How to Live Comfortably in a Small Space

Living comfortably in a small space isn’t about squeezing your life into fewer square feet—it’s about learning how to make those square feet work for you. I know this firsthand, because my journey into small-space living wasn’t theoretical. It was lived, adjusted, and refined over time.

The first small space I purchased was a 600-square-foot one-bedroom apartment, followed later by a 900-square-foot one-bedroom. Both taught me valuable lessons about comfort, storage, style, and what actually matters when space is limited.

If you’re considering a smaller home because of budget, location, or lifestyle—or you’re already living in one but it doesn’t quite feel like “home” yet—here is some advice based on my experience and lessons in my small space living journey.

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What Is a Small Space?

Before diving into how to live comfortably in one, it helps to define what a small home is. From my research and lived experience, a small living space doesn’t have one universal definition. The minimum square footage requirements for houses, apartments, and other dwellings vary by state (and by county and city in many states). That said, there are generally accepted square footage ranges used by designers, builders, and housing experts:

• Minimum square footage for a dwelling is generally considered around 150 square feet.

• A house under 400 square feet is considered a tiny house.

• A house between 400 and 1,000 (many experts go up to 1,400) square feet is considered a small house.

• The average size of an apartment in the U.S. is 908 square feet.*

In short:

• Small space living is around 400–1,400 sq ft

• Tiny living: under 400 sq ft

My experience falls squarely within the small-space category, not tiny living—but the principles of comfort, intention, and smart design apply across the board

*Rentcafe.com Market Insights, April 2025

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Redefine What “Comfort” Means

Comfort doesn’t come from square footage alone—it comes from how your home supports your daily life. When looking for a space, start by asking:

• What do I do most at home?

• What activities matter most to me?

• What frustrates me in my current space?

If you love cooking, your kitchen layout matters more than having a large living room. If you work from home, a functional workspace may matter more than extra seating. For me, comfort meant a having relatively large living area with a decent amount of floor space where I could entertain, do exercises at home or just relax. Designing around my life was the foundation my comfort.

Prioritize Layout Over Size

In small-space living, layout is everything. A well-designed 500-square-foot apartment can feel more comfortable than a poorly laid-out 900-square-foot one.

Here are some things I’ve done and still do:

• Keep my walkways clear to avoid a cramped feeling

• I use rugs, lighting, and furniture placement to define zones

For those who live in a studio, create clear areas for sleeping, relaxing, working, and dining. It will help your brain process the space as larger and more organized.

Fix Challenges in Your Small Space (if you have any) Sooner, rather than Later

Nothing is going to be 100% perfect when you move into your small space. For example, you may have moved into a space knowing it has a very small kitchen, but having ideas on how to make some improvements, such as:

• Using vertical areas with shelves, hooks, and wall racks for utensils, spices, and pots

• Using a rolling cart for storage

• Buying an over-the-sink cutting board for temporary counter space

When I moved into my 600 sq ft apartment, I quickly realized that square footage wasn’t my biggest problem—storage was. I had a living room shaped like a square box, a small hallway, a small galley kitchen, bathroom, and one bedroom. There were no closets in the living room or hallway. The only place to store anything and everything was in my small bedroom closet, which stored my clothes and shoes.  I had no place for coats, hats, suitcases, cleaning items like a vacuum cleaner, or anything else.

Rather than forcing clutter into corners or living with visible mess, I made a decision that changed everything: I hired a contractor to build a long coat and storage closet near the entrance. It worked for my needs, and this single addition transformed how the space functioned. If you don’t want to (or can’t because you rent) build, there are large wardrobes available to purchase and divide the space as you see fit.

Set the Tone in Your Home with Color 

Nothing sets the tone in a space quite like color. Light colors tend to make spaces feel larger, but that doesn’t mean everything has to be white. The key is balance.

Try:

• Neutral bases with pops of color

• Consistent color palettes throughout the space

• Texture (wood, fabric, metal) to add warmth without clutter

When colors flow from room to room, the space feels cohesive instead of chopped up.

In my first small home, I didn’t just repaint—I used my creative juices to color wash an accent wall in my living room to add character and personality to the space. In a small space, walls matter. They take up a large portion of your visual field, and treating them as a design feature instead of an afterthought can completely change how a room feels. Paint was one of the most affordable ways I made my apartment feel more like my home.

