How to Start a Homestead in an Apartment: A Beginner’s Journey

Urban homesteading is gaining popularity, with a recent survey showing a 35% increase in the number of people adopting this lifestyle in cities.

When people think of homesteading, they usually picture farms, big gardens, and animals. But homesteading isn’t just for people with lots of land. You can actually start homesteading in an apartment—all it takes is some creativity and a desire to live more sustainably.

In this guide, we’ll show you how you can bring homesteading into your urban life, even if you don’t have a yard or much space.

What is apartment homesteading?

Apartment homesteading is the practice of self-sufficiency in an urban apartment. It involves growing your own food, making household products, and reducing waste. This lifestyle adapts traditional homesteading practices to fit smaller urban spaces. When you’re homesteading in an apartment, you follow the same ideas but adapt them to fit your smaller living space

Apartment homesteading focuses on using what you have—no matter how little space there is. You might grow herbs on your windowsill, learn how to make homemade products, or find ways to reduce energy and water usage. The goal is to live more independently and sustainably, even without access to land or large gardens.

Benefits of Apartment Homesteading

• Less reliance on stores: By growing your own food or making products, you don’t have to rely on stores as much.
• Eco-friendly lifestyle: Homesteading helps reduce waste, conserves resources, and limits the need for single-use items.
• Saves money: Growing your own vegetables, making homemade cleaners, or sewing your clothes can help lower your costs.
• Personal growth: You’ll gain useful skills, like cooking from scratch, gardening, or repairing things, that you can use throughout your life.

While apartment homesteading can be challenging because of the lack of space, it can still be rewarding. You don’t need a large garden to start homesteading. You just need to find smart ways to use the space you have.

Why Choose Apartment Homesteading?

Choosing to homestead in your apartment is about more than just growing plants. It’s about making small, sustainable changes that have a big impact. Even in a small space, you can take steps to live more responsibly and independently.

Here’s why you should consider apartment homesteading:

1. Environmental impact: Apartment living can generate a lot of waste, but homesteading helps cut that down. Whether it’s by reusing items, composting, or growing your own food, you can reduce your environmental footprint.
2. Healthier lifestyle: When you grow your own food, you know exactly what’s going into it. Plus, making your own cleaning supplies or personal care items means fewer chemicals in your home.
3. Connection to nature: Living in the city can sometimes make you feel disconnected from nature. Homesteading brings a bit of the outdoors into your home, whether it’s through growing plants or practicing self-sufficiency.
4. Be prepared: Learning homesteading skills means you’re better prepared for emergencies. Knowing how to grow and store food, conserve resources, or make things yourself is helpful during times when supplies might be low.
5. Learn new skills: Homesteading in your apartment encourages you to try new things, like cooking from scratch, preserving food, or DIY crafts. It’s a journey of continuous learning.

Apartment homesteading is especially relevant in urban settings. City living can be stressful and disconnected from nature. Homesteading brings a bit of nature into your home and promotes a sustainable lifestyle. It’s a practical way to reduce your environmental footprint.

Steps to Start Homesteading in an Apartment

Ready to get started? Here are a few simple steps to start homesteading in your apartment:

Step 1: Start with Research and Planning

Before diving in, it’s a good idea to do some planning. Homesteading in an apartment means you need to adjust your expectations. Instead of large-scale gardening or livestock, you’ll focus on small but meaningful steps like growing herbs, reducing waste, or learning DIY skills.

Here’s what you should consider:

• Space: How much space do you have for plants or DIY projects? Will you use your balcony, windowsill, or indoor shelves for growing food?
• Local regulations: Check your apartment rules. Can you compost or grow plants on your balcony? Are there any restrictions that might affect your plans?
• Skills to learn: Homesteading is about gaining new skills. Do you want to focus on gardening, preserving food, or making your own products?

By planning ahead, you can set small, realistic goals that fit your apartment lifestyle.

Step 2: Grow Your Own Food

One of the most important parts of homesteading is learning how to grow your own food. Even in an apartment, you can do this on a small scale using container gardening. This means growing plants in pots or containers rather than in the ground.

