Small Space Clothing Storage in Cold Climate Regions
Small homes/apartments located in regions with colder climates face their own unique storage challenges. When one sweater or jacket requires as much room as a small stack of summer clothing, or when a single pair of boots are all you can fit by the front door, space suddenly becomes that much more challenging to find, create and/or maintain. And, as storage space gets eaten up, spare inches intended for relaxation, work or play are often infringed upon, just when you need them most while spending more time indoors.
I have rented several small apartments (with no outdoor space) in regions with freezing weather the past. From living in a makeshift, triangle-shaped bedroom that doubled as a close friend’s home office, to spending years with a partner in a typical New York City walk-up (which was not only tiny, but was also booby trapped with exposed heating pipes that sizzled my skin any time I reached for a book or bent over to put on my socks, I have grappled with storing cold weather gear in a compact home.
Still, I’ve hesitated to regularly approach the topic of how to manage clothing in small spaces that properly experience all 4 seasons, as it’s been a decade since I’ve lived full-time in a compact residence in an area that experiences temperatures ranging from 10° to 100°F. But in a recent round of open questions, several readers requested that I tackle the topic. So here I am.
Before looking directly at the wardrobe solutions, I’d like to back up and approach the issue from a wider view. Because In order to preserve space needed for boots, layers, gear and dripping umbrellas or hats, it can help to first have smart and hardworking furnishings in place.
FURNISHINGS
By selecting multitasking furnishings, you might be able to open up spots throughout your home for everyday cold weather wear that is too bulky for a standard drawer or bin.
A dresser desk (preferably one with a folding or telescoping work surface) can store clothing while also operating as an workspace for kids and/or adults. Similarly, a transforming coffee/dining table combo can easily merge the bulkiest furnishings between a dining and living room. And, if you have room for a nightstand, opting for one that can perform the duties of a vanity, dresser, or bookshelf is highly useful.
Luckily, many of these items have been around for decades, and can be found via vintage and second-hand sources.)
HOME DECOR & ACCESSORIES
Try to avoid home accessories that use valuable floor space.
For example, instead of leaning your mirrors, mount them on doors or walls. (Or if you are going to use a leaning mirror, find one that comes layered with hooks, shelves or ledges so it can multitask.) And rather than selecting tabletop and floor planters, try suspending your year-round greenery from the ceiling hooks or from your existing hardware such as curtain dowels. Collapsible/folding, hanging or soft-form hampers will provide more versatility than bulky inflexible bins, allowing them to move into new locations when you switch things up in your home as life evolves.
WARDROBE SOLUTIONS
I hesitate to share many clothing storage solutions. They’re often made of plastic, and were invented to deal with our overflow of belongings. The less stuff we have, the fewer organizers we need, and the lighter our environmental footprint.
Yet there’s no denying that a smart space-saving tool here and there can work wonders (and prevent daily frustration) in a minuscule closet. So here are a few of my favorites concepts from my previous lives in colder climates.
Single Wall-Mounted Hooks - Consider hanging your largest and/or most-used coats from simple, single hooks mounted to your walls (rather than clumping them together on an over-burdened multi-prong coatrack or in a closet). They’ll be easier to access, and will have more room to dry without battling other clothing for space. Not every hook has to go by the door. If you have a long narrow hallway, put it to further use by dotting it with generously-spaced hooks. If you have awkward corners in your room or barren inches on the exteriors of bookcases or dressers, they might all be perfect spots for hooking up a jacket and/or scarf.
Dowels or Tension Rods - There are oftentimes lost inches inside wardrobes and closets. Tucked above and behind your standard hanging rack you might be able to mount another rod where your scarves can drape. Hook gloves and hats to it easily with hanger-top boot clips.
Hanging Chain / String - When suspended vertically from the ceiling in an unused corner, a chain paired with s-hooks or a string coupled with clothespins can organize your family’s hats and gloves while allowing them to air out.
Wall Mounted Drying Rack - A multi swinging arm wall mounted drying rack is not only smart for laundry, but it can hold your daily coat, scarf, tote and gloves as well. When it’s not in use, just tuck it back up against the wall.
Vacuum Bags - I’d be lying if I said I didn’t buy vacuum bags during the many years in which I lived in the Northeast. I used them for on AND off-season clothing storage. Once the clothes are in and sealed, the bag itself can slide under a bed, or behind hanging clothes in a closet— the pack doesn’t need to go in yet another storage bin. I also used hanging vacuum bags for a couple of bigger coats that I kept in the closet because they were not my daily pieces. (In retrospect, I should’ve donated them upon moving in, but for sentimental reasons I’d yet to conquer at that point in my life, I didn’t.) Once you’re done with this style of bag, pass them on to someone who can continue to use them— there’s no shortage of folks in the city looking for ways to save space.
