Could you see yourself living in 55 sq ft apartment? Yes, you read that correctly, five-five. Well, NYC has become so disgustingly expensive, that literally ten rulers of living space has become a trend, and many New Yorkers are opting in. Micro-apartments, also known as tiny homes, are becoming the new wave—but what are they exactly?
Not to be confused with your typical studio, micro-apartments are smaller-than-average studios intended for a single resident. They're ultra-efficient, relatively inexpensive, and often provide common areas where residents can relax and socialize. Some are designed for co-living, with a private bedroom, but all other amenities are shared with other residents, such as bathrooms, showers, entryways, etc. Thriving communities and high-trafficked downtown locations balance out its mini sizes. They're usually in areas where the walk-up is their living room and the city as their backyard. Think of them as a space to return to when it's time to only go to bed.
120sqft Tiny / Micro NYC Apartment Tour! Manhattan Studio in New York! Knowing Home w/Nyasia Ep 2www.youtube.com
Nyasia C., a designer, NYC real estate broker, and fashion lover, often shares apartment tours, home decor, travel and more. She took on the task of exclusively showing New York's most affordable units under 200 square feet. Her tips are simple: "If you're looking for an apartment under 200 sq ft., the listing will never say 'tiny apartment'. Instead, it will be listed as a studio. It's up to the renter to go look at each place to see if it is actually a tiny apartment or not. Or be sure to work with a broker who sees a lot of apartments and who knows where the best are."
Nyasia's experience ranges from luxury Manhattan apartments, all the way to micro inexpensive rooms. And oftentimes, she works with students in the Columbia area on the Upper West Side, whose age range have expressed a huge interest in keeping the trend going. She brings her regal energy and multi-year real estate knowledge to the forefront to make 100 sq ft, feel like 1000. "I believe you learn the most about people over food and in their home. I'm passionate about telling stories of how people live and work."
One of her smallest being a shocking 55 sq ft, she has also hosted tours of units with 72 sq ft, up to 200. And oddly enough, these apartments are everywhere in New York.
A few are shown below:
Nyasia C./YouTube
Rent: $1050
This unit did not include a bathroom, so technically, it is considered a room for rent. The bathrooms are shared and are outside in the hall. Two are on each floor. You sign a lease, just as you would with any other apartment, no roommates included. The width is around 5 1/2 feet, and length is 11 1/2. There is no closet, for those of us who have an extensive wardrobe, and there is no kitchen.
The rent includes all utilities and internet.
Nyasia C./YouTube
Nyasia joined Tony, a NY creative in Manhattan to give her a tour of his 120 sq ft living space. She took the time to see how he actually lived day-to-day in a furnished, micro unit. Like the previous unit, Tony's apartment does not have a closet or kitchen and he has a key-access bathroom that he shares with three other people.
Nyasia C./YouTube
Rent: $1725 (with one month free, $1581.25)
In another tour, the micro unit uncharacteristically included both a kitchen and a bathroom, and four closets--which is almost unheard of. The unit also included a space dividers and built in shelves. The kitchen is tucked away behind pull-closed doors, and utilities are included, minus internet. This unit is roughly 200 sq ft.
Nyasia tours additional micro units on her YouTube channel, where she also showcases all aspects of New York City real estate. She is currently no longer accepting real estate clients searching for apartments, but you can instead find her continuing to dive deep into the market one property at a time.
Would you live in a micro apartment?
Feature image courtesy of Nyasia C./YouTube
- Micro Apartments: A Rental Housing Tiny Trend | Tellus Blog ›
- Trend series - Micro apartments ›
- "Micro apartments" in Denver stand to be a big trend ›
- Micro Apartments: The Growing Trend in City Living | Engineered ... ›
- Micro Apartments: Should Investors Jump on the Trend ... ›
- Micro-Apartments: Are They the Next Big Thing? | Buildium ›
- Are micro apartments the new trend? - REJournals ›
- Micro Apartment Trend - Business Insider ›
RELATED
It's easy for couples to fall into a routine, going through the motions and letting their connection sit on autopilot. While comfort is natural in a long-term relationship, it’s important to remember: that what you don’t nurture, eventually fades. So, why not make 2025 the year you reset your relationship? Here’s how to start the year with a renewed bond, reigniting the spark that brought you together.
Step 1: Schedule Your Reset Meeting
The first step to hitting the reset button is a State of the Union meeting with your partner. This is your chance to take a pulse on the relationship, discuss what's working, and identify areas that need attention. It’s all about creating space to reflect, without distractions.
Grab a pen and paper (or open a shared note on your phone) and come prepared to share your top 2-3 desires for your relationship.
What do you both want to feel more of in 2025? Maybe it’s feeling more appreciated, or perhaps you want to reignite the passion you had when you first started dating. Whatever it is, get clear about it, and make sure both of you are on the same page.
This isn’t just about listing your own wants, it’s also about discussing ways to nurture each other’s needs. Relationship goals should be focused on fostering deeper intimacy, trust, and mutual respect. Use this time to check in, not only with each other but with your individual feelings and expectations. Set the foundation for a fulfilling year ahead.
Alistair Berg/Getty ImagesStep 2: Set A Date (Or Multiple!)
