Hello design enthusiasts and welcome back!
It feels like a lifetime ago, doesn’t it? But for those who remember, roughly three years back, I launched a series close to my heart: the Small Home Big Style series. And today, I am absolutely thrilled to announce its long-awaited return! This series has always been a passion project, and bringing it back was at the top of my list when I reignited my blogging journey. My personal appreciation for intentional, small-space living has only deepened since my own downsizing adventure, and there’s nothing I love more than discovering and sharing the stories of others who embrace this philosophy with such grace and ingenuity.
The Resurgence of Small Home, Big Style: Celebrating Intentional Living
In a world often dictating that bigger is better, the “Small Home Big Style” series champions a different narrative. It’s about demonstrating that exceptional design, profound comfort, and personal expression aren’t dictated by square footage. Instead, they are products of creativity, thoughtful curation, and a deep understanding of one’s own needs and desires. This series aims to inspire, providing tangible proof that downsizing doesn’t mean sacrificing style or functionality. It’s about maximizing every corner, injecting personality into every detail, and truly loving the space you’re in, no matter its size.
As we embark on this exciting new chapter for the series, we’ll explore diverse homes and lifestyles, each offering unique perspectives on navigating the challenges and celebrating the triumphs of small-space living. From clever storage hacks to multi-functional furniture, and from bold decor choices to serene minimalist retreats, “Small Home Big Style” is a testament to the power of thoughtful design. My own journey into a smaller home has opened my eyes to the incredible freedom and clarity that comes with having less physical clutter and more mental space. It’s a lifestyle that encourages mindful consumption and celebrates the beauty of making do with what truly serves you.
Meet Erica Reitman: A Master of Boho-Chic Small Space Living
Today, I am beyond excited to kick off this revival with someone I truly admire: my Instagram muse, Erica Reitman. I stumbled upon Erica’s feed a few years ago, and it was instant adoration. Her feed is a captivating blend of sharp wit, refreshing honesty, and an effortlessly cool boho style that perfectly encapsulates the spirit of Los Angeles living. Her approach to design is both unique and inspiring, making her the ideal person to share her story in our “Small Home Big Style” series. Erica’s fabulous L.A. digs are a testament to living large within a compact footprint, and I’m incredibly stoked for her to reveal how she lives and loves in her charming small home.
Erica embodies the very essence of what this series stands for. She has a distinctive knack for transforming compact spaces into vibrant, personality-filled havens. Her ability to blend vintage finds with modern sensibilities creates an aesthetic that is both timeless and deeply personal. Beyond her impeccable style, it’s her candid and authentic voice that truly resonates. She shares the realities, the joys, and the challenges of creating a beautiful home, inspiring countless followers to embrace their own unique design journeys. Prepare to be enchanted by her home and enlightened by her practical, yet imaginative, insights into maximizing small spaces.
Erica’s Small Home, Big Style Story: An Interview
Let’s dive into Erica’s world and uncover the secrets behind her stylish and intentional small-space living. She openly shares her experiences, offering a refreshing perspective on balancing personal passion with spatial constraints.
Where/What city do you live in?
Los Angeles, CA, specifically in the charming Glassell Park neighborhood.
Living in Los Angeles, a city synonymous with expansive dreams and often, equally expansive properties, Erica’s choice to embrace a smaller footprint in Glassell Park offers a fascinating contrast. Glassell Park itself is known for its eclectic charm, hillside views, and a burgeoning creative community, making it a perfect backdrop for Erica’s unique style. It’s a neighborhood that values individuality and a certain laid-back sensibility, which aligns perfectly with her ethos of making a small home feel like a grand statement.
Who do you share your home with?
I live with my wonderful husband, Greg, and our super senior, incredibly lovable 12-year-old Basset Hound, Dudley.
The dynamics of living with a spouse and a beloved pet in a small home are always interesting. It speaks to the ability to create intimate, cozy spaces that foster connection and comfort. Dudley, as a Basset Hound, brings his own unique personality and needs to the household, demonstrating that even with furry family members, a small home can be a harmonious and joyful place. It’s about carving out personal corners while maintaining shared areas that encourage togetherness.
Do you own or rent?
We bought our place two years ago, embarked on an intensive eight-month renovation, and finally moved in last summer.
This detail is crucial. Buying and then undertaking an extensive renovation speaks volumes about a long-term vision and commitment to the space. An eight-month renovation for a smaller home indicates a meticulous approach, likely focusing on optimizing every square inch for functionality, aesthetics, and personal comfort. It’s not just a house; it’s a meticulously crafted home, tailored to their specific small-space living needs, proving that thoughtful planning can transform any footprint.
How many square feet is your home?
We have a tiny main house, which is 750 square feet, and an even tinier guest house, probably around 300 square feet.
