small modern house tour

27 Small Space Home Tours That'll Inspire You To Live A Tiny Life

There is that one saying: Go big or go home. But what if you prefer going small when it comes to the size of your home? There's less to clean, less to insure, which brings to mind another common saying ... less is more. Now that's the idea. Follow the lead of these 27 examples of living large with less square footage . Maybe it's time to stop and consider what exactly you need (or absolutely do not need) to lead a happy and healthy lifestyle. Let simplicity be your guide — along with these small space home tours.

1. Bohemian-Minimalist Studio Apartment

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TAKE THE TOUR: Inside Los Angeles photographer Katherine Rose's quaint 1920s-era studio in Los Feliz and see how she utilizes just a single main room for work and leisure.

2. Tiny, Railroad-Style Apartment

TAKE THE TOUR: Through this 520-square-foot, 11-foot-wide apartment and see how they turned it into a totally workable home in prime west Chelsea, Manhattan.

3. Cute Cottage Just Outside of Nashville

TAKE THE TOUR: OK, this 400-square-foot cottage is more than livable ... I mean, who wouldn't want to live on a serene river in Madison, Tennessee, just north of Nashville?

4. Bye-Bye Dark In-Law Studio

TAKE THE TOUR: The expert use of space in this kitchen nook deserves top marks, considering it was split in half to make room for a bathroom that didn't exist. Now this in-law studio is a tiny haven for frequent out-of-town guests.

5. Crazy-Smart Amsterdam Loft

TAKE THE TOUR: This 484-square-foot loft is the brainchild of one father in Amsterdam who wanted to house three generations of his clan under one roof.

6. Teeny-Tiny Parisian Flat

TAKE THE TOUR: Now this is how to transform a small space: a former workshop in the 13th arrondissement at just over 320 square feet becomes a flexible living space nicknamed La Tournette (the turntable).

7. Modular Hong Kong Apartment

TAKE THE TOUR: With only 482 square feet to work with, this family of three had to get creative about storage and setup (spoiler: they nailed it).

8. São Paulo Studio

TAKE THE TOUR: At first glance, you might not realize that this São Paulo apartment is in fact a 400-square-foot studio, thanks to the clever workings of architectural firm Estúdio BRA Arquitetura, which transformed the space by creating strategic storage barriers.

9. Custom Digs in Salt Lake City

TAKE THE TOUR: The custom cabinetry and creative storage solutions in this small, historic Salt Lake City, Utah, apartment allow for large-scale furniture and accessories as if it were a full-size Victorian mansion.

10. Good Idea: Hidden Storage

TAKE THE TOUR: It's worth checking out this 230-square-foot "Nano Pad" for the ingenious built-in plywood under bed storage alone. Gahh and those leather pull straps!

11. Tiny Cabin Life

TAKE THE TOUR: This 10-foot-by-15-foot French beachside cabin/former 1950s concrete fishing shack takes inspiration from Vikings and Thoreau, that's dope.

12. Go Micro

TAKE THE TOUR: Space-saving guru and architect Michael K. Chen and his firm MKCA transformed a client's 225-square-foot unit in New York City's West Village into a beautiful and multifunctional oasis.

13. Suspended in the Trees

TAKE THE TOUR: Soar into the tree canopy and play out all of the childhood pirate fantasies you can think of inside this tiny treehouse that brings a long-awaited dream to life for one lucky homeowner.

14. Colors of the Rainbow in Montmartre

TAKE THE TOUR: A young fashion designer made her 775-square-foot layout feel less chaotic and more spacious by combining the apartment's historical characteristics (gorgeous exposed beams, worn wood floors) with fresh and fun details: a rainbow floor and hydroponic garden in the kitchen and a modern staircase leading to the mezzanine.

15. Gender-Neutral Design

TAKE THE TOUR: The architects had to design a prototype for an affordable gender-neutral guesthouse that could be adapted to different metropolitan areas; at just over 350 square feet, this apartment in Taipei features three levels, all connected via a storage wall that lines one entire side of the home.

16. Small Wonder

TAKE THE TOUR: With only 538 square feet to work with, custom storage units were the focus of this design so the firm collaborated with client to create a space for his hobbies, which include art, playing guitar, and collecting LPs.

17. Floating Desk FTW

TAKE THE TOUR: For this 750-square-foot apartment in Barcelona, they decided to take advantage of the high ceilings with a new kitchen and loft space that can be used as a guest room or sky-high study area.

18. Eclectic A-Frame

TAKE THE TOUR: Anyone who's been inside of an A-frame cabin knows this: they can easily feel cramped, like the walls are closing in on you type of cramped, so when it came time to turn a summer getaway into a year-round home all in just 800 square feet, the only option was to add on. Is that cheating?

19. Boho Compound

TAKE THE TOUR: If you like the show Tiny House Nation , you'll love this 560-square-foot home that combines two trailers arranged in an L-shape to create separate living and bedroom spaces.

20. 1800s-Era Blacksmith Shop Turned Loft

TAKE THE TOUR: Surrounded by century-old homes in northwest Denver, this 1800s-era, 700-square-foot structure originally functioned as a blacksmith shop for its owner, who worked and lived out of the now-historic building — which has since received a major upgrade.

21. Party Pad

TAKE THE TOUR: In 645 square feet, one key was to keep decor as simple as possible so furnishings are minimal and neutral (the light fixtures are on point), but what makes this space truly special is its reorganization allows for entertaining without feeling cramped.

22. Long and Narrow

TAKE THE TOUR: At just over 600 square feet, this long and narrow apartment in a prime Paris location did not have much to work with, so the architects played up the charm by mixing contemporary style with a bit of Parisian spirit.

23. MidMod Mini

TAKE THE TOUR: A breezy 100 miles north of San Francisco lives this 684-square-foot, impeccably decorated cabin was built in 1968 and refinished with modest materials (total swoon-fest).

24. Symmetrical Shed

TAKE THE TOUR: This structure's historic site (a former wood yard between a row of west London garages) came with strict guidelines for how to build more space in the existing footprint ... Now at more than 1,100-square-feet, it features a basement level with an external bathroom and surrounding private courtyard.

25. Modern Marais

TAKE THE TOUR: Turns out rich architectural history in Paris's fashionable Marais district can come with challenges — beyond its awkwardly long layout that made for an impersonal living space (until bold colors and room dividers entered the mix).

26. Cool Converted Garage

TAKE THE TOUR: This 1913 Craftsman cottage in L.A.'s hip Silver Lake neighborhood is centrally located and supercute — you'd never know it used to be a garage, unless you read its Airbnb listing.

27. Homesteaders Cabin in the Desert

TAKE THE TOUR: Built in the 1950s during what was called the "Baby Homestead Act," the idea was to bring this single-room, 600-square-foot structure into the modern era and make it feel as large (and cool) as possible.

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The 12 Best Clever Home Tours of 2022

All products featured on Architectural Digest are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

At the end of each year, when I take the time to look back on all the homes we’ve featured on Clever, it never ceases to amaze me (and impress me! and inspire extreme jealously in me!) what people can do with their homes. There are renters who have figured out how to turn less than 600 square feet into a breezy oasis. There are minimalists who will make you want to give away all your clutter. There are homeowners who truly know how to pick a perfect paint color . From Australia to France, Rome to Rotterdam, the incredible spaces keep on coming. 

We dug into our archive of home tours and found 2022’s fan favorites. From a sleek duplex in Long Island City to a handful of gems in Brooklyn and LA, these homes highlight the best of design and space. Get inspired by 12 of the best Clever home tours from 2022.

This 592-Square-Foot Sydney Home Shows Off Compact Functionality

Yasmine Ghoniem (right), founder of design studio YSG, and her husband, Tom Swanson.

“At its core, my outlook is nourished by the layers of my culture and travels,” says Yasmine Ghoniem, founder and principal of YSG Studio . Yasmine, who has an Australian mother and an Egyptian father, grew up between Kuwait and Saudi Arabia—with a few years in-between in Australia—and almost a decade in America for postgraduate studies and work. “Like all YSG spaces, everything in my home is interconnected and there is no hierarchy.”

