Viral videos showcasing living situations often spark curiosity and conversation, but none quite like the one shared by New York City renter Emily Bonani. Her TikTok video featuring what is being dubbed the "smallest bathroom in New York City" has taken social media by storm, racking up millions of views and eliciting strong reactions.
Bonani's comedic twist on the daily struggles of living in such cramped quarters begins with her casual invitation: "If you think you've got the smallest bathroom, think again!" She pans to reveal her minuscule bathroom space, which, as it turns out, only has enough floor area for about a bath mat. this tiny water closet prominently features a toilet combined with what appears to be its only sink.
"If you're thinking, 'this is great, where's the sink?'" Bonani jests, tilting the camera down to showcase the toilet, which serves the dual function of toilet and sink. "What's great about this is you don't have to turn on the sink and turn on the toilet in two separate actions," she quips sarcastically. When she flushed the toilet, the sink also activated, pouring water right from the bowl, drawing gasps of disbelief from online viewers.
Her light-hearted take on the setting—where the flushing and washing happen simultaneously—stabs right through the uncomfortable reality of living small. "If you're thinking, 'what if I want to flush the toilet and not turn on the sink?' Well, that's not an option," she adds, cementing the absurdity of her situation. Her intended humor captures not just her daily challenges, but the irony of NYC's sky-high rents and absurd living conditions.
Bonani mentioned she pays around $2,000 monthly for her small apartment, raising questions about affordability—especially when considering the mere existence of her bathroom space might force you to rethink what constitutes basic amenities.
Reactions to Bonani's TikTok reveal just how relatable—and simultaneously wild—her living situation is. Many commenters expressed horror at the toilet-sink combo. "I actually don't mind having the sink on the toilet but it being activated by flush is crazy," one user chimed. Another exclaimed, "Straddling a toilet backwards to wash my face would make me cry every day!" One understandably exasperated commenter advised Bonani to look for other living options, saying, "Sis, let us see this next apartment before you sign the lease. I wanna make sure you chose right!"
Even as the bathroom's dimensions drew gasps, the comfort was found by some. A past NYC resident chimed in with, "At least there is a sink! I used to live in an apartment like this, and I had to use the kitchen sink for everything!" This comment sparked mixed feelings, showing how familiar many are with the extreme space-saving necessary for living in the notoriously expensive city.
The creativity—or the lack thereof—in New York apartment designs has long been the source of amusement and frustration. Bonani's singular experience serves as yet another reminder of how the city remains home to some of the most extreme real estate situations imaginable. It speaks volumes about the cultural commentary surrounding trendy housing and the constraints faced by many residents who quickly find themselves tied to the madness of securing their living conditions.
Drawing attention not just on social media but also from media outlets, Bonani's video evokes surreal empathy. One TikTok user stated, "Crazy how the more you showed us, the smaller it became!" with another adding, "A dentist sink on top of the toilet is crazy work." Their incredulity underlines just how far the NYC housing market has strayed from mediocrity.
Bonani's viral video captures the zeitgeist of the modern NYC renter, illuminating the trials of those who call the city home, complete with upfront rent payments and miniature layouts. It draws lighthearted humor from what might be unfortunate circumstances elsewhere, and yet, it raises questions about the future of urban living. Will functional design supersede style? Or is it simply the new normal for city dwellers to navigate tight quarters with creativity and humor?
With its mix of shock, laughter, and relatability, Bonani's bathroom might hold the crown for the tiniest restroom, but it shines even brighter as the catalyst for larger discussions surrounding what it means to live—and even laugh—in New York City.