Urban Homesteading Guide For Thriving In The City - The Tiny Life (2025)

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If the word “homestead” conjures up images of colorful gardens and chickens pecking in the yard, the idea of urban homesteading might sound a little far-fetched.

Nonetheless, my own journey into homesteading started right in the middle of the city, so I’m a firm believer in homesteading being a mindset that may be limited to, but not prohibited by, the amount of space you have.

Depending on where you live, you may only have access to the space in your apartment, a rooftop, or a small balcony. Either way, I’m here to share with you the many ways you can develop and implement homesteading values, improve your quality of life, and maybe even grow a bit of your own food in the heart of the city.

How To Create An Urban Homestead

Whether you’re a beginner to urban homesteading or you’re in need of a fresh burst of inspiration to help grow your existing apartment homestead, implementing my list of 23 ideas will help you gain a new perspective on your limited space.

Living in a tiny home for a large part of my life has taught me to view space differently. I’ve learned not to focus on the limitations of a small home or apartment, instead asking myself things like — what plants and herbs can I grow on the two windowsills that I do have? Instead of canning my harvest and milling my own flour, I learned to do my research and purchase fresh healthier foods and greener products from trusted sources that I’m happy to support.

It’s true you can’t do everything on an urban homestead, but there is enormous potential in the possibilities. You can make daily changes that transform your health, happiness, and well-being in big ways. And you can do some things in the city that you can’t do in the country. So, let’s take a closer look at some ways to cultivate a homestead in the city while embracing and enjoying your status as a city dweller.

What Does An Urban Homesteader Do?

As an urban homesteader, you probably won’t be stocking up on work boots, feeding garden scraps to a coop full of chickens, or moving your homestead off the grid —that might come down the road, but what we’ll focus on what you can do with what you have right now.

I recommend that you start to build a more sustainable lifestyle, find creative ways to connect with your community and with nature, and leave a positive impact on the people, environment, and local economy around you. These themes are key to developing an urban homesteading mindset, and they provide a refreshing change and a new way of living in the city.

Urban Homesteading: 23 Ideas For Vibrant Living

As I share my favorite 23 urban homesteading ideas to jumpstart or rejuvenate your own homestead, keep in mind that there is so much room for expansion. I’m giving you lots of inspiration for building up your urban homesteading skills, but how far you take it is entirely up to you. And that’s the beauty of creating your own personal experience. Let’s jump in!

1. Find A CSA That Delivers To Your City

A CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) is a great option for urban homesteaders because it allows you to sign up to receive food from local farms on a weekly basis. These programs are becoming increasingly popular, so there are quite a few of them available in pretty much every city.

CSAs allow those of us who don’t have room to grow our own food to eat locally grown, fresh produce while supporting the farmers in their region. I found the package was too much food for me to consume in one week, and I didn’t have a lot of storage space in my apartment kitchen, so I split a box with a friend, which worked out great.

2. Join An Urban Community Garden

Urban homestead programs like community gardens foster a sense of community and provide a space to grow some food. They’re also a great place to learn gardening skills alongside seasoned and novice gardeners alike.

Not only is communal gardening a fun and social pastime, but you get your hands in the dirt while having an opportunity to grow a much larger portion of your own produce than you could from your apartment homestead alone. I started with lettuce because it was an easy ingredient to incorporate into my meals and also grows fairly quickly.

3. Buy A Meat Share Online From A Farm Close To Your City

If meat is a big part of your diet, and you want to switch to a more natural, money-saving, direct-source option that is both local and grass-fed, I highly recommend buying your meat (and sometimes even dairy) from a local farm or ranch. If you can’t find one in your area, then go with a trusted online meat share subscription that’s grass-fed, free-range, and organic. If freezer space is limited in your apartment or condo, you can share an order with friends and opt for a half or even a quarter cow or pig.

4. Heavily Involve Yourself In Your Urban Community

Surrounding yourself with a community of like-minded people is foundational and hugely supportive of any kind of new venture, especially urban homesteading. While online homesteading groups can be helpful for answering questions and problem-solving, there’s nothing quite like leaning into local events and opportunities to meet people and connect face-to-face with fellow homesteaders in your area. I would start talking to people at your local farmer’s markets that you see regularly, seek out festivals or makers markets in your city where people sell homemade items, and look for volunteering opportunities that take place outside to help build your urban homesteading skills.

5. Hang Dry Your Clothes Inside Or Outside Your Apartment

As simple as it sounds, the task of hang-drying your clothes on a rack in your apartment or a line off your balcony can help save you money and time at the laundromat, make your clothing feel more naturally fresh, and significantly prolong the lifespan of your fabric. I found that taking care of my clothes while also saving energy made me more inclined to invest in higher-quality clothing from slow fashion sellers who are committed to developing sustainable, long-lasting clothes.

