day out. I’m exactly the type of person who you’d never expect to turn it all in for life on the road in an Airstream trailer. And yet, that’s all I can think about sometimes.
Taryn Williford
Oct 12, 2022
Trick of the Trade: Sectional Sofas in Small Spaces
It’s a common misconception that small spaces can’t handle large furnishings. One large piece can do a lot to make a small room inviting, anchored, and even feel bigger! Take the sofa, for instance. Arranging a small sofa in a tight space with a couple of other chairs can make a space feel over-full, with little spots of furniture all over the place (not to mention all of those legs!).
Regina Yunghans
Oct 12, 2022
How To Make the Most of a Bathroom with a Pedestal Sink
Does your bathroom have a pedestal sink? I definitely feel your short-on-storage pain. Here’s how to make the most of your small bathroom, with examples from our House Tours: 1. Add furniture. If your bathroom has a layout that allows for a freestanding piece of furniture, count your lucky stars and get to shopping. 2. Utilize the top of your toilet. If your tank has a flat top, use it for some practical and pretty open storage. 3. Any flat surface is fair game.
Tara Bellucci
Oct 12, 2022
100 Ideas & Inspirations for Small Spaces
We’re powering along during our celebration of small spaces this month. For those of us who can’t get enough of the topic, here’s a group of posts from our archives presenting a nice round number (100!) of ideas and inspirations. These are time-tested, proven-popular posts that are sure to have something for everyone… dig in, dive deep and bookmark for the best results!
Janel Laban
Oct 12, 2022
This 424-Square-Foot Victorian Tiny House for Sale Is a Dollhouse for Adults
Exceptionally charming are the first two words that come to mind after catching a glimpse of this tiny New England cottage. Located in the sparsely populated town of Monroe, Maine, the 424-square-foot dollhouse lookalike is now on the market for $125,000. The two-story, Victorian-style, single-family home was built in 1986 and sits on four acres. The home’s exterior is a muted combination of light blue siding accentuated by white trim. A stone walkway leads to the cottage entryway.
Kenya Foy
Oct 12, 2022
Small Bedroom Decorating Ideas: Desks Doing Double Duty as Nightstands
Most conventional advice recommends keeping work outside of the bedroom to boost calm and serenity within a sleeping space. But apparently most conventional advice givers have never had to make it all work with just 550 square feet. The bedroom-plus-office combo has always been a solid solution for tight quarters, and here’s one more tip to keep a dual duty bedroom comfortable. With space at a minimum, corners have to be cut — four of them to be exact.
Taryn Williford
Oct 11, 2022
A 693-Square-Foot Condo's Reno Turned a Tired Space into a Modern, Playful Home
Tours
Jahzeel and Joseph, who are both vintage furniture hunters and sellers, live with their two cats in a San Diego condo they renovated, replacing old appliances and bulky kitchen cabinets, adding fresh paint, and incorporating STUNNING vintage art and furniture pieces throughout. They also turned a closet into a top notch cat bathroom!
Adrienne Breaux
Oct 11, 2022
Caraway’s New Mini Cookware Duo Has Me Cooking More (and Cleaning Less)
Shopping
Turns out: It's all you really need.
Kendall Cornish
Oct 10, 2022
The 6 Best Small Kitchen Gadgets I've Found for My 500-Square-Foot Studio
This foldable electric tea kettle tucks away when I'm not using it.
Ashley-Victoria Smith
Oct 8, 2022
How Big Is 500 Square Feet? 10 Real Homes Illustrate What It’s Like.
These actual homes — from lofts, to studio apartments, to houses — will illustrate how big 500 square feet is and what it feels like to live in such a small space.
Nancy Mitchell
Oct 6, 2022
This Renter-Friendly Countertop Dishwasher Has Made My Life Infinitely Easier
It's the perfect solution for small spaces.
Jada Jackson
Oct 6, 2022
This Simple Decorating Trick Creates Visual Cohesion in a Teeny-Tiny Space
Style
In this 200-square-foot studio, a wood stain makes a big difference.
Kelly Dawson
Oct 5, 2022
A 575-Square-Foot Cottage Rental Home Has the Dreamiest Dining Room Windows
Allegra Rose Berger is a creative freelancer, influencer, and artist, and it has always been important to her to have a space that inspires her.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Oct 5, 2022
A "Bed Nook" May Just Be the Small-Space Solution You Need for Guests
Style
This is how you can give visitors their own dedicated space.

Kelly Dawson
Oct 3, 2022
A 376-Square-Foot Studio Uses Neutrals and Smart Spacing Planning to Feel Larger
Tours
Mariangeles has lived in her studio apartment for the past five years. Her home is filled with creams, whites, blacks, and grays to create a clean and minimal aesthetic.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Oct 3, 2022
This Couple Lives on a Small NYC Island in a Dreamy Green Apartment
Tours
Sarah Jackson, her husband Greg, and their dog Rex live in a well-curated apartment on Roosevelt Island, best-known for the tram that connects it to Manhattan over the East River.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Sep 26, 2022
This 420-Square-Foot Harlem Apartment Features an Enviable DIY Shoe Closet
Tours
When I moved into my Colonial Revival-style building, I was a freelance editorial assistant and was simply striving to pay rent on my own!" exclaims fashion stylist James Bianca. "Despite having very little money, I had a hardy wish list, which included a full kitchen, a working fireplace, south-facing exposures, and outdoor space."
