TINY TRICKS
Living in a small space means sacrifices, simplicity and discipline,
Andrew Holder has rules — no kitschy decor, no shoes on the floor and daily tidying is a must.
It’s how the 54-year-old retail analyst survives and enjoys living in his 350-square-foot waterfront condo in Toronto’s west end. After all, there is nowhere to hide a mess when you are micro-living.
“There’s no excuses, I’m not allowed to break these rules,” he says.
Whether it’s the high cost of housing in Toronto or a move to a minimalist lifestyle, more people are turning to smaller spaces. Micro-living usually means sleeping, eating, entertaining and sometimes working take place in the same space. But, as Holder demonstrates, you don’t need to sacrifice style for functionality.
Holder’s bedroom is his living room. Although the footprint may be small, the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows that run the width of his unit allow natural light to flood the space. Add in high ceilings, simple decor and a kitchen that includes an island with generous counter space and it makes the space feel airy, modern and stylish.
“This place feels like home even though it’s the size of a hotel room. In fact, I’ve been in bigger hotel rooms,” Holder says.
Holder has had a lot of practice with small-space living. Over the past 15 years, he has lived in different parts of the city, gradually downsizing from a 650square-foot unit at Yonge St. and Finch Ave. W., to a 527-square-foot space at King St W. and Portland St., then a similar sized unit in Leslieville, to the studio where he is today. With his waterfront condo, purchased in 2014, he says he has small-space living figured out and mused that he’d consider going even smaller.
“I really like the area I’m in but couldn’t really afford to be here unless I went small. This is perfect right now for my life.”
But small-space living comes with sacrifices.
Holder had to give up some amenities, such as the convenience of a dishwasher in order to fit a wine fridge. After all, you have to have priorities. He also ditched his bed for a sofa bed. He says he sometimes wishes he had a separate bedroom, and notes a storage locker is a necessity.
But, mainly, he’s able to make it work because of three things: neatness, simplicity and discipline.
He says that no matter what, he always converts his bed back to a couch.
“I can’t be lazy about my living space.” Holder’s five rules for micro-living Whether you live in a tiny studio or a mansion, many of the same rules apply when it comes to keeping your home organized and spacious.
Here are Holder’s rules to keeping his space uncluttered and functional: 1. Keep decor simple: Holder keeps his walls light-coloured to reflect light and opted out of adding carpeting or a rug, as he feels bare wood floors make the room feel larger and he didn’t want to divide the space. He has minimal accessories but cherishes the paintings created by his late father that he’s hung behind his sofa. 2. Purge often: Holder says it’s helpful to take stock of what you have every six months.
“I often get rid of clothes. If I don’t wear it, I get rid of it. Small-space living is minimalist living. When I get rid of redundant things in my life, I feel refreshed.” Holder keeps seasonal clothing in his storage locker and says he does not feel guilty about getting rid of things that are not being worn or used. 3. Keep it clean: Declutter and tidy up daily. Make sure everything has a place. Holder has a to-do list that keeps clutter at bay and makes cleaning easier. Convert the bed back to a sofa without fail. Put away clothing, shoes. Don’t leave dishes on tables. No small appliances on the counter when not in use. 4. Multi-functional furniture: Furniture should be multi-functional and fit the scale of the space. The sofa is also the bed, the coffee table opens up to serve as storage — in Holder’s case, for bed linens. Furniture with storage, such as the midcentury cabinet in his living room, takes advantage of some of the vertical space, giving him a place to display keepsakes such as art, photos and books while also storing wine glasses and other entertaining essentials that would otherwise fill his kitchen cabinets. 5. Learn to make sacrifices: In a small space, every object matters. Choosing how to use that real estate means making choices and focusing on priorities. Holder opted for a good vent hood to help improve air quality instead of a microwave. He has minimal appliances. Instead of a bulky espresso machine, he chose an oldschool stovetop version.