Houzz Tour: A Genius Layout Fits Three ‘Rooms’ into a Small Space
Limited floor space and some very tricky angles make this designer’s clever solutions even more impressive
When the owner of this property decided to buy her first home, she fell for this 20 sq m studio flat with an open-plan kitchen and comfortable bathroom. Although it’s a small space, it’s in a pretty building ideally situated in the centre of Lamorlaye, just north of Paris.
The studio needed a complete overhaul. The owner realised that the living room’s unusual angles would be a complication, and would require a qualified expert. She found interior designer Patricia Coignard on Houzz. Right from the first meeting, Patricia took on both the structural challenges and the owner’s wish to turn her first home into a cosy and stylish nest.
The studio needed a complete overhaul. The owner realised that the living room’s unusual angles would be a complication, and would require a qualified expert. She found interior designer Patricia Coignard on Houzz. Right from the first meeting, Patricia took on both the structural challenges and the owner’s wish to turn her first home into a cosy and stylish nest.
Patricia spotted the owner’s main concern right away on her first visit. “When I entered the living area, a sharp angle caught my eye. It visually reduced the size of the room and caused a lot of grief.”
Despite this difficult geometry, the young woman asked Patricia to find a tailor-made solution that would fit a living room, a double bed and storage space into this small studio. She also wanted to revamp the original kitchen. And the end result had to be very ‘her’, a place where she and her beloved cat could feel good.
Despite this difficult geometry, the young woman asked Patricia to find a tailor-made solution that would fit a living room, a double bed and storage space into this small studio. She also wanted to revamp the original kitchen. And the end result had to be very ‘her’, a place where she and her beloved cat could feel good.
Before Looking towards the hallway and the kitchen (just seen, left).
After The owner wanted “a cocooning, bright, Zen atmosphere with Scandinavian inspiration”, Patricia says. Together, the two decided on a soft look in white and wood.
Patricia turned to a clever colour trick to add a bit more character and create a sense of space and wellbeing. “I went for a trompe-l’oeil technique: using a very dark colour in the entrance hall made the living room much brighter, and therefore seemingly larger by comparison. Optical effects are very effective for resizing rooms,” she says.
Patricia turned to a clever colour trick to add a bit more character and create a sense of space and wellbeing. “I went for a trompe-l’oeil technique: using a very dark colour in the entrance hall made the living room much brighter, and therefore seemingly larger by comparison. Optical effects are very effective for resizing rooms,” she says.
Patricia also thought about durability when designing the hallway, and chose wood-imitation porcelain flooring. It matches the oak floor in the living room, which was sanded to lighten its tone, and then treated with a matt finish.
The original bathroom door was replaced with a glass design to bring in natural light. It also emphasises the graphic feel of the overall design, with the geometric wooden framework chiming with the wire in the pendant light.
She also inserted a cat flap into the door of the cupboard opposite. “This is how we solved the problem of the cat litter, which was a major issue. This cat is the owner’s inseparable companion, and I saw right away that its wellbeing was also part of the requirements,” Patricia says. She notes that it’s her job to meet all her customers’ needs, even when they are not explicitly stated.
The original bathroom door was replaced with a glass design to bring in natural light. It also emphasises the graphic feel of the overall design, with the geometric wooden framework chiming with the wire in the pendant light.
She also inserted a cat flap into the door of the cupboard opposite. “This is how we solved the problem of the cat litter, which was a major issue. This cat is the owner’s inseparable companion, and I saw right away that its wellbeing was also part of the requirements,” Patricia says. She notes that it’s her job to meet all her customers’ needs, even when they are not explicitly stated.
Before In the living room, the wall on the left of this photo was broken up by two built-in columns.
“We had a column that stuck out 60cm, and there was also a service duct by the window,” Patricia says.
After Patricia took this as an opportunity to put lots of storage into a studio that originally had almost none. “The owner was alarmed when I suggested covering this entire section of wall with a floor-to-ceiling, full-width unit. She thought it would make the space feel cramped, but she trusted me,” Patricia says.
The designer chose a unit that’s both discreet and geometric, and which also hides the columns. The TV takes centre stage in an oak niche, framed at the top and bottom by cupboards that store books, the internet router, and other living room staples.
On the sides are two wardrobes with hanging rods and drawers. On the right, open oak niches liven up the composition.
The designer chose a unit that’s both discreet and geometric, and which also hides the columns. The TV takes centre stage in an oak niche, framed at the top and bottom by cupboards that store books, the internet router, and other living room staples.
On the sides are two wardrobes with hanging rods and drawers. On the right, open oak niches liven up the composition.
The owner wanted to be able to watch television from her living room, bed or kitchen. Patricia came up with a trick. “The screen is mounted on an arm that allows you to move it out from its niche, bring it closer and adjust it,” she says.
Inspired by the clever design ideas in this flat? Find an interior designer near you today.
Inspired by the clever design ideas in this flat? Find an interior designer near you today.
Before Opposite that wall was the studio’s pain point: a very pronounced recess, a “prominent and oppressive angle, so unusual that it drew all attention, making the room seem tiny,” Patricia says.
