At 21, Liv Hendrix is living the New York City dream she pictured for herself since she was a kid, just in a much smaller space than most people would expect. She rents a 72 square foot microstudio in Manhattan’s West Village for $1,345 a month, choosing privacy and an unbeatable location over roommates and a longer commute. For her, the tradeoff is worth it, even if it means turning everyday routines into careful choreography.
Mornings start with a reset because her apartment has to shift roles throughout the day. She sleeps on a futon that doubles as a couch, so making the bed is also making the living room. The setup pushes her into a routine that feels efficient, even if it isn’t exactly relaxing. In a place this small, leaving anything out can make the whole room feel cluttered fast.
Food is another area where she has to get creative. Without a full kitchen, she relies on a sink, limited counter space, and small appliances like a hot plate, microwave, and a toaster oven air fryer combo. She’ll pull out what she needs, cook something simple like eggs and toast, then clean up right away because there’s nowhere to hide mess. Even reaching basics can be an adventure since she sometimes climbs onto her fridge to grab items stored up high.
Storage is constant problem solving, especially when it comes to clothing. With no closet, she uses a garment rack and keeps plenty of items in bins and tucked into every available corner. Shoes and bags become part of the decor, and her laundry routine is outsourced since there’s no washer or dryer. She’s even turned vertical space into a solution, using a lofted area for items like her hamper.
Getting ready often moves between rooms, because the bathroom doesn’t have much surface space. Skincare happens in the tiny bathroom, while makeup shifts to the main area where she can spread out a bit more. A mirror near the door becomes part of the routine, and everything gets put away once she’s done. When she leaves, she treats the neighborhood like an extension of her home, with nearby spots like Washington Square Park offering the breathing room her apartment can’t.
Nights highlight both the limitations and the surprising comforts of the setup. Dinner means coordinating appliances and keeping things simple, and having friends over is possible but intimate, with floor pillows pulled out for extra seating. City noise can be a challenge, so she leans on background sound like an air conditioner, music, and sometimes earplugs to fall asleep. She says she’d love more counter space, a closet, and a bigger fridge one day, but for now she’s happy making it work in the heart of the city.
Would you ever live in a microstudio for the location and independence, or would the tiny space be a dealbreaker for you? Share your thoughts in the comments.