After renting a place in another Sydney suburb for some time, Yasmine and her husband, Tom Swanson, were ready to take the big leap toward home ownership. “Several months of online searching [brought us to] this golden find,” Yasmine says. Situated on a building’s upper level in the city’s iconic oceanside neighborhood of Bondi, the compact 592-square-foot apartment immediately seduced Tom—who is “a mad surfer,” according to Yasmine—with its beachside location. It didn’t take much more to convince the interior designer, who loved the sensible layout. “It shares no common walls and has no internal corridor, meaning absolutely no space is wasted,” she says. “Tall ceilings were the added kicker. Original timber-framed windows were also a requirement.” — Karine Monié

This Long Island City Duplex Is Its Own Hidden Gem of Beautiful Objects

A Charlotte Perriand coffee table for Cassina is surrounded by Olivier Mourgue’s Djinn ottomans upholstered in a wool bouclé. A Ron Rezek green table lamp sits beside the sectional, and a Sergio Mazza’s Alfa lamp is on the coffee table.

Alan Eckstein has mastered the art of the search. As the founder of Somerset House, a Brooklyn furniture store that’s cultivated from his collection, Alan has the type of knowledge for chairs, consoles, and tables that any professor would have for a subject.

Alan and his wife, fashion stylist Haley Loewenthal , lived in a one-bedroom apartment when the pandemic hit. And though it felt like home, it was missing one detail that suddenly took on a profound amount of importance. “We didn’t have any outdoor space,” he says. “We also wanted to start a family, and there wasn’t room for an extra person to join us there. We knew that in order to grow, or to even have somewhere to exhale, we needed to move.” So, Alan began to do what he does best: search.

The 2,500-square-foot duplex in New York’s Long Island City had two bedrooms and two floors, providing more than enough space for the couple to spread out. It was almost as if Craigslist, a long-beloved treasure chest for Alan, had come through for him again. “I think it was available because of the pandemic,” he notes. “My wife and I were looking for an interesting open space with character. This apartment has that, and the best part about it is that it also has a private roof deck.” — Kelly Dawson

This 800-Square-Foot Brooklyn Apartment Is Full of Smart Storage Solutions

Noah Venezia (left) and Megan Hershman in their Brooklyn apartment.

When Megan Hershman, a design director at Common Living, and her husband—Noah Venezia, a graphic designer and adjunct professor at Pratt Institute—stumbled upon the top floor of this two-story town house in Carroll Gardens , it was the abundance of natural light that instantly hooked them. “The unit is north and south-facing, and gets direct sun for most of the day,” Megan says. “We immediately knew it was right for us.” In addition to good lighting, the couple appreciated the old-world charms of the building, like the tin ceilings, cast-iron built-in kitchen sink, and original hardwood floors. “We also loved the old-school charm of the pink bathroom, which felt so playful and one-of-a-kind,” Megan adds. — Monica Mendal

This 594-Square-Foot Apartment in Silver Lake Is a Modernist Jewel

Fanny Singer in her Los Angeles apartment.

Not much more than 600 square feet, Fanny Singer ’s Rudolph Schindler apartment is housed in a 16-unit complex from the 1920s that has a semi-commune feeling with its interconnected living spaces and garden walkways. As each apartment was given its own identity, Fanny has loved figuring out how to live in this vision. “There is a vast array of different apartments in the building,” she says. “The one across the way is a double-height apartment with an incredible wall of windows. Mine is oriented toward the Hollywood sign—a perfect painting studio.”

The writer and cofounder of design brand Permanent Collection thinks that even though Schindler was an iconic LA architect, the space doesn’t have a particularly local feeling. “The shapes are very Russian Constructivism.” This idea rings true in the wood features, the fireplace, and the shape of the ceiling. “Schindler was very specific with his work. He designed with an idea of exactly how people should live,” Fanny says. “I haven’t become one of those people who are totally obsessed with Schindler, but he becomes part of your psyche.” — Zoë Sessums

Taking Rustic Vibes to New Heights in This Stunning California A-Frame

Bringing things right back up to date, a large floor rug from Cold Picnic injects a sense of modernism to the space. Vintage pieces, including a 1960s dome floor lamp, glass coffee table, and chairs by Marcel Breuer , are judiciously situated, layering the spaces and echoing the home’s midcentury history.

A serene rural setting where you’re surrounded by towering trees, rugged mountains, and shimmering lakes is the perfect antidote to the hustle and bustle of city life. So naturally, when SoCal dwellers Gloria Noto , founder of organic cosmetics line Noto Botanics , and her partner, designer Ash Owens , first set eyes on the arresting 1,900-square-foot rustic hideaway that they now own, they knew it would reshape their lives. And not just in its triangular A-frame form, but by providing both a personal refuge and workspace.

Located in the remote wilderness of Crestline, California, with its cozy cabins and quaint cottages, their 1964-built midcentury marvel is the first home the creative couple have bought together. “I was in LA and Ash was commuting between there and New York, so we really wanted to find a home for all of us,” Gloria says. She shares a dog, Mio, and cats, Holly and Benny, with Ash. “I still keep a loft in the Arts District so we can go back and forth, but it’s nice having the option to step away from the city now, and to submerge ourselves into this sanctuary we’ve created.” — Kate Lawson

Patrick Janelle Transforms a Rundown Rental Into a Chic New York City Loft

When Patrick signed his lease, he thought the fireplace was functional. As it turns out, he can’t use it, but it still adds character to the place.

Patrick Janelle always dreamed of living in a downtown Manhattan loft . The lifestyle influencer, who also runs the talent agency Untitled Secret , fantasized about an airy and industrial home as he spent the past decade climbing the rungs of the New York City housing ladder. So when he grew out of his most recent abode, a compact yet curated SoHo apartment, he knew it was time to actualize his goal.

“I’m very romantic in my ideals about how I envision things for myself and my life in New York,” Patrick shares. “I’ve always made a point that I wanted to be in Manhattan—as cool as I think Brooklyn is—and I never have had this quintessential loft moment.”

Since Patrick couldn’t afford to buy the type of spacious loft he’d been lusting after, he focused his hunt on rentals that would allow him to renovate. After a handful of viewings, he found exactly what he was looking for: a generous three-bedroom in an early 20th-century factory building with a very lenient landlord. He adored the prime Flatiron location too. — Morgan Goldberg

A Charming 200-Square-Foot Apartment on Paris’s Left Bank

The beautiful 19th-century floor tiles and the fireplace were original to the building. Throughout the loft, discreetly integrated storage is present, sometimes highlighted with bronzed brass details.

You might assume that a 200-square-foot apartment would be the home of a student on a budget or maybe a short-term rental for travelers. This apartment, however, belongs to a successful businesswoman who lives outside of Paris and was in need of a small pied-à-terre in the capital. 

Pauline Lorenzi-Boisrond was commissioned to renovate the studio on the rue du Cherche-Midi. “She comes to Paris regularly for work, but she had grown tired of impersonal hotel rooms where she can’t leave her things from one visit to the next,” Pauline, the interior designer and founder of Studio Ett Hem , explains. “She wanted her own little suite in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés area.” Ett hem means “house” in Swedish. It is indeed a fitting name for a designer tasked with overcoming the limitations of the space to bring out its homey charms. — Nicolas Milon

This 400-Square-Foot New York Apartment Is Maximized With Custom Millwork

Eight-foot-long drawers offer storage beneath the bed.

Like most people with internet access, Corey Kingston is obsessed with scrolling through the real estate listings on Zillow . The New York–based architect could argue that this hobby doubles as valuable market research for Le Whit , the design studio she founded with Liza Curtiss, but its most fruitful reward was the discovery of a Lower East Side apartment she could actually afford.

The 400-square-foot residence popped up on Corey’s screen during a heat wave, so she quickly put in an offer while the city was a ghost town. It was accepted thanks to the lack of competition and her instant connection with the seller, who was giving up the place to enroll in a Philadelphia architecture school. They bonded over an appreciation for the early-20th-century building’s history as a tenement and then a squatter property. — Morgan Goldberg

This Enchanting Los Angeles Apartment Was the Longtime Home of Mae West

A visual centerpiece of the apartment is Kimberly’s “wall of kooks.” It includes portraits she’s picked up through the years. Here, the small black table next to the leather chair was owned by Mary Pickford, the red pen on the coffee table was owned by Zsa Zsa Gabor, and the perfume on the table was owned by Mae West.