Make Smart Furniture Choices

Comfortable small-space living depends heavily on smart furniture choices. Look for multi-functional pieces that serve more than one purpose.

Examples include:

• Storage beds or beds with drawers

• Ottomans that open for storage

• Expandable dining tables

• Nesting tables

• Sofas with slim arms and raised legs

For my first small apartment, I purchased a low TV stand with doors that doubled as a bookshelf.

Additionally, avoid a common mistake when choosing furniture in small spaces – ignoring scale. In small spaces, furniture that’s too large will dominate the room, no matter how stylish it is. Instead of buying what looked good in a showroom, I focused on what actually fit my space. I purchased a sofa, small than I would have liked, and it scaled perfectly to the room. It provided comfortable seating without overwhelming the layout. Scale matters.

Embrace Vertical Space

When floor space is limited, go vertical. Walls are some of the most underused areas in small homes.

Use vertical space by:

• Installing wall-mounted shelves

• Hanging hooks for bags, hats, or kitchen tools

• Using tall bookcases instead of wide ones

• Adding over-the-door organizers

I added stackable closet organizers and hanging closet organizers to keep my items accessible while freeing up valuable floor space. Effective use of vertical storage can instantly make your home feel more open.

Declutter Ruthlessly—but Thoughtfully

You don’t need to be a minimalist to live comfortably in a small space, but clutter will show faster in a smaller home.

Focus on:

• Keeping only what you use or love

• Giving every item a designated place

• Avoiding “just in case” clutter

Decluttering isn’t about getting rid of everything—it’s about removing friction from your daily life. Less visual noise equals more mental calm.

Maximize Natural and Artificial Light

Lighting has a huge impact on how comfortable a small space feels. Dark spaces feel smaller and more closed in.

Tips for better lighting:

• Keep windows unobstructed

• Use light-colored curtains or blinds

• Layer lighting (overhead, task, and ambient)

• Add mirrors to reflect light and create depth

In my both of my small apartments, I hung mirrors opposite windows to reflect natural light. Even a small apartment can feel airy and inviting with the right lighting choices.

Create Storage Where You Least Expect It

Hidden and unconventional storage is essential in small-space living.

Look for opportunities:

• Under beds and sofas

• Inside benches or ottomans

• Above cabinets or door frames

• Inside closets with organizers

The more invisible your storage is, the more peaceful your space will feel.

Daily Habits That Keep a Small Space Comfortable

In a small home, daily habits matter more than deep cleans or occasional organizing sprees. Two simple habits make the biggest difference for me:

• Keeping the floors clean and clear of “stuff”

• Keeping flat surfaces clutter free (such as counter tops, tables, bookshelves, etc.)

When your living room, kitchen, and dining area often share the same footprint, visual clutter shows up fast. Clean floors and surfaces instantly reset the space and make it feel peaceful again.

Make It Personal—But Curated

A small space should still feel like your home. Personal touches matter, but editing is key.

Choose:

• A few meaningful decor items

• Art that reflects your personality

• Plants for warmth and life

I incorporated some art pieces from my international travels, which helped tell my personal story. Instead of filling every surface, let each piece breathe. This keeps your home visually calm and emotionally rich.

Making a Small Space Emotionally Comfortable

Comfort isn’t just about organization—it’s about how a space makes you feel. Living comfortably in a small space is mindset.

I made my apartment emotionally comfortable by:

• Displaying décor from trips abroad

• Choosing items that reflect my personality

• Using layers of lighting to set different moods

Overhead lighting alone can feel harsh. Adding table lamps, floor lamps, and soft accent lighting allowed me to shift the atmosphere from functional during the day to cozy and relaxing at night.

Final Thoughts

Living comfortably in a small space isn’t about giving things up—it’s about choosing better. When you design around your lifestyle, prioritize function, and eliminate excess, even the smallest home can feel spacious, calm, and deeply enjoyable. Small-space living proves that you don’t need more room—you just need the right room, used well.

For more tips on how to live comfortably in your small space, read Closet Organization for Small Bedrooms and Painting with a Purpose: How to Use Color Intentionally. To shop for items for your small space, click here.

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