Tiny-Ass Apartment

Facebook Finds

2012-04-23T08:00:00.000-07:00

Sometimes I find links that are too good to let slip away; that's when they get posted to the Tiny-Ass Apartment Facebook page. Once a week they're collected in a post as a veritable marathon of small-space goodness. This week we've got space-saving frakkin' toasters, a way to store your knives up and out of sight, and a very cool app that can help you plan your space, no matter how tiny.

Incredible Things: The Crisp Toaster saves counter space

Lifehacker: Hide your knife rack by mounting it under the cabinet

TechCrunch: MagicPlan 2.0 arrives - Create instant floor plans using your iPhone or iPad's camera

We're sinking!: Five sink combos that save space and water

2012-04-18T08:00:00.000-07:00

When I was in elementary school, there was a commercial about recycling with a song that went, "Recycle, reduce, reuse, and close the loop!" Now, every time I think about recycling (which is often, given that I work for a company that publishes tons of kid's crafts with recycled materials, and with Earth Day coming up on Sunday), I hear that song in my head. Every. Goddamn. Time.

Still, even though that song makes me want to recycle its writers into compost, it did drive home the message of living a more eco-friendly life. And in fact, living in a tiny apartment is already a big step in the right direction. Even though people think of cities as being polluted and dirty, living in a small apartment is actually good for the environment! You're taking up less physical space, and therefore it takes less energy to heat or cool your home. By building up instead of out, less land has to be cleared for new housing. If you live in the city where you work, you're more likely to walk, bike, or take public transportation to the office. And with less room, you're more likely to have multi-use furniture, and to think twice about buying more stuff since you have no place to put it! You begin to train yourself to be less wasteful.

This collection of sink combos capture that thinking perfectly. Their design is 50% saving space, 50% saving water. By placing the sink on top of the toilet tank, you eliminate the need for a separate sink and its pedestal or cabinet taking up valuable floor space. And these all make your water go twice as far: first, clean water is pumped into the sink. The "gray water" (the "used" water) goes down the drain and is then used to flush the toilet. Instead of wasting clean water washing away your, erm, waste, the only-slightly-used water is given a second job. It's a win-win for both small space dwellers and the environment.

This concept sink and toilet combo from designer Jang Wooseok has two tanks; one fills with gray water and uses it for flushing once it's full, and the other fills with tap water just like a regular toilet, for flushing when there is no gray water to be used. From Coroflot.

Australian manufacturer Caroma created this "Profile Smart 305" sink/toilet model. Not only does it reuse the sink's water in the toilet, but it has two flush settings as well, so that you use only as much water as you need. As Smart Planet points out, not only does this setup save water, but it saves the extra energy you'd need to pump clean water separately into the toilet and the sink.

If you're worried about touching a tap handle on a sink that's attached to an icky toilet, this Sinkpositive by Environmental Designworks eliminates that problem by automatically running clean water out of the faucet during the flush cycle for touchless handwashing. (And of course all of the water is recycled, so there's no waste if you're a gross person and don't wash your hands after doing your business.) It's also an aftermarket attachment, so you don't have to replace your entire toilet to install it. From Toy Store Inc.

This sink, featured on House Logic, is a more stylish option. It's hard to believe it's a DIY project -- that's actually a recycled salad bowl as the basin! From Flickr.

As if I didn't already love Smeg for their gorgeous, colorful, retro-inspired refrigerators, they also have this clever sink and washing machine combo. While having a washer in an apartment is only a dream for most of us, squeezing your washer into your bathroom in place of the sink just might make it a reality. And it's so cute, too! Via DigsDigs.

Russian nesting studio

2012-04-16T16:20:00.001-07:00

We've seen some tiny studios before, but this one is moving into the lead to become one of the smallest fully-functional homes in the pack. Now, my Russian is a little rusty (that is, nonexistent), but this studio was found on StyleRoom, the website of Russian architect and designer Pavel Vasin (Note: thanks for finding his name, Irina!). Still, it's interesting to analyze this floor plan. The "wet" rooms (kitchen and bathroom) are on the left, with a tiled floor. The "dry" living and sleeping spaces are on the right. There don't appear to be many overly clever tricks for furniture and storage (no transforming tables and the like), with the exception of the swiveling TV that allows viewing from either the living room or the bed. Instead, everything's just teeny-tiny.

I think I'd be able to live in a place this small, but it would definitely need some work. It's not very homey as it is -- but then again, that makes it all the easier to make your own mark.

Via FresHome's Facebook.

The Bed-And-Nightstand-Room: 14 tiny bedrooms

2012-04-12T20:25:00.001-07:00

Some things are so simple and so obvious that when you stop to look at them, you realize they're actually kind of ridiculous. Case in point, this quote from one of my favorite comedians, Mitch Hedberg:

I want to get a job as someone who names kitchen appliances. Toaster, refrigerator, blender… All you do is say what the shit does, and add "er." I wanna work for the Kitchen Appliance Naming Institute. "Hey, what does that do?" "It keeps shit fresh." "Well, that's a fresher… I'm going on break.”

This same facepalmingly simple naming convention works for rooms, too. Just take what's in that room, then add the word "room." Living room, bathroom, bedroom. (You should have seen the look of realization on my face long ago in French class as I realized that "salle de bans" literally means "room of the bath." English isn't the only linguistic master of the obvious sometimes!)

Now, given everyday usage, these simple names can still get jumbled up. (What is the difference between a living room and a family room, by the way?) But in tiny apartments, often what you get is exactly what you're told. In this case, we're taking a look at bedrooms: rooms that contain a bed… and not much more! These rooms are more than a nook or alcove, and give your landlord the ability to call it a 1BR (and accordingly jack up the rent), but still can't fit much more than a queen-sized frame and maybe a nightstand. Huh, maybe they should call it the bed-and-nightstand-room…

We begin with Lauren's 400 square foot apartment in New York City, as featured on Apartment Therapy. With the apartment being only 12 feet wide at its widest, it was difficult to configure her furniture, especially her bed, especially especially in that teeny-tiny bedroom! Thankfully, Lauren has a background in architecture, and she was able to make it work. Her custom bed has storage for shoes and even a freakin' kayak. I also love the sliding barn door, which saves precious space as it tucks away instead of swinging inward.

The bed in this heavenly white-and-wood bedroom from Small Place Style takes up the entire far end of the room, fitting perfectly between the three walls. While it may be a little inconvenient to get in and out if there's more than one person sleeping in that bed, it frees up a lot of real estate. It looks to have a storage headboard with a task lamp for those late-night page-turners. There also appears to be a large wardrobe unit on the left for tons of hidden storage; the monochromatic white-on-white keeps the piece from overwhelming the room. On the opposite side, a homey wooden dresser breaks up the white and gives the room more character.