Having the meeting is only the first step. Now, it’s time to take action. One of the simplest ways to breathe new life into a relationship is by reintroducing consistent, intentional time spent together. For many couples, life gets busy, and date nights fall by the wayside. But dating doesn’t stop when you say "I do"—in fact, it’s even more essential.
During your reset meeting, lock in a regular date night that works for both of your schedules. This could be a weekly dinner date or an every-other-week adventure—whatever keeps things fresh. The goal is consistency. It’s easy to push date nights aside when life gets hectic, but if you set a specific date each week or month, you’re making your relationship a priority.
If you’re unsure what to do for your date nights, don’t worry! The key is creating new experiences together. This is what sparks excitement and brings you closer as a couple. Whether it’s cooking a new recipe together, trying a dance class, or exploring a nearby town, it’s about creating shared memories that build your connection.
Getty ImagesStep 3: Find an Accountability Partner
Just like you might have a personal trainer to help you crush your fitness goals, an accountability partner for your relationship can do wonders for keeping both of you on track. Consider hiring a marriage coach or therapist—someone who can meet you where you are and guide you in strengthening your relationship.
When selecting a professional, it’s important to choose someone who truly wants the best for your marriage and can provide actionable advice.
Don’t be afraid to set high standards for your relationship, and seek guidance on how to keep it thriving for the long haul. In your reset meeting, discuss your commitment to growth, and be honest about areas where you may need support.
Marriage isn’t a set-it-and-forget-it endeavor—it’s an ongoing process. Regular check-ins with a professional can help keep your relationship in tip-top shape and “divorce-proof” by addressing issues before they become insurmountable.
DMP/ Getty ImagesStep 4: Try Something New Together
Stale routines can easily make a relationship feel monotonous. Spice things up by trying something new! Couples that explore new activities and create new memories together have stronger, more fulfilling bonds.
My husband and I host one of the top luxury marriage retreats, A Weekend For Love, designed to help couples experience new things together. From couples' workshops to outdoor adventures, the retreat provides a platform to rediscover each other and reconnect on a deeper level.
The element of surprise can reignite your connection. It’s exciting, fresh, and shows your partner that you’re committed to growing together. This doesn’t have to be a huge commitment—it could be as simple as trying a new hobby or planning an impromptu weekend getaway.
Your Relationship Should Be A Priority
As you start the year with personal goals in mind, don’t forget the importance of nurturing your relationship. It’s easy to get caught up in work, fitness, and family obligations, but your bond with your partner deserves to be at the top of your list. Resetting your relationship offers an opportunity to reignite that spark and remind each other why you fell in love in the first place.
In 2025, make a commitment to prioritize your partnership, to nurture it daily, and to invest in its growth. Take time to celebrate each other’s victories, support one another’s dreams, and build a foundation of love and respect. When you start the year with a clear focus on your relationship, you’re setting it up for success.
So, before you start mapping out your new workout plan or work goals, do yourself a favor: put your relationship at the top of that list. Your love story deserves a fresh start, too.
Happy New Year, and here’s to a love-filled 2025!
Couples, if you are ready to do the work and invest in your relationship register for A Weekend For Love: Heart Retreat Feb 21-23, 2025.
Featured image by zamrznutitonovi/Getty Images
Below, Angel shares the skincare products that make her skin glow and her go-to makeup looks.
Check out her routines below.
Skincare
Vogue/YouTube
Angel starts with La Roche-Posay Hydrating Gentle Cleanser. “I love skincare. Makes me feel good, makes me feel cleanse, especially after a long day because I’m always on the go,” she says. “I play sports, so my face is always drenched with sweat, and I always gotta keep it clean.”
Vogue/YouTube
Angel uses two moisturizers. She uses Fenty Skin Hydra Vizor Invisible Moisturizer SPF 30 first and follows it up with Cetaphil Soothing Gel Cream with Aloe.
"You have to use the thinnest layer and then the thickest layer," she says. "I learned these tips because one time I posted a skincare routine and they were like, you need to run that back. And they taught me you need to do thin then thick and then I could see the complete difference with my skin."
Vogue/YouTube
She keeps Laniege Lip Balm with her at all times, including during games.
Vogue/YouTube
One-Size Setting Spray is her go-to for keeping her makeup fresh on the court. “I usually spray my beauty blender with my setting spray,” she says. “People usually wet the beauty blender under the water, but why not set it with this.”
Vogue/YouTube
She rounds out her beauty routine with mascara, brows, and her lip combo using Rare Beauty Kind Words Lip Liner and Covergirl Clean Fresh Yummy Gloss. But before closing, she made sure to give flowers to the WNBA stars before her who were also known for getting glammed on and off the court.
“I gotta give kudos to the girls who were wearing makeup before. Lisa Leslie, Skylar Diggins, Candace Parker. Everybody already had their edges and their lashes, lipstick on," she says. "Tina Thompson; she used to wear a full red lip on her lips during the game, but that’s something I could probably never do.”
Let’s make things inbox official! Sign up for the xoNecole newsletter for love, wellness, career, and exclusive content delivered straight to your inbox.
Feature image by Vogue/YouTube