Houzz Tours
Houzz Tour: A Tiny Studio Flat With a Big Presence
It may measure just 20 sq m, but this apartment seems much bigger, and offers all the conveniences of a far larger home
“Every detail of this studio – both the décor and the layout – has been treated with care. You don’t get to botch the final result just because it’s a small space,” says Margaux Carnevali, the interior designer in charge of the renovation. In fact, this apartment has all the conveniences of a bigger space. It’s functional, stylish and, above all, customised to the owner’s lifestyle.
Yet just 10 years ago, this wasn’t even a home: it was created by dividing an office into two studio apartments. Habitable but not quite functional, this studio needed a top-to-bottom rethink.
Yet just 10 years ago, this wasn’t even a home: it was created by dividing an office into two studio apartments. Habitable but not quite functional, this studio needed a top-to-bottom rethink.
It’s not often an apartment this size has a real dining table and a separate bedroom. Margaux choose to break from the norm, and created clearly defined spaces with all the desired conveniences, to make this nest as cosy as possible.
It’s important to minimise the number of partitions in such a small space, so the various zones have been divided using decorating tricks instead. The turquoise wall that frames the sofa distinguishes the living room from the dining area, while a bolder shade defines the sleeping space. This harmonious blue-and-white ambience gives the bedroom a cocooning feel.
It’s important to minimise the number of partitions in such a small space, so the various zones have been divided using decorating tricks instead. The turquoise wall that frames the sofa distinguishes the living room from the dining area, while a bolder shade defines the sleeping space. This harmonious blue-and-white ambience gives the bedroom a cocooning feel.
Accessories also help to mark the different spaces. “To define the dining area, I chose an origami-like paper pendant light,” says Margaux. “And the patterned splashback draws attention to the kitchen area.”
The splashback tiles add character and make the kitchen stand out in the open-plan apartment. The kitchen is also fully equipped, with a built-in extractor fan, hob, small oven, microwave, compact fridge and even a mini dishwasher.
It’s a question of proportions: the appliances fit neatly into this mini-kitchen because their size matches the space.
Units; oak worktop, all Ikea.
The splashback tiles add character and make the kitchen stand out in the open-plan apartment. The kitchen is also fully equipped, with a built-in extractor fan, hob, small oven, microwave, compact fridge and even a mini dishwasher.
It’s a question of proportions: the appliances fit neatly into this mini-kitchen because their size matches the space.
Units; oak worktop, all Ikea.
Upstairs, a double mattress and some storage shelves transform the mezzanine into a bedroom. Switches at this level operate all the lights in the apartment.
However, possibly the best feature is the wardrobe under the mezzanine. Before the renovation, the tenant used to keep her clothes on a hanging rail by the entrance door and in stacked boxes. Now she can store everything in the large, custom-made wardrobe.
Its mirrored doors visually enlarge the room and transform the space under the mezzanine into a small dressing area.
Looking for someone to help you make the most of your space? Read reviews of architects and building designers in your area in the Houzz Directory
However, possibly the best feature is the wardrobe under the mezzanine. Before the renovation, the tenant used to keep her clothes on a hanging rail by the entrance door and in stacked boxes. Now she can store everything in the large, custom-made wardrobe.
Its mirrored doors visually enlarge the room and transform the space under the mezzanine into a small dressing area.
Looking for someone to help you make the most of your space? Read reviews of architects and building designers in your area in the Houzz Directory
The studio’s décor is boldly eclectic. “It’s not typical Scandi style; instead, it’s a mix of current trends,” says Margaux.
The characteristically Nordic combination of white and wood that serves as a base for the interior is balanced and spiced up by the mezzanine’s more industrial black metal, while the rug, cushions, houseplants and flowerpots feature South American motifs.
Pendant light, Maisons du Monde
Find stylish lighting in the Houzz Shop
The characteristically Nordic combination of white and wood that serves as a base for the interior is balanced and spiced up by the mezzanine’s more industrial black metal, while the rug, cushions, houseplants and flowerpots feature South American motifs.
Pendant light, Maisons du Monde
Find stylish lighting in the Houzz Shop
The bathroom again shows how white can brighten and enlarge a small room. This immaculate 65 sq ft (6 sq m) space looks double its size.
The walls and vanity unit are made of gypsum blocks, which are covered in white micro-mosaic to break up the monotony of an all-white room. The turquoise and blue notes in the cement tile floor add colour.
The walls and vanity unit are made of gypsum blocks, which are covered in white micro-mosaic to break up the monotony of an all-white room. The turquoise and blue notes in the cement tile floor add colour.
Less cramped than one might think, the bathroom offers some hidden features. The walk-in shower has wall-mounted fittings, while a wall niche near the floor provides handy storage for toiletries.
The wall hooks are carefully positioned so the towels are close enough to grab but aren’t in danger of being splashed. A washing machine and storage cupboard are hidden in the wall near the door.
The bathroom is emblematic of the studio as a whole: chock-full of clever solutions and extra comforts, and all in only a few square metres.
Tell us…
What do you like about this compact but cosy studio? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
The wall hooks are carefully positioned so the towels are close enough to grab but aren’t in danger of being splashed. A washing machine and storage cupboard are hidden in the wall near the door.
The bathroom is emblematic of the studio as a whole: chock-full of clever solutions and extra comforts, and all in only a few square metres.
Tell us…
What do you like about this compact but cosy studio? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Who lives here A tenant
Location The 15th arrondissement of Paris, France
Size About 215 sq ft (20 sq m)
Interior designer Margaux Carnevali of Neva Architecture Intérieure
Budget About €30,000 (£27,000)
Duration of work Three months, completed in 2017
With this renovation, the team aimed to give the apartment a spacious feel, despite its diminutive size. As such, decluttering was a big part of the job. A breakfast bar had previously stood perpendicular to the main line of cabinets in the kitchen, and impeded the flow of the apartment. Removing this was the launching point of the renovation.
At first, Margaux wasn’t sure how to proceed in such a small space; pushing the walls out wasn’t possible. When faced with a lack of square footage, however, nothing beats white paint for enhancing the existing space. From ceiling to walls, mezzanine to furniture, a large part of the studio is now snow white. The wood floor was treated with a lighter finish, too. Such pale colours also make the space feel brighter.