Designer Kimberly Biehl ’s fascination with old Hollywood began as a child. That was around the same time that her quest to discover and bring new life to old pieces also began. She started shopping at estate sales, garage sales, and flea markets in her teens. “As soon as I could drive, that’s where I was,” she says.

It’s no wonder then that Kimberly’s own home is filled with old Hollywood relics and classic furniture pieces she’s breathed new life into. What is a wonder, though, is that it’s happening in a piece of old Hollywood itself. Kimberly lives in the former apartment of Mae West, in the historic Ravenswood apartment building. — Lauren Harkawik

Art Imitates Life in This Bauhaus-Inspired Brooklyn Apartment

Vicente (left) and Audrey pose in their living room.

Raised by two aesthetes in an historic 1899 house in Hartford, Connecticut, Audrey Rose Smith had an art-filled childhood. Her father was a preservation architect, and her mother ran an art gallery, so their home was constantly host to artists and their work. It’s only logical that Audrey later became a gallerist herself.

It also makes sense that she swiftly fell in love with a fellow creative. Only eight months after meeting Ecuadorian photographer and designer Vicente Muñoz , the pair jointly purchased their prewar Clinton Hill apartment in Brooklyn. They married soon after, partnering in matrimony as well as real estate without looking back.

Eight years later, the couple has cultivated a tight-knit and like-minded community in the neighborhood. Turn-of-the-century buildings by architects like William Tubby, Montrose Morris, and Ebenezer L. Roberts pepper the streets where they frequently run into friends and colleagues. “It feels like an art world sitcom,” Audrey quips. “The farmers market is really exciting.” — Morgan Goldberg

Jewel Tones Heighten This 700-Square-Foot Rome Apartment

Counter stools offer a space for guests to accompany the chef in the kitchen. Wood elements further reflect the forest-inspired colored choice for the cabinetry.

“I think of a house as a complicated machine in which something new breaks down every day: a lamp, a faucet, a lock, an electric socket, the boiler, the refrigerator …. But when we can forget about the responsibility of continuous maintenance, we feel happy. Then the other side of the coin, opposed to the responsibilities of ownership, is sheer gratitude.”

That was the thinking of Álvaro Siza, the great Portuguese architect who, at the age of 89, continues to inspire a younger generation. In their space, design duo Eugenia Rolando and Federico Patacchiola of Paros Architettura —a couple in life as well as at work—start from these very words to create subtly inventive places.

A prime example of their work is Casa Costantino, a small but elegant Rome apartment. The building, a 1960s structure in the Ostiense district , is a stone’s throw from the famous Garbatella area. The 700-square-foot apartment is all modern, and thanks to Paros Architettura, it’s been transformed from an old family home full of memories into a light-flooded environment with a contemporary feel. — Ludovica Stevan

A Rotterdam Apartment Is Filled With One Artistic Couple’s Many Vintage Finds

Jeroen (left), Stéphane, and their dog, Henry.

Stéphane Monnet and Jeroen Dijkstra either have good luck, good timing, or simply the good sense to know when something just feels right. When they were apartment hunting in Rotterdam, the Netherlands , Stéphane was seeking out distinctly European surroundings—since he was moving from Toronto—and they found them in a one-bedroom property, downtown. “With all of its flourishes, huge windows, and open spaces, it was a perfect fit,” Stéphane says. “It was already snatched up, but that deal fell through at the last minute.”

Set inside a building from the 1880s, facing a busy street on one end and a verdant courtyard on the other, their home had been recently restored to reflect what existed way back when. Intricate crown molding sprawled across ceilings while wainscoting lined the lower half of the walls, and that artistry was painted in shades of green to contrast the white in between. Windows stretched over their contrasting outdoor views, and plenty of light streamed in. The couple also had a private balcony to share, in case they ever wanted a closer look at the birds, whose pleasant song woke them in the morning. — Kelly Dawson

24 Modern Tiny Homes You Can Buy, Build, Rent or Admire

These Tiny Homes Epitomize Function and Style

Modern Tiny Living

The best modern tiny homes are brimming with amenities typically found in standard-sized abodes. They might not meet modern design style standards, but they tend to have a sleek, minimalist look that shows off the quality of the build. From shape-shifting furniture to ingenious storage solutions, check out our roundup of modern tiny houses that proves you can pack a lot of style and function in less than 400 square feet .

Powder Blue Sleeper Sofa

Hand Crafted Movement

Uncomfortable pieces of small furniture like padded benches posing as couches are not very inviting. That is why we love this gorgeous 300-square-foot home called the Pioneer by Hand Crafted Movement based in Portland, OR. The company designed the living room to accommodate a full-size sleeper sofa by IKEA. To make TV and movie marathons extra cozy the room comes equipped with an electric fireplace topped off with a 40-inch smart TV. An array of built-in wall storage create nooks for decorative accessories and books.

The price starts at $185,000 for a custom-built model.

Modern Rustic Tiny House

Minimaliste Houses out of Quebec, Canada, constructed this modern, rustic tiny home called the Noyer . The interior's simple, clean lines and mostly white color scheme makes the most of the modest square footage in a 10-by-30 space. Dark wood tones add a layer of warmth. Nearly every inch of vertical space has a purpose. For instance, the staircase doubles as storage. The sliding barn door that creates privacy in the bathroom also conceals shelving. There's even a small closet upstairs.

The Noyer, which is available in the US despite the Canadian roots of the company, starts at $134,000.

Custom Park Model Home

Tiny Heirloom

Here is a custom 500-square-foot  Hawaiian retreat by Tiny Heirloom , a luxury teensy home building company based in Portland, OR. The park model styled house has a spacious central living area with a chef’s kitchen. The latter is outfitted with full-size appliances with nearly 20 feet of quartz countertops. The retractable folding ladder leads to one of the home's loft styled bedrooms.

The most affordable model, the eXpanse , starts at $75,900. Contact Tiny Heirloom for pricing on custom models.

Modernist Tiny Rental

This tiny house called The Nest , situated in Phoenix, was until recently a short term rental. It was designed and built by Damon Wake and Hunter Floyd, an architectural design team, known for creating environmentally responsible prefabricated structures. The beautiful flat-front cabinetry and the midcentury-inspired furnishings give the space a chic modernist vibe. We love how the ladder to the sleeping loft blends into the kitchen. The all-in-one washing and drying machine in the bathroom is an awesome small space amenity.

Farmhouse Travel Trailer

TruForm Tiny

Fans of modern farmhouse style have been swooning over this handcrafted home by TruForm Tiny in Reno, NV. Shiplap walls , a barn-style sliding door , and wide plank floors are only a few features in this home that make our hearts go pitter-pat. The 28-foot-long Payette model comes with high ceilings, which carves out bonus square footage for an elevated bedroom big enough for a king-size mattress. On the opposite side of the house (as shown) there is a  bonus space fit for a home office or den. 

The Payette starts at $99,100.

Tiny House With Big Style

Ms. Gypsy Soul

Jewel Pearson, also known as Ms. Bohemian Soul believes tiny house living does not necessarily mean paring down to the bare basics. Her beautifully decorated little home flaunts her unique style. An elegant sofa anchors the central living area. African art adds plenty of visual interest. Notice the wall-mounted rails on the right? It is a built-in ladder for reaching the lounge styled loft. The elevated space is stocked with board games and soft furnishings.

Pearson offers plans for a roughly 360-square-foot home for $399.

Room for Two Guests

The primary bedroom in this 365-square-foot home by Canada's Minimaliste Houses  has plenty of headroom—11 feet to be exact—because in the Magnolia model it is on the main floor. There's a second lofted sleeping space, so four can fit in the unit comfortably. Above the headboard are wall mounted shelves. Not shown in the photo is the custom-made table that slides over the bed. There is also a standard sized closet with built-in vertical storage. 

Cost to build starts at $160,500.

About This Term: Primary Bedroom

Many real estate associations, including the National Association of Home Builders, have classified the term "Master Bedroom" as discriminatory. "Primary Bedroom" is the name now widely used among the real estate community and better reflects the purpose of the room.

Read more about our Diversity and Inclusion Pledge to make The Spruce a site where all feel welcome.

Smart Staircase Storage

If this fun-size home called The Marion looks familiar, you may have seen it on Tiny House Big Living on DIY Network. The 320-square-foot dwelling keeps comfort and functionality top of mind. The open-concept space comes with a gray love seat and as shown on the left a foldout upholstered bench. No awkward ladders to climb here—to get to the sleeping loft there is a staircase with concealed storage inside each step. It was sold after the show aired for $55,000.

