The Best Low-Toxic & Small-Space Solutions We Used in Our Austin Condo (Our Honest Review After Living There)
Exactly one year ago, we were tucked away in a mountain house over Valentine’s Day weekend when the first quiet rumblings of change began. Graeme started talking about a potential job shift—and before long, it became clear that our family was being called back to Austin.
By March, he accepted a new role. By August 1st, we were officially back in Texas.
This marked our third cross-country move, and somehow—contrary to what you’d expect—it felt harder each time, not easier. More kids, more animals, more life, and a deeper understanding of how much our environment truly affects how we function as a family.
Choosing a Temporary Home Without Treating It Like One
Instead of rushing into another home purchase, we made a very intentional decision to rent a 2,000-square-foot condo that was convenient, central, and in the school district we wanted while we looked for a house. While we always knew this would be a temporary landing spot, we didn’t want to live like it was temporary.
Because here’s what we know to be true: a well-functioning home helps us stay focused at work, use our time more wisely, feel calmer in our daily routines, get everyone on the same page, and provides a truly restful place to land at the end of the day.
Temporary or not, how you live matters.
So yes—we hung pictures, layered rugs, and set out family photos. But we also went a step further by adding low-toxic solutions and strategic organization to maximize space for four people and pets in a smaller footprint.
Now that we’re officially moving into our new home in just a few weeks, I wanted to share the exact products and solutions that worked best in this condo, along with my honest feedback.
The Best Items We Used in Our Condo
Air Doctor Air Purifier
This was a big win for us. One unit covered the entire 2,000-square-foot space, so we didn’t need multiple filters throughout the condo. It was easy to use, effective, and we noticed a real difference in air quality. It does make some noise, but nothing that bothered us—and for the peace of mind, it was absolutely worth it.
Shower Head Filters
We installed shower filters in every bathroom. Amazon carries great options in multiple finishes, so it was easy to match what we already had. This is a simple, affordable swap that makes a big impact on reducing daily toxin exposure.
Breville Convection Oven
This appliance was truly the hero of our kitchen. We used it constantly and barely touched the microwave. It heats quickly, cooks evenly, and I love that the girls can safely use it while we’re gone instead of the full oven.
Frame TV Stand
I first saw this solution at our Old World Wonder project and immediately loved it. We didn’t have to hang the TV or cut a hole for the Frame box, but it still looked intentional and complete in our living room. It’s an ideal option for rentals where you want a polished look without permanent changes.
Motorized Blind Controls
Our kitchen and living room face the street, and while I didn’t want to keep the blinds closed during the day, I did want privacy at night. These helped us strike that balance. Honest review: they’re about 50/50 on reliability and require some patience. I’m linking what we used, but I recommend doing your own research before committing.
Over-the-Door Elfa Storage
These saved an incredible amount of space. We used them for shoe storage, water bottle storage, and pantry overflow. If you’re living in a smaller space, this is one of the most effective ways to maximize every inch.
Labeling Systems
While it may seem like smaller spaces would be easier to maintain, they’re often harder. Labeling helped keep our entire family on the same page and made daily resets much more manageable.
Wall-Mounted Retractable Clothing Drying Rack
We added a fold-down drying rack inside the laundry closet, and it quickly became one of our most-used features. It’s perfect for delicates, athletic wear, and saving space.
3M Claw Hooks for Art Hanging
We discovered these during a collaboration with the House Beautiful team on their Kiawah Island project, and they are extremely impressive. They actually work. We hung nearly all of our art using these hooks and are thrilled knowing we won’t have large holes to fill when we move.
Creating a Mudroom From a Closet
With two kids and three animals, some sort of drop zone was critical. We transformed a small closet into a functional mudroom using the Crate & Barrel Batten Storage Shelving System. We previously used this system in our Charleston home for our home gym and plan to use it again in the garage of our new house. It’s flexible, functional, and beautiful.
What’s Next
Next up: we’re moving—again.
In the coming weeks, I’ll be sharing a behind-the-scenes look at the entire process: how we’re preparing, what we’re rethinking, what’s coming with us, and how we’re organizing our new home from the ground up. There will be real-life systems, honest lessons learned, and plenty of ideas you can borrow—whether you’re moving, settling in, or simply refining how your home supports your day-to-day life.
If you enjoy seeing how thoughtful organization, low-toxic choices, and intentional design come together in a lived-in home, you’ll want to follow along.
The best way to stay in the loop is by signing up for Graceful Living emails. That’s where I’ll be sharing updates, new blog posts, and practical inspiration as we move, unpack, and build rhythms in this next chapter. There’s a lot of good content ahead, and I can’t wait to bring you along for it.
Join the Conversation
If you have a favorite small-space solution or a non-negotiable low-toxic swap you love, I’d genuinely love to hear it. Leave a comment and share what’s working in your home—I absolutely love seeing your comments and learning from this community!
xo,
Christina
P.S. I’ll include a few affiliate links for the items I use and love — but my hope is that the real inspiration comes from the activity itself: showing up with intention, embracing beauty in the everyday, and weaving joy into even the simplest routines.