6. Non-Toxic Cleaning Supplies Are A Must In Small Spaces

The truth is that we are all exposed to toxins on the daily. Even more so when living in the city. I encourage urban homesteaders to take small steps to counteract their exposure to toxins by using products made with natural alternatives to the harsh chemicals found in many cleaners.

Maybe start with ordering cleaners with good ingredients online (like essential oils and castile soap) or, even better, buying them from a local seller who makes them from home. Once you know what scents and ingredients you like, you can work up to making them at home. Even with limited space, you can whip up a simple, effective cleaner with essential oils that not only smells good but gets the job done. The point is to limit the toxins you bring into your house or apartment, and swapping out your cleaning products is an easy way to do it.

7. Add Houseplants To Reduce Toxins From City Living

As you build your urban homestead, consider where you can bring in some houseplants. Adding houseplants to your apartment, condo, or house is proven to improve air quality by absorbing toxins and producing oxygen—two things that are highly beneficial in the middle of the city.

Plus, plants improve the homey feel of your space while giving a boost to your mental and physical health—all this to say plants are especially valuable to urban homesteaders who long to bring some of the vitality of nature indoors. I didn’t have a lot of floor space for plants, so I opted to hang some from the ceiling.

8. Use A Counter-Top Compost Bin In Your Apartment Kitchen

I recommend composting to every homesteader, including those cultivating a homestead in the city. Even in an apartment with limited kitchen space, you can keep a small countertop compost bin to turn your whole food scraps into free, natural, and nutritious compost. This compost can enrich the soil in your community garden or simply reduce waste by keeping these organic scraps out of landfills. My apartment building had a composting program, which is becoming more common in cities, so be sure to check for a program in your area.

9. Grow Some of Your Own Herbs In Small Sunlit Spaces

A great way to grow fresh produce at home is to dedicate a small area to grow some of your own herbs. Depending on the space you have available, this might be as simple as some potted leafy greens, basil, rosemary, or thyme on your windowsill. With a little vertical creativity, you might also be able to grow an herb garden ladder in a sunny spot in your living area or have a batch of herbs on your balcony. I know some urbanites who also swear by those countertop aero gardens to grow fresh herbs fast.

10. Brewing Some Drinks Doesn’t Take Much Room

Brewing your own drinks is just plain fun, especially if you can use some of your own homegrown ingredients. I have friends with homesteads in the city who love brewing their own beer, wine, limoncello, or even kombucha — and it’s become their thing to invite friends over once the brew is ready to be consumed and enjoyed. It’s super easy these days to order complete kits that are fairly compact and start making your own drinks right at home.

11. Learn Container Gardening Skills To Grow In The City

An urban homestead garden will look different for everyone, but there’s an opportunity to master your gardening skills within the confines of your limited space. I find container gardening enjoyable because I can easily keep an eye on my pots and watch their growth progress.

We already talked about having potted plants on your windowsills, trying out an herb garden ladder, and even growing some on your balcony or rooftop. Here are a few more ideas to expand your options for container gardening in the city.

Container gardening Ideas

12. Start Using Your Kitchen — Yes, I Know It’s Small

I’m sure you have plenty of delicious restaurant options within walking distance, but I want to encourage you to start using your kitchen. It might be small, and the storage space might be practically non-existent, but you don’t have to cook every meal at home. Just start with simple meals using the food and herbs you’re growing.

I recommend that you find a few favorite recipes that don’t require a lot of appliances, dishes, or ingredients and get cooking in your apartment homestead. This small change can help you save money, eat healthier, and slow down enough to enjoy utilizing the space you have.

13. Learn Simple Food Preservation — Even In An Apartment

I know you likely won’t want to store a dehydrator or all the tools for canning produce in your small urban space, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn some easy ways to preserve the foods you grow or the ones you buy. All you need to do to dry your own herbs, for example, is tie several stems together to create a bundle you can hang upside down, preferably in a dark, dry place, like under kitchen shelves or inside a closet.

14. Buy Local — Your City Has Businesses That Need Support

One of the best things about living in the city is that you likely have access to multiple fresh food markets. A great way to embrace a homesteading mindset as a city dweller is to buy as much of your food from local sources as you can. Whether you join a CSA or find a good farmer’s market that sells local meat, fish, dairy, eggs, and fresh produce, taking the time to buy local ingredients goes a long way in supporting small businesses and your local economy while improving your health and well-being.