DIY or Adjusted Shoe Racks - I find that most shoe racks are obnoxiously squat between levels. This renders them nearly useless with cold weather boots. And when nothing fits well, the whole thing becomes a complete mess. With certain models of shoe racks, you can opt to skip a shelf in the middle, providing more space for tall or bulky boots. (Too many shoes for the rack? Stop buying new pairs until you absolutely need to, and consider donating a pair or two to a local homeless shelter.) Better yet— upcycled/repurposed old wine crates can be secured together (and to the wall) and positioned like cubbies against a wall for a dynamic and customizable shoe gallery. The tops of the crates are often just the right depth for small items like keys, eyewear, handbags, small plants, lunchboxes, and mail catchalls.
Unexpected Shelving - Over the door ledges, corner platforms, and upper wall shelving than runs a foot or so beneath the ceiling are all additional ways to seize vertical space either for your winter gear, or for other items that will then free up drawer, shelf and closet space for your bulkier garments. If your small home or apartment is starting to feel cramped or cluttered with so much exposed storage, streamline the look via baskets to suit your decor style. It’s remarkable how a row of mismatched vintage baskets, or a collection of natural repurposed crates, or a tidy line of matching modern bins can add personality to your home while organizing and concealing your essentials.
Tiny Adventures: Montecito
Nine years ago, I met Adam. It was the day that changed everything for me, and it’s one that I honor annually with more emotion than even our wedding anniversary. (Without that day, I might never have met my partner in love & business... I might never have moved into the Cottage... and, most unfathomable of all, there would be no West.)
This year we wanted to celebrate by spending some time in Montecito with our family.
We were generously provided with a luxuriously designed 2020 Lincoln Aviator for our drive and overnight stay so that all 6 of us could get around town together safely and comfortably.
Above/Below: Handmade pants by Thief and Bandit
An epic sunset, a morning at the beach, some family meals, and quiet moments together in the hammocks throughout the property made our short getaway feel therapeutic in a way that was much appreciated.
We stayed at the Rosewood Miramar Resort, where we were able to catch up with our friends from goop and enjoy an outdoor wine tasting and dinner that they orchestrated to introduce their new Sundries boutique that opened at the hotel.
Travel, whether near or far, sometimes makes me anxious. I think it’s because there is no real “vacation mode” for our small business— we’re constantly on.
Above: Hat from West Perro // Ascot by Late Sunday Afternoon // Click here for hat clip
Luckily, this wasn’t one of those times. I was able to relax and rejoice by this exquisite coastline on which I met my extraordinary husband, and after which I named my child.
Note: This blog post was not sponsored, but a corresponding Instagram feature was sponsored by Lincoln, and the goop items and experience were generously gifted. As always, all words, opinions and photos are my own.
Simple, low-waste homewares for fall
Gifting is a low frills affair here. We rarely wrap things, and we almost always opt for simple designs. But that doesn’t mean we don’t give the process a good deal of thought— on the contrary, actually.
We typically give bundles containing beverages or edible goods, along with local floral bunches. On special occasions, we add handmade or vintage artful homewares that hopefully support beautiful and less wasteful living.
I discovered this handmade loose leaf tea caddy (made in the USA with sustainable walnut) on Etsy, which has long been my go-to source for vintage and handmade goods. The caddy is such a lovely and functional item that can encourage the recipient to slow down and enjoy a quiet moment, particularly during this fast-paced time of year.
I also found a nesting set of stainless steel cups (perfect for little ones) that are bound together with a lid and strap for easy toting. Other items I’ve gathered for gifts this fall include a handmade baby spoon (the same one we got for West when he was 6 months old), some color twig pencils, and locally-made olive oil and bread.
(Not pictured: My trusty bike basket bungee net, which is an absolute necessity but killed the vibe of the photos. 😜)
Note: While this blog entry was not sponsored, the tea caddy and stainless steel cups (which I selected based on our home and gifting style,) were provided to us by Etsy in conjunction with a sponsored Instagram post.
Minimalism Fail: My Daily Bag
We prefer to keep things clean and simple over here. For us, it makes life in a small space much more manageable. Sometimes we succeed, other times we don’t. My daily bag is a stellar example of a notable minimalism fail.
When not in use, the placement of the bag within our house is nice and practical. It either hooks on to the back of our front door, or it hangs from an s-hook on the exterior of the closet. In both places it’s easy to access throughout the day or when in a hurry, all without taking up any surface or closet space needed for other activities or items.
It’s the stuff inside the bag that’s a bit of a cluster. The blend of running the business, parenting and trying to be less wasteful with single-use items prevent me from keeping the contents to a minimum. But the system works, so I’ve come to embrace it all.
Reusable tissues/cloths, a canvas bulk food baggie, a larger sheet of beeswax paper, a cutlery roll for myself, a combo play mat + cutlery roll for West, a stainless water bottle and adaptable kid’s bottle, and a piece of collapsible tupperware with a lid make up the items that most often help us prevent waste related to food, beverage and packaging while on the go.
I also carry a small smattering of compact toys / activities that can help entertain our 3 year old in a pinch, and can serve as a jumping off point for imaginative play if we’re out for longer than expected. This roll-up play mat (that can also serve as a placemat) with storage for a small truck, a crayon roll (no more pre-packaged restaurant crayons), and a single-piece wooden 3-d puzzle have saved the day several times.