Here are some easy-to-grow plants for beginners:

• Herbs: Start with basil, mint, rosemary, or thyme. They grow well in small containers and can be placed on windowsills.
• Leafy greens: Spinach, lettuce, and arugula grow quickly and can thrive in pots.
• Microgreens: These tiny plants, like sprouts or baby greens, grow fast and are packed with nutrients.

If you have a balcony, you can try using vertical space to grow even more. Vertical planters or hanging pots allow you to grow several plants in a small area. You can grow tomatoes, peppers, and even small citrus trees in containers if you have the space.

Step 3: Preserve and Store Food

Once you start growing your own food, the next step is learning how to preserve it so nothing goes to waste. Even if you’re only growing a few herbs or vegetables, there are simple ways to store them for later use.

Here are some food preservation methods that work in small spaces:

Drying: Air-drying or using a dehydrator is another great way to preserve herbs or fruits. Dried herbs can be stored in jars and used whenever you need them.

Freezing: Herbs, fruits, and vegetables can be frozen and stored for months. You can freeze herbs in olive oil or make frozen fruit for smoothies.

Fermenting: Fermentation is an easy way to store vegetables or make homemade yogurt. You can ferment food in small jars, which don’t take up much space.

Step 4: DIY Projects and Crafts

A big part of homesteading is learning how to make things yourself, reducing your reliance on store-bought items. In an apartment setting, DIY projects can help you save money and live more sustainably. Even with limited space, you can try out a variety of homesteading-inspired crafts and projects that don’t require a lot of room or resources.

Ideas for Apartment-Friendly DIY Projects:

• Homemade Cleaning Products: Making your own cleaners is easy, cost-effective, and great for reducing harmful chemicals in your home. Many recipes use simple ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils. For example, a basic all-purpose cleaner can be made by mixing equal parts vinegar and water, with a few drops of essential oil for fragrance.
• Personal Care Products: You can also make personal care items like soap, shampoo, and lotion using natural ingredients. This allows you to avoid harsh chemicals found in many commercial products and save money.
• Sewing and Mending: Learning basic sewing skills can help you repair clothes, make your own items, or even upcycle old fabrics into new things like cloth napkins, tote bags, or cushion covers. No need for a sewing machine—many repairs can be done by hand with a needle and thread.
• Candle Making: If you’re looking for a craft project, candle-making is a fun way to create your own home decor. Using beeswax or soy wax, you can make candles at home and add your favorite scents.

Reduce, Reuse, and Repurpose

Homesteading is also about reusing and repurposing what you already have. For example:

Repurpose fabric: Turn old clothes into cleaning rags or use fabric scraps for small sewing projects.

Upcycle jars and containers: Old jars can be used for food storage, DIY projects, or even as planters.

Step 5: Minimize Energy Consumption and Waste

An important part of homesteading is living in a way that uses fewer resources and produces less waste. In an apartment, you might not be able to install solar panels or a rainwater collection system, but there are plenty of simple ways to conserve energy and reduce waste.

Energy Conservation Tips for Apartment Homesteading:

• Unplug appliances: Many electronics use energy even when they’re turned off. Unplug things like phone chargers, kitchen appliances, and computers when not in use.
• Use energy-efficient light bulbs: Swap out old light bulbs for energy-saving LED bulbs, which use less power and last longer.
• Laundry habits: Wash your clothes in cold water when possible, and hang-dry items instead of using a dryer. This saves energy and extends the life of your clothes.
• Smart heating and cooling: Adjust your thermostat when you’re not home, and try to use fans or open windows before turning on the air conditioning.

Reduce Waste in Your Apartment:

• Composting: If your building allows it, try composting your food scraps. Even if you don’t have outdoor space, you can start a small indoor compost bin or use a worm composting system (vermiculture) to break down organic waste.
• Reusable products: Cut down on single-use items by switching to reusable products like cloth bags, metal straws, and washable napkins. These small changes can greatly reduce the amount of waste you produce.
• Recycle: Be mindful about recycling and make sure you’re following your building or city’s guidelines. Many cities have curbside recycling programs, and some also collect compostable waste.

