As people continue to pour into crowded metropolitan areas, residents are feeling the squeeze. A modestly sized apartment doesn't have to make for a boring home, however, as demonstrated by our most popular small spaces of the year. Listed below, these ingenious designs show how residences as small as 194 square feet can be bright, modern, and comfortable. Take a look at the small spaces that made the biggest impact this year.

10. Smart Storage Systems Maximize Tiny Budapest Studio Apartment

9. Archaeological Renovation Adds Precious Space in Boston

8. Minimal House in Tokyo Brings Light In

7. Tiny Apartment in Slovakia Makes Clever Use of Space

6. Compact Home in Vietnam Makes the Most of 194 Square Feet

5. Tiny Hong Kong Apartment With Tree House-Inspired Loft

4. Devising Clever Solutions For a Small San Francisco Loft

3. An Origami-Inspired Apartment in Hong Kong With Tons of Smart Storage

Designed by Hong Kong-based practice MNB Design Studio, the living area of this 780-square-foot apartment has a large, multifunctional plywood-and-wood veneer wall that's linked to two sliding doors—one that opens to a storage room and another that opens to the kitchen." layout="" credit="Add credit" photoUserId=""/>

2. Compact Barcelona Apartment Maximizes Space With Smart Material Choices

1. Buenos Aires Architect Turns His Small, Dark Apartment Into Bright and Airy Home

To see more of our Top 10 lists, click here.

Also Appears In

Dwell’s Top 10 Small Spaces of 2017