This warm bedroom in Brooklyn just goes to show that vibrantly-painted walls can work in even the smallest of rooms. The red far wall adds some punch, and coordinates nicely with the bed linens and lantern. Here, the bed is placed with the long side against the wall, and a woven screen is used as a kind of headboard. A teeny nightstand at the end of the bed holds a few necessities, and at the link you can see that the apartment's resident, Margaret, has created a closet by curtaining off the opposite side of the room. From Apartment Therapy.

Now this room looks like the perfect spot to curl up and read a book on a rainy day. That fireplace! Again, the bed takes up the entire end of the room, but unlike the white room above, this bed is styled as a daybed, facing inward into the rest of the room. I love the dark wood and traditional paintings here -- it's a very Old-World look. (Except of course the flatscreen TV on the wall…) From 1st Option via Pretty Stuff.

Read on for ten more bed-and-nightstand-rooms…

Here we have another daybed-styled bed that nestles neatly into the end of a room. This one has a distinctly seaside cottage feel. Kevin and Layla Palmer of The Lettered Cottage took this 6' x 6' space and turned it into the "reading room" you see here. However, they've recently redone the room to be even more functional as a guest bedroom. Their website documents their DIY undertaking and its remarkable results. You'll have to check the link to see it (and their really cool reclaimed wood panel wall!).

This simple, neutral bedroom calls to mind some of the Scandinavian jails cells I covered a few weeks ago -- and not in a bad way, of course! The room is simple and efficient: a place to sleep, a place to work, a place to store a few things. The blond wood with white and gray accents keeps things modern and clean. While it could stand a lil' pop of color, this narrow bedroom easily provides your necessities in a streamlined way. From Pinterest.

Now this room's got some mood lighting going on! For some reason, the combo of the lights and the cabinets makes me think of a movie theatre as the lights go down and the previews begin. In this bedroom, any furniture other than the bed itself seems to be replaced by built-ins. It makes good use of the vertical space for storage, while still allowing a surface for knick-knacks or some quick paperwork. From Houzz.

In contrast to the last two rooms, this bedroom (also from Houzz) has a more homey, eclectic feel. This is a look that's easily replicable if you have a free afternoon, Craigslist, and a friend with a pickup (and some beer or pizza to pay them with!). The dark walls are very moody and chic, which go well with the rich wooden dresser and red textile hanging.

Finally, some color! Okay, this is supposed to be a little girl's room, but I'm a grownup and I still dig this palette, dangit. I'm a sucker for teal and coral-pink. It's also quite glam for a kid's room; check out that chandelier and plush headboard! What I also like about this room is how it's nicely balanced, with the bed in the center of the window, flanked by the curtains and two matching nightstands with lamps. Moreover, at the foot of the bed is a desk and chair, which is a great solution for creating a workspace. (I just wouldn't recommend putting a desktop computer on there -- one just-falling-asleep leg spasm and that monitor's on the floor.) From Houzz.

This bedroom from Lonny (via Sequin Stripes) is a kind of more crisp, adult take on the previous room. Once again we see the bed neatly framed by the window, curtains, and identical nightstands and lamps. In a bedroom so small, the focal point has no other option than to be the bed, and this room does it perfectly.

This bed takes the prize for being the most tucked away in a corner. In converted attics and divided-up old houses, you sometimes get small apartments with crazy ceilings and strange wall angles. This bed takes what might have been an unusable, low-ceilinged area and makes the most of it. After all, most of us stopped jumping on the bed years ago, right? … Right? From Houzz via Pinterest.

While the bright blue wall at the head of the bed is the first to catch your eye in this room from Small Place Style, what I'm most fascinated by is its unusual use of furniture placement (although it's hard to tell if it's built-in or individual pieces). The headboard creates a shelf for the lamps and a few books. To the right is what appears to be a kind of console table for some more reading material, and angled at the foot of the bed is a comfy-looking armchair. The headboard, table, and chair all kind of cram the bed in snugly against the shuttered window on the left, which is another unusual but interesting placement. The window is pressed up against the side of the bed; I'd be worried about accidentally rolling out of the window in the middle of the night! Still, imagine the gorgeous sunrises and sunsets you'd get to see while lounging in bed…

This bedroom leaves room for little else than the bed, but a wonderful cluster of framed art above the headboard makes it full of life. The fun patterned curtains also add to the the visual interest. From Sweet Home Style via Apartment Therapy.

Our final tiny bedroom is another that can only contain the bed and a single nightstand, but its French doors create a sense of openness. The blue printed fabric canopy is a bold, graphic statement in an otherwise subtle room. From Domino via Flickr.

Doin' time: Jail cells as small-space inspiration (really)

2012-03-29T08:00:00.000-07:00

Crime and punishment meant something quite different as a kid. Common infractions were things like Refusal to Eat Green Beans, "Not Touching" Your Younger Brother, and Giving Yourself a Haircut. Your parents were judge, jury, and jailer, and your bedroom became your jail cell. The sentence: Until After Dinner.

And if you live in a tiny-ass apartment, it's an experience that doesn't stop when you reach adulthood. If you live in a dorm room or teeny-tiny studio, it can sometimes feel like the walls are closing in. And so, I'm here to make you feel worse by showing you some jail cells that actually look rather appealing. But before you consider going on a crime spree in order to make one of these cells your home, just take a moment and think about how you can take some of these small-space ideas can translate to your own place.

And yes, I'm including making pruno in the toilet tank. Delicious and affordable!

Our first batch of rooms are actually jail cells that have been converted into hotel rooms. Apparently this is a Thing. I personally wouldn't go for a vacation in the hoosegow, but I have to admit it is a different experience than your usual Holiday Inn. The Old Court in Somerset, UK used to be a Divisional Magistrates’ Court and Police Station and was built in 1857. The three jail cells have been converted into theme rooms, including the Guy Fawkes and Jack the Ripper rooms (pictured here) and the Queen Anne Boleyn room. Something I found pretty funny was their warning that "wi-fi is unavailable in this room due to the thick walls but the adjacent lounge offers full connectivity." No wi-fi in the room? What is this, a prison?

The room contains two slim twin beds with wall-mounted lamps and storage built into the headboard. Wooden partitions have been built up to hide the more private parts of the bathroom, while the modern glass bowl sink is left open. And I gotta admit, the arched exposed brick ceiling and paned window are really charming. Via The Old Court.

