Photo tour: An ultra-narrow house in D.C.

How does this century-old house in Washington, D.C., manage to cram more than 1,000 square feet of living space on a lot size of about 400 square feet? By squeezing itself inward and upward, that's how. You may not have such a narrow space, but the skinny house holds clever lessons for anyone who wants to maximize existing space (and don't we all?). Check out Yahoo! Homes' Spaces blog for the main photos, along with tips; this slideshow contains more detailed shots. Next photo: A closer look at the "yard," such as it is.

This is pretty much the extent of the "yard" for the house, but it's enough space for a sweet pocket garden for anyone with a green thumb. The plot hasn't been used to its full potential yet. Next photo: One exterior wall is coated in tar.

One exterior wall is coated in tar. The listing agent told Yahoo! Homes that he doesn't know the history of the house (built in 1910, but he says the neighborhood was heavily hit by the 1968 riots, and he speculates that a building once abutted the house, then fell victim to blight and was demolished. Next three images: The floor plans for each level.

The second-level floor plan. The area is entirely open. The owners use one end as a work space with a desk and the other end for entertainment, including a pull-down movie screen and mounted projector. See our post on Yahoo! Homes' Spaces blog for more photos and tips. Next image: The third-level floor plan.

The floor plan for the top level of the house. The bedrooms are quite small; listing agent Tom Lewis thinks the house is ideal for a professional couple, but probably not a family. Next photo: The first level has a sleek concrete floor.

The first level has a sleek concrete floor. That's the front door there. The owners custom-fit the glass table and benches to the space. The mirror helps the room feel wider, and the glass in the door sacrifices privacy to a sense of openness and longer sight lines. Next photo: A view about 60 degrees to the left, exposing the wall opposite the mirror.

A better view of the table, customized to the dimensions of the alcove. Next three photos: Another turn to the left and several views of the kitchen.

The kitchen counter divides the room into discrete zones for cooking and eating. Next photos: Two more broad views of the kitchen.

Facing the kitchen head-on. Next photo: Advancing into the kitchen.

A view from inside the kitchen. The back corner, past the stacked washer-dryer, holds a half-bathroom. Next photo: The half-bath.

The bottom-level half-bath. Next photo: A view of the first floor from the kitchen.

The kitchen introduces a black, white and steely gray palette that recurs throughout the house. Next photo: The second level.

This is the second floor. You can see more, better pictures of it in Yahoo! Homes' Spaces blog post about the house. This slideshow contains alternate views, not the main photos. Last three photos: The small bedrooms on the top level.

This is the larger of the two bedrooms. Next photo: Another view of this bedroom.

Another view of the larger bedroom. Last photo: A view of the smaller bedroom.

This room measures a snug 8-by-10. Read more about this house, and see many more pictures, on Yahoo! Homes' Spaces blog.