Embracing the Cozy: Navigating Home Challenges and Finding Joy in Small Space Living

Hello, wonderful readers! I hope this Friday finds you well and your homes are standing strong against the elements. As for me, the past week has been quite the adventure, testing my patience and reminding me of the unpredictable nature of homeownership. Yesterday brought an deluge of rain, a much-needed blessing for our drought-stricken California landscape. However, what nature gives, it sometimes takes with an unexpected twist. Imagine my surprise (and dismay!) when I ventured into my garage to discover a significant portion of it submerged under several inches of water.

My charming cottage bungalow, it turns out, has some serious drainage issues. The entire backyard and driveway seem to conspire, channeling every drop of rainwater directly into my garage. With incessant rain falling day and night, it promises to be a “delightful” weekend assessing the damage, just in time, of course, for the next storm system to make its grand entrance. We typically use our garage for storing the accumulated treasures from our recent downsize, rather than parking vehicles, which only adds to the complexity of the situation. They say when it rains, it pours, and my current sentiment for this beloved old house can be summed up with a resounding, “#aintnobodygottimeforthat.”

Given my less-than-joyful disposition regarding my own humble abode at the moment, my thoughts naturally drifted to homes that inspire happiness and serenity. Today, I’m absolutely thrilled to share a story that brings exactly those vibes. Pamela recently reached out to me, eager to share her unique small home journey, and it’s a narrative that beautifully encapsulates the resilience, creativity, and profound satisfaction that can be found in embracing a compact lifestyle. Let’s take a closer look at how Pamela and her husband live and love in their thoughtfully designed small space.

A Glimpse into Pamela’s Small Home Life: An Interview

Pamela’s story isn’t just about living in a small house; it’s about building a life of intention, perseverance, and deep connection with her surroundings. Her answers offer invaluable insights into the joys and challenges of custom-building a small, debt-free home.

1. Where and in what city do you live?

My husband and I reside in a community known as Wild Horse Ranch, nestled high in the picturesque mountains of New Mexico. This region provides a stunning backdrop to our life, offering a sense of remoteness and natural beauty that truly complements our desire for a simpler existence. The rugged landscape and the distinct climate of the high desert have profoundly influenced our home’s design and our lifestyle choices, fostering a unique connection to our environment.

2. Who do you share your home with?

I share this wonderful home and all its stories with my husband, my partner of 20 years. Our journey in building and living in this small space has been a shared adventure, strengthening our bond and teaching us both immense patience and collaboration. It’s a testament to how intimate living can bring two people even closer, navigating challenges and celebrating triumphs together in every corner of our compact world.

3. Do you rent or own your home?

We proudly own our home. This was a deliberate and significant decision for us, driven by a vision of creating a space that was entirely ours, free from the burdens of a mortgage. The journey to debt-free homeownership, particularly through self-building, has been long and arduous, but incredibly rewarding, offering a profound sense of independence and security that we deeply cherish.

4. How many square feet is your home?

Our home spans a modest 640 square feet. This specific size was chosen not out of limitation, but out of a conscious desire to live minimally and efficiently. Every inch of our home is thoughtfully designed and utilized, proving that true comfort and functionality aren’t measured by square footage, but by thoughtful planning and intentional living. This compact footprint encourages us to be mindful of our possessions and appreciative of our immediate surroundings.

5. What do you love most about small space living?

As someone who identifies strongly with a minimalist philosophy and deeply appreciates cozy, intimate environments, small space living resonates perfectly with my desires. It inherently fosters a sense of intimacy and demands tidiness; there simply isn’t room for excessive clutter, so everything must have its designated place. This constraint, surprisingly, is a source of joy, compelling me to be incredibly deliberate with every item I bring into our home. It forces a beautiful integration of art and function, transforming everyday objects into dual-purpose pieces that are both aesthetically pleasing and highly practical. For instance, I recently commissioned a unique piece of pottery that serves not only as a beautiful decorative bowl for fruit on my kitchen counter but also cleverly doubles as a colander for rinsing pasta or fresh vegetables. This thoughtful approach to design makes our small home both efficient and visually rich.

6. What challenges have you faced in your small home journey?

Our journey over the last 14 years has been filled with numerous challenges, pushing the boundaries of our patience and resolve. We initially hired a contractor to construct only the shell of our home. Everything else, from framing the interior walls to installing the plumbing, electrical wiring, and even designing and crafting our handmade interior doors and cabinets, we undertook ourselves. This was a massive undertaking, especially considering that for the first two years, we had no electricity, and running water only became a reality last year. For four years, our kitchen was remarkably basic, consisting merely of a camp stove, a mini-fridge, and a small counter fashioned from scrap 2x4s. We even slept on an air mattress on the floor for a couple of years, truly embracing a primitive form of living.

Initially, there was an intense euphoria associated with our vision of building a home completely debt-free. This dream fueled our determination through countless hours of labor and numerous setbacks. However, as the years stretched on, my patience inevitably wore thin, and the desire for modern conveniences began to grow. While it wasn’t as arduous as it might sound on paper – as we were fortunate enough to have another home in Florida where we spent a good portion of our time – this constant transition between our rustic mountain dwelling and our more conventional Florida residence heightened the contrast, making the challenges of our New Mexico home more apparent. Each return was a stark reminder of what we were working towards and how far we still had to go.