The Oxford Prison Hotel (also in the UK, obvs) boasts an even more impressive history. It was originally built in 1071 (not a typo), and remained an active prison until 1996. Ten years later it reopened as the Oxford Castle Complex with the hotel inside; it was renovated with a grant from the National Lottery Heritage fund. The hotel claims that it has very "romantic" suites and is ideal for a "romantic getaway." If what I've heard about marriage being like a prison sentence is true, then I'll believe it! Nyuk nyuk. But romantic or not, the cells/rooms have modern luxuries like plasma flatscreen TVs, king-sized beds, and Jacuzzis. From Oxford Prison.

Since I'm a native Bay Arean (there's gotta be a better term than that), I'm pretty eye-rolly about Alcatraz. Yeah, yeah, I've taken the tour, it was pretty cool, and every time I entertain out-of-towners they want to go see it. It's just that thing when you live in a town with a well-known tourist attraction, and you become rather blasé about it. But interestingly, the Alcatraz Hotel is not in San Francisco. It's in… Germany? Okay. Like the others, the hotel is a converted former city jail. The rooms are Spartan but bright and modern, and the black-and-white striped curtains are a nice touch. From Izismile.

Now these photos, you might be surprised to learn, aren't from a cell-turned-hotel-room. They're from a cell-still-a-cell. Halden Prison in Norway has quite lovely accommodations for its criminals. In fact, with the IKEA-esque furniture, it looks uncomfortably like my old dorm room -- and I didn't even have an in-suite bathroom. Damn state school. From The Daily Mail.

The Justice Center Leoben in Styria, Austria has also got me considering a life of crime… in Austria, of course. Not only do you get a kickass cell like the one pictured here, but they also have ping-pong, indoor soccer, and a nice gym. No more working out in a dusty prison yard for me! I'm off to a Zumba class! (Okay, I think I'd still get my ass kicked by my celly for that.) From Carniola.

Finally, if you're a fan of Boardwalk Empire, this is the cell for you. (I can't say that I am a fan, but I can say that watching the show while drinking a few glasses of wine inspired me to purchase the domain www.kittycatmafia.com. True story.) Al Capone's cell at Eastern State Penitentiary in Pennsylvania is downright luxurious. Apparently he invented shabby chic in between bootlegger runs and assassinations. It reminds me of a quote from one of my favorite movies, "Pitch Black" (shut up, that movie is good!): "Amazing how you can do without the essentials of life, so long as you have the little luxuries." Looking at that fine furniture, I'd say Capone felt that way too. Via Reddit.

And before we're through, I wanted to give you a quick word on decorating your jail cell (or jail cell-like apartment): if you're interested, I know a guy who can get you some awesome posters...

TAA on Pinterest: Sunday pins

2012-03-25T19:01:00.001-07:00

This weekend, Hunger Games rocked my socks, I grew increasingly frustrated with Netflix's streaming library, and now I'm currently vibrating with excitement about the return of Mad Men. And you?

Here's the image, featured on Tiny-Ass Apartment, that has been most popular on Pinterest this week (click the picture to go to the pin page)…

It looks like everyone on Pinterest is in a celebrating mood, whether it's a special occasion for kids or adults.

It's another hard-to-decide Pin of Week, but this time the three contenders are really different. You've got a universal (if gross) truth about kitties, a very cool new kind of manicure, and a sophisticated way to showcase your geekery in your home.

Facebook Finds

2012-03-20T19:58:00.001-07:00

It's a little late this time, but now it's time to recap the links I've posted to the Tiny-Ass Apartment Facebook page over the past week! This time we're checking out 25 teeny-tiny homes, coveting an incredible storage table/desk, finding a new way to spruce up our IKEA furniture, and getting some solid advice on maximizing your apartment space.

Babble's Family Style: 25 amazingly tiny houses

Design Milk: Flip Table

Design*Sponge: Pretty Pegs

Marie Claire: How to make more space in your apartment

TAA on Pinterest: Sunday pins

2012-03-18T16:56:00.001-07:00

I am exhausted. This afternoon I took my first lightsaber training class. You read that right. I took a class. Where we learned how to fight. With lightsabers. This is a real thing.

The class is run by the Golden Gate Knights here in San Francisco, and it is serious business. The first 45 minutes or so are exercises like any other martial arts class -- except you're holding a lightsaber as you jog around the large, mirrored dance studio. Then you learn the basic moves, targets, and blocks, and the last part of the class is learning choreography. We started with a combo of four moves, and at the end of the class we went over the beginning of the fight between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader at the end of The Empire Strikes Back. Classes are every Sunday from noon to 3:00. Your first class is free, and after that they're $15. You can also borrow a lightsaber from the instructor (who wears full Jedi gear, BTW) for the first month, or order a custom-made one from another student in the class.

This class, though tiring, was heaven. The people were nice, lightsabers were good quality, the moves we learned looked really cool, they had John Williams playing over the loudspeakers, and toward the end of the class the teacher dimmed the lights so we could fight with our sabers glowing brightly. It's a goddamn nerd's dream come true.

Here's the image, featured on Tiny-Ass Apartment, that has been most popular on Pinterest this week (click the picture to go to the pin page)…

These no-bake Nutella cheesecakes were super-popular this week -- after all, who doesn't freaking LOVE Nutella?

One of life's biggest annoyances, solved. Genius!

On set: Small apartments on TV and film

2012-03-16T08:00:00.000-07:00

There is much to be said about discrimination and underrepresentation on TV and in film. Not only are people of different orientation, ages, races, religions, and body types routinely excluded from roles on shows and movies, but there's another major category that Hollywood is overlooking: tiny apartment dwellers.

So many shows and movies depict their characters living in huuuge apartments and houses. I know I've complained about it before -- when Carrie and Mr. Big bought their apartment together, it looked like freakin' Versailles. And Monica and Rachel's place on Friends? Yeah, I'm so sure a chef and a waitress were able to afford that palatial home. The dorms on Buffy the Vampire Slayer were redonkulous (I could have fit FOUR of my dorm in theirs!). Even the poorest characters have ginormous living spaces. People: the show's title is "Two Broke Girls." I've never watched the show, but after seeing pictures of their place, I think they must have serious blackmail material on their landlord if they're living in a giant, "quirky" loft like that.

So, I wracked my brain trying to think of actual small apartments as seen on the screen. It was surprisingly hard! Not only were there very few to choose from, but apartments that I knew would fit had no images to be found. Dirty Harry Callaghan in Dirty Harry lived in a small, one-room apartment in 1970s San Francisco (I wonder how much rent was back then), and at the end of the movie Election, Matthew Broderick moves into a crazy-tiny "efficiency" apartment after his life is ruined by Tracy Flick. Yet alas, no pictures of those sets were to be had.

If you can think of any more small apartments, by all means, let me know! Email me or leave a comment, and together we'll make sure we're represented properly in the media!