After “That was the real challenge in this project, because it had to be ‘erased’ in the process of integrating various functions into this cramped space,” Patricia says.
The owner asked her to create a cosy sitting area where she could hang out with friends, a comfortable double bed that could magically disappear, and lots of storage.
The owner asked her to create a cosy sitting area where she could hang out with friends, a comfortable double bed that could magically disappear, and lots of storage.
It was clear they would need a tailor-made solution to accommodate both the geometry of the space and the owner’s requests. “We started with a 60cm-high wooden platform, with a very comfortable double bed that slides underneath. The platform can be accessed by three 20cm-high steps. The living room space is structured by two partitions,” she says.
The slatted base and its high-end mattress have been treated like a drawer. “Equipped with wheels, the system slides on ball-bearing rails positioned on the sides of the structure. I had two requirements: that the bed should pull out easily, and that it could be stored again with all of the sheets and pillows still on it, to make it easy for the young woman,” Patricia says.
As shown here, the bed can be pulled out without moving anything in the living area. This is why the platform was built to match the geometry of the walls.
Patricia didn’t have to sacrifice a single square centimetre for storage space. “I start from the principle that a flat is for living in, and not just for looking beautiful in photos. You should never sacrifice practicality for aesthetics. To the right of the bed, I created a second drawer for the owner’s luggage.”
The steps at the foot of the platform hide yet more storage.
Separating screens smoothly and warmly delineate the living space without reducing the brightness.
Separating screens smoothly and warmly delineate the living space without reducing the brightness.
The owner keeps her shoes in the platform steps.
Before Here is a wide shot of the living room during the renovation.
After The owner wanted to erase the angle visually, which can’t be done with the furniture arrangement alone. Once again, the trompe-l’oeil technique came to the rescue. Patricia resized the inside angle using dark paint: highlighting the left side and painting the angle darker makes it recede from view.
This trick is well known among interior designers, but you need to know how to use it. “A triangle that stands out too much painted on the wall can have the opposite effect,” Patricia says.
This trick is well known among interior designers, but you need to know how to use it. “A triangle that stands out too much painted on the wall can have the opposite effect,” Patricia says.
On top of all that, there was also décor to select. “The owner picked everything based on my recommendations: a chic, 150cm-wide love seat, adjustable lights, round objects to compensate for the clean lines of the platform, a cosy carpet and a comfortable, fancy bed for her cat,” Patricia says.
Before The kitchen was in fairly good condition. The owner wanted to keep it to limit the costs, but still wanted to give it a new look and more character.
After Patricia added four game-changing features: new flooring, new lighting, an improved peninsula table and a well-thought-out wall unit that serves as a link between the kitchen, the living room and the entrance.
The white kitchen cupboards were taken down temporarily to make it possible to paint the walls blue. They went for a shade lighter than that in the entrance hall. The boiler and furnace in the rear left corner disappeared behind a box painted the same colour as the rest of the wall.
A dropped ceiling and new floor tiles with a geometric design create a sharp visual division between the kitchen and the rest of the room. LED spotlights and black pendants illuminate the space.
The original peninsula was pretty basic. “We enlarged it and redesigned it with an oak top, which has turned it into a comfortable table for lunch. The waterfall worktop also clearly sets out the entrance to the kitchen,” Coignard says.
A dropped ceiling and new floor tiles with a geometric design create a sharp visual division between the kitchen and the rest of the room. LED spotlights and black pendants illuminate the space.
The original peninsula was pretty basic. “We enlarged it and redesigned it with an oak top, which has turned it into a comfortable table for lunch. The waterfall worktop also clearly sets out the entrance to the kitchen,” Coignard says.
Before In the original kitchen, the oven column and fridge were against the wall on the right.
After Patricia wanted to hide the functional parts of the kitchen as much as possible from the living room. The peninsula unit hides the sink; Patricia changed the tap for a fancier model.
She used another trick to hide the fridge and ovens, and to match the waterfall peninsula. “I designed and then had made to measure an end unit in oak and white laminate to mark the entrance to the kitchen and create a transition between it and the living room. To hint at the former, we painted the backs of the niches the same blue as the kitchen. This unit gives the project a real through line,” she says.
She used another trick to hide the fridge and ovens, and to match the waterfall peninsula. “I designed and then had made to measure an end unit in oak and white laminate to mark the entrance to the kitchen and create a transition between it and the living room. To hint at the former, we painted the backs of the niches the same blue as the kitchen. This unit gives the project a real through line,” she says.
To make the most of a space like this, they had to conduct an in-depth analysis and order custom furniture. This raised the total price to about €40,000 (around £34,861). However, thanks to the quality materials and finishes, the owner should be able to enjoy her cosy nest for many years to come.
Tell us…
What ideas would you take from this clever home renovation? Let us know in the Comments section.
Tell us…
What ideas would you take from this clever home renovation? Let us know in the Comments section.
Who lives here? A 24-year-old woman
Location Lamorlaye, in the south of the Oise district, France
Year renovated 2018
Size 20 sq m
Interior designer Patricia Coignard of Atmosphères Design
Budget €40,000 (around £34,861) for the work, plus €5,000 (around £4,358) for the furniture and other décor
Photos by Sabine Serrad