Handbook

Living in a compact apartment or a cozy house doesn’t mean you have to compromise on style or comfort. With the right approach, even limited spaces can be transformed into something stunning and functional. Here’s how you can make the most out of a small living area.

 

Merging Small Spaces for a Larger Feel One effective strategy for expanding living space in small apartments is to merge multiple small rooms into one larger area. This approach works exceptionally well for studio apartment designs. Here are a few ways to achieve this:

 

• Combining the living room and kitchen: This popular design choice creates an open and inviting space, perfect for both cooking and socializing.
• Merging the bathroom and bedroom: While trendy, I advise caution with this choice. It might seem luxurious to step directly from a bath into bed, but the humidity and water in the bedroom can be unpleasant.

 

Eight Creative Tips for Expanding Your Space

1. Open Floor Plan: Merging rooms and corridors can significantly increase your living space. Use sliding panels, bar counters, or even a change in floor height to define different areas without closing them off.
2. Transformable Furniture: Invest in multi-functional furniture like sofa beds, foldable tables, and wall beds. These pieces can help save space without compromising on functionality.
3. Your Apartment as a Transformer: A more complex but practical solution involves using sliding doors and partitions to quickly create or dismantle rooms within your apartment. This approach is highly versatile and efficient.
4. Mirrors for Visual Expansion: Floor-to-ceiling mirrors can make a room appear twice its size. However, avoid placing them directly opposite beds, family gathering spots, or the front door.
5. Right Lighting and Transparent Furniture: Glass tables and chairs can give an airy feel to your interior. Combine this with smart lighting—top and bottom lights, various lamps—to enhance the effect.
6. Uncovered Floors: Ditching rugs and carpets can make the floor seem more expansive, lending a Scandinavian touch to the room.
7. Built-in or Spacious Wardrobes: Custom or DIY wardrobes can efficiently utilize space for storage, helping to declutter your living area.
8. Balcony or Loggia Conversion: Transforming these spaces into an extra room, with proper insulation, can be an ideal way to add more square footage.

 

Remember, even a small apartment can feel spacious and luxurious with the right design elements. If you’re looking to optimize your small living space, I can help. As a designer, I specialize in maximizing small interiors, ensuring every inch of your apartment is used effectively.