Image from the Community Wiki.

I looove the show Community! I'm so happy it's back -- six seasons and a movie, baby! On the show, sweet young Annie lives in a studio apartment in a terrifying neighborhood. Everyone tries to convince her to move someplace safer, but she cherishes her independence. Eventually, she does move in with her friends Troy and Abed -- and who could blame her? They have a Dreamatorium.

Images from the Dexter Wiki and Design on Fire.

Secret serial killer Dexter Morgan lives and hunts in Miami. His place is still bigger than any I've ever lived in, but for TV his one-bedroom is rather small. It's incredibly neat and rather stylish -- I love the built-in bookcase -- but behind the air conditioner grill is a secret…

Images from Free Republic and Umlud.

The Fifth Element is another movie I've referenced here on TAA before. Korben Dallas's place is a perfect example of an efficient, transforming apartment, which fits with director Luc Besson's vision of the overcrowded metropolis that is New York in the 23rd century. The shower is on top of the fridge, which raises and lowers as needed, and the bed pulls out from a cabinet. Best of all is the "auto-wash": the shower cleans itself and the bed makes itself. An awesome time-saver… unless you're trying to hide from Zorg or a bunch of Mangalores.

Keep reading for Sex and the City, Seinfeld, True Blood, Wonderfalls, Firefly, Mad Men, and Futurama…

Images from Hooked on Houses and HBO.

Carrie Bradshaw's studio apartment in Sex and the City is probably the best-known studio apartment on TV. On the TV series and in the early part of the first movie, Carrie's apartment looks as it does above. Especially considering that she once said that the place was rent-controlled, it's a pretty realistic-looking home. Carrie, who works as a writer (and moonlights as a fashionista) creates space for the two most important things in her life: her reading/writing and her clothes. Her walk-through closet holds her enviable wardrobe, and a giant bookshelf takes up a whole wall. Other than those major areas, her apartment still conveniently contains everything else in neat, distinct zones. Her living room is centered around a coffee table (perfect for sitting around and gossiping with her ladies), her desk is set apart and looks out the window, and her bed is the farthest back, framed by a nightstand and chair-turned-nightstand.

Image from Hooked on Houses.

Although Carrie's apartment is perfectly charming in its first incarnation, I am in LOVE with her post-jiltedness makeover. This time the look throughout the apartment is more consistent and sophisticated. The blue walls accented by white and dark purple are gorgeous, and everything generally feels cleaner and less cluttered. This is basically my dream apartment.

Image from Apartment Therapy.

I've been told that for New York City, Jerry Seinfeld's apartment is huge. Be that as it may, a this one-bed, one-bath is still pretty small. At least he's an organized guy -- even his cereal is kept in alphabetical order.

Images from SkarsgardFans, True Blood Wiki, and ForeverAFangirl.

Most characters on True Blood live in sprawling Southern mansions. However, when Hoyt and Jessikuh -- I mean, Jessica decide to move in together, they end up in a true starter home: a small, one bedroom cottage that's a serious fixer-upper. I mean, it clearly needs a fresh coat of paint, some new curtains, and someone to exorcise the resident ghost and its creepy baby doll.

Image from KellyRelish.

While I never watched Wonderfalls, it was suggested to me for this post because the main character, Jaye, lives in an Airstream trailer. This quirky show -- I mean, the gal talks to tourist tchotchkes -- is reflected in her eclectic but warm home.

Images from Stellar Four and Rocco Passionino's portfolio.

Living in space presents a whole new set of difficulties. The crew of Serenity on the show Firefly all have their respective, cramped bunks, but most impressive is Inara's shuttle. Inara isn't technically part of the crew; she rents a small shuttle from Captain Reynolds, where she lives and plies her trade as a Companion, entertaining men and women who are willing to pay. The show depicts a future that's part Wild West, part Far East, and her living quarters reflect that with its shiny silks and rich red hues.

Images from CasaSugar and Design Public.

Mad Men's another show that's about to come back after a too-long hiatus! I can't wait to see how Don and the rest of the Sterling Cooper Draper Price gang are getting along. When we last left Don, he and Betty had divorced and he had moved out of their idyllic suburban home and into a small bachelor pad in NYC near Waverly and 6th. His dark, depressing home reflects his mindset and is a stark contrast to both his former home as well as to his bright, modern office.

Image from The Infosphere.

But none -- and I mean none can touch the tininess that is Apartment 00100100 in the Robot Arms Apartments. It's Bender's two-cubic-meter home in the show Futurama. Of course, he's a robot, so he doesn't need a lot of space -- a fact he fails to mention to his friend Fry when Fry was looking for a place to stay. Thankfully, there's a closet in the back of Bender's quarters -- a closet that's the size of a comfortable, human-sized apartment.

Above the fold: 10 wall-mounted folding desks

2012-03-13T21:37:00.001-07:00

You can always tell a Milford man -- or woman, as the case may be. You see, I believe that paperwork should neither be seen nor heard, just like the attendees of the Milford Academy (such as illustrious alum Buster Bluth). Now, you may be asking, "Why would you hear your paperwork?" And I would say, "Maybe it was a Howler sent by owl, duh. Now go away and stop forcing me to make two dorky in-jokes right after each other."

The point is, paper clutter is one of those things that can quickly make you look as crazy as someone who cuts things out of the newspaper and constantly works on their "manifesto." In a small apartment, it can pile up faster than you can file it. However, you can get your mess under control -- or at least fake it -- with the help of a classic piece of furniture: the secretary desk. Or in our case, a stripped-down version.

Traditional secretary desks are freestanding pieces of furniture that often have drawers on the bottom, a cabinet with a fold-out writing surface, and a bookshelf on top of that. However, if you take away everything but the cabinet, you've got a piece that's ideal for a small space. In removing the legs and mounting it on the wall, you free up floor space, and having a cabinet with a fold-down door allows you to create workspace when you need it, to put it away when you don't, and to hide all of your things away neatly.

Below, take a look at ten of the coolest wall-mounted folding desks I've spotted.

A red IKEA PS laptop workstation, as seen on Bright Bazaar.

This gorgeous antique was designed and built by Bruno and Karl Mathsson in 1938. Via Design Addict.

I've had this wall-mounted desk and mail sorting cabinet on my Pinterest for ages; unfortunately it looks like it's no longer for sale on Etsy, where it was originally found.

Keep reading for seven more desks ready to keep your clutter out of sight...

This cute white desk and organizer isn't just for kids, despite the fact that it's for sale on Junior Living. Via Spearmint Baby.

This fold-out desk from Magazin (a German retailer) has a ton of possibilities for painting and decorating to make it fit your own style.