7. Do you have any unique storage solutions you can share?

Maximizing space is paramount in a small home, and we’ve implemented several clever solutions. In our main bathroom area, a floor-to-ceiling stack of corner shelves provides ample, yet discreet, storage for towels and other essentials, making use of what would otherwise be dead space. We also opted to incorporate a water closet, which slightly increased the overall footprint of the house but greatly enhanced privacy and functionality. Inside this water closet, we custom-built a toilet bench. This ingenious solution not only houses the toilet itself but also provides hidden storage for toilet accoutrements, keeping them out of sight. This design choice frees up the valuable under-sink space for personal care items, maintaining an uncluttered and serene bathroom environment.

8. What’s your favorite room or space in the house?

While not technically an enclosed room, my absolute favorite space in our home is undoubtedly the front porch, especially during temperate weather. It serves as an extension of our living area, where we enjoy our meals at a charming bistro table, read a good book in the swing, engage in lively conversations, and, most importantly, watch the spectacular New Mexico sunsets paint the sky. It’s a place of tranquility and connection with nature. When indoors, however, the living area becomes our primary sanctuary. It’s where we spend most of our time, designed for comfort and intimacy, reflecting the heart of our small home.

9. Do you ever wish you had more space?

Definitely. When we initially drew up the plans for this house, my life was in a very different phase. I was deeply immersed in my career and actively parenting two middle-schoolers. Consequently, I largely deferred all design decisions to my husband, who diligently worked within our allocated budget, as I simply didn’t have the disposable energy or mental bandwidth to dedicate to the project’s intricate details. Fast-forward 13 years, and things have dramatically shifted: our children have grown and left home, and I am now semi-retired. With this newfound energy and time, I often wish I had invested at least some thought into the initial design. For example, we currently only have one bedroom, and we desperately need a guest room to comfortably accommodate visitors. Moreover, the monsoon season here is truly formidable, leaving behind significant mud, which makes a dedicated mudroom not just a desirable addition but an absolute necessity for maintaining cleanliness and order.

Had I possessed the foresight back then, our budget would undoubtedly have been expanded to include a second bedroom and a practical mudroom. As it stands, our home remains a work in progress, with future plans that will eventually include dedicated guest quarters, a much-needed mudroom, and an enclosed back porch. These additions will not only enhance our comfort but also ensure our home adapts to our evolving needs and lifestyle, solidifying its role as our ultimate “forever home.”

10. What’s the best piece of advice you can offer for small living space?

My strongest advice, born from personal experience, is to be a forward thinker. Learn from our journey and try to anticipate your future needs, especially if you plan to “age in place” or, as you often say, Shavonda, intend for your small house to be your “forever home.” Life stages evolve, and what works perfectly for you today might not be ideal a decade or two down the line. Consider potential changes in family size, mobility, hobbies, and social needs. Incorporating flexibility and anticipating these future requirements into your initial design can save immense effort, cost, and regret later on. A little foresight goes a long way in ensuring your small space remains perfectly tailored to your life, no matter how much it changes.

Inspiring Resilience and Intentional Living

Holy smokes, friends! The sheer dedication and unwavering patience required to endure 14 years of handcrafting a home, from its basic shell to its intricate finishes, is nothing short of phenomenal. Pamela and her husband truly deserve every single round of applause for their incredible resilience and commitment to their vision. I am absolutely captivated by the thoughtful details woven throughout their home, particularly their masterful use of natural elements. The deliberate integration of wood, stone, and other organic textures creates an atmosphere of warmth and authenticity that feels both grounding and inviting.

What particularly resonates with me is how they paid such special attention to their immediate environment during the building process. You can distinctly perceive the influence of their Southwestern surroundings in every design choice, from the color palette to the rustic finishes. They made conscious decisions conducive to living harmoniously in that specific area, creating a home that feels deeply rooted and connected to its landscape. Their space exudes a profound sense of peace, a sanctuary where one could truly unplug, disconnect from the digital noise, and reconnect with themselves and nature. Thank you so much, Pamela, for generously allowing me to share your wonderful home and inspiring story. It’s truly beautiful, and I wish you the very best with your exciting expansion plans!

The Enduring Appeal of Small Space Living

Every day, I find myself amazed by the far-reaching joys and profound impact of small space living. It’s more than just a trend; it’s a movement towards intentionality, sustainability, and finding contentment in what truly matters. I adore that so many individuals and families are embracing this compact lifestyle, refusing to let square footage dictate their potential for happiness or limit the functionality and beauty of their homes. This philosophy champions creativity, encourages resourcefulness, and fosters a deeper connection to one’s surroundings and priorities.

Small living challenges us to declutter not just our physical spaces but also our minds, focusing on experiences and relationships over material accumulation. It teaches us the art of compromise and the joy of a simpler, more manageable life. Whether it’s a tiny house on wheels, a cozy cottage, or a compact apartment, the principles of efficient design, thoughtful organization, and purposeful living are universally applicable and endlessly inspiring.

Wishing you all a happy and inspiring weekend, filled with moments of peace and reflection in your own beloved spaces, big or small.

xo-Shavonda

P.S. If you have your own small space story and journey that you’re eager to share with our community, please don’t hesitate to reach out! You can send me an email at shavonda(at)ahomefullofcolor(dot)com. I would absolutely love to hear all about your experiences and showcase the incredible diversity of small homes out there. Your story could be the next inspiration for our readers! 🙂