In cities around the world, tiny living spaces are becoming increasingly common. An estimated 200,000 people in Hong Kong live in what are called “coffin homes” – subdivided units so small that a person cannot even fully stretch out their legs.
Such stories are exotic fodder for the British press, but in the UK too, tiny living spaces are on the rise. Over the past 20 years, the average private renter in Britain has seen their individual living space decrease from 31 sq metres in 1996 to 25 sq metres, as more and more people are forced to reside in shared accommodation.