I carry my sunglasses and a brush, as I like to bike most places. And since I almost always work 7 days/week, I carry my iPad and my Nimble for Good portable wireless charger, which was made from recycled plastic bottles and plant-based bio-plastics, and arrived in plastic-free packaging.
On the outside of the bag, I've attached a hat clip that helps when I’m switching between indoors/outdoors, or from my hat to a bike helmet.
The bag itself is the Momo by Olli Ella, which was made by hand with sustainably-sourced materials, and produced ethically. (When I’m going into a more professional environment, I use my Elle by Teddi Joelle.)
Lots of these items can be made from goods you might have already in your home. An old cotton garment beyond repair can be sewn into small squares for reusable cloths. Bedding that’s no longer in use can be redesigned into drawstring bags. And a Stasher bag can keep crayons, little toys, and even utensils from home organized in your bag while on-the-go.
Lower Waste Pet Goods
In recent years, one of the habits we’ve shifted the most drastically is how we select goods for our pups, StanLee and Sophee. For example, we’ve switched from food delivery services to preparing their meals here at home, and we’ve found bags, tools and accessories work well for our their needs as well as our evolving, greener lifestyle. As always, it’s a work in progress— we are constantly learning new information and pivoting accordingly. But the following is our current set of practices, coupled with a product roundup.
LINT BRUSH
After Sophee chewed up our last plastic lint roller (WHY, SOPH?!), I refused to buy another. We now use a wooden lint brush that effectively removes animal hair and lint from clothes and upholstery. It’s constructed from beechwood and natural rubber strips, then bound together with copper wire.
SHAMPOO
We don’t have to bathe the pups too often— a perk of the breed. But when we do, we have a pet shampoo bar that’s effective and virtually waste-free. It comes in compostable, minimal packaging.
WASTE BAGS
We use BioBags pet bags, which are 100% compostable. They’re also fragrance-free, not tested on animals, and packaged with minimal materials.
Our neighbor simply uses junk mail papers to pick up after her pup so she doesn’t have to buy anything new. This is clearly ideal for cutting back on waste and saving money. I tried it once, but it was just too tricky for me to use that method flawlessly when walking through the city with both pups and West.
DESHEDDER TOOL
A decade or more ago, I bought a deshedding brush for StanLee that works extremely well. Every time I do a pass through his coat there’s enough hair caught in the brush to make a new small animal. But this undercoat tool is (unfortunately) wrapped in plastic and rubber from the head to the handle. As such, I’m going to use it until the end of time. No point in swapping it out for something “greener” since I already have it.
BEDS
If you’re at all craft-inclined, a DIY pet bed stuffed with old clothes, towels and scraps presumably isn’t the hardest thing to make. (I’m a total disaster at such things.) But I stopped buying dedicated beds for the dogs. We use West’s old, washable baby blankets/mats for the pups here in the house, and outside they have wicker beds that we can cushion with any smaller blanket or pad. We have one P.L.A.Y. crate-liner style cushion, which was made from 100% recycled materials. That one washable mat sometimes sits on in the wicker bed, sometimes rests on the floor, and sometimes travels with us when we take longer trips in the car with StanLee and Sophee. (No sense in buying multiples if you’re trying to reduce your footprint.)
COLLARS
I wish I’d discovered Ike & Stella’s handmade, updatable collars years ago. They’re easy to refresh when parts begin to age or fray (meaning that they don’t have to be entirely discarded over the years). These sturdy leather-and-metal collars have removable (and sometimes washable) decorative + cushioned slide-on sleeves. I got collars and sleeves for both of the pups last year, and they’re definitely here to stay.
LEASHES
If you’re limited on storage space and wanting to avoid buying new plastics, handmade leashes are a good option. Plus they can be surprisingly pretty if displayed on your walls via hooks when not in use.
FOOD
In the past, we had food delivered for the pups, but the amount of waste it generated was just too much to bear. After first discussing a diet change with the Vet, Adam found a vegetarian recipe to prepare for the dogs. He makes it about twice a week, and stores the batch in the fridge. It includes olive oil, sweet pepper, zucchini, yellow squash, eggplant, egg, rice, cheese, beans, potato, or some combination thereof. (We also keep a tin of kibble in the bathroom, which we mix into Sophee’s dish.)
PET BOWLS
We’re currently using stainless steel mixing bowls for the pups since West broke all but one of the ceramic pet dishes when he was little and I don’t want to buy anything new. But there are many artfully crafted bowls available via Etsy.
TOYS
Adam and I sometimes upcycle worn-out, everyday items into games for the pups, but I’ll also admit that we do still buy new toys for special occasions via a discount retailer nearby. (Not ideal, I know.)
I’ve seen some great DIY dog activities online that don’t require anything new. My favorite find was a cupcake tin filled with tennis balls with a nibble hiding under (or within) one of the orbs. This clever little game will give your best friend a fun challenge to tackle before devouring his or her treat. (Although I myself have never tried it, as I’ve never owned a cupcake tin.)
