13 Design Tips to Make Compact Apartments Work
Create a functional and liveable home even when space is at a premium with these simple ideas
Rebecca Gross
5 June 2016
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design, and I study cultural history through the lens of architecture, design and visual culture. I have a Masters in the History of Decorative Arts and Design from Parsons The New School for Design, New York. My latest book is called "Ornament is not a crime: Contemporary Interiors with a postmodern twist."
Design writer and historian. I write about contemporary architecture and design,... More
With some innovative and inventive design tricks, compact apartments can feel just as spacious as their larger counterparts. Indeed, thorough planning, nifty thinking and good design can help make even the smallest of spaces liveable and functional. Built-in joinery, ample storage, and double-purpose elements will become your closest allies. Here are 13 design tips to start you thinking outside the (too small) box.
1. Built-in robe
Built-ins are key to compact living, especially well-organised built-in wardrobes. This one provides shelving, drawers, clothes rails and space for shoes. Plus, a curtain can be drawn to hide it all away.
Built-ins are key to compact living, especially well-organised built-in wardrobes. This one provides shelving, drawers, clothes rails and space for shoes. Plus, a curtain can be drawn to hide it all away.
2. Elevated bed
Positioning the bed on an elevated platform not only allows for additional storage space, but adds another plane or level to a small space, making it feel and look larger by directing the eye to far points of the room. This apartment also has a glass roof over the bed for extra natural light.
Positioning the bed on an elevated platform not only allows for additional storage space, but adds another plane or level to a small space, making it feel and look larger by directing the eye to far points of the room. This apartment also has a glass roof over the bed for extra natural light.
3. Under-floor storage
Building storage spaces into the floor of an apartment is a great way to hide various bits and pieces, especially those that aren’t used on a regular basis. Here, a raised bedroom floor provides additional storage.
Building storage spaces into the floor of an apartment is a great way to hide various bits and pieces, especially those that aren’t used on a regular basis. Here, a raised bedroom floor provides additional storage.
4. In-stair storage
If the compact apartment has stairs (perhaps to an elevated bed or loft), then transforming the steps into drawers is another great way to boost storage space and conceal clutter.
Creative storage solutions
If the compact apartment has stairs (perhaps to an elevated bed or loft), then transforming the steps into drawers is another great way to boost storage space and conceal clutter.
Creative storage solutions
5. Double-purpose divider
One of the best ways to make a compact space as functional and liveable as possible is to have architectural and design elements do double duty. This bedroom features a platform bed with under-bed storage, while the built-in home office also serves as a room divider, separating the bed from the rest of the apartment.
One of the best ways to make a compact space as functional and liveable as possible is to have architectural and design elements do double duty. This bedroom features a platform bed with under-bed storage, while the built-in home office also serves as a room divider, separating the bed from the rest of the apartment.
6. Three-quarter wall
Dividing walls that stop short of the ceiling are also a great way to physically divide space without constricting it visually. They allow natural light and ventilation to flow over the top of wall; and as this space demonstrates, the open framework of this shelving unit allows light and air to flow through dividing wall, while also providing space for decorative pieces.
Dividing walls that stop short of the ceiling are also a great way to physically divide space without constricting it visually. They allow natural light and ventilation to flow over the top of wall; and as this space demonstrates, the open framework of this shelving unit allows light and air to flow through dividing wall, while also providing space for decorative pieces.
7. Recessed alcove
Recessed shelves and alcoves can be used to set objects into walls or joinery, reducing the physical and visual space they consume. Here, the television has been recessed into an alcove, diminishing clutter. In addition, a panel of joinery stretches the length of the room while the built-in desk also helps to maximise functionality and liveability. A mirror at the end of the room enhances both light and visual space.
Recessed shelves and alcoves can be used to set objects into walls or joinery, reducing the physical and visual space they consume. Here, the television has been recessed into an alcove, diminishing clutter. In addition, a panel of joinery stretches the length of the room while the built-in desk also helps to maximise functionality and liveability. A mirror at the end of the room enhances both light and visual space.
8. Modular furniture
Modular furniture is a great choice for compact apartments. Not only can it serve as sofa, guest bed and ottoman, but it also provides more seating than perhaps a standard sofa and armchairs might.
