When Louise moved from an 800-square-foot apartment in East Hollywood, CA, to a 226-square-foot apartment in Echo Park, one of Los Angeles’ hippest neighborhoods. Her rent dropped from $1,200 to $650 a month.
“It’s cozy and simple,” Louise said of her apartment, which is about the size of an average hotel room.
She makes her small space work by using a small table that doubles as a desk and a futon that converts into her bed. She also uses a large mirror on one wall to give the illusion of more space.
If you’re looking to save money on rent in a popular city, and you don’t mind limited space, you may want to follow Louise’s example and look into some of the smallest apartments available. As you’ll see in this article, there are plenty of advantages to downsizing to a micro-apartment and plenty more ways to make a tiny space feel much larger.
What is a micro-apartment and why are they so popular?
A micro-apartment is a 200-to-450-square-foot apartment that allows renters to trade limited space for much lower rent costs than a full-size apartment. These smaller spaces tend to pop up in larger, more popular cities where housing tends to be expensive and competitive, such as Los Angeles, Boston, New York City, Seattle, Denver, San Francisco, and Washington, D.C.
According to Terra Andersen of NMS Properties in California, demand for micro-apartments at NMS buildings in Santa Monica and Los Angeles is “increasingly stronger than the current supply” ever since they built their first micro-apartments in Santa Monica in 2009. This demand is attributed to 25- to 35-year-old professionals looking to save money while making their living in expensive places.
According to a recent survey by Software Advice:
- 31 percent of consumers would consider renting micro-apartments.
- 55 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds were either “moderately” or “extremely” likely to consider a micro-apartment.
- 24 percent of those in the 45-to-54 age group were “extremely likely” and 33 percent were “moderately likely” to rent a micro-apartment.
- 65 percent of those surveyed said they’d be motivated to choose a micro-apartment to save money on rent.
In a changing economy where living costs seem to rise by the day, a renter can easily be tempted to downsize their life and cut down on rent if the opportunity is there.
Micro-apartments fill this need and offer some unique benefits for those looking to build community as well.
How can living in a micro-apartment help build community?
While lower rent costs are one of the main reasons behind micro-apartments’ popularity, you’ll find several complexes charge a similar amount for tiny spaces as they do for full-size apartments. This is often due to buildings offering pricey amenities to help entice renters, such as rooftop grills and neighborhood pools and dog parks.
However, less expensive micro-apartments with fewer amenities give you a built-in reason to get out and meet people near you. For example, if you’re a sports fan without space for a TV, you now have a reason to go down to your local sports bar and catch a game with fellow fans. If you’re a musician who wants to avoid bothering your neighbors, head out to a park or rehearsal space for a jam session with new friends.
Having a dedicated private space to come back to can also help balance you during times when your social battery runs low. Micro-apartments are usually intended for one person, so you’ll be able to have plenty of time to yourself alongside an excuse to go out and make local friends.
How do I maximize space in a micro-apartment?
One of the most obvious drawbacks to living in a small space is…not having enough space. Rachel Seavey, a professional organizer in San Francisco, cites storage concerns and furniture clutter as some of the most common complaints about micro-apartments in her area. (In San Francisco, some micro-apartments measure only 220 square feet.) To combat this, here are a few tips from Seavey on making the most of a tiny apartment.
- Planning: Use a free room-planning app like Room Planner Home Design by Chief Architect to determine the furniture layout before you move in.
- Bedding: Invest in a Murphy bed, which folds up into a closet when not in use, or a convertible futon that can serve as a couch and a bed depending on your needs.
- Clothing and laundry: Seal your off-season clothing items in storage bags and hang them using vertical hanger systems to save horizontal space. You can also hang linens, scarves, and belts on unused towel rods. When doing laundry, use a collapsible laundry bag and wash loads frequently to keep them from piling up.
- Technology and media: The fewer cords and cables you need, the more space you’ll have. Invest in a wireless charger if you can, and consider getting an e-reader to save space on books.
- Kitchen: Save cabinet space by investing in a stainless steel or cast iron pan that serves multiple uses. Get a rolling cupboard that you can use as both a tabletop and cabinet, and put S-hooks on drawer handles so you can hang pots and pans on them.
If you find you have a lot of stuff you don’t need right now but might in the future, you may want to rent a downtown storage unit to keep it. These units are located in the heart of their home cities and offer a convenient, easily accessible, and secure place to keep belongings.
How do I find the right storage unit to help me save micro-apartment space?
As you’ve seen, there are plenty of advantages to living in a small apartment, from lower rent to community-building opportunities. You can save space easily by organizing and decluttering your apartment on a regular basis, but for even bigger jobs, consider renting a storage unit to keep extra items in.
Wondering how much a storage unit will cost? Looking for specific features? You’re in the right place! SelfStorage.com’s built-in search tool can help you find storage facilities near you, filter by the features you need, and compare prices against each other to get the best deal.
