If you’re living in a small apartment, it can feel like your only option is to sit on the couch and watch Netflix all day.

But there are actually plenty of fun hobbies for minimalists that you can enjoy from your cozy home, no matter how small.

Whether you’re looking for a new hobby to pass the time or something more serious that can help you grow as a person, here are some ideas for what you can do.

List Of Hobbies For Minimalists (and Small Spaces)

Finding hobbies that fit your small space can be tricky, but I’ve got you covered. Here are some of my favorite hobbies for minimalists that live in smaller homes or apartments.

Nail Art

If you’re looking for a hobby that’s easy to pick up and doesn’t require a lot of space, nail art is a perfect choice.

You can do it at home, or even when you’re on vacation if you’ve got enough patience (and time) to wait until your nails dry before grabbing your keys again.

There are lots of tutorials online if you’re just getting started with nail art, but as a general rule, here are some things to keep in mind:

Don’t try anything too intricate or complicated if this is your first time; keep it simple until you get the hang of things.

If possible, use acrylic paints instead of regular polish; they’ll give better coverage and last longer than regular polish will, and they won’t chip as easily either.

Rock Tumbling

Rock tumbling is the process of polishing rocks using abrasives so that they look like gemstones.

Rocks are first cleaned and put into a barrel or drum filled with grit (small pieces of sandpaper), then turned by hand or by machine until they’re shiny and smooth.

If you’re looking for something that’s more hands-on than other hobbies, this one is definitely for you.

Flower Pressing

Flower pressing requires very little equipment and space. To begin, gather your flowers and lay them out on a clean surface.

Next, place a piece of wax paper over the top of the flowers.

Then, press down with a book or other heavy object until you see no more moisture coming from the flower petals.

You can then store the pressed flowers in an envelope or other airtight container.

Growing Bonsai

Growing a bonsai tree is easy to start with and the cost of upkeep is minimal, but you’ll find yourself rewarded by the beauty of your creation as time goes on.

There are many styles of bonsai trees, from formal upright shapes to more informal cascading plants, so be sure to choose one that suits your taste and space.

You can buy them online or at local nurseries; once you have one in hand (or box) it’s time to get started.

YouTube Channel

If you’re looking for a hobby that’s easy to get started with, but also gives you plenty of room to grow, YouTube is a great option.

Create a channel about your favorite topic (for example, cooking), and upload videos that are interesting, informative, and funny.

You can start making videos right now and share them with the world, all while learning new skills and meeting people who share your interests.

Blogging

Blogging is a great way for hobbyists to share their knowledge and passion with others.

Bloggers can also make money from ads and selling products on their sites, which is an added bonus for those who want to monetize their hobbies.

There are several blogging platforms out there including WordPress, Squarespace, and Blogger. I personally use WordPress because it has both free and paid plans, so you can start your blog at no cost.

Sudoku

Sudoku is a popular puzzle game that is easy to learn and fun to play.

The objective of sudoku is to fill in the blank cells on a grid with numbers 1–9 so that each column and each row contains all of the digits only once.

You can find sudoku puzzles in newspapers, magazines, and online. I recommend visiting sodoku.com because they have tons of different levels that are suitable for beginners as well as experts.

Learning a new language

If you’re looking for a hobby you can do in your living room, learning a new language is a great choice. You can find online classes or apps that will help you learn everything from French to Spanish.

If you don’t want to spend money on lessons at this point, try free sites like Duolingo that offer interactive lessons of various difficulty levels and language choices.

Learning a new language is a great way to keep your brain active, and it’s even better if you can do it with friends.

Online Classes

Online classes are a great way to learn a new hobby or expand your skills. You can take classes on just about anything, from cooking to gardening to photography.

If you’re interested in learning how to sew or knit, there are lots of free YouTube videos that will teach you the basics.

If those aren’t enough for you, there are plenty of paid courses too, SkillShare is one of them.

Sewing

If you’re looking for an activity that will keep your mind sharp, help you relax, and let you create beautiful things, consider my recommendation of sewing.

You don’t need many tools or materials to start learning how to sew, all you need is the right material (we love cotton) and some needles.

If you’re looking to get into sewing but don’t know where to start, check out this guide to sewing for beginners for tips on how to get started sewing on the cheap.

Board and Card Games

If you have a small living room or apartment, finding space for everyone to sit around the table can be hard. But there are lots of board games out there that don’t need a large playing area.

Games like chess, checkers, backgammon, and cribbage have been around for centuries and require only a small amount of space to play and store them.

Board and card games are a great way to get together with friends or family members without having to leave your home.

Writing

Everyone has a story to tell. Even if you don’t think your writing is that good, try keeping a journal or diary where you write down your thoughts about the day, or just start writing fiction stories about your life.

It can be cathartic and help you get through rough times easier because you’ll have something to look back on later when things get better.

Writing can be done anywhere, at any time, and with almost no equipment. Your phone or laptop is all you need to start writing a novel or journaling, no matter where you live.

Ham Radio

There are several different ways to get involved in ham radio, but first, you’ll have to get your amateur radio license.

Once you’ve been approved by the FCC (the Federal Communications Commission), you can begin transmitting messages through your radio signal.

You can also talk directly with other hams who have similar interests or even join a local club to meet other people who share your interests.

Jewelry Making

You can craft jewelry on a small budget with DIY kits, or you can make your own jewelry from materials you find around the house.

For example, if you have an old pair of earrings, cut them in half and use one half as decoration for another pair of earrings.

Or if you have some old beads lying around, why not make them into a necklace?

Just think about what inspires you enough to want to put it on display and then turn those thoughts into something beautiful.

Model Building

Model buildings and vehicles are a fun hobby for anyone who loves to build. You can make models of famous buildings or even your own house if you like.

To keep the size down, start with the smallest set. If your space is limited, you can always start with small cars and build up from there.

Listening To Music

Listening to music is a great way to supplement your hobbies. You can listen to music while doing other things, like cooking or playing card games.

Or listen in the background while you’re relaxing on the couch with a good book.

If you don’t have space for an actual stereo system or speakers, try using headphones instead. That way, you can listen without disturbing anyone else in your home!

Reading

There’s nothing quite like curling up with a good book and letting yourself get lost in another world for a few hours.

Reading about other people’s experiences can help you see things from fresh perspectives and give you a new appreciation for the world around you (and perhaps even motivate you to visit someplace new).

Reading is a great way to unwind and can be an enriching experience.

Start with The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain, or maybe you’ll prefer A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith. Also, check other classic American books.

Programming

Programming doesn’t require any expensive equipment or materials; all you need is your computer and an internet connection.

There are tons of resources out there for learning how to program, even if you’re not sure what kind of programming you want to do or whether it’s right for you.

If you’re not sure where to start, check out sites like Codecademy or Treehouse, which offer free online courses in languages like HTML and Python.

Hydroponics

If you’re looking for a hobby that doesn’t require too much room, hydroponics might be for you.

Hydroponics is the art of growing plants without soil, using nutrients instead. The roots are suspended in water with added nutrients and oxygen.

If this sounds like something that interests you, check out this guide on how to do it yourself.

Wrapping Up

I hope you have found my list of hobbies for minimalists helpful. Hopefully, you have enjoyed reading it as much as I have enjoyed writing it.

Anyways, if there is anything I missed, please feel free to leave a comment.