More decorating tricks for compact apartments
Modular furniture is a great choice for compact apartments. Not only can it serve as sofa, guest bed and ottoman, but it also provides more seating than perhaps a standard sofa and armchairs might.
More decorating tricks for compact apartments
9. Single-wall kitchen
The single-wall (or single galley) kitchen is popular in small spaces, particularly open-plan apartments, as it eliminates the need for extra space for an island bench. A dining table or mobile breakfast bar (depending on room size) can provide more bench surface if needed.
The single-wall (or single galley) kitchen is popular in small spaces, particularly open-plan apartments, as it eliminates the need for extra space for an island bench. A dining table or mobile breakfast bar (depending on room size) can provide more bench surface if needed.
10. Retractable bench
In narrow kitchens such as this, a retractable surface is an innovative idea. When pulled out, it provides sufficient space as a kitchen bench or dining surface.
This kitchen also features a lift-up cupboard that reveals (or conceals) appliances, so when closed, the wall is comprised of seamless joinery. Also note that doing away with cupboard handles, knobs, and other protruding fixtures helps to reduce clutter.
In narrow kitchens such as this, a retractable surface is an innovative idea. When pulled out, it provides sufficient space as a kitchen bench or dining surface.
This kitchen also features a lift-up cupboard that reveals (or conceals) appliances, so when closed, the wall is comprised of seamless joinery. Also note that doing away with cupboard handles, knobs, and other protruding fixtures helps to reduce clutter.
11. Open furniture and shelves
Open furniture and storage consume less space than freestanding pieces. Minimalist design pieces, like the lighting and seating in this apartment, also help to enhance the feeling of space.
Browse a gallery of small kitchens
Open furniture and storage consume less space than freestanding pieces. Minimalist design pieces, like the lighting and seating in this apartment, also help to enhance the feeling of space.
Browse a gallery of small kitchens
12. Under-vanity storage
Spaces under the bathroom sink and behind the bathroom mirror are ideal for storage. Here, three drawers provide ample storage in a small bathroom and neatly fit between the toilet and shower.
Spaces under the bathroom sink and behind the bathroom mirror are ideal for storage. Here, three drawers provide ample storage in a small bathroom and neatly fit between the toilet and shower.
13. In-bathroom laundry
Not sure where to put the washing machine? Consider concealing it in joinery under the bathroom vanity, or in the kitchen if room allows.
TELL US
Do you have any design tips or tricks for living in a compact yet functional space? Tell us in the Comments section below.
MORE
10 Styling Tricks to Create Big Impact When Selling a Small Apartment
Space-Savvy Living in Studio Apartments
10 Ways to Add Space to Small Rooms
Not sure where to put the washing machine? Consider concealing it in joinery under the bathroom vanity, or in the kitchen if room allows.
TELL US
Do you have any design tips or tricks for living in a compact yet functional space? Tell us in the Comments section below.
MORE
10 Styling Tricks to Create Big Impact When Selling a Small Apartment
Space-Savvy Living in Studio Apartments
10 Ways to Add Space to Small Rooms
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I have just finished fitting out a small apartment in Southbank for a young family. It was tricky work accommodating for children, guests, dinner parties, BBQs and lots of toys, but I got there in the end. The king size bed has hydraulic lift storage underneath, the singles have drawers in the bases, the modular sofa converts to a sofabed the coffee table has a pull up and forward section so meals can be eaten at the sofa (with storage inside) and the empty alcove space above the aircon unit on the balcony has been
converted to a BBQ area with decorative screen door to hide it all
away!
I've lived in & renovated two inner city studio apartments before buying my current house. I'm a pro at small space living! Lol
The number one priority before you design or decorate anything is to GET RID OF WHAT YOU TRULY DONT NEED! Other advice is double duty items of furniture & creating areas without closing off the rest of the space.
In one apartment which had a stunning view of Albert Park Lake, I put in floor to ceiling frameless mirrored robes to reflect the view, natural light & the apartment itself to feel larger & brighter. Inside this I installed a fold up queen size bed.
In the other apartment, which was a little Art Deco in style, I sourced an original Art Deco plaster gas fireplace & built an open ended wall to feature it on & hide the bed behind. The open ends gave space & flow, but the wall & fireplace feature hid the bed enough to create two seperate areas for living & sleeping.