Water Conservation:

Even small actions can make a big difference when it comes to saving water:

Reuse water: You can reuse water from rinsing fruits and vegetables to water your plants

Shorten your showers: A quick shower uses less water than a long soak in the tub.

Fix leaks: A leaky faucet or running toilet wastes gallons of water over time, so report or fix any leaks immediately.

Studies show that indoor plants can improve air quality by removing toxins and increasing oxygen levels in an apartment setting

NASA Clean Air Study

Step 6: Build a Sustainable Food Supply

Beyond growing your own food and preserving it, there are other ways to build a more sustainable food supply in an apartment:

• Sprouting: Sprouting seeds like alfalfa, broccoli, and mung beans is an easy way to grow nutrient-rich food indoors. All you need is a jar and some water, and the sprouts are ready in just a few days.
• Mushroom Growing: Mushrooms don’t need sunlight, making them a great option for growing indoors. Kits are available that allow you to grow edible mushrooms like oyster or shiitake right on your kitchen counter.
• Foraging: Even if you live in a city, there may be opportunities to forage for edible plants in parks or community gardens (just make sure it’s allowed). Things like dandelions, nettles, and wild herbs can often be found in urban areas.

Step 7: Create a Stockpile

A well-organized stockpile can help you avoid trips to the store and be prepared for emergencies. Stockpiling in an apartment is about choosing the right items and using your space efficiently:

• Buy in bulk: When possible, buy non-perishable items in bulk, such as grains, beans, and canned goods.
• Storage solutions: Use airtight containers to store dry goods and prevent pests. Maximize your space by using vertical storage shelves, or consider under-bed storage bins.
• Rotate your stockpile: Make sure to rotate your food and supplies so nothing goes to waste. Use older items first, and replace them with new ones.

Step 8: Learn Basic Repair and Maintenance Skills

Homesteading isn’t just about growing food; it’s also about self-reliance. Learning basic repair and maintenance skills can save you money and reduce waste:

• Fix appliances: Learn how to perform basic repairs on small appliances like your vacuum cleaner, blender, or coffee maker. Many tutorials are available online.
• Home maintenance: Know how to handle simple repairs around your apartment, like fixing leaky faucets, patching holes in walls, or re-caulking windows to improve energy efficiency.
• Clothing repair: Learning to sew on a button, patch a hole, or hem pants can save you money and extend the life of your clothes.

Step 9: Connect with the Homesteading Community

Community is a big part of traditional homesteading, and it’s important in apartment homesteading too. By connecting with others who share your interests, you can exchange ideas, tips, and even goods:

• Join local or online groups: Look for urban homesteading groups, forums, or social media communities where you can learn from others and share your experiences.
• Barter and trade: Trading goods and skills is a great way to stretch your resources. You might exchange homemade soap for fresh produce or trade your sewing skills for gardening advice.
• Get involved in local initiatives: Community gardens, farmers’ markets, and sustainability workshops are great places to meet like-minded people and learn new skills.

Step 10: Practice Minimalism

Minimalism goes hand-in-hand with homesteading because it encourages living with less and being intentional about what you bring into your home. Practicing minimalism in your apartment can simplify your life and make homesteading easier:

• Declutter: Start by reducing the number of items in your home that you don’t need or use. This creates more space for your homesteading projects and helps you stay organized.
• Buy only what you need: Being mindful about your purchases—whether it’s food, clothes, or household items—helps reduce waste and saves money.
• Simplify your routines: Focus on living more intentionally by simplifying your daily routines. This might mean preparing simple meals, reducing screen time, or focusing on self-sufficiency rather than consumerism.

Final thoughts: Starting an apartment homesteading

Homesteading in an apartment might seem unconventional, but it’s entirely possible with the right mindset and a few adjustments. You don’t need acres of land to grow food, reduce waste, or become more self-sufficient. By starting small and focusing on what you can control, you’ll be well on your way to creating a sustainable, self-sufficient lifestyle right in your own home.

Are you ready to start your apartment homesteading journey? With patience, creativity, and a willingness to learn, you can bring the homesteading lifestyle to even the smallest urban spaces!

FAQs related to apartment homesteading