Last week, I wrote about my Housing Crisis – at the time of the post, my husband and I had four days to vacate our flat and no prospect of new accommodations.
Well, today I have some good news to report: I’m writing this post from our new apartment! With only hours to spare, we found a place, passed the reference check, and signed a lease. I still can’t believe that everything fell into place at the last minute.
What’s even more exciting: our new place will inspire us to continue to live minimally, and provide me with plenty of blog material. Why? It’s less than 400 square feet (390 to be exact).
In one year then, we’ve downsized from a 1000-square-foot 3-bedroom house, to an 800-square-foot 2-bedroom flat, to our current 390-square-foot 1-bedroom flat. Woo-hoo! I’m excited to explore the challenges of living in such a small space.
The wonderful thing is, it doesn’t feel small; in fact, it feels more spacious than some of the larger flats we looked at. The reason: it has white walls, ceilings over 10 feet tall, and enormous windows that take up the entire front wall of the flat. It’s amazing what a difference these features can make – the whole place seems so light and airy.
Here’s a few pics (one of the front windows, one of the open-plan kitchen in the corner of the living room):
Some of the challenges we’ll be facing (and I’ll certainly be writing about):
* the complete lack of storage space. This flat was a conversion, and has no built-in closets. We will have to fit all our stuff into three small wardrobes (I’ll take one, DH will take one, and the third will hold coats, shoes, tools, paperwork, luggage, iron, and all those miscellaneous household supplies that have to go somewhere).
* the tiny refrigerator. Having a small, dorm-sized fridge (with an itsy-bitsy freezer) will be wonderful inspiration to shop often and cook fresh. I plan to write more about our simple, healthy meals in the future.
* no parking. Last year, DH needed the car for work, and we found it convenient for exploring the English countryside. Since this flat does not include parking, we’re ready to go car-free! DH will commute by rail and foot (2 miles walking each day), and we’ll be relying on trains and buses to get out of the city and go on our weekend hikes.
So what’s the meaning of the title, “400 square feet is the new black”? Well, my good friend Tammy Strobel (Rowdy Kittens), her husband, and their 400-square-foot apartment were featured this week in a wonderful New York Times article on living a happy life with less. I’m thrilled to join the ranks of such inspiring, small-space dwellers, and hope to see a trend develop for mindful, “right-sized” living.
My husband and I haven’t lived in this small of a space since college, and we’re excited to come full circle (we always felt the 1000-square-foot house was much too big for us). Fortunately, our lack of stuff has enabled us to move into a lovely space in a great location (if we had more possessions, we’d probably still be looking).
I never expected to live in 400 square feet again, but I’m pretty confident we can make it work. How about you – how low could you go? Let me know in the Comments!
Related posts:
Subscribe via email
Subscribe via RSS
Comments via RSS
Follow on Twitter
I’ve lived in small apartments and a small house <900 sf and I have to say I love my current 3100 sf house! I live minimally, but love the space. Everyone who visits does also. Just goes to show everyone has to find what is right for them.
Hi.
I cannot remember what the first blog post was that drew me to buying the book.
I do know that it revitalized my walk with Jesus…who, btw, had nothing in this life.
It reminded me of the vow of poverty taken by Franciscans, whom I admire, and aspired to be, until I got married!
As a family with five children, we have moved from a HUGE 2100 sq ft farm house, down to 2 children and an RV(300+ sq ft). At that time, we had a huge storage shed.
For the next 9 years, we again became saddled with things…and when we moved to this current job in Houston, we had a huge sectional we were still paying for that didn’t fit. Stuff.
I read one of your blogs…and it settled our hearts, we wanted to go back to full time RV living. We will be downsizing from a three bedroom, 1500 sq ft apartment, to our 400 sq ft fifth wheel at the end of May. The trailer has slides, and the feeling is roomy. But, we were wanting to add a desk/office area…and based on the principles, we chose a smaller, less expensive build it yourself desk over a larger one that would take up more space. Empty space is waiting to be filled with love, happiness, order, and peace!
YOUR BOOK, the Joy of Less, has been our guidebook.
Here’s a praise for today…we almost jumped for joy when we realized that the 7 trunks in the garage WERE EMPTY!!! We will have things in storage…but we will be able to do so in the smallest temp controlled storage area – 5×10!
Your principle that if we ‘have’ ‘use’ consume less, we will have more to give, is life affirming to us.
Next – my wardrobe!
Wow, how wonderful — and I’m thrilled to hear you’ve been inspired by my book!
[...] of you who may be moving or downsizing soon, take a close look at Miss Minimalist’s “400 Square Feet is the New Black.” Not for everyone, but everyone can find a useful idea [...]
My apartment (flat as we call them here in England) is 240 sq feet; 4 rooms (bathroom, bedroom, sitting room and kitchen)plus a small hallway with a couple of tiny closets. It’s a challenge but a definate plus if you’re trying to downsize as there literally isn’t room for more stuff. You’re inspiring me to whittle down what I do have into what I actually need and to release my excess to the thrift store/ freecycle it to serve others. Love your blog to pieces.
love your post! I myself have lived in small apts for 15 years now. The largest one i’ve lived in was 500 square ft. Furnishing wise…, bed,dresser,love seat,coffe table & 1 tv, no cable dvd’s instead. What’s really kool is that I’m moving into a 171 ft. 5th wheel no need for extra furniture, comes included,plus my expenses are waaaaaay low.