Here, we sometimes opt for a basic water-soaked cloth left in the freezer and transformed into a cold, soft chew. This is particularly effective in cooling down the pups while also keeping them entertained during the hotter summer months.
Another easy DIY is the ol’ bottle-in-the-sock toy. We eliminated plastic bottles from our lives long ago, but they still randomly surface every now and then, whether via a guest or some unexpected chain of events. When that happens, we insert the empty bottles into a clean but tired old sock that needs to be retired, and this simple toy can keep one or both of our dogs occupied for a while. Ultimately, the bottle goes in the recycling bin. But only a small percentage of plastic is actually collected for recycling, so this isn’t something we do often.
Sick Day in a Small Space
Earlier this year, I wrote a blog post about our family being under the weather while under one (tiny) roof. At that time, all of us were sick and struggling to avoid passing germs on to one another on repeat while sharing such a small space. This weekend I’m circling back on that topic, but from another angle.
This time, our 3 year old is experiencing typical cold symptoms, whereas Adam and I are feeling healthy. So we’ve been coming up with calm activities to do together in our tiny home to help West keep entertained without the use of a screen, and without overexerting himself.
Our go-tos have been creating pillow-lined paths for West’s new wooden trucks, reading stacks of books (we’re extra careful when handling the library books in this context), laundry as a family activity, doing flash cards and puzzles, watching dino eggs hatch, and playing with organic flour dough and dough tools made from recycled plastics.
I also went out early on Saturday morning to get West a compact, fold-up wooden train set as a little “sick day” surprise. It’s easy to set up in bed, and can be reconfigured and mixed-and-matched with other toys.
For West, I believe the highlight of the weekend was the dough games.
For his mom, the highlight was a snuggly and sweet three hour nap on Saturday afternoon.
Space Saving, Low Waste Drinkware for All Ages
Our kitchen isn’t tiny, but it is of course compact. One double-door cabinet above our sink holds all of our drinkware.
When selecting our glasses, cups and related accessories, we’ve tried to stick to items that will save space and reduce waste through their versatility and adaptability.
For example, when our child began to drink out of a bottle, I started to notice how many styles of drinkware for children there are. The designs are often tailored to stage and age, meaning they need to be entirely replaced at several milestones. We are certainly guilty of going through a few styles of bottles and cups before understanding what we actually needed, and how we could reduce our waste while saving space within our home. As it turns out, all we needed was a small number of stainless steel bottles that could be adapted for babies, toddlers, kids, adults, and travel via their tops.
Similarly, I had mason jars in use for a job here-or-there around the house, but I also bought soap dispensers, to-go cups, and specialty containers (which all broke or wore out over time) before realizing that the jars could function for years in a number of ways with the help of a minor accessory every now and then.
We now use the same old supply of jars for food and household cleaner refills, for toting our snacks to go, as drinkware (for adults and children), for storing food, as coffee cups, as soap dispensers, as beauty product containers, and more.
We do have a small set of recycled, stacking glasses, as well as some stemware and mugs that were gifted. But other than that, we pretty much use our collection of jars or stainless steel the majority of the time.
Having worked in the event industry and home decor world for years now, I have seen the eye rolls and heard the complaints about mason jars again and again. But on such a strained planet, it’s our responsibility to stop buying new items we don’t need, and to get the most milage and creative use out of what we’ve got.
While this certainly isn’t a zero waste system, it is lower waste than most of what I see on a daily basis. It helps us avoid single use adult and kid cups, and enables one type of object to play many roles, saving us both space and money.
Convertible sofa cushion storage solutions
This week, a reader sent me a message requesting recommendations for what to do with spare sofa cushions and pillows when converting a living space into a sleeping space for overnight guests or a child. In a truly small home or apartment such as ours, just tossing the cushions aside isn’t an answer, as they clog up floor and surface space that’s needed for navigation and everyday life. And when you’re already pressed for storage inches within your closet, under the bed, and in/around cabinets and shelves, it can often feel like there’s zero room for bulky temporarily displaced items such as these.
As always, my recommendation is to go vertical, and to work with what you have.
First, we double-up the cushions that we can keep on the couch without getting in the way of the sitting or sleep space. And we always use a cushion as a headboard, which makes the setup feel more bed-like, while also putting good use to an otherwise displaced cushion.
In our case, we scatter the cushions around so that no one area of our tiny house feels overcrowded.
We drop the pillows into functional decor, such as the basket hanging over our bedroom doors
We also use s-hooks to suspend some via market totes from the outside of our closet.
A hamper (or even a a trademark blue Ikea bag) could help, but they’re not the sightliest things to have out in a compact home. Luckily you can easily make your own Santa bag.
All you need is a spare sheet or tablecloth, gathered at the top with a simple tool like a garden hook so that it securely holds the makeshift sack together while also hanging from something like a curtain rod or wall hook.
