From 2020 to 2022, I split my time between two rentals: a one-bedroom apartment in New York City and a tiny home in Santa Monica, California.
But one day, I decided I needed a change. My stepfather had passed away, and I was going through a breakup. These losses shifted my perspective, and realigning my life to fit my values became a priority.
I realized that I didn’t need so many belongings, let alone two places to live. So in May 2022, I sold or donated most of my stuff. I put five boxes of winter items into a storage unit and left New York with two suitcases and a camera.
Now, at 40 years old, the 140-square-foot tiny home in Santa Monica is my primary home. I’m an eight-minute drive from the beach, and there are plenty of places to hike nearby.
A look inside my tiny home
The house is smaller than the average size of a parking spot (which is roughly 150 square feet). But it’s designed in a way that doesn’t feel cramped.
I found the listing on HotPads, an online rental marketplace. The home was built by architects at Minarc Design Studio, and is parked in the backyard of a single-family home.
The main room functions as my living room, office, walk-in closet and kitchen. I added a few small aspects like hooks and accessories, but otherwise the place is exactly as it came.
The glass door allows for plenty of natural light and really opens up the space. The indoor LED lighting has six adjustable settings. I use softer lights in the evening and only have lights on in the bathroom in the morning.
Since there’s no stovetop in the house, I keep a double propane burner outside. I’ve honed my Girl Scouts skills and now cook at home at least six days a week.
The bedroom area is a little a cove that fully surrounds my mattress. I have a hidden drawer beneath the bed for additional storage. To keep things organized, I use soft dividers and zippered pouches.
The only storage space in the bathroom is below the sink, which has a 2.5-foot frame and a…
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