Couple Haley & Michael moved into this 160 square ft Philly tiny house in the Germantown neighbourhood of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania less than a year ago. They acknowledge that they followed advice gleaned from the book, The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying: A simple, effective way to banish clutter forever by neatness doyenne, Marie Kondo. They say that it has altered their relationship with their possessions.
Ever since we, ourselves, halved our living space 15 months ago, we’ve found it easier to adjust than we thought. We dispensed with unnecessary ‘stuff’ that we’d collected over many years; we realised that we had a lot of unused, surplus rooms in our previous house. Like Haley & Michael, we’ve come up with unique and bespoke storage solutions; we built bookshelves from re-purposed scaffolding planks and have stacked old apple crates as kitchen ‘cupboards’. Our clothes, towels, bed linen and all sorts of other stuff are secreted away in stacked vintage luggage.
Baskets made from natural materials (wicker, bamboo, water hyacinth) of various shapes & sizes are also put to good use. We’ve even come up with a novel way to hide our broadband modem! Having compact accommodation makes you more mindful of how you use the precious room that you have.
Do you have any tips for maximising restrictive living space?
- 5-blade white ceiling fan
- RÄCKA curtain rod combination, black
- Tab top curtain, white
- Water hyacinth storage basket
- Vintage wooden cheese boxes
- Vintage wool blanket
Get their look
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Looks like they’ve nailed the only tip I would have-maximize storage!
I think it would be best to sleep a lot in such cramped surroundings.
Get rid of some of your clothes – you will realise you don’t wear half of them anyway.
I always look for items that fold away and can be hidden under the bed or slotted in beside furniture.
I don’t have any tips on maximising space. I love the things I’ve collected over the years in different places I’ve lived, and would not want to get rid of them.
My only tip is get more mirrors, mirrors are great! Also I love the baskets over the bed
Beds that lift for storage space under mattress – shelves that go to roof – utilise / make a loft space
I have canvas storage bags I keep my towels in sets and bedding in my airing cupboard. It’s easy to rotate them. Instead of using what you can get you hands on first… That way everything is used in turn.
I use my window and grow my herbs in a herb box off the window.
Ottoman storage beds are my best tip. Perfect for hiding Christmas presents too.
Declutter, be ruthless and incorporate storage as much as possible. This little home looks great but I think I would find it too claustrophobic.
Make the most of room by having good quality storage so every inch is filled as much as possible. Also try and have items that are dual purpose like a stool that can be used as a table
If you haven’t worn an item of clothing in the last 2 years take it to a charity shop.
Don’t hoard in such a small space.
Buy a really big house.
Look for items that can be folded away, look for beds that have storage underneath them as well
Keep your stuff tidy and organised!!
Not sure what I’m doing lol. Happy new year
Sofa bed
Have regular clearouts x
Light coloured walls, nice mirrors on walls that reflect light and give a feeling of airiness. Well-situated plants in hanging baskets.
I am always trying to maximise my living space. I have just had delivered today some game console controller holders that stick on the back of the television so you can store your game controllers neatly when not using them.
It’d do for a holiday let. Wouldn’t want to live in it for more than a holiday.
Get rid of all clutter, especially clothes. If it hasn’t been worn within a year, give to charity or recycle.
get rid of the clutter and use furniture that has added storage
Storage – Do you need it/love it/will use it? if yes, then get rid of any of it’s unnecessary packaging and think how/ where you are storing it. Is there a better way to store it? Will it take up less space by being rolled, folded, vacuum packaged, a convenient container/tub?
Wow! So cool and cosy. I like furniture with legs as it gives the impression of a larger room and sometimes I can use the space underneath for storage.
Put a shelf above internal doors where possible and use the inside of cupboard doors for more storage!
Use multifunctional furniture and have a few well placed mirrors to make the space feel bigger
Looks awesome, I would definitely stay there
I’ve no idea, but everyone elses tips seem to be spot on!