Do you ever wish you had more space? Crowded closets. Overstuffed cabinets. Not enough space under the sink. Many of us lament our living situations and get frustrated with all the places we seem not to have. But what if the key to more space was just… shifting your mindset?
Meet Khrystyne and Nic Jaspers, two educators living in Manhattan, New York City. Upon welcoming their second child, they were faced with a unique design problem: they loved their 750-square-foot, one-bedroom apartment... but where would everyone fit? What could have easily resulted in a messy, overstuffed home or a costly move turned into a beautiful renovation project that was nothing short of amazing.
Although the tiny house phenomenon has changed over the years (what began as one man’s architectural challenge has inspired thousands of blogs, books, reality series, and documentaries), the movement's core beliefs remain the same. Reducing and simplifying your living spaces is not only possible, but also can be cost-effective, eco-friendly, and extremely rewarding.
Minimalist living spaceCanva
In a recent video that went viral, Khrystyne showed off her one-bedroom apartment, giving viewers a walk-through of all the lovely intentionality that went into her cherished family home. “We’re able to find so much gratitude in our space. Small spaces can seem daunting but if you can find that mindset, like, ‘Let’s thrive in it,’ it can be a beautiful thing,” she says.
So, how did they do it?
First, bedrooms. “We decided to give the kids the bedroom and move our space out here,” Khrystyne explains during an interview with Apartment Therapy, while touring the living room. "When they go to bed, we need a space where we [can] close the door and have it be quiet, and we [can] still go about our lives and work and clean and talk and hangout."
As for their sleeping situation, they had some help, courtesy of a Murphy bed. The handy contraption is hinged on one end, allowing for it to fold up and be stored vertically against the wall, staying hidden behind a tall, white cabinet. Meanwhile, the two Jaspers children share the bedroom: a bright, open space with a light wood bunkbed and a floor-to-ceiling bookshelf. Colorful pillows and cozy blankets rest on their mattresses, creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere. “The biggest struggle [while designing this space was] ‘Where are we going to sleep?”, says Khrystyne on TikTok. “When we got [the Murphy bed], I felt like we had doubled our space. We love it. People think it’s weird, but we don’t.”
A small pink Murphy bedCanva
Matters were complicated even further while considering Nic’s job, which requires him to work from home. Fitting two sleeping quarters, a kitchen, and a living room, plus a home office in a one-bedroom apartment? A tough assignment, but once again, the Jaspers family got creative.
By working with the living room’s natural symmetrical shape, they were able to achieve everything they wanted—functionality without sacrificing aesthetics. “We realized that this room had to function in so many ways and it’s kind of one big square. Creating these quadrants helps the room flow and make sense,” explains Khrystyne while pointing to the four corners of the room: the living space, complete with a plush gray couch and a coffee table; a dining area next to the window; the folded up Murphy bed; and a work station decorated with hanging mugs and flowers. "It doesn’t matter if you have a one-bedroom or a two-bedroom or a mansion. We all have this ability to make space for the things that matter to us,” she says.
Yes, everything in this apartment has a purpose… even if that purpose is simply to elicit joy. Take for example, their handsome Midcentury piano, which spans half of a living room wall. Is it the most efficient use of space? Probably not. Then again, that doesn’t really matter. “I grew up playing the piano and my dad plays the piano, and we really wanted our kids to learn. It’s not the best use of space, but it reflects things that are special to our family and the values our family has,” Khrystyne says during a video tour on YouTube.
And there's a specialty attraction hanging from the children’s bedroom window. “We got this [bird feeder] for my daughter’s birthday because she loves birds. We’re in a seventh-floor apartment and it hasn’t fallen. We saw a woodpecker yesterday,” she says, proudly.
A bird feeder hangs outside a child's bedroom windowCanva
With housing prices on the rise, the Jaspers’ creative approach to living is more essential than ever. Who knew your dream home could exist in the space you're already dwelling in? Social media has responded positively, especially on X/Twitter, where user Midwest Antiquarian (@Eric_Erins) reposted Khrystyne’s viral TikTok with user@calebwsimpson.
Luca: “Sorry but I much prefer these practical ‘can I see your apartment tours that show how regular people actually live over the interior designed curated homes that I could see on architectural digest 🤷♂️”
dmoon: “If you have nicely scaled furniture, realize you don't need to own 10,000 things, you can make a really nice space almost anywhere. If people can somehow fit a family in a converted school bus you can figure it out.”
Check out the full video and apartment tour below.
This article originally appeared earlier this year.
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Representative Image: Making pizzas for hungry people. Pexels I Photo by Jvxhn Visuals
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21 products that are gaslighting us into thinking they’re essential when they’re not
Some things in life are actually necessary—clean water, decent healthcare, basic human decency. But then there are the things that feel like they’re gaslighting us. The things we’re told we can’t live without, even though we survived just fine before they existed. Things like "smart" fridges, lawn fertilizer services, and yes—whole body deodorant.