These numbers highlight the true essence of “small space living.” A 750 sq ft main house is compact, requiring intelligent design choices for everyday living. The addition of a 300 sq ft guest house introduces an interesting dynamic, offering flexibility and separate zones. This setup allows for privacy, a dedicated workspace, or a welcoming area for visitors, demonstrating that even with a modest overall footprint, strategic zoning can enhance livability and versatility. It’s about understanding how each space can serve multiple purposes.
What do you love most about small space living?
I love that you have less space to decorate, less stuff to buy, and most of all, less to clean! I also absolutely love the unique design challenges that often arise when you’re working with smaller spaces.
Erica articulates core benefits that resonate with many who embrace this lifestyle. The reduction in decorating pressure and consumerism can lead to a more mindful approach to possessions. Less to clean directly translates to more free time and less stress. Furthermore, her enthusiasm for “design challenges” is key. Small spaces aren’t limitations; they’re creative playgrounds. They force you to think innovatively, to find clever solutions, and to be more intentional with every design decision, often leading to more personalized and effective outcomes than in larger, less constrained environments.
What challenges have you faced?
My biggest challenge is undoubtedly my vintage shopping problem. I absolutely adore buying unique art pieces and quirky finds, but living in such a tiny house, I honestly have zero wall space left! It’s a constant struggle between my passion for collecting and the realities of a compact home.
This is a relatable dilemma for many collectors in small homes. Erica’s “vintage shopping problem” highlights the need for careful curation. It’s not about stopping the passion, but rather refining the process. How do you integrate new finds without overwhelming the space? This challenge encourages creativity in display—perhaps rotating pieces, or finding ways to incorporate art into functional items. It pushes the boundaries of how we define and display decor, moving beyond simply hanging things on walls to creating artful vignettes and integrated installations.
Any unique storage solutions?
I frequently use my decor itself for storage. I’m completely addicted to vintage baskets, and I have them strategically stacked all over our home. If you were to open any of them up, you might discover our extra batteries, all of my leftover yarn, or even various craft supplies. My aim is always to make use of every single nook and cranny when it comes to storage, ensuring functionality blends seamlessly with aesthetics.
This is where Erica’s genius for “Small Home, Big Style” truly shines. Her use of vintage baskets as decorative storage is a masterclass in multi-functionality. It’s not just about hiding clutter; it’s about making the storage solutions themselves part of the home’s aesthetic. This approach elevates everyday items, turning practical necessities into charming design elements. By exploiting every available nook and cranny, she demonstrates that effective storage doesn’t require dedicated closets or built-ins; it requires imagination and a keen eye for how objects can serve dual purposes, contributing to both order and beauty.
What’s your favorite room in your home?
My favorite room is definitely our main room, which is designed with an open-concept layout, so it seamlessly includes our kitchen and living room. It’s where we have the highest ceilings in the house, which immediately makes the space feel expansive, and it also benefits from the absolute best natural light. I’ve been a huge fan of white floors for many years—we even had them in our NYC apartment—so I knew I wanted to incorporate them here too, enhancing the brightness. That’s also where the one TV in our house is, and I must confess, I’m kind of addicted to every bad reality TV show ever. Oops!
The open-concept main room is often the heart of a small home, and Erica’s description beautifully illustrates why. High ceilings and abundant natural light are crucial elements that make compact spaces feel larger and more inviting. White floors amplify this effect, reflecting light and creating a clean, airy foundation for her boho decor. This space isn’t just functional; it’s a vibrant hub for cooking, relaxing, and entertaining. The candid admission about reality TV adds a delightful touch of authenticity, reminding us that even the most stylish homes are meant for real, unpretentious living.
Do you ever wish you had more space?
When we first moved to LA, we actually lived in a house that was almost 2,000 square feet. The surprising reality was that we didn’t use 95% of that space. There were entire rooms that we honestly would never even walk into. I think after living in NYC for 12 years, where space is a premium, we’ve just been conditioned to be far more comfortable and efficient in smaller environments.
This insight is profound and directly challenges the conventional wisdom that more space equals more happiness. Erica’s experience of having a sprawling 2,000 sq ft home and finding most of it unused is a powerful endorsement for rightsizing. It underscores the idea that often, we accumulate space we don’t truly need, leading to wasted resources and maintenance. Her 12 years in New York City honed her ability to live efficiently and appreciate the intimacy and practicality of smaller footprints, proving that lifestyle and personal values can truly reshape one’s definition of an ideal home.
Best piece of small space living advice?
Definitely “think outside the box!” Which, in my opinion, is actually my best advice for all decorating in general. But I find that with small spaces, you truly have to get creatively resourceful. For instance, if you search for “bedside table” online, you’ll be flooded with options. However, NONE of them fit into our tiny bedroom, both functionally and aesthetically. So, what did we do? We’re currently using a stylish plant stand and, believe it or not, a chic coat rack as our bedside “tables.” Yes, a coat rack! In our kitchen, a versatile craft table serves as our island, providing extra prep space and a casual dining spot. And for our pantry, we’ve repurposed an Ikea closet, transforming it into a highly organized food storage unit. Examples like these are all over our house because I rarely like to use something for precisely what it’s actually meant to be used for. I truly march to the beat of my own drum when it comes to design and functionality.