Towable Cabin for Living

Land Ark , based in Marble, CO, built this towable micro cabin called the Drake  that is ideal for both road trips and full-time living with its modern amenities and clean aesthetic. The walls and ceiling in pine toe the line between rustic and modern. Another notable feature is the practical built-in eating counter that works triple duty as a desk and bonus storage space . On the right is a single wall kitchen with full-size appliances and a 32-inch stainless steel sink.

Contact Land Ark for pricing to get one made and check their website to see if any certified pre-owned ones are available .

Renovated RV

Arrows and Bows

A family of five lives in this RV trailer renovated by the couple behind Arrows and Bows . Tons of storage makes this tricky living situation work. Case in point, the IKEA kitchen cabinets in the modestly sized primary bedroom.

If you're looking to do something similar, the couple said in a blog post it cost $8,000 to buy and $3,000 to renovate.

A Smart 400-Square-Feet

Built by Chris Collaris Architects , the Buitenhuis is a tiny 400-square-foot cabin located in the woods of the Netherlands. The compact kitchen features a smart storage tip. Instead of stashing cooking essentials in cabinets, pots, pans, and a broad range of utensils are displayed on the wall.

You can stay in Buitenhuis for $274 per night while on a trip to the Netherlands.

Bespoke Renovated Airstream

A renovated Airstream makes a mighty fine towable dwelling. Kate Oliver and Ellen Prasse, the duo behind  The Modern Caravan  got this one called Isla  up to speed for around $60,000. Sure, that seems pricey, but the money they spent added real value to the wee abode. The first order of business was addressing all the air gaps that made the RV energy inefficient. Extensive waterproofing and new windows got the job done.

The 200-square-foot interior got a full overhaul with bespoke built-ins. Our two favorite features are the custom velvet sofa with hidden storage and the gorgeous walnut wood kitchen cabinets designed for a perfect fit. 

Oliver and Prasse have closed down their business, but you can still find plenty of inspiration from them on their Instagram .

Tiny House With Teal Cabinetry

Modern Tiny Living is the first custom tiny home building company in Columbus, Ohio. Their dwelling called The Nash is a charming 160-square-foot abode chock-full of both stylish and practical touches. Dark stained wood and teal cabinetry adorn the interior. On the left is a staircase optimized with cubby storage. It leads to one of the two sleeping lofts. There is also a handrail for stair climbing safety. Black metal rails turn the nook on the right into a handy shelving unit. The small kitchen table in front folds down when not needed. A couple of architectural features elevate this home's appearance: along the bottom of the walls are attractive baseboards, and decorative molding surrounds each window. 

The Nash was a custom build, but similarly sized tiny homes from Modern Tiny Living start at $89,000.

Platform Kitchen

New Frontier Tiny Homes

A raised kitchen instantly makes this small home called the Alpha seem extra roomy. Designed by New Frontier Tiny Homes out of Nashville, TN, the platform under the cooking space serves an additional purpose. It houses an easy to assemble folding dining set that sits up to eight people.

The Alpha starts at $225,000.

Transformative Furniture

Here is another view of the Alpha tiny dwelling by New Frontier Tiny Homes that shows the folding table and bench set assembled. When it is time to put it all away, the set comes apart. Afterward, the pieces easily slide back under the kitchen platform on the left. Another cool feature spotted in many homes by this building company are the large glass sliding doors as shown. They connect the interior to the great outdoors.

A Shed Retreat

Paige Morse , an interior designer, based in Dallas, Texas, transformed an old shed in her backyard into a stunning retreat . Turning the bitsy space into a 250-square-foot guesthouse with two bedrooms took four months. When decorating she stuck to a mostly black and white color scheme, which made the modest abode feel more open and spacious. Morse also did not skimp on natural greenery. Houseplants strategically placed all over the home enhanced the home's relaxing vibe. 

Build your own modern tiny house shed retreat with these free shed plans .

The Millennial Tiny House

A minimally designed 180-square-foot home called The Millennial Tiny House by Build Tiny in New Zealand comes stuffed with space-saving tricks. A personal favorite is the black and white retractable staircase that slides into the wall shown when not needed. Under the floorboards is concealed storage. On either side of the towable dwelling are large glass sliding doors that fill the space with light during the day. Not shown in this photo is the opposite end of the abode that features a tiny loft-style home office.

Though plans for that model aren't available, similar plans are for sale for $499 (NZD).

Two-Tier Loft Bedroom

Alabama Tiny Homes

There is not a lot of crouching or stooping in this tiny house called the Journey by Alabama Tiny Homes . The reason? The two-tiered loft bedroom has a section that accommodates standing. The home also has a crisp white cooking space with full-size appliances. Overhead is a nice architectural touch—a coffered kitchen ceiling. The model starts at $71,000.

A Writer's Retreat

This lovely teensy guest home by New Frontier Tiny Homes was custom built for German children's author Cornelia Funke. A mix of different woods and custom paint color give this charming space a unique and personal twist. 

Sprinkled throughout the abode are smart shelving and storage solutions that put small room corners to good use. A sliding ladder leads to the sleeping lofts. Over the bed are clerestory windows that keep the nook from feeling cramped or claustrophobic. We are particularly fond of the gray and yellow kitchen. While it lacks an oven and a few other standard appliances, it has everything needed to brew a great cup of coffee or tea. 

The Cornelia, which sleeps up to four people, starts at $185,000.

Towable Micro Home

This teensy little house called The Nugget by Modern Tiny Living is a cozy cocoon built for comfort. First off the micro abode, which comes with an off-grid package that includes solar panels and propane water heater, offers 102 square feet of living space. Making it feel more comfortable than cramped is a sizable storage bed for sleeping and lounging. The pint-size kitchen is both gorgeous and functional courtesy of butcher block countertops, a copper faucet, and compact fridge.

The Nugget was a custom build, but custom builds of a similar length start at $59,000.

Tiny Home Apartment

At first glance, this tiny home called the  Coastal Craftsman  could pass as a chic urban apartment. Designed by Hand Crafted Movement situated near Portland, OR, the abode's modest square footage does not sacrifice style or function.

The living room's layout accommodates a sectional, sleeper sofa. The unique recess behind it combines wall storage with narrow windows. The little fireplace with cubby storage is a beautiful focal point that heats up the home in winter. Above the mantel is a wooden panel that when shut conceals the TV. On the near right is a compact desk that doubles as an entryway landing strip for bags and keys. 

You can get the Coastal Craftsman for $140,000.

Colorful Modern Tiny House

Tiny House Scotland

The NestHouse by Tiny House Scotland is an incredibly cozy home that comes in a variety of models with winning small space solutions. Bespoke blue kitchen cabinetry whips up plenty of storage space. Overhead is a ceiling height drying rack for damp clothing. The arched doorway in the center offers up space for books and ​knickknacks.

Those interested in moving to the UK can look into Tiny House Scotland; models cost between 60,000 and 80,000 British pounds.

3D-Printed House

Emerging Objects

Some tiny homes are pretty inside and out. An example is this 3D printed dwelling by Emerging Objects based in Berkeley, CA. While it is not equipped with a bathroom or kitchen, inside is a stylish space that functions as a backyard bonus room. But here is where things get interesting. The structure is made up of more than 4,500 ceramic tiles. The ones covering the exterior facade add a little curb appeal because they double as small succulent planters. 

Check out these free cabin plans to build your own stylish space.

Smartly Placed Windows Enhance Privacy

The Wedge is a large(ish) abode by Wheelhaus in Jackson, WY. It feels much bigger than its 400 square feet thanks to modern appliances, light hued wood, and an open-plan layout. The front of the home has a small landing spot that works as a porch. We are particularly fond of the windows near the ceiling. During the day they offer indoor privacy without sacrificing sunlight. The price starts at $175,000.

If you are inspired to have your own tiny home, check out these free plans. 

More from The Spruce

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The Petite Habitat Whisperer’s Guide to Modern Tiny House Plans

Welcome aboard, fellow adventurers, to the wondrous world of modern tiny house plans ! I’m your guide through this maze of miniature living, and I promise, it’s going to be more exciting than finding that last piece of the puzzle under the couch.

Size Matters… or Does It?

