Hi everyone! It’s Courtney. A few weeks ago my mom shared the happy news that my sister and brother-in-law bought their first home. Kylee will share more of their story soon, but between moving and a new puppy, she’s had plenty on her plate.
Today I have some news of my own. For the past three years I’ve lived with five of my closest friends in rental homes. We learned how to live independently, cook our own meals, and even handle household challenges—like dealing with spiders—without calling our dads. If you’d like to see our first house living room, you can find a tour linked on my blog. I’m grateful for the experience of living with such wonderful friends.
After we graduated college last spring, we expected big changes and knew many of us would be searching for new places to rent. Around the same time my sister found her townhouse, I discovered an opportunity that fits my needs: a layout with a bedroom and attached bathroom on the entry level. That bedroom is where I’ll be moving in.
I’m thrilled to start this new chapter and to finally have a space of my own. For years I’ve shared rooms—first in dorms, then in rental houses—and until now I’ve slept on a bunk bed shared with my best friend since first grade. That was fun, but I’m ready for a more grown-up room.
I immediately recognized a design challenge: the room is tiny. When we first toured the place we all wondered whether a bed would even fit.
The listing photo makes the room look larger than it actually is. Rather than be discouraged by the size, I started thinking about the advantages of small-space living. Those benefits have guided my design decisions and made me excited about this new, compact room.
Three benefits I love about small spaces
1) Cozy atmosphere. Small rooms can feel warm and inviting—perfect for relaxing and sleeping.
2) Big impact from small changes. In a small room, even modest additions or a single new piece of furniture can transform the look and feel of the space.
3) Less clutter, more focus. Living in a compact space encourages you to pare down belongings and prioritize what you truly value and need.
I have many plans for this room and have already begun making changes. The latest update is that my new bed was delivered this week—I’m so excited to share the process and details with you soon.
Source for house illustration: Rebekka Seale Illustration
What are some things you love about small spaces?