Published: by Crystal Paine on | This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
So, I guess I’m on a small house posting kick this week, but I just couldn’t help but share this tour of an 86-square-foot apartment!
I was blown away by how minimalist it was and how functional it was. You have to watch the video and then let me know: would you love to live in a space like this? Why or why not?
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The original “tiny house”. If the rent was fair and I had enough left over to travel I think it would be fun for a season.
I love the idea of tiny living spaces but I think i would be too claustrophobic. If I were single I would probably enjoy it a little more. Two people in that little cabinet bed would not be very comfortable 😉
I would also need more windows, full size oven, fridge and someplace to hold my tons of books! I think I could do with a little more square footage 🙂
The organizational nature of it was intriguing. I like the idea of every space having a function. I could live with that. As far as the stark, hard, colorless nature of the apartment it was a complete “fail” for me. There is no reason that it couldn’t be decorated, softened up and brightened up to at least make it comfortable and home-like and still serve the same functions in the same amount of space. This would be like living in a broom closet- without the broom! There are small campers, even sleeper cabs in trucks, that are more comfortable than this. I can’t imagine coming home to just an unpadded stool to sit on, for goodness sake, make yourself a cushion! No reason that comfort couldn’t be incorporated into the same space!
Looks lonely
I would love it for a vacation stay. There would be no clean up. I could relax and enjoy Paris.
i believe I saw a note at the beginning of the video that said it was the “Maid’s Apartment.” How very modern day Downton Abbey.
I find this inspiring, and it would probably be great as a single student (better than a roommate!). But I enjoy having space to invite people into my home. We still live in a small home by most standards, but it’s large compared to this.
Thank you for sharing!
I think it would be a fun challenge to see if we could live in a place like that (when the kids are grown). It is very well designed!
Would YOU live in it Crystal? Before you had kids of course? 🙂
I think I’d prefer a place with a few more windows and maybe just a bit more open space. I also thought it needed fresh flowers or something to brighten it up. However, I also thought about how if I lived there, I’d probably be motivated to get outside a lot more because of the tiny space!
Our first apartment only had one window and a sliding glass door and was on the third floor of an apartment building. I quickly discovered how much I love windows — especially having windows on either side of your home. It was about 4 years into our marriage before we had the luxury of living in a duplex versus an apartment and oh how I relished the fact that there were more windows!
I think after a short time it would feel too claustrophobic and I would go a little crazy. I would need a comfy chair too. I didn’t notice where the fridge was. 7 flights of stairs would definitely stir up an appetite.
I like the efficient use of the space, but there were a few things missing: Where does one put dishes, trash, or dirty laundry? Where would you hang wet towels to try after a shower or after you wash your hands in the bathroom? Where do you store cold foods or where would you cook foods? I lived in a VERY small apartment (it was a single-wide trailer divided into three apartments) while in college, but at least I had a tiny frig and microwave. 🙂
If it were just me I would live there for sure. I lived in a small apartment before. Not as small as that but you get used to the space and it seems big enough to you after a while.
I lived in a place about that size (but squarer) in graduate school and/or working for a university for 8 years. I didn’t spend a lot of time in my room (except to sit at the desk and study). I would be curious to know what the current resident does. I’m pretty sure the original resident (the maid) spent hardly any time in that room.
It would be very crowded now as I have a son and husband, but we could manage for a while, especially if it meant we got to live in what appears to be a nice section of Paris.
So, where is the oven or cook top or microwave? I didn’t see that in the video. I don’t think that I could do it even if I was single because I have a touch of claustrophobia. I am fascinated though.
I noticed the same thing about no stove in the video. To live a minimalist life, I would think one would want to shop at a farmers market, cook fresh food, etc.
I would totally love that. I think. It would force me to be so totally focused and uncluttered… which would be awesome. It’s funny… before I had a garage, I didn’t have any junk in the garage either. Now, I do. Maybe more space isn’t all it’s cracked up to be?
I think it would be cool as a pied-a-terre but not as a primary residence.
Some of us have already told you all the reasons we wouldn’t live in a tiny house, in comments on previous posts. 🙂 I’ve quit reading the tiny house posts because it’s just not something that interests all of us. 😉
Awesome! If I was on my own, I could totally live there (but I’m married with 3 kids, so not really gonna happen!) I would love living in a small space, since it would force me to only keep items that were truly important or functional. I wouldn’t necessarily need doors covering everything up, though. I wouldn’t mind some open shelving (no way I’m sleeping behind closed doors — too claustrophobic!) Thanks for sharing this!
I think it’s SO COOL! (minus the 7 flights of stairs, hehe.) I’m not sure I could do it, and I know my husband couldn’t, but tiny houses are a fascination of mine (If you haven’t you should google tiny houses, or Texas Tiny Houses – so cool!).
Also, am I the only one who loved that the whole bathroom was a shower? Such a brilliant use of space!
I’m fascinated by small houses and apartments. I loved the bed area and was surprised at how big the bathroom looked. I didn’t like the small table and backless chairs. My back couldn’t do that. I need something comfy. I think the walls are way too close together. That would really bother me during the day. I also wouldn’t like the 7 flights of stairs.