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Sep 26, 2022
7 Things a Transatlantic Cruise Taught Me About Small Space Living
Living
The most unexpected thing I learned on the QM2 was about storage solutions.
Nylah Iqbal Muhammad
Sep 25, 2022
A 450-Square-Foot Apartment Is Inspired by the Color Palette of Mexico City
Tours
Jen brings her Latina background into decorating her home by using colors that she loved seeing on a trip to Mexico City. She believes in creating a space without fear of judgment, and through that, she has been able to curate a home filled with items and designs she loves.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Sep 23, 2022
B&A: A Retiree's Renovated 550-Square-Foot Home Fits Their Needs Perfectly
Tours
"As a retired person I knew I wanted a unit that fit me and my needs perfectly," writes Gwendolyn Hillesheim. "I took the time to assess my wants and prioritized four things."
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Sep 22, 2022
10 Home Depot Decor Finds Under $100 That Will Make a Big Impact in Your Space
shopping
Get to know Home Depot's softer side.
Lauren Pardee
Sep 21, 2022
This Entryway Staple Could Transform Your Small Bathroom
Who knew this piece could function so well in a bathroom?
Nomita Vaish-Taylor
Sep 14, 2022
5 Clever Ways a Set of Curtains Can Make a Small Space Look More Expensive
If you're only using curtains to dress windows, you're missing out!
Nomita Vaish-Taylor
Sep 13, 2022
This Is the Smartest Small-Space Plant Display Idea That I've Maybe Ever Seen
Plant stands are cool, but sometimes when it comes to plants, the higher up, the better.
Savannah West
Sep 12, 2022
What's a Flex Wall? This NYC Apartment Converts a One-Bedroom Into a Two-Bedroom
News
According to TikTok, the wall is a "fancy room divider."
Noella Williams
Sep 9, 2022
A 350-Square-Foot NYC Studio Apartment Is Small But Spacious Feeling
Tours
The size of Dana Miller's Upper West Side studio apartment isn’t huge, but there’s a separate kitchen, a loft, 11’ ceilings, and huge French windows that open onto gardens.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Sep 9, 2022
This $15 Amazon Find Saves Me Cabinet Space and Makes Me Smile Every Morning
It solved my coffee mug problem.
Kristen Garaffo
Sep 6, 2022
Your WFH Setup Shouldn’t Be Seen All The Time, and This Trick Conceals It
TOURS
Seeing signs of work while moving around your home makes it tough to truly rest, which is why this solution from Manhattan residents Grant Griglak and Grayden Holubar is so appealing.
Kelly Dawson
Sep 1, 2022
This Airy 400-Square-Foot Brooklyn Studio Offers a Fresh Escape From The City
Tours
After living in a small apartment in Manhattan, Jesse decided to make the move to Brooklyn to find more space and in-unit laundry. Now Jesse has a larger home that provides a breath of fresh air from living in New York.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Aug 29, 2022
3 Smart, Different Ways a Floating Shelf Can Save the Day in a Small Space
When it comes to floating shelves, the possibilities are endless!
Savannah West
Aug 28, 2022
A Pro Organizer Reveals the Organizing Tips She Uses for Her Small Kitchen
3 smart ideas you'll want to steal.
Michelle Lau
Aug 27, 2022
20 Clever Towel Storage Ideas for Even the Smallest of Bathrooms
The age old tiny bathroom question: where do you put all your stuff? And why do towels take up so much space?
Brittney Morgan
Aug 23, 2022
These Are Hands-Down Best Chairs for Small-Space Living Rooms, and Here's Why
These chairs deserve a seat on your shopping list.
Hannah Baker
Aug 23, 2022
A 400-Square-Foot Ontario Rental's Top Style Inspiration Is Earth Itself
Natalie Doef describes her style as bohemian, whimsical, modern, and fresh. "I tend to gravitate towards earthy features; I love incorporating natural materials like rattan, bamboo, clay, ceramic, and stone."
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Aug 23, 2022
A Ladder Really Is a Great Small-Space Solution for Textiles and Beyond
After this, you'll never look at thin storage ladders the same way again.
Savannah West
Aug 22, 2022
3 Smart, Space-Saving DIYs That Will Convince You to Ditch Your Nightstand
If you're looking to squeeze a lot of function into a small space, there are better options than a standard nightstand.
Heather Bien
Aug 19, 2022
B&A: A $375 Redo Transforms a Sparse Balcony into a Family Play Space
This balcony is small but mighty.