If you want to go for industrial chic or just added security, check out this metal, locking desk originally designed for workplaces and doctors' offices. From Marine Lock.

The SpaceBox by Calligaris is originally intended for use in small kitchens or dining areas, but it provides ample storage no matter where you use it. Via Momoge.

This sleek and simple wall desk from Bastian Diephaus and Ismail Özalbayrak of Studio Unieke has a built-in power strip for added convenience. Via Shoebox Dwelling.

This fold-down desk, originally from World Market, calls to mind a Murphy bed. Via This Old House.

On the inside of one of the cottages of Wellfleet at Cape Cod is another beautiful example of a practical but stylish desk. From The New York Times Style Magazine.

TAA on Pinterest: Sunday pins

2012-03-11T12:03:00.001-07:00

What time is it? It's Pinterest time!

Here's the image, featured on Tiny-Ass Apartment, that has been most popular on Pinterest this week (click the picture to go to the pin page)…

Such a gorgeous, goddess-like dress; if spring in San Francisco stays as beautiful as it has been, I might actually be able to wear it outdoors.

I'm only a little obessessed with the BBC series Sherlock and its star Benedict Cumberbatch. Only a little. Yeah.

With St. Patrick's Day just around the corner, I'm loving this tasteful clover pin. It's a little more classy than your usual button that says, "Kiss me I'm ~~drunk~~ Irish."

Tiny-Ass Apartment on The Welch Edition

2012-03-09T12:49:00.001-08:00

Happy Friday, everyone! I just wanted to let you know that I did a guest blog over at Sara Welch's adorable site, The Welch Edition. I'll be talking spring cleaning tips (kinda), so go over there and read the full post! Here's just a little preview...

Ah, spring. When a young woman's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of… Swiffers. Spring cleaning might not be as romantic as a Tennyson poem, but at least you'll have that light, happy feeling when it's all done.
Hi! My name is Simone Chavoor, and I run a small-space interior design blog called Tiny-Ass Apartment. Sara's asked me to share some spring cleaning tips with you, and I'm most happy to oblige!
First thing's first: you should not be spring cleaning.
End of post? Nope! The truth is, you should be doing every-day cleaning. I know, I know, that sounds like it sucks, but let me finish. I didn't say you had to clean the whole apartment every day, did I? You see, people think that small homes are easier to clean, and in a way they are. But clutter piles up FAST in a small space, and there's less room in which to hide it. You're not going to be able to get away with waiting for the seasons to change before you break out the ol' broom and dustpan. And so, a little bit every day goes a long way.

Click here to read the full article!

Tiny-Ass Apartment on "Can Do Divas" - the podcast is up!

2012-03-08T15:56:00.001-08:00

Just in case you missed it the first time 'round, my interview with the lovely Gianna and Chasta of the Can Do Divas is up! In it, I discuss how Tiny-Ass Apartment popped out of my mind-grapes, how small-space solutions work for any sized space, a bit more about myself and what I'm up to outside of TAA, and finally I battle the dropped-call demons.

You can either click the link to go to their PodBean page, or find "Gianna and Chasta" on iTune's podcast section. Take a listen!

Sophie's World shout-out: Vote for our video in Staples' Small Business Push contest!

2012-03-08T13:16:00.001-08:00

I don't know if it's contest season or something, but I'm back to beg for your vote in another one. This time it's not for me; it's for my boss, Sophie Maletsky, and her new venture, Sophie's World. We've put together a video for Staples' Small Business Push video contest. It's really cute, and only 15 seconds long, and it would mean a lot if you were to watch it and vote for us! We need help getting the Sophie's World name out there, and the $50,000 prize ain't nothin' to sneeze at. Here's what you do:

Be a member of Facebook, or join Facebook.
Go to this link to go straight to our video: https://apps.facebook.com/smallbusinesspush/profile/300/
If you are not logged in, you will be prompted to enter your Facebook username and password.
You will be taken to Facebook's Staples Small Business Push app page. Click "Go to app."
When you see our video, click "Vote for me!"
That's it!

Thank you so much! Sophie's World is an awesome project, and I'd really appreciate your support.

Tiny-Ass Apartment on "Can Do Divas!"

2012-03-05T22:50:00.001-08:00

A long time ago, I interned for a radio morning show here in San Francisco. Although I had to get up at 3:30 a.m. (leading to me falling asleep in class from time to time -- sorry, Dr. Camacho!), it was one of the most fun experiences I've ever had. I mean, I got to read love haiku to then-mayor Gavin Newsom on Valentine's Day -- and yes, I still love that man to this day.

And now I'll be back on the airwaves -- or podcast waves, at least! My old producer, the amazing Charlene (aka "The Boot") is working on a new show with some awesome ladies. I'll be appearing on "The Gianna & Chasta" show on Radio Slot tomorrow afternoon to talk about Tiny-Ass Apartment and small-space living. The show starts at noon, and you can listen by going to Radio Slot and tuning in to their "Best Mix" channel (Channel 1) which will take you straight to the player. (The podcast will be available on iTunes soon after.)

Gianna and Chasta are two best friends who are on a mission to find the "Can Do Divas" of the world -- women who are committed to leading a fun, fulfilled, and fearless life. Well, I certainly think I've got the first two down… I just hope they don't ask me about spiders.

Facebook finds

2012-03-05T22:19:00.001-08:00

Monday means it's time to recap the links I've posted to the Tiny-Ass Apartment Facebook page over the past week! This time we're debunking some small-space myths, checking out some space-saving kitchen tools, and exploring a tiny home on an English narrowboat.

Style at Home: 5 small space myths

Remodelista: 5 quick fixes - cooking utensils for small space living

Desire to Inspire: Narrowboat home

TAA on Pinterest: Sunday pins

2012-03-04T14:04:00.001-08:00

Super-lazy Sunday, just the way it should be. Time to crawl back into bed and listen to NPR's "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me" and browse the "Everything" tab on Pinterest…

Here's the image, featured on Tiny-Ass Apartment, that has been most popular on Pinterest this week (click the picture to go to the pin page)…

It was another close one this week, with this adorable springtime dress from Dorothy Perkins (which appears to be sold out) narrowly losing to this cutie-pie owl…

My two favorite pins this week are both of the ink variety. The first one, a steampunk scene by Italian artist Matteo Pasqualin is so hyper-realistic I still can't believe it's a tattoo. The other, a Mucha tattoo by Kapten Hanna, has at long last helped me find the artist I want to do my next tattoo. She's working out of a shop called Idle Hands in the Haight in San Francisco, and once I've got the scratch I'll definitely be giving her a call…

Beauty secrets: Quick tips for organizing your glam station

2012-03-02T15:36:00.001-08:00

Here's a quick one for your Friday, my lovelies! As you might have guessed, being such a big computer nerd means I'm a Redditor too. A while ago, a fella posted this image with the title, "The worst thing about moving in with your girlfriend…"

Hah! Even just living with myself I know this is true. I use bobby pins all the time to tame my sometimes-unruly hair, and I know how they disappear like socks in a dryer, but turn up like weeds in a garden. (How do ya like mixin' them metaphors, eh?) If my bangs just WILL NOT stay out of my eyes, I can usually brush my hands under the seat cushions and come up with a bobby pin or two.

