Living in smaller spaces; The Rules Have Changed

by Craig Hogan & Rudy Zavala

Small Spaces. Big Style. And a Lifestyle That’s Here to Stay.
Why Living Well Today Doesn’t Mean Living Large.

Read time 4 minutes

The idea that more square footage equals better living is becoming… outdated. From Upper East Side apartments to Madrid rooftops, Munich flats to 258-square-foot Paris studios, living small is the new luxury.

Take Noah Ruttenberg’s 950-sq-ft Upper East Side bachelor pad, where whimsical accents meet sharp edges in a space that writes its own rules. Or consider the transformation of a 540-sq-ft rooftop flat in Madrid, now a sunlit oasis that floats above the city. This 760-sq-ft Manhattan apartment offers a true master class in functionality, proving that small spaces—when designed well—can live large.

From Historic Loft Space to Gold Coast High-Rise—Our Journey

After 20 years, we sold our beloved apartment—a sprawling Chicago loft with few interior walls and endless open space. It was full of character, light, and history. But it was also full of… stuff.

We jumped in with both feet. We kept only what we loved, used, or felt was truly unique. Everything else? Gone. And once it was gone, we didn’t miss it. Turns out, most of it was just noise. We don't have special china in storage with those "special" wine glasses from wherever it was. We use it all every day.

Today, we live in a full-amenity high-rise in Chicago’s Gold Coast: smaller footprint, higher function. We didn’t downsize our lifestyle—we upgraded our experience.

It’s been one of the best moves we’ve ever made. Living smaller isn’t a step back. It’s a step forward into clarity, simplicity, and style.

More Real-Life Inspiration

• In Munich, architect Regina Hoefter has lived in a 430-sq-ft flat for a decade. It’s refined, thoughtful, and airy thanks to high ceilings and sharp design choices. She lives by one rule: only keep what you truly love.

• In Paris, a 258-sq-ft studio near the Luxembourg Gardens was reimagined into a breezy, Mediterranean-inspired retreat by architect Aurélien Duny. The floating center unit creates zones without walls, proving you don’t need square footage to have structure.

Takeaways for Living Better in Less Space

Design like a sailboat: Every inch matters. Function meets beauty.
Edit ruthlessly: Keep what brings you joy or earns its place. Let the rest go.
Create zones, not walls: Lighting, color, and layout define space—no drywall required.
Treat your home like a boutique hotel: Curated. Intentional. Effortless.
Think automotive, marine and aircraft design. Everything is connected and has a specific purpose.
Change your mindset, change your space: My favorite read? Nobody Wants Your Sh*t by Messie Condo. Okay—not really, it’s by Messie Cohan, but the message is spot on. It's an honest, liberating reminder that what we cling to is often just clutter in disguise.