Lessons From Paris: Biggest Take-Away From a 400-Sq-Ft Home
A recent trip abroad prompted this home organiser to ponder what she’d need to enjoy living in a compact one-bed flat
As a professional home organiser, I often spend time working with clients who are downsizing to smaller homes and need help deciding what to pack, donate, sell or throw out. But after their belongings have been sorted, packed and moved, I usually never see their new, snugger surroundings. I often wonder if they’ll be happy living there.
The Paris apartment the author recently stayed in with her daughter.
2. Interesting architectural details
Appealing architectural features add charm and can also distract the eye from the size of the space. Our temporary home in Paris had tall windows that let in plenty of natural light. High, exposed-beam ceilings drew our eyes upward and added to the airy feel. Many older French apartments have attractive moulding and woodwork, and a fireplace can provide a focal point and add style to any room.
If I were looking for an apartment in my native California, I might keep these fetching details in mind during my search. You might consider whether, for you, charming ambiance makes up for less square metreage.
2. Interesting architectural details
Appealing architectural features add charm and can also distract the eye from the size of the space. Our temporary home in Paris had tall windows that let in plenty of natural light. High, exposed-beam ceilings drew our eyes upward and added to the airy feel. Many older French apartments have attractive moulding and woodwork, and a fireplace can provide a focal point and add style to any room.
If I were looking for an apartment in my native California, I might keep these fetching details in mind during my search. You might consider whether, for you, charming ambiance makes up for less square metreage.
3. An efficiently laid-out kitchen
The kitchen in our Paris apartment took up one wall of the living room. It was small but extremely versatile. The larger appliances such as the fridge, dishwasher and microwave were concealed behind cabinet doors, making the wall look sleek and less utilitarian. An added bonus was a washing machine that doubled as a dryer – also behind a cabinet door – which we enjoyed once we worked out the somewhat complicated instructions. Having a washer and dryer in my small apartment would be another nonnegotiable feature for me.
There was also a tiny desk at the end of the kitchen wall that contained a printer and had enough room for a laptop. This feature added to the home’s functionality.
Although kitchen storage was tight, there was enough space for eight place settings, including plates, cups, glasses and flatware, as well as a few pots, pans and serving pieces. Before you decide to move, consider whether you’d be able to pare down your kitchen supplies to fit a more compact kitchen.
Learn how to pack a punch in the kitchen
The kitchen in our Paris apartment took up one wall of the living room. It was small but extremely versatile. The larger appliances such as the fridge, dishwasher and microwave were concealed behind cabinet doors, making the wall look sleek and less utilitarian. An added bonus was a washing machine that doubled as a dryer – also behind a cabinet door – which we enjoyed once we worked out the somewhat complicated instructions. Having a washer and dryer in my small apartment would be another nonnegotiable feature for me.
There was also a tiny desk at the end of the kitchen wall that contained a printer and had enough room for a laptop. This feature added to the home’s functionality.
Although kitchen storage was tight, there was enough space for eight place settings, including plates, cups, glasses and flatware, as well as a few pots, pans and serving pieces. Before you decide to move, consider whether you’d be able to pare down your kitchen supplies to fit a more compact kitchen.
Learn how to pack a punch in the kitchen
4. Light colours in the bathroom
Light-coloured finishes and paint in a small bathroom make it seem less hemmed in. Paint can easily and somewhat inexpensively be changed, but tiles, marble, granite, concrete and other finishes are more time-consuming and costly to replace. Consider if renovating a bathroom is in your budget or whether you can live with the existing decor.
Light-coloured finishes and paint in a small bathroom make it seem less hemmed in. Paint can easily and somewhat inexpensively be changed, but tiles, marble, granite, concrete and other finishes are more time-consuming and costly to replace. Consider if renovating a bathroom is in your budget or whether you can live with the existing decor.
5. Outdoor space
I love to sit outside on my garden deck drinking coffee on a sunny morning or enjoying a glass of wine on a warm evening. A small terrace or patio would be a necessity for me when considering a small apartment. I realise that not everyone places the same value on being outside, so you should decide for yourself if this is an essential feature of your ideal home.
Check out these 5 ways to live large on a small balcony
I love to sit outside on my garden deck drinking coffee on a sunny morning or enjoying a glass of wine on a warm evening. A small terrace or patio would be a necessity for me when considering a small apartment. I realise that not everyone places the same value on being outside, so you should decide for yourself if this is an essential feature of your ideal home.
Check out these 5 ways to live large on a small balcony
6. Window boxes
Many Parisian apartments have colourful flowers in window boxes visible from the street below. The apartment we stayed in had red geraniums outside every window. Flower boxes are a great way to bring the outside in and make an apartment feel more cheerful. Although not a deal breaker for me, I would definitely enjoy having space for such boxes.
Many Parisian apartments have colourful flowers in window boxes visible from the street below. The apartment we stayed in had red geraniums outside every window. Flower boxes are a great way to bring the outside in and make an apartment feel more cheerful. Although not a deal breaker for me, I would definitely enjoy having space for such boxes.
7. Not too many stairs
Our temporary home in Paris was in an older building without a lift. We were on the fourth floor, and at the end of a busy day touring Paris, each flight of stairs seemed endless! This was completely acceptable for a week, but I would not want to live in such a place on a permanent basis. Not only would I dislike carrying shopping up that many stairs, I also would not want to face the difficult task of moving my furniture in. You, too, may want to consider the number of steps you’re willing to tackle before you decide on a new place.
