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The thinnest house in the world is 3 feet wide – and it has no electricity

Posted on by Bobb
The thinnest house in the world is 3 feet wide – and it has no electricity


Jakub Szczesny, who built the “thinnest house” in the world, is depicted inside it. Located in Warsaw, Poland. At its narrowest point its width is only 92 centimeters.
In Warsaw there is “the thinnest house in the world” (Photo: Jakub Szczesny/Inside the Kereta House/Foregemind Archimedia/Creative Commons/Flickr)

Entering residential staircase these days requires Herculean efforts.

So if you’re lucky enough to climb the corporate ladder, you might want to take whatever you can get, even if it’s space is smaller than you expected.

But if you thought that you fight for place when renting in the city, think “the thinnest house” in the world.

At its narrowest point, the Keret House in Warsaw, Poland is just 92 centimeters (3.02 feet) high, and at its widest it is 152 centimeters (4.99 feet). Cozy, hey?

Designed by Polish architect Jakub Szczesny, the hotel was built to provide temporary accommodation for traveling creatives rather than something to call home. The first to settle here was the writer Etgar Keret – hence the name.

Jakub discovered the place while walking home one day and began to wonder what, if anything, he could do with it.


The tiny bedroom is pictured inside the Keret House, the smallest house in the world in Warsaw, Poland, which is just 3 feet wide at its thinnest point.
The furniture had to be made to order (Photo: Jakub Szczesny/Inside Kereta’s house/Foregemind Archimedia/Creative Commons/Flickr)

“It all started in space,” Yacoub said earlier. Dezin.

“I started wondering who might live there. This was supposed to be a person who would like to be a recluse, someone who would like to spend time alone doing something, but what?’

Naturally, living in such a tiny place isn’t for everyone, and as Jakub said when it was built in 2012, “it takes a sense of humor.”

I wonder how he managed to fit all the furniture inside? It was all custom made because, naturally, a lot of what was on the market was too big to even build inside, let alone fit into the tiny corners of the house.


The photo shows the staircase inside the Keret House, the smallest house in the world in Warsaw, Poland, which is only 3 feet wide at its thinnest point.
It’s safe to say that it’s relatively compact here (Photo: Jakub Szczesny/Inside The Keret House/Foregemind Archimedia/Creative Commons/Flickr)

There’s more space inside than you might think, with one bedroom, kitchen, bathroom and living room spread over two floors – although anyone staying there will need to conveniently use the stairs to move between levels.

It’s not completely dark there either, as there are two windows (though they don’t open) and several translucent panels that welcome sunlight.

However, the innovative installation does not have its own source of electricity, since it receives it from its neighbors.

However, there is water and a working sewer system – so if you’re eligible to stay there, you’ll take comfort in knowing you won’t have to rely on a public toilet to conduct your business.

In the 12 years since it opened, it has made such an impression: so much so that in 2019 it was included in the Iconic Houses list as one of the most famous houses in the world, despite the fact that it does not technically qualify as a house because that local building codes. Instead, it is listed as an “art installation.”


Pictured outside is the Kereti House, the smallest house in the world in Warsaw, Poland, which is only 3 feet wide at its thinnest point.
Technically, the object is an “art installation” and not a house (Photo: Jakub Szczesny/Inside the Kereta House/Foregemind Archimedia/Creative Commons/Flickr)

Warsaw is not the only city with a very narrow house. These types of properties are also relatively common in Tokyo, where space is limited and housing costs are high.

By comparison, the population density is 6,158 people per square kilometer, making it Japan’s most populous city—and one of the most populous places in the world.

According to Reuters, a 60 square meter apartment now costs 15 times the salary of a skilled worker – which is now more than New York, London and Singapore, which are notorious for their expensive housing markets.

To that end, RoomPa, Japan’s largest real estate agent, recently took a look inside one of Tokyo’s narrowest properties, measuring just 11.5 square meters.


A real estate agent inspects one of the narrowest houses in Tokyo, measuring just 11.5 square meters.
Narrow houses are also common in cities like Tokyo (Photo: TikTok/@fang.tokyo.us).

It may look tiny, but it has everything you could need, including a kitchen with sink and single stove, toilet and vanity, shower and two floors of living space, including a loft for a bed.

There’s even enough space to place a projector against one wall for a cozy movie night, and there’s a skylight to flood the space with natural light.

Want to know how you can wash your clothes? There’s even room for a washing machine, so you won’t have to introduce yourself to the laundry room anytime soon.

Honestly? We think regular-sized homes may be overpriced.


Is it possible to live in such a cramped house?

With all this in mind, you may be wondering whether it’s really possible to live in a narrow home – and whether it’s affecting your health and well-being.

“It’s not uncommon to see homes that are too narrow, especially in larger cities where building space is limited, and this is certainly an inventive way to bring more homes to market,” Co-Founder and CEO
GetAgent.co.ukColby Short narrates Metro.

“They can also represent a more affordable option due to their smaller footprint, making them attractive to buyers looking to take the stairs.”

But, Colby says, such homes are unlikely to have much natural light, usually “due to the fact that they are sandwiched between other larger buildings and also because they are only wide enough for one window per floor.” .’ And accordingly, outdoor space is also likely to be limited.

“Any extended period of time spent in a tighter, darker space will inevitably take a toll on your personal well-being,” adds Colby.

“So if you are considering buying a narrow property, it is also important to maintain a balanced lifestyle that will allow you to avoid it from time to time.”

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