How do residents use furniture in micro-apartments? Analysing furniture affordances through photo-elicitation method

The number of small dwellings has surged in many cities across the world. Existing literature discusses the impacts of micro-living on well-being, but there is surprisingly little discussion about furniture consumption practices in small apartments, even though furniture takes up lots of space. This study analyses how residents interact with furniture in small living spaces, through the lens of affordance theory. Photo-elicitation interviews were conducted with 32 residents living in small apartments in Hong Kong. Micro-living is especially challenging for larger families, who compromise on important homemaking goals such as sustaining family traditions. In addition, space constraints motivate residents to acquire and dump less durable furniture, which has implications for environmental sustainability. As residents’ needs and goals evolve over time, some attempt to remake and transform furniture affordances, though their ability to do so depends on their design skills or access to handyman services. The paper concludes by offering practical suggestions for enhancing the well-being of space-deprived residents and reducing domestic waste, which are potentially useful to other high-density cities.