About 50 percent of the world’s population lives in cities. By 2050, it’ll be 70 percent. More people in cities means less room for everybody, which means we all need to learn how to live well in smaller spaces. That’s why we talked to interior designers Nina Etnier and Kelly Martin about how to put [...]
We don't need to sell you on the virtues of small space living. With real estate at a premium in cities across the U.S., from S.F. to NYC, we can all appreciate the power of a well-designed space with a tiny footprint. That's why we've turned to the R29 Home archive to dig up five [...]
1. PAINT OR WALLPAPER THE CEILING TO MAKE THE ROOM LOOK TALLER. Anything that draws the eye upwards makes a room feel bigger. 2. USE LIGHT COLORS ON THE WALLS AND THE FLOOR. While darker colors make a room seem cozy, they also absorb light instead of reflecting it, making the space feel smaller. Opt for lighter [...]
The latest small home basking in the media spotlight is one that the New York Times has dubbed the “Anti-McMansion.” The one-room house in Putnam Valley, N.Y., is home to Takaaki and Christina Kawabata and their two children. And while the home’s 1,200 square feet is not incredibly small, what’s remarkable is its layout: There [...]
“Never underestimate the importance of abandoning crap you don’t need.” Eight years ago, I decided to embrace minimalist living. At first, the reasons were simple. I was spending too much of my life caring for possessions and I was wasting too much money on stuff I didn’t need. These possessions were not bringing me joy or [...]
Make the most of your small home. Good design (and plenty of storage) can make your small spaces feel bigger. 1. Reduce your need for space. • Cut back on how much you own. • Install small appliances. • Put space where you need it, not where you don’t (who needs a big room if [...]
I LIVE in a 420-square-foot studio. I sleep in a bed that folds down from the wall. I have six dress shirts. I have 10 shallow bowls that I use for salads and main dishes. When people come over for dinner, I pull out my extendable dining room table. I don’t have a single CD [...]
Quality multipurpose furniture is versatile in its ability to adapt to many situations. Modular, reconfigurable elements provide freedom in arranging your home’s decor. The current surge in downsizing is the driving force behind a palette of creative and elegant furniture solutions. Many of which are not only ingenious in their functionality but very stylish as well. [...]
A simplified, uncluttered life comes with its fair share of benefits: less to clean and organize, less stress, more money, and more energy for things that matter. But many people get stumped about where to begin. The mere mention of decluttering makes them feel overwhelmed, anxious, and defeated. The decluttering journey doesn’t need to be [...]
We featured compact homes from British Columbia to Los Angeles that make the most of their compact square footage. Here, some of the featured homeowners share their tried-and-tested tips for maximizing a small space. "Light colors make [your space] feel more spacious and airy," says Macy Miller. Miller's compact home in Boise, Idaho, built for only $11,000, [...]