Stylish Living in 700 Square Feet

You might expect a couple moving into a 700-square-foot home to worry about the limitations of having just one tiny closet, a bedroom barely bigger than a bed, and a single bathroom sink.

But the prospect of tight living quarters didn’t keep Lauren and Eric Wendlandt from buying this 1911 bungalow in San Diego. Nor did the never-updated kitchen and bathroom, which both needed major work; Lauren, an architect, and Eric, a designer, were game.

“It was like a bride and a wedding dress,” Lauren says. “We knew we wanted it.”

When the square feet aren’t adjustable, make sure your furniture and fixtures are.

This dining room table can extend (into the living room) to seat 10 people. The pendant light can be lowered for meals.

Choosing pieces that can serve multiple functions is a must.

In the living room, the window seat stores extra blankets, and the subwoofer (at the far end of the couch) doubles as a side table.

If the kitchen lacks a proper pantry, get creative. The Wendlandts converted an ironing-board nook into a liquor cabinet, and mounted a wall rack to store their wine.

If you're tight on pantry space, try using online grocery store shopping and delivery services―you won’t overbuy as much if you can check what’s in your kitchen while you’re at your home computer.

Keep open storage easy on the eye: Having only one little closet meant that shoes needed to go on shelves in the office. Lauren fashioned identifying labels for the uniform boxes using paper bags and a little Photoshop magic.

Don’t let paper pile up: Sign up for paperless and online billing, and block as much junk mail as possible (go to catalogchoice.org or 41pounds.org). Also, scan your receipts and shred the originals.

If it doesn’t fit, you don’t need it: When the dresser drawer doesn’t close, it’s time to get rid of some clothing. When a file drawer is at maximum capacity, it’s time to shred. “With our open shoe storage,” Lauren says, “if you want a new pair, you have to get rid of one.”

Make your bed: The room will instantly look less cluttered.

The couple saw big potential for the neglected backyard (three times the size of the house), adding a deck, sandy “beach,” and sunken firepit. “From April to October, we never ate inside,” Eric says.

Pick armless chairs for a minimal footprint. Wrap Dining Chair, shown in white, $79; westelm.com or 888/922-4119.

Fabric boxes can be as fashionable as they are useful. Bristol Storage Box, $59; containerstore.com or 800/733-3532.

Keep on-display dishware in a neutral palette. Modern Dinnerware, from $3; cb2.com or 800/606-6252.

Conserve pantry and counter space. Wine Tube, $115; canoeonline.net or 503/889-8545.