15. Walk or Bike Everywhere You Can In The Inner City

Urban homesteaders are always looking for ways to spend more time outdoors in the fresh air, and cultivating a habit of walking and biking can help you do just that. Most cities have great public transportation systems, but getting to your destination on your own two feet or two wheels builds greater independence and freedom in your life—one of my favorite tenets of homesteading. Not to mention it’s good for your health and the environment.

16. Set Up A Rainwater Collection On Your Roof Or Fire Escape

I have a large rainwater catchment system on my homestead to conserve water and save on costs. I know you won’t be able to set this up as an apartment homesteader, but you might be able to set up a small system with a bucket to catch enough rainwater for the plants and herbs you’re growing indoors.

I recommend starting with a 5-gallon bucket underneath any downspout you have access to and covering the bucket with mesh to keep insects and debris out. If you don’t have access to a downspout, you could get permission from your landlord to create your own section of gutter with a downspout to collect some water. This small move builds experience and adds another layer of independence.

17. Learn How To Mend Your Clothes While Living In The City

Owning a small sewing kit to do minor repairs can come in handy in prolonging the life of your clothing. When you’re living more consciously and buying higher quality items, chances are, you’ll want to make those articles of clothing last as long as possible. Repairing ripped socks, re-attaching buttons, and mending tears are simple money-saving skills you can easily do with just a needle and thread.

18. Embrace Minimalism In Your Urban Home

Not everyone will agree with me on this, but I believe that a minimalist lifestyle, especially in a confined environment, is crucial to a simple, homesteading lifestyle in the city or out. Since I started downsizing my stuff, my schedule has been easier, my days have been less stressful, and I’ve genuinely been a happier person. For me, less stuff creates more space and allows me to focus more on experiences and less on things.

19. Reduce and Reuse — Get Down With Urban Upcycling

As you shift deeper into an urban homesteading mindset, you’ll probably find yourself becoming a bit thriftier and craftier—taking on some DIY projects or upcycling endeavors. I know I did. Purchasing less, opting for second-hand, and learning how to repurpose things you already have are amazing skills that will serve you and the future you are creating. Repurposing is a creative muscle that builds over time, and the possibilities really are endless. Here are a few ideas to get your brainstorming started.

Ideas to get your brainstorming started

20. Bring More Nature To Your Downtown Doorstep

There’s just something about nature thriving right in the middle of the hustle and bustle of urban life that’s both visually appealing and wildly inspirational. Hang a hummingbird feeder, plant flower boxes, or grow vining plants on your balcony to bring the vitality of nature to your apartment or front stoop.

21. Fishing in the City

If you’re near a body of water or river and regulations permit, I recommend trying what many of my urban homesteading friends really enjoy—developing a habit of fishing on weekends or evenings when you can get away and haul in your own catch. Whether it’s off a pier, on a boat, or by the shore, this peaceful, timeless activity can take the edge off a long week in an office building, and it might even help you make dinner.

22. Slowing Down In The Bustling Metropolis

To make room for things that really matter to you as you build and maintain your homestead in the city, make a concerted effort to slow down your busy schedule, ultimately focusing on quality over quantity in every area. A shift of focus can significantly change how you spend your time, how you spend your money, and ultimately how you build your life. There’s tremendous power in daily habits, and cultivating the city life you dream of takes commitment.

Ideas For Slowing Down And Shifting Focus

23. Know Your City’s Rules And Regulations

You’ll save yourself a lot of frustration and wasted efforts if you check with your city regulations as well as your building’s policies about your use of fire escapes, balconies, and rooftops. Forewarned is forearmed, and you don’t want to waste your time or money planting vegetables on your fire escape only to learn that it’s prohibited by your building’s regulations.

The Challenges And Benefits of Urban Homesteading

Despite the challenges of less space, limited soil, local regulations, and urban zoning laws, I think urban homesteaders can develop their creativity, resourcefulness, and community in big ways.

Don’t let the challenges prevent you from taking small steps towards greater self-sufficiency, fresher foods, and a more natural, connected way of life. In fact, there are several benefits to maintaining a homestead in the city, including lots of community options, the likes of which are not available out in the country, to help you develop greater independence and build a wide range of skills while becoming less reliant on big businesses and food chains.

I can’t say enough good things about urban homesteading and the growth it provides. Work with what you have available in the city and seek out ways to expand your skills outside of your apartment’s four walls. Before long, you’ll be connecting with people you never would have otherwise and building the urban homesteading life of your dreams.

Your Turn!

• Do you believe you can be a homesteader while living in a city apartment?
• What specific benefits have you found to cultivating an urban homesteading lifestyle?