When Dieuwke Vos, a law student, and her husband Gerrit, a chef, were looking for a new home in Groningen, the Netherlands, they came across a rental ad for a houseboat. A strong connection with water and boats runs in the family ? Dieuwke?s grandfather was a captain and both Dieuwke and Gerrit spent their […]

When Dieuwke Vos, a law student, and her husband Gerrit, a chef, were looking for a new home in Groningen, the Netherlands, they came across a rental ad for a houseboat. A strong connection with water and boats runs in the family ? Dieuwke?s grandfather was a captain and both Dieuwke and Gerrit spent their childhoods sailing with their parents. The idea of living on the water immediately felt like the perfect choice, and the couple quickly decided to jump on the rare opportunity. Five years in, they couldn?t be happier with their spur-of-the-moment decision. Dieuwke and Gerrit?s houseboat is 485 square feet and comprises of three rooms. They have made it work for their needs by opting for creative storage solutions and smaller-scale furniture. When the couple moved in, they realized that none of their existing furniture worked in the smaller spaces. To create a functional home, they sold their big pieces and started from scratch. Despite the lack of space and low ceilings, Dieuwke and Gerrit have been determined to create a home that feels bigger than its square footage. They have used each space to its full potential by creating various multifunctional areas; t...