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When we left Atlanta, we were living in a three-bedroom house. Compared to typical Southern homes, it wasn't huge, but since we've been moving every year, we've realized we don't need all that square footage.
With New York City's sky-high cost of living, we knew something had to give. I never imagined that would mean giving up the idea of a one-bedroom apartment entirely. Even after downsizing year after year and spending three months in an Airstream, living in a 375-square-foot studio presents its own unique challenges.
Location was our top priority, but once we narrowed down the neighborhood, it came down to more space or breathtaking views. We chose the views and embraced a new challenge. Time for some furniture Tetris! We're still ironing out the kinks, but we're excited to learn how to live large in this compact space.
9 Benefits of Living in a Studio Apartment
9 REASONS TO TRY LIVING IN A STUDIO APARTMENT
- You don’t need as much furniture.
Let's be honest: if you have a four-bedroom house, you won't leave half of it empty. You'll fill it with appropriately sized pieces—meaning bigger spaces demand bigger furniture. When we moved into our Atlanta home, it took ages to furnish it piece by piece. Now that we're in a much smaller space, it's easier to invest in a few impactful items, and the same budget with fewer pieces allows us to focus on quality.
- You’re less likely to accumulate junk.
There's a strange phenomenon: when you have space, you feel compelled to fill it—all of it! Empty space rarely stays empty for long. In a small space, you're forced to be more intentional about what you keep. Plus, moving every year forces us to confront everything we own. Nothing gets to hide in a closet and collect dust.
- It’s easy to clean.
I'll admit that when we lived in our house, we didn't clean very often. Even in one- or two-bedroom apartments, we'd clean at most once a month. Now that we live in a small space, I find myself cleaning all the time. A quick daily sweep makes the entire place feel fresh and spotless.
We also keep a very minimal cleaning kit. We use our Swiffer SweepVac for the floors (dry pads daily, wet pads weekly for mopping), Swiffer Dry Pads for dusting (though we might add a duster), and one bottle of multi-purpose cleaner for counters, bathroom, and toilet. That's all, folks!
(Note: This image URL appears duplicated in original; keeping as is)
- Utilities cost less.
A smaller home means less space to heat in winter and cool in summer, saving you money in the long run.
- You’ll be more environmentally friendly.
I think our time in Portland has rubbed off on us, but living in a smaller space reduces your environmental impact. Fewer materials go into building your home, you consume less energy, and you usually save on water too. After seeing how much trash litters NYC streets, we want to challenge ourselves to eventually become a zero-waste household. We're far from it, but we're taking baby steps.
- Less debt & easier to resell.
For those buying a home, a smaller space costs less and appeals to a wider market when you're ready to sell. When we eventually settle down again, we plan to buy a small home.
- It encourages you to get out.
At the same time, small spaces are limited in square footage. Sometimes you just need to get out, and hopefully that motivates you to go on local adventures and explore your own city.
- More quality time.
When you live in a large space, you tend to retreat to your own corner to do your own thing. We already spend so much time on computers and phones; we don't need another barrier to quality time. Small spaces encourage us to spend more time together.
- More time and money to do what you love.
Less maintenance, less cleaning, and lower costs mean you have more time and money to pursue your passions. For us, that means more time for adventures and blogging about them.
SOME OF OUR FAVORITE LESS-IS-MORE BOOKS
- The Joy of Less
- Zero Waste Home
- The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up
Have you ever considered moving into a smaller space?
ESTHER + JACOB
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 50 travel blogs in the world. They believe adventure can be found both near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city every year and are currently based in NYC.
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