The Smallest House in Britain, located in Conwy, North Wales, has received a new addition to its living space for the first time in 400 years – a sofa.
As a Guinness Book of World Records holder, the property stands at 122 inches tall and just 72 inches wide, with just 1.5m squared of usable floor space.
Originally built as an infill property within a medieval row of cottages, the tiny red-fronted house has been passed down through the same family for more than 130 years. Previous owners included an elderly couple, the Edwards, and its last known occupant was a fisherman called Robert Jones, who, ironically, was 6ft 3 inches tall.
Great Britain's smallest house is currently owned by Jan Tyley and the property has been in her family for five generations. Her great-great-grandfather bought it in 1891 as a letting property. In 1900 the council deemed the property unsuitable for human habitation but luckily it was saved from demolition thanks to a campaign from the town, and was preserved as a tourist attraction.
The house, which welcomes over 55,000 visitors each year, contains just two rooms – one upstairs and one downstairs. There's just enough space for a fireplace, single bed, and a basin (there's no toilet).
The property has never had a sofa in it – or much else for that matter. But Snug, the sofa-in-a-box company, wanted to back up their claim that their new sofa, The Small Biggie, can fit into the most awkward and smallest of spaces without compromising on comfort.
"The house is over 400 years old and is set up as it was when it was last lived in, in the 1900s, and as far as I know we've never had a sofa in there," said owner Jan.
Luckily, the armchair-style sofa squeezed into the house by less than half an inch. Colourful finishing touches including dried flowers, a round jute rug, candles, cushions and photo frames completed the mini home makeover.
"We have people from all over the world coming to visit, and I'm delighted we can add another chapter to the house's story – the year the house got its first ever sofa," added Jan.
Given the house's tiny dimensions, the sofa sadly won't be a permanent fixture. "We have upwards of 50,000 people visiting every year and it's hard enough for them to move around as it is," Jan told The Mirror.
Snug now plans to take on the rest of the nation's awkward stairwells, tiny hallways, and other small spaces with The Small Biggie sofa. If you have an awkward space in need of a sofa, challenge Snug to come and deliver one. For more info, visit snugsofa.com.
21 small bedside tables to save space in compact bedrooms
The Neva bedside table makes the most of its small footprint by providing both drawer space and open storage. It's upholstered in an on-trend grey velvet-finish fabric with a geometric quilted pattern, plus it has a handy in-built USB charging port.
Fusing compact design and classic style, this small bedside table from Made.com is an easy way to contain your clutter and uplift your bedroom. Whilst the footprint is a small one (just 35cm!) the pink body and brass finish frame make a big statement.
If you like a touch of industrial style, this small bedside table from Habitat is the one for you. The steel body is stylish and functional and the light grey colour fits seamlessly into many a design scheme. The door opens to reveal two handy shelves inside to hide clutter.
This small IKEA bedside table has its roots in Scandinavian craft tradition. In a natural solid birch, it features subtle leather handle detailing and compact proportions that will fit even the smallest of bedrooms. Patience is always recommended for self-assembly.
This tropical hardwood bedside table from Anthropologie is small in size, but big in statement. With a delicate inlaid botanical motif, an inky blue finish, and a brushed brass base, it's the perfect space-saver for those who don't want to forgo style.
This clever small bedside table by Made.com has subtle hidden drawers that blend seamlessly into its curved shape, but is big enough to hold your night time necessities. The dark oak and round shape (the design was inspired by old sewing boxes) gives a vintage feel.
This practical small bedside table provides useful storage space, and it's made from a combination of responsibly-sourced European solid oak and veneers, as well as birch wood and MDF to ensure durability. The design is clean and timeless, with panelled detailing in a crisp, slate grey finish.
The Mitzi bedside table from West Elm packs a punch with its petrol blue finish. Small and streamlined in a matte, powder-coated steel, this small bedside table fits in tight corners and awkward spaces, with a super handy circular drawer to leave the rest of your space fuss free.
A space-saving 41cm in diameter, this small metal and wood bedside table from La Redoute has an unimposing shape and slim silhouette to fit any small bedroom. A handy open drawer lets you store books without compromising on space for a bedside lamp.
This small bedside table requires a smart edit of your night time essentials. Top with a bedside lamp, or small indoor plant, and keep your sleeping space clean and minimal.
The multifunctional Grove bedside table is narrow and compact, but also provides a single deep drawer and open storage space. This clever unit also comes with a USB charging port to free up other points in your bedroom.
A small floating bedside table is the ultimate in space-saving bedroom solutions. A simple design with clean, minimalist lines will ensure your sleeping space remains free of clutter, whilst there is still plenty of space for your lamp, books and phone on top.
This Loaf side table with a vintage brass finish to the legs and a simple glass top would make the perfect bedside table for the smallest of bedrooms. With a diameter of 37cm, there is just enough space on the top for a slim lamp, your phone and a book. What more do you need?
A modern solution for messy cables, this compact bedside table features a hook under its top table to neatly hold your charging cord and an opening on the bottom for power cables to seamlessly stem through. Made from metal and wood, it provides a multi-purpose and sophisticated solution for a small bedroom.
If you're short on floor space, think vertically. This mini ladder makes for a perfect bedside table, with three open shelves for arranging your essentials.
A novel solution for those small on space. This wall-mounted steel and cane bedside table can be placed up and out of the way if the footprint next to your bed is especially small. There's plenty of space for a lamp, books, your phone and a little extra.
This narrow bedside table makes the most of its small footprint by providing a ton of storage space. With two inner storage compartments (thankfully, any mess is hidden behind the cane door), the top can be kept clutter free, with just enough room for a bedside lamp and a book.
This minimalist side table from John Lewis's popular ANYDAY collection is made from MDF and oak veneers and supported by a metal frame, so it's lightweight but reassuringly sturdy. Two small shelves are perfect for styling a small houseplant and candles.
The Ren bedside table is small in stature, but big on luxe, with a rich mahogany velvet-effect finish and brass-toned handle. The slim legs make space underneath for a pile of books if you've maxed out the deep internal drawer.
This pair of luxe bedside tables save on space with a clever half-moon shape, meaning they can sit streamlined to your wall. With tall, smoked brass-effect metal legs and real white marble tops, these space savers add a touch of luxe, too.
With an art deco striped front, gold-effect details, and mauve body, the Maurice bedside table from Dunelm is perfect for adding a touch of glamour. Despite its small size, this small bedside table offers ample storage space in the form of two spacious drawers.
Olivia Heath is the Daily Editor at House Beautiful. Heading up all things digital, Olivia loves uncovering tomorrow's biggest design trends and sharing the best decorating tips, small-space living solutions, and houseplant care advice. She also enjoys curating stylish and affordable homeware on the high street, as well as spotlighting the hottest properties on the market. Olivia covers some of the biggest events in the calendar, including all the action from the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, Colour of the Year forecasts from Pantone to Dulux, and exclusive previews of all the new Christmas collections before they hit the shops. Olivia has been writing about homes and interiors for the past seven years, and her work has also been published on House Beautiful US, Elle Decor US, Country Living, Good Housekeeping, Red, Prima, Town & Country, Elle Japan, Modern Living and Micasa Revista. Prior to joining House Beautiful, Olivia worked at Reveal magazine, where she reported on celebrity and entertainment news by day, and attended showbiz parties and red carpet events by night! Olivia has an MA in Journalism with an NCTJ qualification, as well as a BA in Journalism and Media & Cultural Studies. Previous bylines include The Guardian, Independent on Sunday, The Huffington Post, Frontline Club and Pride Magazine.