When pondering the size of your tiny house, it’s like choosing the perfect slice of pie. Do you go for the modest slice that leaves you wanting more or the just-right portion that satisfies without excess? Tiny houses are all about striking that balance. Sure, you may not have room for a grand chandelier or a walk-in closet, but who needs those when you can have a cozy nook to read your favorite book or a compact kitchen where every ingredient is within arm’s reach?

Think of your tiny house as a well-tailored suit. It’s designed to fit you perfectly, showcasing your personality and lifestyle. Size isn’t about restriction; it’s about liberation from the burden of unnecessary space. It’s about simplifying your life, focusing on what truly matters, and living with intention. After all, does a house really need to be big to be a home?

Size matters in the world of tiny houses, but it’s not about going big; it’s about going right. It’s about finding your sweet spot in the spectrum of small, making every square foot count, and creating a space that’s uniquely yours. In the land of tiny houses, it’s not about size; it’s about the big impact of living small.

Design, Darling, Design!

Design, darling, design! It’s not just about bricks and beams; it’s about crafting your very own micro masterpiece. Your tiny house isn’t just a place to lay your head; it’s an expression of your personality, a canvas for your creativity.

Imagine your tiny house as a tailored suit, perfectly fitted to your tastes and needs. Do you lean towards sleek, modern lines that make you feel like you’re living in a high-end boutique hotel? Or perhaps you’re drawn to the rustic charm of a cabin in the woods, where every wooden beam whispers stories of nature. The choice is yours, and the possibilities are as endless as a child’s imagination.

But here’s the kicker: tiny houses are like puzzles, and every piece of furniture and fixture is a crucial part of the design. Think multifunctional furniture that transforms a dining area into a workspace or a loft that’s as cozy as your favorite reading nook. It’s about choosing elements that not only look good but also work hard for you.

Don’t forget the heart of your home: the kitchen. It’s like the beating heart of a tiny house, where meals are cooked, memories are made, and friends gather. Modern tiny house kitchens are like mini culinary wonderlands, brimming with ingenious storage solutions and clever layouts.

When it comes to design, embrace your inner artist. Let your tiny house be an extension of yourself, a reflection of your style and personality. In the world of modern tiny houses, it’s not just about living small; it’s about living with flair and finesse. Design isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about making your tiny house a functional and stylish sanctuary that suits your unique tastes and needs.

The Heart of the Home

Ah, the kitchen – the unrivaled heart of any home, whether it’s a sprawling mansion or a tiny house that could fit in the mansion’s closet. In the world of tiny houses, the kitchen isn’t just a place to cook; it’s a hub of life, where culinary adventures unfold, conversations flourish, and memories simmer.

Imagine a tiny kitchen as a Swiss Army knife of space efficiency. Slide-out countertops, hidden storage compartments, and compact appliances become your trusty tools in this miniature culinary wonderland. Every square inch is designed with purpose, ensuring that your tiny kitchen is as functional as it is charming.

But it’s not just about function; it’s about the flair. Your kitchen should be an extension of your personality, whether you’re a gourmet chef, a baker extraordinaire, or someone who enjoys a simple cup of coffee in the morning. Choose colors and materials that resonate with your inner culinary artist.

And let’s not forget about the view! A well-placed window in your tiny kitchen can transform your cooking experience into a picturesque adventure, making you feel like you’re preparing meals in a cozy café tucked away in a European alley.

Washing Up, Tiny Style

Washing up in a tiny house is like a dance – it’s about fluidity, grace, and making the most of each step. Compact fixtures are your dance partners, performing moves like a well-practiced tango. A shower that doubles as a bathtub, a sink that multitasks as a workspace – it’s all about maximizing utility.

And while your bathroom may be small in size, it’s big on personality. Selecting the right materials and colors can turn it into a cozy retreat. It’s a space where you can unwind, pamper yourself, and feel like you’re in a spa resort, all without leaving the comfort of your home-on-wheels.

But the real showstopper is the well-placed window. Imagine gazing out at nature while soaking in your tiny tub or enjoying the morning sun as you prepare for the day. It’s like bringing the outdoors in, making your tiny bathroom feel boundless.

The Great Outdoors (in Your Living Room)

Imagine your tiny house living room as a magical portal to nature, a space where you can experience the serenity of the great outdoors without stepping a foot outside. It’s like having a front-row seat to Mother Nature’s most captivating show, right from the comfort of your cozy couch.

In a tiny house, the living room is a multifaceted gem. It’s your relaxation sanctuary, your workspace, and the perfect spot to entertain friends. But it’s not just about function; it’s about making the most of every inch. Picture versatile furniture that transforms to meet your needs, just like a master illusionist changing costumes for different acts.

But what truly sets your tiny house living room apart is the strategic use of windows. Placing them to frame breathtaking vistas can make your living room feel like it’s part of the landscape. Imagine watching the sunset over the mountains or gazing at the stars from your sofa – it’s like having your own private theater, and the show changes with the seasons.

That Loft-y Feeling

In the world of tiny houses, lofts are like the secret hideaways of your childhood dreams, only now they’re part of your daily life. A loft is your private oasis, a space where you can relax, sleep, and dream big while making the most of vertical space.

Choosing a loft in your tiny house is akin to selecting the top bunk at a sleepover – it’s an elevated experience. But here’s the thing, do you have the heart (and knees) for the climb? Lofts offer solitude and a sense of separation from the rest of your tiny house, but they do require a bit of acrobatics to access.

For some, it’s the perfect setup – a cozy, tucked-away bedroom that’s more private than a VIP lounge. It’s a space where you can cocoon yourself in comfort, free from the distractions of the world below.

However, if you prefer to keep both feet firmly planted on the ground, don’t fret. Many tiny house designs offer ground-floor sleeping options, ensuring you can enjoy that loft-y feeling without the ascent. It’s like having the cake and eating it too.

Making It Yours

Tiny houses are like blank canvases waiting for your artistic touch. Making it yours is not just a decorating whim; it’s a fundamental principle of tiny living. In the realm of tiny houses, customization reigns supreme, and your dwelling is a reflection of your personality and lifestyle.

Imagine your tiny house as a tailored suit. It should fit you like a glove, showcasing your style, preferences, and needs. The beauty lies in the details – from the color of your walls to the choice of furnishings, every decision shapes your tiny abode.

Incorporate your favorite colors, textures, and materials to create an environment that resonates with your soul. Do you fancy a minimalist, monochromatic look, or does a bohemian explosion of patterns and colors better reflect your spirit?

Don’t forget the power of multipurpose furniture. It’s like a Swiss Army knife for small spaces, adapting to your needs while saving valuable square footage. Make your furniture work for you, not the other way around.

And let’s not overlook the exterior. Your tiny house’s curb appeal is your canvas to make a statement. Plant a tiny garden, add some artistic flair, or choose an exterior color that screams “you.”

In a tiny house, customization is the secret sauce that turns a house into a home. It’s about finding beauty in the details and creating an environment that truly feels like yours. Remember, in the world of tiny houses, it’s not about living in someone else’s design; it’s about crafting your own masterpiece.

Parting Thoughts: Modern Tiny House Plans

As we wrap up this whirlwind tour of modern tiny house plans , remember this: size is not the boss of you. You can live large in a small space, and you can do it with style, personality, and practicality.

Now, here’s your mission, should you choose to accept it: Share this article with your fellow adventurers who dream of a tiny life! Hit those share buttons on Facebook, and Pinterest and spread the word about the allure of modern tiny house living. Your share might just be the push someone needs to start their own tiny adventure. Ready, set, share!

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House Beautiful's Most Popular Home Tours of 2022

See the spaces our readers fell in love with this year.

Good taste doesn't fit in a box. Cool and contemporary, warm and traditional, clean modern, and more—every style has a place in House Beautiful so long as it inspires our readers and tells a compelling story. With such a range of looks on our site and in our magazine, it's always a treat for our editors to see which home tours resonate most. This year's top 15 home tours run the gamut, from a historical townhouse in New York City's West Village (which graced the cover of our Ultimate Shopping issue) to a 1930s cabin in Jackson, Wyoming. The common thread is transformation. Take a look and find the one you want to move into (good luck choosing just one)!