This apartment seems to have space for everything except what really matters… other people – friends and family. The simplicity and small space living movement seems to focus on “things” (lack of them or choosing which ones are best) and doesn’t consider relationships. Sure, I could live in a space like that, but only alone. And I don’t want to live alone!
Actually, the tiny home movement is very focused on things that matter, especially relationships. Most people who live full-time in tiny homes spend lots of time with friends and family because they’re not spending all their time working to pay for or maintain their stuff. They enjoy their comfortable, functional (to them) living spaces, which often include lots more outdoor space, or the ability to travel. This apartment is clearly not for everyone, but for a single person living in Paris on a budget, it could be just right. The point of the tiny house movement is to get rid of clutter in our lives because it takes up time and money that we could use on the truly important things. Very much like what Crystal promotes on her blog!
It looks like a high class jail cell. While they make the use of space seem cool. It feels to crammed. One little window. Does not feel like a home. I would absolutely hate it.
It gave me a panic attack just watching the video. Couldn’t do it.
If it was just me I think this would be awesome. Of course we are a family of five and would need a bit more space than that to live in.
Call me crazy, but I’d love it! Just put a comfy armchair or something and I’d be set. I could do the minimalist thing. My only concern: 7 flights of stairs. I’d have Hulk-sized calves in a week! 😉
I am joining you on this! Absolutely LOVED the idea! My mind was already thinking up minor changes to make it more comfortable, but still fit. Really shows how much we don’t need. Seriously awesome. And I’m not claustrophobic so wouldn’t be a problem. 😀
It would be nice to be able to rent something like that on a monthly basis inexpensively in tourist cities. Something like that would also be wonderful as cheap rentals to help transition people from homeless to having a home. Personally I would love something like that if I was young, single and worked a job where I was away a lot. Low upkeep and all, but I really couldn’t live there day in and day out. Like someone else said there is not a good place to sit.
Loved this — such a cool, little space! I would love to know what the rent is — I’m sure it’s crazy expensive since it’s Paris. I could see something like this as a fun, city hide-away.
Wow! Very clean and simple place. The video lost me, though, when the lady was drinking from the sink. The tap water in Paris is the worst! Very creative layout in that apartment, though.
I honestly don’t think it’s so bad. My current dorm room is about that size, and I actually like the bed in a cupboard idea (seems cozy and quiet!) My experiences have shown me that my priority is noise levels, e.g., no thin walls with crazy neighbors, more than the size itself. If it’s well-insulated then I’d totally move-in!
Perhaps. If I were single. If I wanted to live for minimal expenses in a high-cost-of-living area. If I didn’t mind sacrificing my minimalistic-but-more-than-5-items wardrobe. If I didn’t mind sacrificing my book collection, photo album collection and priceless heirlooms from my ancestors. If I didn’t mind never being able to invite more than 1 person at a time to my place.
But since I’m blissfully married, have three children, have “stuff” (but not too much), etc, no. It wouldn’t work.
Oh I saw this a few months ago – it’s crazy! Great use of space and interesting ideas. I’m glad I have a family to live with (this tiny space feels a bit lonely), but it’s an interesting idea to store in the back of my head nevertheless.
I love how organized everything is, and the built-in storage is awesome. But, I have way too much stuff and organization is not my strong suit. It does inspire me to minimize clutter, though.
And, I can’t imagine sleeping in that cupboard. I move too much when I sleep so I’d be crashing against the walls. Oh, and I’m also claustrophobic, so I’d probably have a panic attack first.
Oh, and I love the shower/toilet combo. When it’s time to clean, just open the curtain between the two, grab the shower nozzle, and spray!
LOL.
I would do it, especially to live in Paris!
Besides I think my half of my college dorm room was smaller than that, and I lived there just fine for a year. At least here, you don’t have to put up with a roommate. But I would try to fit a comfy armchair in – would have to have that.
Except that the French would not live in such a space either! There would be no room for art, scarves, good dishes, linens, or the like. From my time living in Paris I can tell you, the French are not so much minimalists, as cultured; they spend their money on fewer, nicer, quality pieces, not just a lack of necessities or space. I do think this space would however be a great starting point, assuming its renovated, for a college graduate while in grad school, or until married or settled into a career path. When I saw this space, my first thought was Tokyo!
Fascinating. Totally cute. Totally efficient. Could never voluntarily do it. The bathroom alone, while cute would make me cry with the whole shower in the same area as the toilet and sink etc. It was cool to watch though.
That would be a workout just bringing groceries up! I guess no stockpiling in this place. 🙂
I think i would feel clostrophibic!no way I could do it.
Love the organization but would want more space
I agree! And I wouldn’t close the cabinet wall when I went to bed. I feel like I would become claustrophobic just by doing that.
When she closed the cabinet at night I thought the same thing! I really admire her creativity and ability to minimalize but I don’t think I could do it either.
Kudos for innovation and creativity, but I would NEVER live in a space that small! While it was functional, there was no comfortable place to sit (a backless stool isn’t going to be comfortable for very long!) and she had about 3 hanging items in the wardrobe. That did not seem like “functional” clothes storage. This place would probably cause me to spend a lot of money, because I would always try to be out, rather than in that tiny space! LOL
I agree! I have seen one that was even smaller in NYC and the tenant admitted that he is rarely home except to sleep so there would be a trade off in expenses there. I like my space and comfort and I would rather be home than anywhere else.