It’s not the most elegant of solutions, but it’s effective, and it can keep your home feeling and functioning the way you want it to. Plus I personally prefer to work with what we have readily available, rather than searching for fabricated storage and organization solutions. It’s better for our wallets, our small spaces and our environmental impact
Minimal Halloween Decor
When I look back at the way my family celebrated Halloween when I was growing up, I have strong (and positive) memories of the events, the costumes and the decor at home and in school. But in this time of climate crisis, and with a child who is fascinated but clearly unsettled by certain settings and setups, I’ve found that opting for less during the holidays in general is currently the best fit for our lil’ home and family. (See our Tiny House Halloween post from last year, here.)
If we had piles of picturesque fall leaves here, I imagine would gather some to string into garlands to drape around our home. But, despite the fact that it’s mid-October, Venice is still in late-summer mode— plus we don’t have an abundance of trees here to begin with. I’ll admit that I found myself searching for real leaves online before I realized how silly that was. I closed the computer, annoyed with myself for even considering purchasing leaves (the Florida girl in me is still shaking her head), and then having them packaged and shipped to our house— a completely unnecessary expense and add-on to our carbon footprint.
We chose instead to do the following:
Buy pumpkins to decorate them with borrowed and existing accessories
Take daily strolls and rides around our neighborhood to scout out the decor set up by the businesses and members of our community
Borrow fall and Halloween themed children’s books from our local libraries
We found the pumpkins at long-standing nearby garden center that is a member of the Master Nursery Garden Centers— a co-op of independent garden centers throughout the country.
We carved a small pumpkin with West. It was his first time creating a jack-o-lantern, and he clearly enjoyed it.
We borrowed the carving tools from our neighbor, so we didn’t have to buy one of those cheap sets that often breaks and ends up in the trash. We dressed up another pumpkin as “Scary Potter,” which has been a tradition of ours for several years. (I purchased the glasses from an Etsy maker long ago, and they’re one of the only pieces of holiday decor of any sort that I own.)
Adam later baked the seeds with oil, cinnamon and sugar. (The cottage smelled fantastic.)
Multiple times per day, we stroll, bike or take the wagon through the neighborhood to visit West’s favorite yard installations, and to discover newly situated decor.
This little activity gets us outside, prevents us from spending money we don’t need to spend, and ensures that we don’t have bulky decorations to store in our tiny home for 11 months out of the year.
Shoes: Garnet Hill. Bike: Virtue.
While we’re out, I’ll sometimes clip some fall-like branches from the nearby alleyways for an extra pop of warmth in the house.
The main reason that West wanted to carve a pumpkin and is so excited to see (most) decor is that we borrow fall and Halloween books from our local library, starting in late September. After reading a few titles about harvesting pumpkins, he asked that we grow our own next year.
As West gets older, we’ll see how his interests evolve. But for now, pumpkins, some pops of autumnal toned florals or clippings, and the creativity of our neighbors is all we need to make it feel like Halloween here... even when it’s 80 degrees under the palm trees.
Playful, Low Waste Gift Wrap
In a recent post, I shared visuals demonstrating the simple way in which we wrap our son’s gifts. We use linen napkins, scarves and tea towels from around the house. They’re zero waste, easy for little hands to untie, and once the wrapping is no longer needed we can simply toss the cloths into the laundry bin or return them to our drawer. But what about presents that are destined for homes other than our own?
As we head into the holidays, Adam and I have somehow already found ourselves wrapping little items for our friends’ children. Instead of using linens or traditional wrapping paper, we use picture book dust jackets.
This idea is not new. I’ve seen it before, and I’ve heard it discussed and suggested a few times over the years. But now that our son is 3 and is well into picture books, we’ve accumulated enough beautiful yet impractical covers to create our own little pile of unique wrapping paper.
When we get a new book that has a dust jacket, we inevitably remove it within a day or two. I can’t bear to just chuck the paper into the recycling bin, as it’s usually so lovely. Instead, I unfold the paper and lay it under a project board beneath our mattress. (This is the best place for it in our tiny house, as none of our shelves are quite big enough to hold most unfurled pages.)
Earlier this year when the back wall of our bedroom was partially destroyed from water damage, we had to part with the covers we’d been gathering for a couple of years, as they’d gotten damp. It was a bummer, but we’ve already begun to rebuild our collection.
Once we’ve wrapped up an object with a book jacket, we use some spare/repurposed bits of ribbon or twine from around the house, and sometimes top the present(s) off with a sprig of greenery from the garden.
Is the end result perfect? Nah. But is it creative, less wasteful, thoughtful and beautiful? Personally, I believe so.
Book jacket pictured in this post: Everything You Need for a Treehouse, written by Carter Higgins and illustrated by Emily Hughes.
Painting the "Company Car"
Since our bucket bike is our primary mode of transportation (as both a business and a family), we decided it’s finally time to spruce up our “company car” before 2020 rolls in. (Read my recent posts about our bikes, here.)
We’ll be working with local artist Brittney Banks to create custom designs for the exterior or the bucket. (I’m looking forward to finally removing the bland text-only decal from the side.)
Fun fact: Brittney created the cards we gave to all the guests who attending our home-wedding. I appreciate her playful style, and the ways in which she manages to capture Venice with her brush.
