10 tips for living small from tiny home owners

Stephens and Parsons say you can embrace your personal style while only keeping the few possessions you really value and need.

"Living minimally doesn’t mean depriving yourself," Stephens says. "Keep your absolute most favorite things, and design around them."

Wall shelves are an easy way to open up a room, Stephens and Parsons say, since they free up floor space. Be careful not to clutter the shelves with lots of stuff, though.

"Open shelving allows you to see what you have, while maintaining openness," they say.

One good option to buy: a $57 shelf with drawers from Ikea.

Almost everything in Stephens and Parsons' tiny home has at least two functions — some as many as five.

For example, their staircase functions a seat, storage chest, bookshelf, and closet. And when the sliding door to the bathroom is closed, it reveals a hidden pantry.

To embrace multi-functional items on a small scale, you can start with a set of nesting bowls with built-in measuring cups that you can buy on Amazon for $28.

Interior designer Jacqueline Schmidt, who lives in a tiny apartment in Brooklyn, advises using a white or light color palette. Schmidt is one of the designers of Carmel Place, New York City's first official micro-apartments.

White walls and decor brighten up a space and make it feel larger, she says. Try to stay away from dark woods, too.

All of Carmel Place's apartments, which range 260 to 360 square feet, have beds that fold into the wall. When folded up, they outside doubles as a built-in sofa — all you have to add is the cushions.

If you only put down the bed when it's time to sleep, you have a lot more floor space during the day, Schmidt says.

Head to Murphy Beds' site to browse foldable bed options.

Large mirrors give the illusion that a space is larger than it actually is, Schmidt says.

The Carmel Place apartments have giant, stainless steel mirrors in the hallway to do just that.

You can snag a similar, 30-inch-long mirror for $100 on Amazon.

To maximize space in your dresser, Schmidt says it's best to fold your items strategically.

By folding them length-wise and making them as narrow as possible, you can stack more piles next to each other, she says.

It's also a good idea to use micro-fiber, waffle-weave towels, since they're thinner than most regular bath towels but just as absorbent.

Here is one for $8 on Amazon.

Living in a tiny home can make you feel claustrophobic at times, and only makes sense if you like to spend time outside. Luke Iseman and Heather Stewart live in a 160-square-foot homemade from a shipping container, and founded Boxouse, a makers space for other people to want to do the same.

That gives them a chance to collaborate and socialize with others in a communal space outside their house.

If you're planning to live tiny, the couple advises finding and designating a common room or lawn where you can hang out with friends and neighbors.

Stephens and Parsons — like most of the tiny home owners we spoke to — believe it's better to fill their lives with experiences rather than things. Living a minimalist lifestyle takes commitment, but it's best to start by just jumping in, they say.

"Shake off the mold, and redefine what personal success looks like to you — and have fun doing it," Stephens says.