This 215-Square-Foot Houseboat Is So Cozy and Cute Inside (I Want to Move In)

red and white houseboat in a marina
Deck of houseboat with red accents, plants, wood
Dining area of houseboat with wood benches, patterned area rug, and small white table
Houseboat kitchen with white tile backsplash, green drawers, and wood counter and shelf
padded bench seating in houseboat with lots of throw pillows
<span>When it comes to decorating, Manon says to just get started! "Don't wait until you have it all figured out or you have a complete plan decoration-wise; things will take shape as you go, and style is an ever-evolving thing anyway!" Credit: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thistinyboatlife/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Manon Hoskam;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Manon Hoskam</a></span> <span class="copyright">Credit: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/thistinyboatlife/" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank" data-ylk="slk:Manon Hoskam;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas" class="link ">Manon Hoskam</a></span>
White tile shower with rose colored walls
houseboat bathroom sink area with gray tiles, brass hardware, and curved details
Floor plan for a houseboat in Amsterdam

ABOUT THIS TOUR

HOME TYPE: Houseboat

LOCATION: Amsterdam, The Netherlands

STYLE: Eclectic

BEDROOMS: 1

SQUARE FEET: 215

Manon Hoskam bought this boat after she sold the house she had owned with her ex-boyfriend. “I made a bit of money on the sale, but the housing market in Amsterdam had gone crazy and I couldn’t afford a house I actually liked, so I found this boat on the Dutch eBay and renovated it! I figured it’s better than renting an expensive apartment and it would be a great adventure!” the illustrator and calligrapher begins.

Dining area of houseboat with wood benches, patterned area rug, and small white table

“The boat isn’t an official residence, so I registered at my mum and dad’s place and put the boat in a marina in Amsterdam so I would always have my own space in the city. The boat can still sail, so after the renovation I took it out on a few sunny adventures!” she explains of the boat that reflects her creative, colorful personality. Manon says the home is full of her handmade art and ceramics.

Deck of houseboat with red accents, plants, wood

“Life aboard is outdoorsy and fun, especially in summer, with long evenings on the deck and wonderful sunsets. It also comes with it’s challenges, though — there’s always some DIYing to do and winters can get cold, although I have a lovely cozy fireplace aboard,” Manon writes of the home she describes as “creative, colorful, and cozy.”

View into houseboat kitchen from area with wood-burning stove and bench

Resources

  • Living room cushions — Made by Manon with the “help of a friend who is a seamstress.”

  • Living room blanket — Crocheted by Manon’s mother

  • Stripe-y living room pillow — H&M Home

  • Flower pillow in the living room — HK Living

  • Hamsa hand artwork — Bought in Cuba

  • Old ship lamp — Donated to Manon by a “friend of my parents who is also a boat person.”

  • Ceramic houses — “Gifts that you get on KLM flights; they have Dutch gin in them.”

  • Wood burner/fireplace — Was in the boat when Manon bought it

  • Living room round rug — H&M Home

Thanks, Manon!

This tour’s responses and photos were edited for length/size and clarity.

Share your style: House Tour & House Call Submission Form

Further Reading

I Tried the 90/90 Rule and My Closet Is Now Fully Decluttered

We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Ashley — Here Are the Best to Suit Your Style and Space

We Tested (and Rated!) All the Sofas at Pottery Barn — Here Are the Best for Every Type of Need