These are very quick prelim designs she made after we rolled the bike into our garden and chatted about the direction we wanted to take with the art. We’ve since modified the concepts somewhat, but the vibe will be the same, and the scenes will be tailored to our funny lil’ live/work world here by the Canals.
After Brittney left, West said he wanted to practice painting in the bike.
The front bench was still in place from his cousins’ recent visit, and it served as an ideal surface for a bit of water painting for the afternoon.
I’ll be sharing the customization process as it progresses. More soon!
A Quiet Celebration
Recently, our child turned 3. What I loved most about the day was witnessing our little one’s clear understanding of the significance of the occasion, and observing his reactions to certain aspects of the celebration.
He relished seeing so many sweet videos sent from family and friends who live afar. However, each and every rendition of “Happy Birthday” (whether pre-recorded or in real-time) clearly made him uncomfortable.
He was overjoyed with the excuse to eat a donut in the morning (which was his choice of sugary indulgence rather than cake), and was satisfied by the ceremony of blowing out a candle.
Adam and I decided not to host a gathering. While West thoroughly enjoys visitors and playing with his friends, he seems to be happiest in low-key environments. And when we asked him if he wanted guests, he repeatedly responded with a quick, “no thank you.”
Instead, we turned on music, had a dance party in our tiny living room, and watched as our 3 year old opened cards that were mailed to the Cottage, and a small stack of (borrowed) gifts.
Like last year, he got a fresh pile of library books. We swaddled a few in our cloth napkins and ta towels so that he could have the experience of unwrapping something. He had fun untying the bundles, and didn’t need any help from us in order to do so. In the end, there was no waste, as the packaging required no paper, tape or ribbon.
We also gave him a beautifully constructed wooden excavator by Fagus, which he’d been requesting for months.
There was no wrapping necessary— we just bound a cloth belt around the wooden shipping box like a bow, and wrote his name in crayon on the top. He was delighted by it just the same.
I look forward to seeing how celebration #4 differs from 3, just as 3 differed from 2. But I would very much appreciate it if this year would pass less hurriedly. I want to soak up each second with our wonderful 3 year old.
Sharing One Compact Closet as a Family
You know those pin-worthy closet tours that showcase neatly stacked piles of pants, rows of shoes and handbags arranged in artful lines, well-lit full length mirrors, and mid-room island dressers filled with drawers of diverse accessories? This is most certainly not one of those tours.
Instead, this is an honest look at how we make a small closet (which was once a nursery) work for 2 adults, 1 preschooler, a collection of books, and A LOT of dog hair.
Clearly I’m no fashion blogger. I usually feel such joy and satisfaction when arranging a space, but for some reason I’ve never derived much pleasure from composing an outfit. But I do appreciate a beautiful garment— so much so that I often end up incorporating clothing into the decor of our home.
Luckily, this also helps us make better use of our small space when it comes to finding storage solutions. (For example, West’s apron dangles from a hooked magnet on the fridge, our scarves and hats drape along the bedroom walls, and our backpacks and market bags border our front stoop.)
My husband, our son and I all share our single closet.
The closet also doubles as storage for guest/spare bedding, picture and board books, our cloth diapering system, and more. (West only uses his Grovia diapers overnight now, but we’re holding on to our sets in case we have another child.)
In recent years, we’ve acquired far less clothing. We’re making an effort to restore, adjust and repair our existing pieces for extended use to lighten our environmental footprint. If we do get a new article, we donate two in its place to help keep clutter at bay.
Most of the clothing I have is similar to our home decor in the sense that it’s usually muted in tone. This way it layers easily and can be combined effortlessly into countless outfits. (In the photo below, my scarves are stored in the white basket, while my socks and hats are kept in the picnic basket.)
If I find something I really love, I tend to get it in a few colors so I can mix and match without having to think much about it on sleepy mornings, or in the rush to get out the door.
For example, I have 3 pairs of wide-leg handmade pants by Thief and Bandit, 4 pairs of cropped pants from Everlane, 3 linen maxi dresses from Garnet Hill, 3 mid-length dresses from Olli Ella, 3 long sleeve tops from Everlane, and 4 versatile tanks from Garnet Hill. I also own several pairs of Rothy’s, and when I was pregnant I wore the same style of Pons in 2 different colors. I have additional garments, of course, but the above make up the backbone of my wardrobe. (Read my recent post on West’s clothing, here.)
Our lifestyle definitely influences how we dress. We are constantly biking, walking the dogs, canoeing, and running around with our son in the garden and on the beach. As such, most of our garments have to support these sorts of activities.
Thanks to the climate here in Los Angeles, my two (sometimes three) winter coats are stashed away for the majority of the year so they don’t consume inches in or around our compact wardrobe during the warmer months. I keep them in a vintage-style suitcase that is often left out in the open here in our house, or rolled into the storage cubby beneath the bed.
When the coats are in use for a few months on-end, I hang them up via garden hooks or S-hooks on the exterior of the closet curtain. (I tend to suspend several of my go-to items this way, such as our robes and commonly used backpacks or handbags.)
