If everything is stored away, the interior will appear spacious. Try two curtains on a round, spring-loaded curtain rod rather than a cupboard, closet or bathroom door. Recycle your favorite fabric – curtains are easy to make, clean and change.

LIVING ROOM: Create a daybed with a plywood shelf and twin mattress. Use pull-out cardboard boxes to store your wardrobe and possessions beneath the bed. Cover the daybed with an over-sized quilt or cover the storage area with a small curtain. Store extra blankets in pillowcases on top of the bed. Try a computer notebook for all media.

For a limited wardrobe, recombine several two-piece outfits. Use a hooded jacket rather than a hat or umbrella. Add a simple coat hook near the front door. To iron clothes, use a thick towel on the counter. Iron the night before and use one hanger.

KITCHEN: Eliminate upper shelving and add more windows.

Some fridges are small enough to fit under the sink. Try an under-counter combination washer/dryer.

A corner, double-layered carousel cupboard provides plenty of storage space and easy access for dry goods, a portable stove top, pot, bowl, mug, fork, spoon and large knife – as well as any additional items beyond these basics.

Try a narrow shelf to store dishes and glasses vertically – add mug hooks to the lower shelf – hang the shelf on an inner wall and leave the outer walls for windows.

Store additional kitchen items under the daybed as well.

Try one-pot recipes. Use a pan as a mixing bowl, a spoon or mug to measure, a fork as a whisk and a mug as a ladle. Reuse a jar for utensils, to store food or as a vase for wildflowers. Dry dishes on a dish towel. Add simple dish towel hooks.

Eliminate a table – it’s okay to eat and entertain with your plate in your lap.

For more counter space, try a large cutting board over the entire sink as well as a pull-out cutting board. A cutting board also works well as a lapdesk or to serve/dine.

WET BATH: Use a circular shower curtain rod and water-proof the lower half of the walls. Try a towel cupboard over the toilet. Try a tiny, 12-inch-depth, corner sink. Add simple bath towel hooks.

ADDITIONAL SPACIOUSNESS: Eliminate the wall between a kitchen and living room. Eliminate a loft. Try recessed lighting. Try skylights for longer-lasting daylight and summer ventilation. Try arched windows at the peaks of the house and a glass front door. Try more windows with deep bay window sills. Try a heater that does not stick out from the wall.

CONVENIENCE: Try an entry near the kitchen/bathroom. Try a large, single kitchen sink. Try an open storage area over the bathroom for decorative boxes/baskets.

With certain designs, a full porch is optional – a portable screen house may be more practical. Use the trunk of your car for additional storage, such as a couple of indoor/outdoor folding chairs.

Try an outdoor clothesline at the back of the house.