Bristol Man's Extreme Savings: Five Months in a 3ft-Wide Cupboard
In a stark illustration of the UK's housing affordability crisis, a 26-year-old man from Bristol managed to save £2,500 by living in a cramped "shoe cupboard" for five months, paying just £150 per month. Liam Gardener, a recruitment consultant originally from Cornwall, found himself in a bind when his previous tenancy expired in early 2024 ahead of his planned move to Australia that June.
Desperate Measures for Down Under Dreams
Determined to boost his travel funds while continuing his commission-based work in Bristol, Gardener searched extensively for short-term accommodation. "I couldn't find anything," he explained. "A lot of them were either one-year tenancies or six-month tenancies, and I didn't want to lock into another agreement in case I left early." Available sublets through rental apps were either prohibitively expensive or in poor condition.
The breakthrough came when a colleague jokingly offered her under-stairs storage space. After clearing out the 3ft by 10ft area typically used for vacuum cleaners and washing hangers, Gardener tested its viability by lying down inside. "There's a video of me lying down in it and fit the length of me and just a little bit of space after," he recalled.
The £150 Monthly Cupboard Life
Though his friend initially insisted he didn't need to pay, Gardener drafted an informal agreement to contribute £100 monthly rent plus £50 toward bills. He moved in with minimal possessions: a single IKEA mattress with corners rolled up to fit the space, and a duffel bag of clothes. Larger items like DJ decks and computers were sold to both fund his travels and accommodate the tiny living quarters.
What began as a planned four-week stopgap stretched to five months as the arrangement proved surprisingly functional. "It ended up working really well and I became good mates with the two girls living there," Gardener noted. "They had cheaper rent and I was paying next to nothing."
Secretive Living and Practical Challenges
As an unofficial tenant without landlord approval—subletting without consent is illegal—Gardener maintained a cover story as his flatmate's boyfriend. "I never actually had to do it, but that was the backstory if anyone asked," he said. When the landlord visited for repairs, he temporarily cleared the cupboard to avoid detection.
The windowless space with a slanted roof presented unique challenges:
- Gardener would "crawl into bed" due to the low ceiling
- He experienced disorientation waking in the dark, enclosed space: "I'd wake up confused, reach out and it would just be wall. I'd freak out for five seconds."
- To prevent accidental lock-ins (the door only had an exterior handle), he wedged a towel in the frame and kept pliers nearby
- Sound traveled easily through walls, making him feel "a bit invasive" hearing neighbors' conversations
- He noticed evidence of mice in skirting boards though never saw them directly
Family Reactions and Lasting Legacy
Gardener kept the arrangement secret from his mother initially, telling her he was in a spare room. "I knew my mum would freak out," he admitted. When she eventually visited Bristol, he revealed the truth. "She freaked out a little bit. She thinks it's funny now, but she didn't at the time."
The experience has left a lasting impression. Former flatmates still introduce him as "cupboard boy," and Gardener remains close with one of them. After completing his five-month cupboard stay, he successfully spent a year in Australia and is now based in London, temporarily in an Airbnb while seeking permanent accommodation.
Gardener's story highlights the extreme measures some take to navigate Britain's challenging rental market, particularly for short-term housing needs in expensive cities like Bristol.
