This is the story and tour of a reader’s 220-sq.-ft. tiny apartment in Los Angeles.
It’s a small space with an open-layout, 12-ft. high ceilings, and a lovely balcony. It didn’t come with a kitchen, but Paul put a kitchenette together that’s simple, affordable, and functional (see below). What do you think about living tiny and simply in an apartment or studio kind of like this?
Don’t miss other interesting home tours like this – join our FREE Tiny House Newsletter for more!
220-sq.-ft. Studio Apartment w/ Balcony in Los Angeles (TOUR)
© Paul Moulds
This is what it looked like on the first day:
© Paul Moulds
This is what the bathroom looked like:
© Paul Moulds
A washing machine was added as well as an Ikea folding drying rack behind the door:
© Paul Moulds
Here’s what it looks like AFTER move-in 🙂
© Paul Moulds
Pretty nice, right? I think it’s a great space!
© Paul Moulds
Pantry and storage area:
© Paul Moulds
Closet/Wardrobe/Shoes
© Paul Moulds
At first I was afraid it was too small but jumped in feet first & organized it into functionality.
This is the kitchenette that he added because the space didn’t come with a kitchen…
© Paul Moulds
An evening with the privacy awning setup:
© Paul Moulds
Another beautiful shot of the balcony view
© Paul Moulds
Balcony gardening in LA 🙂
© Paul Moulds
Balcony Farming in LA! 🙂
© Paul Moulds
How he ended up downsizing into this 220-sq.-ft. apartment (story)
I got divorced & I moved 3 years ago from 1100 sqft house on 1500sqft lot to an apartment of 220 sqft. With no kitchen, but it had a balcony ,& 12′ ceilings. The first couple of photos are of the day we went to see it. The rest of the photos are what I transformed it into , a very cozy living space & small balcony farm. Most of the stuff has come from Ikea & Amazon. We spend 88% of our waking hours on the balcony. I grow 3 kinds of lettuce, strawberries, 2 lemon trees, carrots, tomatoes ,basil & flowers. My goal was to see if I could live in a tiny house, make my carbon footprint as small as possible & be more sustainable . I also have an electric car & I love it. I hope you like it.
You can live tiny in apartments too!
I love this story because it proves that you don’t always have to build a tiny house or a cabin or anything to start living tiny, or to downsize dramatically. You can find something that’s already out there! You just have to look. When I asked how he found this awesome little apartment, here’s what he said:
I found the apartment on Zillow. Just put in where I needed to be & the amount of rent I was willing to pay. Then I sorted low to high. I believe No sense in wasting money on a rental & the least amount is better.
Our big thanks to Paul Moulds for sharing!🙏
You can share this using the e-mail and social media re-share buttons below. Thanks!
If you enjoyed this you’ll LOVE our Free Daily Tiny House Newsletter with even more!
You can also join our Small House Newsletter!
Also, try our Tiny Houses For Sale Newsletter! Thank you!
More Like This: Apartments
See The Latest: Go Back Home to See Our Latest Tiny Houses
Alex
Latest posts by Alex (see all)
- The Honey Suckle Rose Tiny Yurt Cabin in Austin, Texas - November 29, 2023
- Nomadic Van Life in his Nissan NV2500 That’s Built Like a Cabin - November 28, 2023
- Movable Roots’ Coastal Gem: The Tiny Wave Tiny Home - November 8, 2023
I love this. It is perfect. Wish there were more like this available.
I’m really interested in the hydroponic setup you have there. Do you have any instructions that you used or something you found online? I’d like to try it out.
Nice transition. The balcony garden is a winner. Is 12 feet high enough to loft the bed?
Wow, they can let an apartment without a kitchen in L.A.? Certainly can’t where I live.
Personally I’d swap the induction cooker with the toaster oven. Moisture coming up from pots underneath could kill the oven in a pretty short period of time.
That balcony doesn’t look all that big… a common problem (especially Juliet balconies) so don’t see how you’d spend close to 90% of your time on it. Unless its true that it “never rains in southern California” lol shout out to Albert Hammond there.
A murpy bed with a couch would have served you well There
.ikea has a kithen unit with sink would have been Maybe other a option for you
It looks wonderful and the balcony is very precious
Great job
Good luck .you have a great partner ,tge dog.happy holidays
LOVE THIS!! The hardwood floor is pristine! Love the “dated” bathroom with WINDOWS. Great use of storing your clothes!! Balcony means OUTSIDE time and mini gardening to boot with night lights for that wine, cheese, sausage and TownHouse crackers. Finally, though, I would have to stack my sound system, turntable where the floor lamps are by the French Door on the right with speakers hoisted high thanks to that 12 foot ceiling. WALK YOUR PUP OFTEN <3
The balcony really makes the space. Beaytiful.
I love the balcony!
With 12’ ceilings you could totally put a bed loft in there so that you don’t have to make out a sleeper sofa every day. Great ideas on the kitchen but if you’ll watch some “stealth Van RV tours, you’ll see how you can create a kitchen sink etc without having running water from the apartment. It would probably make washing dishes easier. I do like your pretty dishes!!! I’m sure it is a work in progress and love what you’ve done so far.
Yes that’d be a cool addition!
What a great space. Those double doors to the balcony should not be obstructed by the bed; as well as the flow into the apartment. I would have done either a loft bed with kitchen underneath on the opposite wall, and left the openness with a sitting area (two chairs) by the balcony doors; or a Murphy bed to open the whole space up. Minimalistic ALWAYS works best in a small space; the less you see (clutter and uneccesary items) the more relaxing and clean feeling.
Enjoy that nice view and cute apt.
Great ideas, Birdie!
The closet organization in this small space is amazing!!! The kitchen space created is equally impressive. I can see why so much time is spent on the balcony along with a nice container garden. GREAT JOB!!
Love this and his imagination made it look like a home. His dog is cute. I wouldn’t live in Los Angeles though. This would be great up here in the Sierra’s. Sorry but I am a mountain woman. I do love this apartment. Looks big for it’s size. His closet is really nice.
I, too, prefer the mountains to the city!