A 270-Square-Foot Tiny House Turned Inspiring Art Studio

Name: Sue Prue
Location: Berkeley, California
Size: 270 square feet
Years lived in: 3 weeks, owned

My boyfriend and I had been talking about moving in together since we met. His home, however, is small—and we needed more space to accommodate all of our things. Since he already owned a house we decided the easiest thing would be to fix up his dilapidated garage in Berkeley.

It was during this process (and after finding one too many rats) we decided the garage was ultimately a tear-down. During this time we also read an article about ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Unit) becoming popular in the Berkeley area, so we decided to look into it. We eventually found an architect and contractor to tear down the existing garage and rebuild what is essentially a tiny home, which works much better for our needs.

What is your favorite room and why? There is only one room (besides the bathroom) and I love how bright and cheery it is. I’m also glad we made the effort to add special touches, like the wall of reclaimed wood, fun bathroom tile and ceiling beams. Heck—I gave up a 17-year rent-controlled apartment in the city, so this space had to be worth it!

If you could magically change something about your home, what would it be? I do wish it was bigger!

What’s the last thing you bought (or found!) for your home? A piece of aqua-blue mid-century pottery I just picked up from a flea market for $10.

Describe your home’s style in 5 words or less: Happy, colorful, modern, mid-century-esque.

Any advice for creating a home you love? 1. Bring in the light! More than anything else, it’s the thing that makes a space feel clean and comfortable. 2. Color: Go for something bold and punchy! 3. And if you live with someone, carve out a little space that is only for you to decorate how you like. No compromises!

Thanks, Sue!

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