Carriage House by Shannon Roberts (Savannah, GA)

In 2020, life handed Knoxville, TN, interior designer Shannon Roberts some particularly sour lemons: a cancer diagnosis just as Covid-19 began swirling the globe. He turned it into lemonade—and fast. “Two weeks before the world shut down, my husband and I purchased a second home in Savannah, Georgia,” says Roberts. “The carriage house (all 800 square feet it) was fair game for a renovation.”

TOUR THE HOME

Colorful Bedroom by Angie Lane (Tecumseh, MI)

The bedroom in Angie Lane 's circa-1860 Italianate farmhouse in Tecumseh, Michigan, needed addressing. "It was a mattress on a platform frame and not much else," confesses the designer, who finally committed to sprucing it up to shoot for the cover of her book, Midwest Modern Manifesto . "I ran with the idea of the room as an abstract version of a landscape painting," she explains.

Colonial Revival by Isabel Ladd (Lexington, KY)

"Explosive, vivid, saturated.” This is how Lexington, Kentucky–based interior designer Isabel Ladd describes her home, a 1936 colonial that she renovated in "…colors and patterns that bring me immense joy. It reflects how I dress and live: very passionately and in full color."

Historic Townhouse by the Novogratzes (NYC)

For decades a bubble gum–pink stucco townhouse, the exterior of Cortney and Robert Novogratz's new family home in New York City is now gold. This, of course, is what the Novogratzes, a married design and branding powerhouse, do: “We aren’t afraid to take a falling-down building and brighten it up. It can totally transform the energy of the neighborhood,” Cortney says.

Whimsical Studio by Rudy Saunders (NYC)

As an interior designer at Dorothy Draper & Company Inc. , Rudy Saunders has had plenty of experience working in exquisite homes. But he had his work cut out for him at the pre-war studio apartment on the Upper East Side where he lives: The space is tiny—only about 375 square feet—and it’s a rental, meaning major renovations were out of the question.

Cottage Bungalow by Shavonda Gardner (Sacramento, CA)

While it might have been the moody living room that graced House Beautiful's cover, readers were obsessed with pretty much ALL of Shavonda Gardner's inviting California cottage. One standout room was her English country-inspired kitchen, whose mix of colors is, shall we say, chef's kiss.

Modern Home by Jess Cooney (Berkshires, MA)

Sited in Egremont, Massachusetts, the house that Jess Cooney 's clients had bought featured a new, all-white kitchen, along with sky-high windows overlooking dreamy mountain views. Then a tree fell through the roof during a storm (thankfully, the house was empty), and the area sustained significant water damage. “The accident made the decision for them,” says Cooney. “We gutted the kitchen, painting the cabinetry bright blue so it really popped in the open living space.”

English Manor by Kim Armstrong (Texas)

Designer Kim Armstrong’s clients, newly retired, were ready to move to the countryside. Their family was expanding as their children were creating families of their own. A new house with an open-concept floor plan had high ceilings that made window treatments a puzzle. But “the most challenging” part of the project, says Armstrong, “was to create intimate space” in the large open floor plan.

1930s Cabin by Emily Janak and Northworks (Jackson, WY)

Tearing into the walls of their new 1950s ranch house, designer Emily Janak and her husband, architect Adam Janak of Northworks , discovered an architecture lover's version of buried treasure: an original 1936 log cabin that had been covered up with drywall in the ’60s. “It was like finding gold,” says Janak. Because the pine timber had been sealed up for decades, it was in pristine condition.

Pop House by Atelier ND (Amsterdam)

Carice van Houten, best known for her role as Melisandre on HBO’s Game of Thrones , and her boyfriend, actor Guy Pearce, had just bought a 1918 brownstone in a suburb of the Dutch capital. The walls were all white, but Van Houten describes herself as “a walking color explosion, a female Peter Pan, a bit like Pippi Longstocking… My trademark is my eclecticism.” A kaleidoscopic upgrade was needed.

HB's 2022 Whole Home (Atlanta)

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Marble Kitchen by Laura McCroskey (Kansas City)

When it came to designing the 328-square-foot kitchen of her newly built home, Laura McCroskey’s client, Becky Hillyard, had one request: “No marble!” The lifestyle influencer, founder of the blog Cella Jane, had asked her 642,000 Instagram followers for advice on which surface material to use—and nearly everyone cautioned against marble, since it’s so easy to stain.

Industrial Loft by Alison Victoria (Atlanta)

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Cottonland Castle by Chip and Jo Gaines (Waco, TX)

The 1913 stone manor house, originally modeled after a small German castle along the Rhine River, has a history and foundation dating back to 1890—not to mention a permanent place in local Waco, Texas, lore. “It sits in the center of a neighborhood downtown, so if you live nearby, you’ve driven past it hundreds of times,” Chip Gaines explains.

Forever Farmhouse by Carolyn Miller

"It was what I call a Frank Lloyd Wrong ," says designer Carolyn Miller of the 1930s Pacific Palisades farmhouse that had fallen victim to a series of bad renovations in the 30 years since its owners moved in. The clients needed help, Miller recalls: "They wanted to bring the house into its best possible state. And they trusted me to do it."

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Home » My Small Home Tour and 12 More Small House Tours

My Small Home Tour and 12 More Small House Tours

Today I’m sharing a small home tour with tons of ideas you can grab and DIY! I see tons of large home tours, and most of them are so stunningly beautiful, but feel very unattainable for most of us. No worries, today I’ve gotten together with 12 of my blogging friends to show that you don’t have to have a large home to have a beautiful home…and you don’t have to have a ton of money either. I hope you can grab some inspiration and make some simple changes in your small (or large) home, and really learn to love the home you live in!

I’m so excited that my blog friend, Stacy from Not JUST A Housewife  put this Small House Tour together! She’s first up on the tour today, so be sure to check her out after you tour my little house! If you are a first time visitor, I encourage you to take a look at my Home Tips Page while you are here! I share hundreds of DIY Cleaning Solutions and Budget Friendly Home Tips to make life easier!

Next on the home tour will be my friend Abby from Just a Girl and Her Blog …she has the cutest style and is all about organization…you will love her!

I’m going to walk you through the the main floor of our home and show you a few inexpensive DIY ideas along the way. We have talked about moving into a larger home many times through the years, but I honestly love our home and the coziness it provides. I think living in a small home has made our family stay close. Sometimes it’s a struggle, and storage can be a real issue, but if you just get a little creative, living in a small home can be amazing! Don’t forget to check out all of the other ladies that are sharing their small home tours today and tomorrow! I’ll be linking to 5 more today and I’ll post links to the other 6 tomorrow.

Let’s start in the living room, shall we? This is what you see when you first walk into our home. As you can see, I love whites and blues. I guess if I had to describe my style, it would be thrifted, cottage style…with tons of plants. I have plants EVERYWHERE in our home…a little known fact about me, when I was little, I wanted to be a botanist. I once turned the back room in our home into my laboratory. I dug up every flower, plant and weed I could find and planted them in cups and bowls so I could study them. Needless to say, that didn’t pan out, but I still have a strong love for plants.

A few little details about our living room…that huge chalkboard above the mantel used to be a mirror on a dresser. I just painted it and it’s been there for a few years now. You can find the tutorial HERE ! The TV console is actually a shelf from Target.

The plant behind my husband’s leather chair (which I try to camouflage with a blanket), is a Fiddle Leaf Fig  plant. If you ever read Better Homes and Gardens, then you have probably seen one. I am absolutely in love with them, and have two. The shelf beside the couch is an old whiskey display that my father-in-law brought me a few years ago. I painted it white, and it is one of my favorite pieces in our home. Most of the furniture pieces in our home started out dark or in bad shape, and I have painted them with Chalky Finish Paint . I love chalk based paint…it adheres to furniture with no sanding and really sticks. A little goes along way, so you don’t have to spend a ton of money to change the look of a piece of furniture.

I just got these faux paperwhites in the mail yesterday! They are from Magnolia Market (you know, Joanna Gaines shop from the HGTV show, Fixer Upper). They really make it feel like spring!

Our living room leads into our dining area, which is right off of our kitchen. That grey cabinet that you see on the left used to be a cherry wood and glass curio cabinet. I painted it glass and all with Chalky Finish Paint in Relic a few weeks ago so I could store my crockpot, pressure cooker and other kitchen gadgets in there without having to look at them.