I use the S-hook hack inside the closet as well. It’s a practical way to keep my full-length hoodies (which I wear daily) within easy reach without requiring additional hangers. It’s also helpful for temporarily corralling items until I have the time to put them away properly.
In the fall and winter, I zip a small number of summer pieces into a storage bag that I keep on the closet’s upper shelf. The same bag holds my wedding dress and a handful of essential maternity pieces that I’m still holding on to... just in case.
While we organize most of our shoes under the couch, we also suspend select pairs from unused corners high inside the closet. This lets the shoes breathe a bit, without getting in the way of the nearby clothing or accessories.
While our closet is not the stuff of Instagram interior decor fantasies, it still makes me happy. On a planet that cannot sustain our hunger for fast fashion and new styles, Adam and I think it’s important to demonstrate our child that we can live comfortably with well-worn items, and with less overall. And while our clothes perhaps look a little rumpled and wrinkly day to day thanks to the realities of sharing a small space, we appreciate and use each and every single piece we have.
Small Space Preschooler Desk
After adding the adaptable book storage to West’s desk zone last week, we realized just how much space we could save by putting a few more tools and supplies up on the low walls.
This is a tricky little area in the house. It’s our only hallway, connecting all 4 zones within our cottage: the kitchen, living space, bathroom and bedroom. As such, it has to remain easily passable for foot traffic, and yet we also want it to be functional for West as an art and play zone. The low wall here is actually divided into three little parts, each of which stands frustratingly at different depths. This means that West’s desk cannot sit flush against the entire stretch, and that we can’t use one big organizer or shelf— we instead have to accommodate three different widths and surface materials.
We found that one book holder, one canvas pocket organizer, and his perpetual calendar were the perfect trio for the space above the folding table.
The canvas pockets hold pencils, scissors, paints, a tracing board, dough tools, a chalkboard and more. On the desk, a small tin holds crayon rocks, and another larger tool box holds West’s figurines.
The result is an organized but playful space that leaves ample open surface inches for little hands to craft and create.
Easy, Low Waste Dental Routine
I realized recently that it’s been months since I emptied our tiny bin in the Cottage bathroom. Thanks to the changes we’ve made to our bath and body care habits, we almost never have any trash/recycling leftover. Making some simple modifications to our long-standing home dental care routine was one of the easiest ways to reduce our waste.
The products we use now are just as economical, consume no extra space, and even beautify our little bathroom. (Who knew that dental hygiene products could be so lovely to look at?!)
Toothpaste
By 2050, there will be more plastic in our oceans than fish. Over 1 billion plastic toothpaste tubes are thrown away annually, ending up in landfills and oceans. What can you do to help? A simple shift in our small daily practices can help us all make a dent. Bite makes cruelty-free, plastic-free, zero waste toothpaste tablets sent in refillable glass containers. When you need to replenish your supply, Bite sends new tablets in compostable kraft envelopes padded with post-consumer recycled newspapers. Just pour them into the glass bottle they shipped upon your initial purchase, and voila.
Toothbrush (Adult)
Adam and I like our compostable brushes from The Natural Family Co. Their Bio Toothbrush handles, stands and packaging are all compostable. The handle is made from non-GMO corn starch, and the packaging is cornstarch, too. The nylon bristles are BPA free and recyclable. To dispose, break off the toothbrush head for recycling, and place the rest of the toothbrush into your compost tumbler or pile. It usually takes about 1 year to break down into a chalk like stick in a home compost, and 90 days to break down in a commercial compost.
Toothbrush (Child)
Our child uses either a 100% natural, plant-based, biodegradable bamboo child’s travel brush from Helen Milan Home, or his Foreo, which was gifted to him when he was a baby. The Foreo is NOT zero waste, but since we have it we decided to put it to good use until it stops functioning. I like that the head is replaceable, and that it’s a sleek design— especially for a child’s electric brush. West enjoys brushing with this device, so we use it whenever we are home.
Mouthwash
We are lucky enough to have a home and hygiene supply refill station (ReContained) within biking distance. It’s where we stock up on locally-made Ujjayi mouthwash in our reusable apothecary bottle. But for those who don’t have a refill shop nearby, Simply By Christine shared an excellent zero waste mouthwash recipe and tutorial, here.
Floss
We use refillable floss, which arrives initially in a small glass bottle, and can then be refilled as needed. The floss is cruelty-free and compostable, and the refills arrive in compostable paper packaging.
Feature: Growing Passion for Sustainable Tiny Living
Our friends at Olli Ella invited me for a Q & A regarding small space, sustainable living. The full feature is on their blog, and a preview is below.
“Sustainability warrior, interiors guru and long-time friend of Olli Ella, Whitney Leigh Morris is setting the example for everyday folks who hope to lead a fuller life, with less. Whitney's now famous Venice Beach cottage (which measures in at 400sqft) is loved by people near and far for it's clever use of space and her blog and Instagram have become a constant source of inspiration for many thanks to her small space styling hacks, incredible eye for design and the environmentally fueled ethos by which she lives; you don't need to live large, to live beautifully. We chatted with Whitney about her family, her home and her growing passion for Tiny Living.” - Olli Ella
Q: The merging of interior design and styling with your passion for sustainability has really become the heart of your brand. Is this passion a result of living in The Tiny Canal Cottage, or is this an area that you have always been interested in?