But as we all know, keeping neat and organized is the key to living in a happy tiny-ass apartment. Even if they're small little things like bobby pins, if they're enough of a nuisance that your boyfriend has to complain to Reddit about them, it's time to get them under control. And so, here are a few quick tips.

Brittany at Superwoman has earned the title Woman of… well, not steel… Woman of Whatever Metal Bobby Pins Are Made Of. A magnetic strip attached to the back of her medicine cabinet keeps her pins neatly tucked away.

Lifehacker, home of "Why didn't I think of thats?", has this clever solution for a mess of ponytail holders. A carabiner keeps them looped together, while still allowing you to pull out only the one you want.

Finally, Real Simple shows you how one of those magnetic paperclip holders can corral your bobby pins as easily as your office supplies.

I also wanted to give a quick reminder that today is the last day for voting for Apartment Therapy's Homie Awards! Tiny-Ass Apartment is up for Best Home Design Blog, and though we can't touch the big dogs running at the front of the pack, every vote we get leads to more exposure, more readers, and more opportunities for this lil' site. Click here to go to the voting page. Scroll down past the list of nominees to the bottom of the ballot, and click the link to either sign in or sign up. Once you're logged in, you can vote for Tiny-Ass Apartment -- I know the list of sites is long, but if you Control+F the word "tiny," it'll get you there fast.

Thank you so much for voting, and thank you to everyone who already voted. I am so incredibly grateful for amazing readers and friends who're helping TAA out.

Split decisions: 10 pieces that gained new life after being cut in two

2012-03-01T09:16:00.001-08:00

I've often felt like I have a kind of split personality. On the one hand, there's the side of me that loves science fiction and action movies, who boxed and dreamed of an amateur career in the ring, who listens to dark, way-too-loud music, and who recently shaved off the left side of her hair. On the other hand is the side that loves to bake, coos over kittens, lusts after the clothes on Mad Men, and spends hours experimenting with makeup and manicures.

That's the side of me that loves the cheesy 90s romcom "French Kiss" with Meg Ryan, Kevin Kline, and Timothy Hutton. If you haven't seen it -- and I wouldn't blame you for overlooking it -- although you really should Netflix it -- Meg Ryan and Timothy Hutton are engaged. But he goes on a business trip to Paris and falls in love with a local vixen. Meg overcomes her intense fear of flying to fly over to win him back, but through your usual series of romcom mishaps ends up robbed and lost. But the French thief played by Kevin Kline, who tried to use her to smuggle in his stolen goods, attempts to help her. At first it's just out of self-interest to get his stolen jewels back, but of course he ends up falling for her, and she, him. She realizes that Timothy Hutton is a schmuck and then she and Kevin Kline live happily ever after on a beautiful vineyard. The reason this movie is at all relevant is because of the scene where Meg, faking self-confidence after some coaching from Kevin, has dinner with her now-ex Timothy and discusses dissolving their relationship. At issue is a loveseat the two owned together. "Tell me if you think this is crazy," she says. "We get a chain saw and BUZZZZZZ! Right down the middle, and make two chairs."

She might have been deliberately trying to provoke her ex, but I actually think it's a pretty good idea.

In a small apartment, a piece of furniture can be twice as useful when it's been cut into two. Tables, desks, and even chairs can be bisected and mounted to the wall (to make up for the now-missing legs). Now, not only do you have two matching pieces, but those pieces are slimmer and better able to squeeze into tight spots. It's also a really easy DIY, and fits a small budget; after all, you won't feel bad taking a saw to a cheap piece of Craigslist furniture. And it also seems so cathartic to just BUZZZZZ! that old dining table right down the center, just like Meg proposed.

April and May Studio brings us this image from Dutch magazine VTwonen. A wooden stool is bisected and mounted on the wall, creating a unique pair of side tables.

After moving a queen bed into a room that had previously housed a full, Mike and Katrina of At Home Alterations found that a traditional nightstand wouldn't fit. So, without knowing that it would work, they cut their thrifted nightstand in half and mounted it to the wall. Ta da! It looks awesome. Via Better After.

This one-of-a-kind piece from Factory 20 has sadly already sold, but it's a beautiful bit of inspiration for a vintage-y round table's transformation.

Britt of Gus and Lula claims that she has a problem: "I have a habit of looking at a perfectly good, intact piece of furniture and envisioning myself dismantling, deconstructing, and all but destroying it," she says. But after seeing what she did with her $20 Craigslist dining table, I'd say her "destroying" it was all for the better!

HGTV has an extensive how-to on how to create this awesome half-nightstand. I'm also loving the pop of bright pink here -- bright, neon-ish colors are really big right now!

Also from HGTV is a creation by one of the contestants on Season Six of Design Star. (Why don't I watch that show? I really need to. I gotta break up my routine of Downton Abbey, the Daily Show, and Rachel Maddow somehow.) In their "Bed and Breakfast" challenge in the fourth episode, Karl takes an end table and turns it into two polished consoles.

Beckie from Infarrantly Creative was given an old end table by her grandparents, but didn't really have a need for it. Instead, she turned it into a stacked shelf for her guest room that's really cute as well as practical. Her site also has a complete step-by-step how-to.

¿Dónde está la biblioteca? La biblioteca ya está aquí! Aaand that's all the Spanish I got, even with the help of Google Translate. But this Biblioteca Bookshelf from Umbra requires no translation. It's fun and really good-looking, and you don't have to lift a finger to make it. Designer Matt Carr was inspired by the idea of cutting two tables in half and then stacking them, but this piece is no-sawing required. Via The Glam Lamb.

More an art piece than a piece of furniture, this Isabel Quiroga "Storyteller Bookcase" shows you the possibilities that can be had when slicing and stacking furniture. A mix of tables, desks, and dressers, all painted the same color for unity, create an extensive bookshelf with tons of storage. I also can't get over how awesome that bright purple is! Via Whipped Style.

I need to break out Google Translate again for this last example. Zowieso is in German, but this bright orange console table is loud and clear. Another perfect instance of bringing in color to a small space with a fun DIY.