This is awesome. My first apartment oy 23 years ago, just out of grad school and in my first REAL job, was a 1 bedroom. The largest place I ever lived was a 3 BR townhouse, 1750-ish square feet, and WAY too big for one person (the garage was nice though)
I recently moved to a 1200-ish square feet 3 BR flat, but seeing as how two of the bedrooms are merely storage for stuff that is ready to go, is also too big
Fortunately I’m not planning on living here very long; I’m even leaving most of the built-in cabinets empty. Within the next 12 months I hope to be rid of enough stuff including all furniture that me and the cats can move into a studio efficiency apartment (or even a home on wheels) with a bathroom, a mattress on the floor with favorite pillows and blankets, and call it a stress-free day
I am ready to do this, we only need 2 bedrooms or 1 with a loft (we have 2 teens). We are now in 1000 sq ft and it is too large. We have 3 bedrooms and one is storage for all our stuff ( 6 boxes are my teen daughters). We lived in a larger home before moving here. I am ready to sell it all for a fuller life.
Have never lived in a place bigger than 800 sq ft and after my husband died I was overjoyed to downsize to 400 sq ft, because it made me think of ways to be more efficient with issues like storage. So the bed is on a platform with drawers underneath. A large upholstered ottoman is great for storing special occasions items like linens, and even china and glassware. A bench on one side of the dining table which opens for storage is great for things like extra bed linens, sewing machine, little used kitchen appliances.
Having a French style armoire is great because it makes you really see what is important re clothes. Have long older buffet that has massive storage and makes a great place for the small tv, DVD player.
Lowe’s and other places now carry apartment size kitchen appliances, so even a small place can be both environmentally sound and full service. Like the apartment size stackable washer/dryer, European style all in one washer/dryer,and wee dishwasher.
Wow I love the look of your apartment. The microfrig would bother me as well as the lack of closets. I love closets. Would rather have XX amount of stuff shoved into a closet with nothing in viewing space than X amount of stuff in viewing space and nothing in closet. How I would love to have my stuff pared down to a 400 sq ft space though. Soon, soon.
My husband and I will be soon moving into a 30-ft RV full time while I travel for work (hopefully – that’s the plan, anyway)!! Getting rid of our stuff was VERY challenging, but now that I’ve done it, I wonder what took me so long! I feel so free!
My partner and I share about 315 sq ft: bedroom, bathroom, dining area, living room, and efficient, modern kitchen. Our floor’s communal laundry room is separate: so much better than owning, storing, and maintaining the machines ourselves!
I don’t find 315 sq ft small, though our Kiwi friends think it absurdly so. (Mind you, I lived in tents with my hippie parents as a child, then spent years in uber-efficient Tokyo.) Our flat has huge windows with a lovely 5th floor view of Auckland, which makes it feel pleasantly spacious.
We did have a major cull before I moved in! We created a flow chart based on this saying: “Have nothing in your home that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” Anything that did not fit either category became rubbish, and anything that WAS beautiful or useful, but not “to us, immediately and regularly” was either gifted to a friend or donated to charity.
I also moved from the US to the UK – over 8 years ago. I went from a 4 bedroom house with full basement to (now) a 650 sq ft flat, also with no built-in storage space. Very typical of new builds in England. In fact, your kitchen “corner” – and it is a corner of the living room – mirrors mine! Ikea has glorious “built in wardrobes” that are 236 cm tall. You don’t have to attach them to the wall, just stand them up. Buy whatever you want for storage space – ours have tons of shelves.
[...] do you regularly entertain in your house (includes Chippendales)?All that space is unnecessary. Minimize your living situation and see large spaces for what they truly are: fun places to scream and listen to the echoes.Wall [...]
The picture of your new home reminds me of the condo that my husband and I lived in for 10 years before moving to Colorado. It was great. We lived very organized and minimalist lifestyle, and I never once felt deprived…I take it back, my big wish then was a washer and dryer in the house so I could stand in my underwear and wash everything. The height of the ceilings and the big light airy windows always made the place feel “big.”
Now, we live in Colorado, in a tiny Tudor. Most people that have kids in our neighborhood move out to the ‘burbs or they make a huge pop-top. Our house is still the tiny charmer it was when it was built. We only have one bathroom, and at first, I thought that would be disastrous with teenagers, but pulling the shower curtain does wonders…lol!
I have always liked our small homes. I think we are a closer-knit family for it. Thank you for the inspiration and community that you provide, that counters the prevailing “Joneses” theory!
[...] apartment is my minimalist dream apartment. Think miss minimalist. It would have room for my shiki futon on the floor, a couch, and a small desk. The kitchenette has [...]
Great inspiration! My husband and I just downsized from 2100 square feet to 950. We’re hoping to get down to 880 (and that’s for a 2br/2ba place!) We’ve still got a ways to go so I’m loving your blog!
You two did a really good job of making best use of that space. As one person, living in about 750-800 sq. ft now, I can definitely see something like 490 working fine. I felt it was small when I moved in, now it seems too big.
Your space seems very bright and open as well.