There are two more pieces from Magnolia Market in our dining area too. My husband bought me the “Today is a good day for a good day” metal sign for Christmas, and I bought myself the amazing Farmhouse Serving Plank that you see in the middle of our table. I use it to serve dinner on in the evenings, and it’s great to use when we have guests over as the world’s largest cheeseboard.

This is the view from the living room that shows how our dining space, kitchen and breakfast nook/office are all connected. This is where I spend most of my time. I created a kitchen island using a sideboard that I found at Wayfair. It houses my cookbooks, some fun dishes, our indoor grill and is where I do all of my meal prep when cooking dinner. Since we are super limited on cabinet space, I added hooks to each side to hold my colanders and strainers.

I removed some of our cabinet doors so I could see my dishes. Our kitchen cabinets were originally cherry, and in really rought shape, so I painted them using chalky paint too. The backsplash is actually peel-and-stick faux wood flooring planks that look a lot like our wood floors. I wanted a rustic look, but nothing too permanent. This is the second time I’ve used this product for a backsplash, and I love it. You can see the tutorial I shares showing how to use them as a backsplash HERE ! It’s by far one of my most popular posts!

This is where the business of blogging happens. I LOVE all things aqua, and white of course, so this is my favorite space…it inspires lots of creativity. It can see our patio and back yard from here, and the windows let in a ton of light. And of course…I have plants everywhere! Those hanging planters are from IKEA. I saw them in one of their commercials and had to have them. You can even see the cat food bowl tucked in beside my smaller Fiddle Leaf Fig plant. Just keepin’ it real here.

So, that’s a quick tour of our little home. You can find our Blue and White Bedroom HERE and our Back Patio HERE !

Now onto some more small house goodness! Be sure to check out the rest of the small home tours below!

Thursday, February 25th

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73 responses to “My Small Home Tour and 12 More Small House Tours”

WOW….loved the tour of your home. Your place looks soooooo fresh and inviting. You are SO CREATIVE. Will be trying the “chalky Paint” on some of my stuff. I have never heard of it before. Who makes it….etc.

Hi, Mickie! Thank you so much for the kind words! The chalky finish paint is made by DecoArt. I use it on EVERYTHING. I’ve painted tables, shelves, the curio cabinet (including the glass), mirrors, my kitchen cabinets, two of our bathroom cabinets and a few dining chairs. It is amazing! You need to finish it off with DecoArt’s Creme Wax to pull out the color and really protect it. Hope this helps! ~Jess

I loved taking the tour of your small house. I also have a small house and have come up with some ideas for storaage, etc., etc., etc. My colors are different, but, still make my rooms look larger.

I love the faux wood backsplash – I would have never thought of that! I think it would even be a good idea as a backdrop for food photo shots.

So crisp, fresh and clean! Great job! Love everything. Now it is time to enjoy the fruits of your labor with your family and friends.

Where did you find the white curtains hanging in your blogging space? I LOVE them. You have a beautiful home. I went from a 1,400 sq ft house to a 2,600 sq ft house thinking we “needed more space.” We didn’t like it; it was terrible to keep clean and we seemed so far away from each other in the same house. We downsized back to an 1,800 sq foot home and I am so happy we did. It is cozier and we seem closer as a family again. It’s so weird how the size of a house can do that. Love the home tours!

Hi, Miranda! I bought them at Target! You know, it’s funny, we have tons of friends that live in huge homes and they have encouraged us to move “up” as well. When we take a step back, we see the disconnect in some of their families. I feel like everybody just goes off to their own space and you really lose the family closeness. Thanks so much for stopping by!!!

Thanks do much for sharing your home! I, too live in a small space…400 square feet to be exact! I love to decorate and have a blue, white, soft turquoise color scheme. Love your grey, too. I’ve never used the chalky paint but will try it soon. I’m refinishing my cabinets and kitchen arrangement at the moment…have you ever painted your countertops? I have laminate but would love to have the look of marble or granite. Ideas?

I have painted my countertops in the past. We recently had new ones installed after saving up for them. There are tons of countertop paint kits that work really well. I love the one Rustoleum has as Lowe’s.

I adore your home! I want to be a landscape architect so I love plants too :) Thank you so much for playing along and being a part of the tour!

Jessica! I love your home! Your office is in the perfect spot! I adore the pop of color! It is great to be on this tour with you!

So pretty and not so perfect that min doesn’t instantly wonder what my kid will break. I envy your deeper desk. My goal is to so more of my desk and less electronics very soon. I have this annoying Ooma phone and a ELEPHANT sized black printer taking up my Zen-space. Thanks for opening up your home to all the snoopers in the world including myself.

HI Jessica.

Love the updated backsplash and it is exactly the look I am going for in my bathroom. It looks wonderful in your kitchen. I was wondering if you can share with us the painting technique and colors that you used on the updated kitchen backsplash. I am so anxious to get this project going.

Thanks for sharing.

Would you mind telling people where the updated wood planks are from? It isn’t mentioned anywhere in this post.

Hi Jessica.. I’m a 68 year old grandma,living a real small budget. Can’t afford anyone to remodel my tiny kitchen. Do have a DYI counter top suggestion? It has to be something I do myself.. Help please.

I love the vinyl backsplash idea so much! I saw it on Pinterest and Remodelaholic and just posted a blog about how I wanted to tackle it this weekend for my bathroom! I was thinking about trying to get a white washed look but not sure if I can achieve that on vinyl? But I also love your updated version and the color you used! Now I’m even more excited to attempt this! Curious how your chalk paint is holding up in your kitchen? I’ve been contemplating it but read different reviews.

Hi, Valerie! The chalk paint really held up. The key is to make sure you either wax it at the end or add a coat or two of polyurethane. Hope this helps! xoxo Jess

I love your casita!!!!!! Did you use the planks behind the stove too? I’m afraid it will melt.

For the peel and stick flooring used as the kitchen backsplash, how hard was it to remove them when you wanted to replace them? Did it do much damage to the wall?

They were really easy to remove, and other than pulling a little paint off, there wasn’t much damage at all. I changed it out to a different peel and stick last year and it was pretty easy.

Love your back splash! I’m curious about the house you have your bananas and canisters in. Is it glass or just open? Where did you find that?

Thanks, Anne! It’s a terrarium that I bought at IKEA years ago. I took out the side panels at one point and used it to house my canisters and bananas.

I based my whole kitchen remodel off that yellow, gray, tourquise fabric at our old house because of your kitchen, lol

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La Jolla Historical Society home tour to…

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La jolla historical society home tour to highlight ‘one of the birthplaces of modernism’.

The Modernism Home Tour will start at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 5, and feature a series of houses to be revealed the day of the event.

The tour offers guests “the opportunity to step inside these gorgeous private residences of really, really wonderful examples of Modernist architecture right here in The Village and the surrounding neighborhoods,” according to Historical Society Executive Director Lauren Lockhart.

Last year, when the Historical Society held its first Modernism Home Tour, the event sold out. Looking to make it an annual occurrence, volunteers set out to do more research on local Modernist houses.

“We discovered that La Jolla is actually one of the birthplaces of Modernism in the United States and maybe even the world,” said event chairwoman Joan Gand. “We were pretty excited to find that out, and a number of people were inspired by the first tour to say, ‘Hey, where did all this come from?’”

Local interest in Modernist architecture expanded in the early 1990s, “when people started rediscovering the styles of the ’50s and ’60s and realized we had something great there,” Gand said. “We had something that was actually … an American style of architecture and design. It wasn’t based on European castles and things like that. It was more based on log cabins with the post-and-beam construction, and Spanish Mission style was also an influence on it.

“And it all started here with Irving Gill, [who] was a very early Modernist. In 1909 … he built his first Modernist building here, which was way earlier than most parts of the country.”

Hallmarks of Modernist architecture, Gand said, include “the simplicity of it. It’s a form of architecture where they looked at all the previous architecture that we had and [thought] we really don’t need all this decoration and ornament if it doesn’t add to the function of the building. So it was also based on the function of the building and how it works and actually making it more low-maintenance, easier to take care of. … They found that by stripping down the architecture to simplicity, it was actually really wonderful to live in. It makes you feel good because there’s just no extraneous objects to catch your eye. … Often, they’re long and low rectangular designs.”

With Modernism’s surging popularity following World War II due to its cost-effectiveness and ability to use otherwise difficult lots, it had the added appeal of a connection to nature.