Our temporary home in Paris was in an older building without a lift. We were on the fourth floor, and at the end of a busy day touring Paris, each flight of stairs seemed endless! This was completely acceptable for a week, but I would not want to live in such a place on a permanent basis. Not only would I dislike carrying shopping up that many stairs, I also would not want to face the difficult task of moving my furniture in. You, too, may want to consider the number of steps you’re willing to tackle before you decide on a new place.
8. Proximity to shops
The distance from food shops and other necessary stores is also something you may want to think about when deciding on a small apartment. Alongside a fridge, there might be limited cabinet space to store non-perishable foods, paper towels, bathroom tissue, laundry detergent and cleaning products, so you might need to shop more frequently, making having stores nearby a nice convenience.
Our Parisian neighbourhood had many boulangeries, patisseries, cheese shops, fruit and vegetable stands and small grocery stores. The ability to buy fresh bread, cheese, meat and produce daily meant the small fridge wasn’t an issue. A small flat may cause you to rethink shopping in big supermarket shops or buying in bulk. And with easy access to local shops, you may come to appreciate having fresh-baked bread on a daily basis.
The distance from food shops and other necessary stores is also something you may want to think about when deciding on a small apartment. Alongside a fridge, there might be limited cabinet space to store non-perishable foods, paper towels, bathroom tissue, laundry detergent and cleaning products, so you might need to shop more frequently, making having stores nearby a nice convenience.
Our Parisian neighbourhood had many boulangeries, patisseries, cheese shops, fruit and vegetable stands and small grocery stores. The ability to buy fresh bread, cheese, meat and produce daily meant the small fridge wasn’t an issue. A small flat may cause you to rethink shopping in big supermarket shops or buying in bulk. And with easy access to local shops, you may come to appreciate having fresh-baked bread on a daily basis.
9. Additional storage space
Our flat had one medium-size wardrobe in the bedroom and one storage unit in the living room. I would have to seriously downsize my belongings to fit into that limited space. Though I’m confident I would be able to part with most of my everyday items, the one area that might be difficult for my husband and me is sports gear. We might need to store our windsurfing equipment, ski gear and bikes outside the flat.
Many of us have hobbies that require a significant amount of storage space. Before you decide on a place, you may want to find out if the building has storage to house large items.
Wondering how to organise your wardrobe perfectly?
Our flat had one medium-size wardrobe in the bedroom and one storage unit in the living room. I would have to seriously downsize my belongings to fit into that limited space. Though I’m confident I would be able to part with most of my everyday items, the one area that might be difficult for my husband and me is sports gear. We might need to store our windsurfing equipment, ski gear and bikes outside the flat.
Many of us have hobbies that require a significant amount of storage space. Before you decide on a place, you may want to find out if the building has storage to house large items.
Wondering how to organise your wardrobe perfectly?
10. Possibly more than one bedroom
Even though our apartment was beautiful, I kept asking myself whether I could really live with only one bedroom. Before you make the final decision on whether to move to a smaller space, you may want to ask yourself the following questions:
Read more:
How to Live Large in a Small Apartment
Tell us:
Have you downsized to a smaller space or do you currently live in a small flat? If so, what are the essentials you need in a small home? Tell us in the Comments below.
Even though our apartment was beautiful, I kept asking myself whether I could really live with only one bedroom. Before you make the final decision on whether to move to a smaller space, you may want to ask yourself the following questions:
- Would I be able to share a one-bedroom apartment with another person? Would I have enough personal space?
- Would a 37 square metre (approximately 400 square feet) flat be so small that it would quickly become cluttered and messy if I lived there with someone who is untidy?
- How do I like to entertain? Would I be content with small gatherings or dinner parties?
- What about overnight guests? Would it be claustrophobic to have friends or relatives visit from out of town?
- Would I have a car or would I be able to use public transport? If I needed a car, would the building provide parking? If I didn’t need a car, would I be able to walk to public transport?
Read more:
How to Live Large in a Small Apartment
Tell us:
Have you downsized to a smaller space or do you currently live in a small flat? If so, what are the essentials you need in a small home? Tell us in the Comments below.
During our stay, I frequently wondered what it would be like to live in such a compact space permanently. Along the way, I compiled a list of essential features for my ideal small apartment. Of course, this is my personal list and your needs might vary. But it could be a good starting point in terms of thinking through your own priorities for living in a diminutive dwelling.
1. Features that make a small space seem larger
An abundance of natural light can make a small apartment feel bigger. For me, a bright, open ambiance in my home is non-negotiable. If you also crave a well-lit, airy dwelling, think about selecting a flat that has these features: High ceilings, light-coloured walls, an open floor plan and light woodwork and floors.
You may also want to pay attention to the number and size of windows and the direction they face. Consider whether you prefer morning or afternoon light, and notice the sun’s rhythms as you’re considering potential smaller homes. Keep in mind that heavy window coverings can decrease the amount of light a room receives, so when looking at potential homes you’ll want to uncover windows completely before you eliminate a possible contender.
Tip: Mirrored wardrobe doors reflect light and can make a cramped bedroom seem larger. They can be added relatively inexpensively.