Sarah Everett
Aug 18, 2022
B&A: A Tiny Taiwan Studio Is Now a Charming, Maximized Home with a Loft Bedroom
Tours
Mish, who founded design studio Tangerine Living, says this rental apartment was initially a very awkward studio with a tiny, unused upstairs storage room. But along with partner, Ryan, they redid floors, ceilings, doors, kitchen, bathroom, and decor... and all on a DIY budget!
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Aug 16, 2022
A 350-Square-Foot Dublin Tiny House Embraces Dark and Moody Colors
This small home was very bland when Orla Asawa and her husband bought it, "but with some paint, and the right furniture, we have made it comfortable and spacious."
Adrienne Breaux
Aug 15, 2022
A Comic Artist's 450-Square-Foot Brooklyn Studio Apartment Is Eclectic & Artsy
Tours
"My apartment is an extension of how I feel, and wish to feel, all the time! I love home decorating because to me it's a way we can make permanent certain moods and states that are dear to us, that we can't in real life," says comic artist and graphic novelist Em Frank.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Aug 12, 2022
12 Inspiring Tiny House Interiors – How to Decorate a Tiny Home
Tiny houses with tons of ideas you can steal for your space, big or small.
Danielle Blundell
Aug 11, 2022
This Is What a 97-Square-Foot Apartment In Paris Looks Like
News
Could you live there?
Inigo Del Castillo
Aug 11, 2022
Three Roommates Share This 'Funky Yet Functional' LA Rental Apartment
Mackenzie Schell and her two roommates had to make this small apartment as functional as possible but also wanted it to be a really fun space that wouldn’t get boring to them.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Aug 10, 2022
This Sleek Trash Can-Toilet Brush Combo Is a Huge Space Saver in My Tiny NYC Bathroom
It's the ultimate small-space, double-duty find.
Amy Gordon
Aug 8, 2022
This 310-Square-Foot Provence Apartment Is Small But Perfect
Tours
This apartment in France is teeny in size, but with high ceilings, lots of natural light, a cute balcony, and original features such as traditional limestone walls and 1930s encaustic tiles, it's also GORGEOUS.
Apartment Therapy Submissions
Aug 8, 2022
3 Lessons I've Learned Since Moving Aboard an Almost 40-Year-Old Sailboat
No mortgage and taking vacations without leaving home is pretty nice.
TJ Butler
Aug 5, 2022
This Teeny 340-Square-Foot NYC Studio Works Thanks to Double-Duty Furniture
Dale Aucoin's tiny studio apartment can transform into lots of different spaces, despite only being one room!
Adrienne Breaux
Aug 4, 2022
A 500-Square-Foot Singapore Studio Is Small But Smart
Tours
Redzuan Idris' small flat features smart furniture and appliance choices so that the home feels much larger than it is.
Adrienne Breaux
Aug 3, 2022
What Is a Studio Apartment?
A tiny space with big potential.
Steph Mickelson
Jul 31, 2022
How to Make Use Of an IKEA PAX In A Small Space
Even if you don't have a closet!
Savannah West
Jul 27, 2022
This $12 Space-Maximizing Sink Accessory Is a Must-Have for Teeny-Tiny Kitchens
It creates counter space out of thin air.
Amy Gordon
Jul 21, 2022
This Space-Saving Espresso Maker Is Like Having a Coffee Shop on My Countertop
Low on counter space? No problem.
Kevin Cortez
Jul 17, 2022
One Creator Is Challenging Mobile Home Stereotypes with Her Viral TikTok
The TikTok sparked a debate.
Noella Williams
Jul 14, 2022
A Family of 4's Colorful 450-Square-Foot Home Has Brilliant Small-Space Ideas
There's an incredibly brilliant Murphy bed design, adjustable and extendable furniture, furniture on wheels, and a dreamy outdoor bathtub.
Adrienne Breaux
Jul 13, 2022
This Bold Brooklyn Rental Is Colorful Eclectic Maximalism Done Right
Video House Tour
Textile designer and freelance interior stylist Anna Brettschneider shares this 800-square-foot Park Slope rental apartment with her fiancé, Garrett Albury. Together they co-author the weekly newsletter, coolstuff.nyc.
Jendayi Omowale
Jul 12, 2022
Color Is the Biggest Inspiration in This Cheery 450-Square-Foot Studio
Maitri Mody (@honeyidressedthepug on Instagram) grew up in Mumbai surrounded by colors and says she can't live in a minimal white box. "I moved into this apartment after separating from a 10-year marriage and starting off on my own. So, I wanted it to be happy, cheerful, and positive," she writes.
Erin Derby
Jul 11, 2022
This Living Room Staple Just Might Be Your Best Kitchen Storage Solution
If you like to see a versatile piece of furniture, then you'll really love this.
Savannah West
Jul 11, 2022
A Brooklyn Set Designer's Apartment Style Is 'Box of Crayola Crayons'
Tay is a set designer, builder, and DJ, and describes herself as an “audacious welder of dreamscapes,” like the colorful apartment she rents in Brooklyn.
Adrienne Breaux
Jul 8, 2022