Recently, our sister-site Upworthy asked their Facebook audience the question: What's a product or service that feels like it's gaslighting all of us into thinking it's necessary? More than 8,000 responses poured in. The answers were passionate, funny, and surprisingly unified.
Here are 21 products, services, and systems people called out for pretending to be essential—when they might actually be optional, overpriced, or flat-out invented.
1. Whole body deodorant
"Take a shower," said Shannon H.
“How did we ever manage all those years without it!! 😂😵💫” added Karen R.
Others noted it may help people with medical conditions—but for the average person, it's definitely a marketing creation.
2. Health insurance
It topped the list. Erica L. explained: “My doctor prescribes, the pharmacist issues meds, nurses care for people, surgeons do surgery—Health Insurance stands between health care and patients and says no, exclusively on whether they think it’s financially effective to treat you.”
Important note: Health insurance can provide life-saving access for many—but what people are frustrated by here is the profit-first system, not care itself.
3. The wedding industry
Multiple people slammed the high cost of modern weddings.
JoElla B. put it plainly: “We spend too much time and money planning one day, and not enough thought on how to blend two lives in a mutually beneficial one.”
Others called out expensive dresses, venues, and pressure to perform for social media.
4. Bottled water
Carole D. said: “Water in plastic bottles! Get a cup!”
While bottled water has value in emergencies, it’s often just filtered tap water—sold for profit in plastic.
5. Baby product overload
“Most baby products,” wrote Kelli O. “They really aren’t as needy and complicated as companies want us to think.”
6. Fabric softener
“It’s bad for clothes, bad for the Earth, bad for the wallet, and totally unnecessary,” said Gail H.
Some experts agree—many softeners contain chemicals that can reduce fabric lifespan and irritate skin.
7. Smart appliances
“Adding ‘phone controls’ to every appliance instead of making them last as long as they used to,” wrote Sherry S.
When your fridge needs a software update, something’s gone off the rails.
8. Makeup and anti-aging products
“Anything anti-aging,” said Melissa T., “Please just let me age into the gargoyle I was meant to become.”
Others questioned products designed to “fix” eyelashes, eyebrows, pores, and graying hair.
April S. added, “Products that women are convinced they MUST have in order to be ‘beautiful’ and therefore ‘loved.’”
9. Cosmetic surgery
Ron P. called out the industry as a whole. And while body autonomy matters, many commenters questioned whether insecurities are being commodified and sold back to us.
10. Ticketmaster and “convenience fees”
“Let’s go back to waiting in line at a record store,” wrote Nicole C.
Zaida B. added: “Convenience fee for online purchases—then charging $10 more at the actual event.”
11. Engagement rings
James P. didn’t mince words: “Engagement rings.”
The diamond industry has long been criticized for manufactured scarcity and marketing-fueled necessity.
12. Lawn chemicals and services
“Plant native grasses and you don’t have the pests or need for constant watering,” wrote Jamie B.
Environmental groups have raised similar concerns over runoff and unnecessary pesticide use.
13. AI and generative tech
“This stuff squeezes the lifeblood and individuality out of the human experience,” said Teresa L.
Saskia D. and others echoed skepticism about its necessity, even as many of us are being pushed to use it.
14. Funeral services
Amy W. shared: “My parents both have already paid to have themselves cremated and are very adamant that they do not want anything big done for them. In their words, ‘I won’t care, I’m dead.’”
Of course, some families find comfort in tradition—but the cost and pressure can feel overwhelming and predatory.
15. Rinse and repeat
Amy D. nailed it: “It’s just to sell more. Not even sure you need it at all.”
16. Credit Card Surcharges
Shawn S. took aim at the extra fees popping up at checkout: “That is the cost of doing business and shouldn’t be the burden of the purchaser.”
Many questioned why customers are increasingly being asked to pay extra simply for the convenience of using a card.
17. Constant phone upgrades
“Apple are notorious for releasing the same shit every year,” said Steph S.
Diana H. added, “Needing to upgrade our phones so frequently.”
Built-in obsolescence and marketing cycles drive most of the demand.
18. Vitamins and supplements
“If I took every supplement they say I NEED I wouldn’t need food. Nor could I afford it,” said Tausha L.
19. Fake pockets on women’s pants
Jessica W. said, “I have to buy men’s pants for work because women’s pants would just get torn up too fast!”
Form over function, and then they charge more for it.
20. Disposable everything
“The ‘convenience’ of disposable everything,” said Rick R.
It’s killing the planet—and draining wallets.
21. Tipping
“I’m sick of supplementing for corporations that refuse to pay a living wage,” wrote Susan V.
Tipping culture has evolved into something far removed from its original intent, and for many, it now feels like a burden shifted onto the customer.
The bigger picture
People aren’t saying all these things should vanish tomorrow. But when we start seeing convenience sold as necessity, and insecurity turned into billion-dollar markets, it's worth asking: who benefits from all of this?
And more importantly—who pays?
This article originally appeared earlier this year.