“Think Outside The Box”: Erica’s Philosophy for Ingenious Small Spaces
Erica’s overarching advice, “think outside the box,” isn’t just a suggestion; it’s a fundamental philosophy for thriving in a small home. It’s about challenging conventional notions of furniture and function, embracing improvisation, and allowing creativity to lead the way. This mindset transforms potential limitations into exciting opportunities for innovation and personal expression.
Repurposing and Multi-functional Design in Action:
- Bedside “Tables” with Character: The idea of using a plant stand and a coat rack as bedside tables is brilliant. A plant stand can offer a small surface for essentials like a book or a glass of water, while a coat rack, especially a freestanding, sculptural one, can serve as a place to hang a robe, a handbag, or even drape a delicate scarf, adding both utility and visual interest without consuming precious floor space with a traditional bulky nightstand. This demonstrates how a narrow footprint can still accommodate necessary items through unconventional means.
- The Versatile Kitchen Island: Transforming a craft table into a kitchen island is another stroke of genius. Craft tables are often sturdy, have a good working height, and can come with integrated storage. As a kitchen island, it provides much-needed extra counter space for meal prep, a casual spot for breakfast, or even a workspace. Its mobility or simpler design often makes it more adaptable than a fixed, purpose-built island, which can be overpowering in a small kitchen.
- The Ingenious Pantry Solution: Repurposing an Ikea closet as a pantry highlights the power of modular furniture and customization. Ikea systems are renowned for their flexibility, allowing users to outfit interiors with shelves, drawers, and baskets tailored precisely to their storage needs. This provides a highly efficient and organized pantry solution that might be impossible to achieve with standard kitchen cabinetry in a small layout. It’s about adapting readily available components to serve a very specific, and often overlooked, storage demand.
Erica’s insistence on not using items for their “actual” purpose is a rallying cry for designers and homeowners alike. It encourages a playful, experimental approach to interior design. This not only solves practical problems in tight spaces but also imbues a home with a unique sense of personality and history, where every object tells a story of creative adaptation. It’s this spirit of ingenuity and individual flair that truly defines “Small Home Big Style.”
Embracing Big Style in Small Spaces: Key Takeaways from Erica’s Home
As I pore over these images and reflect on Erica’s insights, it’s clear that her home is a living testament to the ethos of “Small Home Big Style.” She effortlessly blends personality, practicality, and aesthetic appeal within a compact footprint. Her approach offers several invaluable lessons for anyone looking to optimize and beautify their smaller living environments.
Firstly, the power of an open-concept layout, coupled with strategic elements like high ceilings and white floors, is undeniable in creating an expansive feel. These architectural and design choices work in concert to maximize natural light and visual flow, making the 750 square feet feel significantly larger and more inviting. Secondly, Erica’s commitment to multi-functional decor, particularly her beloved vintage baskets, provides a blueprint for stylish storage. Every item serves a dual purpose, contributing both to the home’s bohemian aesthetic and its organizational efficiency. This intelligent integration ensures that even everyday necessities become part of the overall design narrative.
Thirdly, her “think outside the box” philosophy is a game-changer. By reimagining the purpose of furniture and objects – a craft table as an island, a coat rack as a bedside table – she demonstrates that design challenges are simply opportunities for creative problem-solving. This not only makes the space highly personal but also incredibly functional. Finally, Erica’s journey, from a sprawling 2,000 sq ft home to her current meticulously designed small abode, reinforces the idea that true comfort and happiness aren’t found in sheer size, but in intentionality and living in a space that truly serves your lifestyle. It’s about quality over quantity, and purpose over superfluousness.
I’m telling you, this woman is truly after my own heart! Give me all the baskets, please and thank you. A huge, heartfelt thank you to Erica for graciously allowing us a captivating peek into her beautiful home and life, and for so openly sharing her invaluable small home story with our community. Her journey is a profound source of inspiration, demonstrating vividly that you absolutely do not need a sprawling estate to cultivate an abode overflowing with exceptional style and personal flair. It’s all about smart choices and celebrating individuality.
Friends, if you’re not already following her incredible journey on Instagram, you are genuinely depriving yourselves of some seriously good content. Her feed is a daily dose of authentic design inspiration, wit, and wisdom – you need to get on that ASAP! You can also delve deeper into her insights and design philosophy over on her blog, where she consistently delivers the real deal, no-nonsense skinny on all things design, art, and creative living. Erica’s home is undoubtedly a shining example that proves unequivocally: you don’t have to have a big home to have big style!
Until our next inspiring feature, friends,
Xo-Shavonda