A: I’ll admit that the focus on sustainability is newer to me, and is a direct result of living in the Cottage. I wish I'd been dedicated to leading a greener existence much, much sooner, and I still have so much to learn. Being in this small space as a family, coupled with reading more environmental impact reports and studies, sparked our awareness about the amount of waste around us, and our determination to get more involved in finding and sharing solutions for individuals and families in this time of climate crisis. Tiny Living can significantly reduce the environmental impact of a home - from the amount of materials used in crafting the structure, to its daily operations once occupied, which is one of the reasons why we love publishing images and stories about the routines we share here in under 400 sqft.
Q: When it comes to storage, nothing seems to be more daunting than tackling the wardrobe. Living in The Tiny Canal Cottage, what are some handy storage hacks you have come across to make wardrobe organization a breeze?
A: Rarely do folks enjoy this reply, but if I’m being honest, the “hack” is simply to own less stuff. The fewer belongings we have, the fewer storage solutions and space we require. In my mind, that’s a positive thing, as it lessens both our physical and environmental footprint. Having shared that, we all have stuff, of course, and we need a place to put it. I think that versatile and adaptable baskets and shelving are key, so that we can always adapt our space (such as a closet) to suit our current and evolving needs. For example, our single closet has changed over the years from a wardrobe for 2 people, to a nursery for one child, back to a closet again… this time for 3 people!
View additional images and the full interview via Olli Ella. The three dresses pictured in this post are all from Olli Ella’s new WARES collection. Several of the baskets pictured are also from Olli Ella, and we use them daily here in our tiny home. (Our recent basket roundup post can be explored here.)
Adaptable Book Storage for Small Spaces
We try to make sure that the items we bring into our lil’ cottage are crafted with consideration, are versatile for ever-evolving use, and enhance the function and feel of our home-office.
For a tiny, unique addition to our home this I introduced these two, handcrafted folding book hangers to the low wall in our multi-purpose room.
I found these compact, adaptable accessories on Etsy, which has been my go-to source for everything vintage and handmade for over a decade. The hangers are ideal for our pre-schooler’s activity pads, as well as a selection of seasonal books borrowed from our local library.
Our child’s folding desk and his wooden perpetual calendar were also Etsy finds, of course. Explore some of my handmade Etsy favorites for fall, here.
Note: While this blog entry was not sponsored, the book hangers (which I selected intentionally for our home and needs,) were gifted by Etsy in conjunction with a sponsored Instagram post.
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Some Items You Can Probably Go Without (Thoughts on Self Care)
Despite the fact that we should be consuming less to more effectively fight the climate crisis, it feels to me as though we’re increasingly being marketed new tools and products geared towards “self care.” As I’ve shared on this blog, I admittedly splurge on a very small, selective batch of items that fall into this category— particularly when it pertains to my simplified skincare routine. But recently it’s given me great peace to go without the latest items that are touted as self care essentials. It’s saved our family money that we need to ease the stress of high monthly bills, it’s enhanced the simplicity of my daily routines, and it’s allowed me to hone in on what it is that actually generates a calm and unique sort of joy within me.
My fancy self-care go-to is floating around our neighborhood in an old wooden hand-me-down canoe with my senior dog, StanLee.
I acknowledge that this activity is, of course, a great privilege. From the canals themselves to the SoCal weather, to being the recipients of the generous gift of a unique old canoe, to the spare minutes once or twice per week, we are so lucky to have access to this activity.
But it’s not strictly the act of being in the canoe here in this pocket of L.A. that makes this form of free self care so valuable to me. It’s being outside in a soothing environment with my dog—momentarily absent from work and chores— that makes it so wonderful.
Back when I was in my late 20s and early 30s, StanLee and I used to jog for miles near our apartment. He’d play with palm fronds as we loped along, and I’d listen to playlists on whatever device was around at that time. That was every bit as effective for calming my nerves and reminding me just how incredibly lucky I am to be living my life.
When it comes to self care, there is an ever-growing list of “some items you can probably go without.” Everyone’s is different.
For me, I can do without the aromatherapy mist, eye pillows and specialty bath products, among dozens of other things. Just give me a half an hour outside and free of distractions alongside my best friend, and I feel healthier, happier and more available to others.
Dress from the “Wares by Olli Ella” collection
Hat by West Perro
StanLee’s life vest is from Max Bone
Where We Find Toys, Games & Supplies
We don’t buy an overwhelming number toys for West. As long as he has access to lil’ trucks (new or old) and a stack of library books (refreshed weekly), he’s usually pretty content.
But we do, of course, have a mix of playful games and activities at-the-ready throughout our home, hiding in plain sight.
Here are the most common sources we explore when searching for toys:
Hand-me-downs from neighbors and friends
Local art festivals and pop-up markets
City and county libraries
(Additional photos are provided below, with some specific product links.)