Wet works: 10 storage solutions for sinks, showers, and tubs

2012-02-28T19:09:00.001-08:00

I read some article a long time ago that interviewed professional maids and asked them for housecleaning tips. One maid mentioned splitting up duties between "wet rooms" and "dry rooms." Wet rooms were obviously where there was a sink or tub, like the kitchen or the bathroom, and dry rooms were everything else. Because I've seen too many spy movies, my mind immediately made the leap from "wet rooms" to "wet works." I can see it now. You come into your target's house, disguised as an unassuming maid. But in your mop bucket is a pistol with a silencer, and you take out the bad guy, use your Swiffer to remove any fingerprints, use the vacuum hose to rappel out the window, and make your escape.

… But since we're more likely to have to wipe up in the kitchen than wipe someone out, I guess it makes more sense to offer some organizational advice for wet rooms on TAA than it does spying tips. Not that I even have any; the closest I've gotten to being in a Bond movie is daydreaming about Daniel Craig.

Most renters have to make the best of the tub that they've got, but if you're in the enviable position to choose a new one, consider this nifty "Stowaway Bathtub" from GW International. All your bathing or cleaning supplies can be tucked out of sight into these clever racks. From Apartment Therapy.

These curtains remind me a bit of the NeatSheets TAA featured a few months back. With pockets sewn right into your shower curtain, everything you need in the shower is at your fingertips without taking up space on the rim of the tub… or the shower floor… or on the shelf… From Freshome.

We've also covered using a hanging metal fruit basket in the bathroom before, but not necessarily in the shower, as Real Simple does here. The wire baskets allow for plenty of drainage, and being able to hang the rack from the ceiling is ideal if you're unable to install things on a tiled wall.

Our last shower solution is for people like me who are shampoo bottle hoarders. What can I say? I see a new product, or something that's on sale, I buy it, and I want to try it out right away! Now I've got three kinds of shampoo, three kinds of conditioner, two face washes, a face scrub, a body scrub, shaving supplies, body wash -- and yes, I do use them all! (Not at the same time, of course.) Thankfully, this hanging rack from Urban Outfitters can handle a bottle collection like mine.

As with the tub, people in apartments don't often get a say in their sink. Still, it's fun to drool over this creation by the Bouroullec Brothers, as seen on Design*Sponge. The multiple tiers and appealing curves elevate this storage sink from bleh to beautiful.

Pedestal sinks may look wonderfully old-school, but they offer nothing by way of storage. Add a hidden area for storage while giving your bathroom a glam look with this sink skirt from Dollar Store Crafts.

Or, if all your sewing projects end up with stitches reminiscent of Frankenstein's monster's face, you can purchase a cabinet that fits right around the pedestal, adding under-sink storage and some additional surface space. From Ltd. Commodities.

This bamboo over-the-sink-shelf (from Organization Makes Sense) can be used in either the bathroom or the kitchen, and is especially useful to keep things up off a wet countertop.

I really like this rustic shelf seen on The Polo House. It stretches from edge to edge of the sink, maximizing the space, and offers little cubbies to keep your things upright and within easy reach.

Finally, a pretty tiered server can be used to hold more than just petit fours or scones at afternoon tea. (Although I would not object to a server filled with baked goods anytime, anywhere!) In the bathroom it can hold soap, toiletries, and cosmetics, and in the kitchen it can be a spice rack or fruit platter. No matter what you put on it, it'll look simply delicious. From Amazon.

Just another quick reminder that Tiny-Ass Apartment is in the running for Apartment Therapy's Homie Awards for Best Home Design Blog! Do me a solid and give us a vote, wouldja? Click here to go to the nomination page. You'll need to scroll to the bottom past the nominees (the list of blogs) and then either sign in or sign up. Once you do and you're on the voting page, a lil' trick is to hit Control+F, search "tiny", and vote for Tiny-Ass Apartment! I'll love ya if you do!

Facebook finds

2012-02-27T12:18:00.001-08:00

It's that time where I recap all the awesome links I've posted to Facebook over the last week! This week not only do we get two awesome small homes to drool over, but some practical information for us broke renters as well. After all, when you're renting a tiny-ass apartment, you're likely going to have these two things: IKEA furniture and a crappy landlord.

Now, one of the links I posted has a bit of self-interest to it. Apartment Therapy is having their Homie Awards again, and, well… I'd sure appreciate it if you threw Tiny-Ass Apartment a nomination. More exposure for the site opens up more opportunities for things like contests, giveaways, and special features. If you could, please take a moment and nominate TAA here!

CNN: Ultra-small is beautiful for Japanese homeowner (Via Neatorama)

Apartment Therapy: IKEA launches a "how to build" IKEA channel

Lifehacker: How to avoid getting screwed when renting an apartment

Shoesbox Dwelling: "Swiss Army" style apartment

TAA on Pinterest: Sunday pins

2012-02-26T12:15:00.001-08:00

I think San Francisco just up and decided not to have winter this year. It's been another gorgeous weekend in the city; my gal Megan and I hit up Japantown to melt our brains over the super-kawaii stuff (looks like I'll be trying the elbow patch felting project I saw on Pinterest last week after finishing this lil' kitty craft I got there), and redeem a Groupon for Gussie's Chicken and Waffles. Oh snap, that shit was good. The syrup for their waffles, their peach cobbler, and their peach champagne cocktails were all incroyable. A++, would eat again.

Here's the image, featured on Tiny-Ass Apartment, that has been most popular on Pinterest this week (click the picture to go to the pin page)…

I love the soft and feminine color palette of this room, and a two-tiered coffee table offers lots of storage.

Next time I go out into the city, I'd like to be wearing these badass shoes from ASOS and sip on a delish lava flow cocktail...

Well hung: 14 wall-mounted organizers for any room

2012-02-23T16:27:00.001-08:00

Before we get into today's post, there's someone I'd like you to meet first.

His name is Mark. Well, Accu-Mark. (I guess it's a family name?) Anyway, he's totally level-headed, and really useful around the house. Whenever you don't know which way is up, he's always there to guide you. If nothing else, I can guarantee that he's well hung, and sure to leave you satisfied.

Seriously, though. Before you attempt to purchase and install any of the awesome organizers I've found for you, please please please get a level and use it. I know I can be anal-retentive, but I once lived with someone who installed a towel rack on the inside of our bathroom door crooked and it was all I could stare at when I was sitting on the toilet.

To save yourself (and your houseguests) the pain of cocking your head to the side and going, "You know, it is a little off," a level, a pencil, and a second opinion work wonders. And in the end, you'll have a perfectly level, perfectly useful wall organizer that is so amazing that people on your toilet (or couch or whatever) will be forced to either gape at it in awe, or avert their eyes lest their retinas be burned by its perfection.

