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Top 9 Small Spaces of 2020View 19 Photos

Top 9 Small Spaces of 2020

The nominees for this year’s Dwell Design Awards may be petite, but they pack a big punch.
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From clean-lined Airstream renovations to dreamy cabins in the woods, these projects prove that sometimes the smallest spaces have the largest impact. Get to know the nominees below, and vote for your favorite in the 2020 Dwell Design Awards by December 16.

A 1973 Airstream Gets an Organic Remodel Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright

Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s philosophy of organic architecture, this vintage airstream has a pared-down interior filled with natural materials.

Inspired by Frank Lloyd Wright’s philosophy of organic architecture, this vintage airstream has a pared-down interior filled with natural materials.

The kitchen features small appliances—including a marine refrigerator, gas burner, and oven.

The kitchen features small appliances—including a marine refrigerator, gas burner, and oven.

After the death of her husband, a Byron Bay local moves into a diminutive dwelling that takes cues from the coastal locale.

After the death of her husband, a Byron Bay local moves into a diminutive dwelling that takes cues from the coastal locale.

Numerous louvre-style windows wrap around the home, flooding it with greenery and sunlight. "High windows are important to allow for cool breezes in the summer," says Adam. "Louvre windows are very traditional in this area, as they allow for airflow and can remain open when it's raining."

Numerous louvre-style windows wrap around the home, flooding it with greenery and sunlight. "High windows are important to allow for cool breezes in the summer," says Adam. "Louvre windows are very traditional in this area, as they allow for airflow and can remain open when it's raining."

At 23 years old, self-taught designer Mariah Hoffman set out to craft her own 156-square-foot sanctuary.

At 23 years old, self-taught designer Mariah Hoffman set out to craft her own 156-square-foot sanctuary.

"Under my bed, I have storage cubbies that hold clothing and art and cleaning supplies," Mariah says. "The picture ledge above my bed is a storage and display area for books and small art pieces."

"Under my bed, I have storage cubbies that hold clothing and art and cleaning supplies," Mariah says. "The picture ledge above my bed is a storage and display area for books and small art pieces."

Winkelman Architecture delivers grown-up summer-camp vibes with this unassuming retreat on the coast of Maine.

Winkelman Architecture delivers grown-up summer-camp vibes with this unassuming retreat on the coast of Maine.

A pair of double doors leads to the large screened porch. At the ceiling, rafters underscore the skylight, casting shadows that mark the passage of the sun.

A pair of double doors leads to the large screened porch. At the ceiling, rafters underscore the skylight, casting shadows that mark the passage of the sun.

Facing a COVID-19 shutdown, Taylor and Michaella McClendon recruit their family to build a breezy tiny home on the Big Island—which you can now purchase for $99,800.

Facing a COVID-19 shutdown, Taylor and Michaella McClendon recruit their family to build a breezy tiny home on the Big Island—which you can now purchase for $99,800.

A view from the bedroom loft.

A view from the bedroom loft.

A translucent pergola shades this 183-square-foot studio made from hardy OSB.

A translucent pergola shades this 183-square-foot studio made from hardy OSB.

A pergola made of opaque, corrugated polycarbonate extends from the front facade and guards against bright sunlight, wind, and rain.

A pergola made of opaque, corrugated polycarbonate extends from the front facade and guards against bright sunlight, wind, and rain.

The house may measure fewer than 600 square feet, but with an open plan, clever built-ins, and high ceilings, it shows that compact doesn't have to mean cramped.

The house may measure fewer than 600 square feet, but with an open plan, clever built-ins, and high ceilings, it shows that compact doesn't have to mean cramped.

Sasaki placed an open-plan kitchen, dining area, and living space on the second level; a flexible loft space is situated above the kitchen.

Sasaki placed an open-plan kitchen, dining area, and living space on the second level; a flexible loft space is situated above the kitchen.

Drawing from Persian design, Francesca Perani Enterprise creates an urban hideaway with budget-conscious materials like OSB and printed floor tile.

Drawing from Persian design, Francesca Perani Enterprise creates an urban hideaway with budget-conscious materials like OSB and printed floor tile.

Printed, marble-pattern floor tiles were used for the kitchen counter to add texture to the space and echo the pattern of the OSB. "I was looking for a low-cost material that was playful, bold, and resistant," says architect Francesca Perani. "I only needed to use two large tiles, so the cost was very low."

Printed, marble-pattern floor tiles were used for the kitchen counter to add texture to the space and echo the pattern of the OSB. "I was looking for a low-cost material that was playful, bold, and resistant," says architect Francesca Perani. "I only needed to use two large tiles, so the cost was very low."

Two rentable dwellings suspended from living trees bring a couple’s dream to life.

Two rentable dwellings suspended from living trees bring a couple’s dream to life.

The interior also features numerous local touches, including a pair of oak Krysset chairs in natural leather by the Norwegian furniture company Eikund.

The interior also features numerous local touches, including a pair of oak Krysset chairs in natural leather by the Norwegian furniture company Eikund.

Ian Zunt
Ian Zunt is the one behind all of Dwell's socials. Along with the work he does to get us on your phone screen, he also writes on trends and design culture.

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