“Having the architecture feel thoroughly integrated into the landscape is a hallmark of Modernism, and it’s really well-illustrated in … this year’s tour,” Lockhart said.

The Historical Society intends not to repeat houses on the annual tours for as long as possible, she added.

The tour, inspired by another major Historical Society fundraiser, the Secret Garden Tour, will offer both a self-guided option and a Platinum Tour that includes lunch, bus transportation and an extra house to view. The self-guided tour will feature six houses; the Platinum Tour includes seven.

“The bonus house is located in a place where it could not normally be on the tour because there is zero parking,” Gand said. “But in this case, you can leave the driving to us and we’ll take you on the bus.

“A lot of the Modernism [architecture] here is kind of hidden down little streets, at the top of a hill or through very narrow roads, and we want to take you there, but we can’t always do it with just the typical tour.”

Volunteer opportunities are available for those who would like to be docents to guide guests at each of the houses.

For tickets and to find out more about the event, visit lajollahistory.org/la-jolla-modernism-home-tour.

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3-Day Tour in Moscow With a Friendly Guide

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Description

Highlights:.

• Take pride in covering all of Moscow.
• Trek through the history of Moscow.
• Walk through ancient Russian art galleries.
• Discover the deepest metro station, highest point, oldest building, shortest street and more!
• Visit State Historical Museum of Moscow and/or Tretyakov Gallery and Museum of Contemporary Art.
• Enjoy circus performance and/or ballet show.
• Escape from the hustle and bustle of city life in Kolomenskoe or Tsaritsino parks.
• Indulge yourself at the best Russian chocolate café.

Moscow in 3 Days Itinerary:

Trek through the history of Moscow from its foundation in 1147, through the times of Ivan the Terrible, the Romanov Dynasty, the rise and fall of Communism, and up to the modern-day Moscow we live in now.

Visit Moscow’s deepest metro station, study Soviet architecture up close and personal, see Moscow from the highest observation platform in the city, and indulge yourself at the best Russian chocolate cafe on this Moscow tour!

Day 1 in Moscow — History Day (XI-XIX centuries)

The kremlin:.

Tsar Bell. ​

Tsar Cannon .

4 cathedrals:  Annunciation Cathedral, Assumption Cathedral, Archangel Cathedral, Cathedral of the Twelve Apostles.

4 palaces:  State Kremlin Palace, Great Kremlin Palace, Terem Palace, Poteshny Palace.

5 squares:  Cathedral Square, Palace Square, Trinity Square, Ivanovo Square, Senate Square.

20 Kremlin Towers.

• Armory and Diamond Fund (optional, not included in the price).

Red Square:

• St Basil's Cathedral.
• State Historical Museum.
• Kazan Cathedral.
• Lenin Mausoleum.
• Manege Square.
• Alexander Garden.
• Eternal Flame and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
• Christ the Savior Cathedral.
• Patriarch Bridge with scenic views of the Kremlin.
• Momument after Peter the Great.

Day 2 in Moscow — Modern Times (XX-XXI centuries)

• Any 5 of your choice: 
• Izmailovo Flea Market.
• Zamoskvorechye area.
• Kitay Gorod area.
• Tretyakov Gallery.
• Kolomenskoe Park.
• Tsaritsino Park.
• All-Russian Exhibition Center (VVTs).
• Old Town of Moscow Walk through the historical streets and admire the architectural marvels of the past that are now the homes to modern shops, cafes, and anticafes.
• Bunker 42 Cold War (optional, not included in the price)

Day 3 in Moscow — Entertainment (theatres, circus, street life, bars and pubs)

• Metro Tour of Moscow
• Victory Park & WWII Museum
• Observation Platform on Sparrow Hills
• Arbat street
• Muzeon Statues Park
• RIver cruise (optional, not included in the price)

From our tour. Impressions of our American tourist:

Arriving at the Kremlin (which means “fortress”) made of its red brick walls, our guide noted the “swallowtail” border at the top of the wall that surrounds the 2km distance of the wall, a result of the style of the Italian architects hired for this job.

While our guide went to secure our pre-ordered tickets to see the Armory Chamber and the Diamond Fund, we admired the abundant hydrangeas.  It was this destination that spurred Linda and me to seek a private tour guide....Viking was NOT going to take us to the Diamond Fund....

Understandably, since the space is too small to manage 200 people, even if we are divided into 'subgroups.'  And, I am so glad we did not miss it.  Fabergé eggs are always on my list of favorite things, and I was delighted to see some I had never seen in the 3 other exhibits I have visited in the US. 

The collection of royal garments, the extensive collection of impressive pieces of silver (that tarnish to a lovely dull gold hue....not black as my silver does....how does THAT happen??) used for serving or given as gifts or used in religious worship; armaments, including intricately inlaid rifles and sets of armor and chain mail; and royal carriages.  I would not have been happy if we had not seen this collection. 

We made our way into Cathedral Square, the Kremlin’s ancient center framed by three large cathedrals in the old Russian style, the Imposing Ivan the Great Belltower, and the Palace of Facets, and the church of the 12 Apostles (because of the number of onion domes). 

The 3 cathedrals are: Annunciation Cathedral (late 1490's); Assumption Cathedral (early 15th C.); Archangel Cathedral (early 16th C.).  Our guide explained that the 3 cathedrals represented a type of 'circle of life'....daily prayer/bread taken at Annunciation Cathedral; where the heads were crowned at Assumption Cathedral, and a place of final rest for the royalty and patriarchs at Archangel Cathedral.

These cathedrals do not function as places of worship....they are museums....period!  There is no sanctuary space....there are small rooms; also, larger rooms whose high, elaborately painted ceilings rise into a dome where the face of Christ looks down upon you; and rooms with massive altarpiece art. 

I am amazed they survive, considering where the relegation of religion after the Revolution.  Thank goodness they do....the frescoes, the art, the icons are expansive and impressive.  We were not allowed to photograph; so sorry.

The Ivan the Great Bell Tower is 263-ft. high; although in place since 1329, this modern version dates from 1600.  No building was allowed to be taller than it was in that time. 

Had we stayed with the ship's itinerary today, the only noteworthy sightseeing we would have done of the Kremlin is the Tsar's Bell and the Tsar's Cannon.  Yes, they are huge.  No, neither ever 'worked.'  A wayward drop of cold water on the hot metal silenced the big bell for the ages; and the Tsar's Cannon was never fired.  Yes, we were glad we were with Inna and seeing so much more. 

What you get:

• + A friend in Moscow.
• + Private & customized Moscow three day tour.
• + An exciting pastime, not just boring history lessons.
• + An authentic experience of local life.
• + Flexibility during the tour: changes can be made at any time to suit individual preferences.
• + Amazing deals for breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the very best cafes & restaurants. Discounts on weekdays (Mon-Fri).
• + A photo session amongst spectacular Moscow scenery that can be treasured for a lifetime.
• + Good value for souvenirs, taxis, and hotels.
• + Expert advice on what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time in Moscow.

*This tour can be modified to meet your individual preferences.

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The epicenter of modern Russia, Moscow booms with shiny new skyscrapers, the bulbous onion domes of the tsars and politically-rich Red Square. Explore the metropolis with a tourHQ guide.

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The sprawling, mind-boggling metropolis of Russian Moscow has long been one of the theatrical stages on which the great dramas of Europe and Asia have been played out in grand style. Burned by Napoleon in 1812, immortalised by Tolstoy, utilised by the Bolsheviks and championed as a bastion of heroic defiance by the post-war communists, it’s almost hard to believe just how defining the historical events that found their home on Moscow’s streets have been. Moscow tour guides will easily be able to mark the major must-see landmarks on the map, from the onion-domed orthodox Saint Basil's Cathedral, to the political powerhouse of Red Square just next door, while others will be quick to recommend a ride on Moscow’s famous subterranean metro system, or a visit to the UNESCO-attested Novodevichy Convent on the city’s southern side. But Moscow is a city also in the throes of a cultural wrangling between the old and the new. Creative energies abound here: Boho bars and pumping super clubs now occupy the iconic mega structures of the old USSR; high-fashion outlets, trendy shopping malls and luxurious residential districts stand as testimony to a city that’s now the undisputed playground of the world’s super-rich, while sprawling modern art museums dominate the cultural offering of the downtown districts north of the Moskva River.  

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