Floorspace, countertop space, tabletop space -- all surface space is precious when you live in a small apartment. It only makes sense that you get your little odds and ends off the desk, table, or what-have-you and store them someplace else -- the wall, perhaps? Here, we see the (very expensive) grandaddy of the wall organizers: the Vitra Uten Silo. Its 1969 mod design and vast array of differently-shaped cubbies make it incredibly appealing, but at over $400, it's not likely going to fit a tiny-ass budget. Via Nova68.

Much more reasonable are organizers such as this felt one as seen on Apartment Therapy. I myself have a small version of this that hangs by magnets to my fridge door. Here, you can see that it can also be mounted to the wall of any room, like a storage closet, entryway, or crafting space. Via Aesthetic Ourburst.

This is an organizer to die for. Now, I find myself saying weird things like that all the time ("I want to make love to this wall organizer," "This desktop inbox/outbox system and I were meant to be," "Have you ever seen such a beautiful remote control caddy?"), but this time I really mean it. Sadly, this vintage piece sold on Etsy some time ago, but it can still inspire the search for similar products, or perhaps a DIY project.

There are two things I love about this particular mini-cabinet: the simplicity and the name. A small shelf, just perfect for bedside accoutrements like an alarm clock, notebook, and glass of water, is perfect for someone who can't squeeze in a nightstand to mount next to their bed. The "roof" also not only accomodates a book, but cleverly keeps your place as well. But to cap it all off is the name Ferm Living gave it: the "One Bedroom Cabinet." Well, one bedroom or studio, it's still designed for someone with smaller living quarters! Via Outblush.

While perhaps not the most aesthetically pleasing, this organizer from Great Useful Stuff (they really get to the point with their name, don't they?) is ideal for an entryway or office space. With some well-placed cables it could even double as a charging station.

Read on for nine more wall organizers to get your neat freak on...

This kind of wall ogranizers appeals to two kinds of people: the green, and the cheap. There ain't nothin' wrong with either -- and if you live in the Bay Area like I do, most people are both. Cleaned, recycled tin cans can be glued together into a pleasing design and then mounted on the wall, creating cubbyholes for pens, pencils, Berkeley Bowl coupons, and other odds and ends. From Green Upgrader (once again, not burying the lede with the name here).

If "Tangerine Tango" means something to you (and no, it's not a cocktail), then you're a design-concious type who would dig this Pantone-hued mail sorter and message board. From Heliotrope Home.

Oh man, are those Jelly Bellys? Cotton Candy flavored ones? Or maybe Strawberry Daquiri? Hm, they could be Bubble Gum, which is pretty bleh as a flavor… Er, sorry. Sometimes my sweet tooth overpowers my good-design tooth. These classy glass holders with zinc labels are from the RSH Catalog, and were featured on HGTV's blog.

See Jane Work is one of my favorite sites for online window shopping. One day when I have a corner office (as opposed to a desk in the breakroom), I'll treat myself to some pretty patterned file folders and sophisticated desk accessories. But you don't have to wait until you're a C-level executive to use this incredibly simple and practical wall pocket. Its long trough shape accomodates just about anything, and because it's metal it can also serve as a magnetic message board. Via Real Simple.

Umbra also has some pretty cool, futuristic-looking home and organization accessories. This holder is as sleek and white as if it came out of Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, and has nifty drop-down hangers as well.

For those of you who prefer a more romanic look, Urban Outfitters has two punched-metal vanity organizers that provide room for your beauty supplies, hangers for jewelry and accessories, and a mirror. There's this white one…

… and this turquoise one. This one in particular would be great for a dorm, as it can also be hung over a door instead of being mounted on the wall.

Going from romantic to rustic, this organizer (also from Urban Outfitters) has pockets for your things, hangers, and a chalkboard for messages. It's got a cute one-room schoolhouse look if your style inspiration comes from Little House on the Prarie.

Our last organizer is another from Urban Outfitters. Like the previous organizer, it's got an earthy, rough-hewn look that's a bit more industrial with its metal drawers. There's also two different matching wall-mounted lockers available for even more storage.

Narrow it down: 20 inspiring narrow home offices

2012-02-21T08:15:00.001-08:00

I'm pretty confident of my grasp on the English language. I "know the words for words," as my friend Elena said once. But sometimes, even though you know the definition of a word, you still pause a little before using it. Now, if I told you that I had a hard time narrowing down a roundup of my favorite narrow offices, would that be "ironic?" Hrm. I certainly don't want to end up like poor Alanis Morissette (even if she did date Ryan Reynolds for a while). Hang on while I look it up…

irony: noun. The use of words to express something other than and especially the opposite of the literal meaning.

Well, that certainly isn't it.

coincidence: noun. The occurrence of events that happen at the same time by accident but seem to have some connection

Much better.

Now that that little language lesson is out of the way (if you're studying for the SATs right now, I expect a cut of that sweet, sweet Princeton Review money), let's get on with the roundup! While we've covered closet offices before, sometimes the closet isn't ideal for conversion for one reason or another. But there are still many overlooked nooks and crannies where a workspace can fit quite nicely. Here are my favorite 20 narrow offices; they're the perfect places to stretch your creativity and productivity, even if you can't stretch your arms at the same time.

From Lovely Undergrad.

From Desire to Inspire.

From Design*Sponge.

From Apartment Therapy.

15 more fab offices after the jump!

From Better Homes and Gardens via Pinterest.

From Better Homes and Gardens.

From Design*Sponge.

From Dominic Paul Mercadante.

From Avhemmakleri.

From The Great Balancing Act.

From HGTV.

From Made By Girl.

From Marie Claire Maison.

From Better Homes and Gardens via Les Envies de Sarrouska.

From Real Simple.

From The Office Stylist.

From Apartment Therapy via Willow Decor.

Facebook finds

2012-02-20T10:49:00.001-08:00

One of the drawbacks to social media sites like Facebook and Twitter is that you post something, it goes out to all your friends/followers, and then… it's gone. Now, I've been finding too many awesome links to have full posts for 'em all, but I can't just let the links I post to Facebook disappear into the online ether like so many funny cat pictures. And so, here's a roundup of what I've been finding and posting on the Tiny-Ass Apartment Facebook Fan Page.

To get these links hot off the presses, be sure to like Tiny-Ass Apartment on Facebook!

Apartment Therapy: Out of sight - five space-saving desks

Gawker: These are five of the smallest rental apartments in America

Lifehacker: Make the most of your tiny kitchen

Offbeat Home: 9 ideas to bring fun and comfort back to the dorms

Sunset: Inspiring small homes