HOW TO...
SMART SOLUTIONS FOR GIVING THE IMPRESSION OF SPACE – PROVING BIJOU CAN FEEL BIG AND LOOK BEAUTIFUL
1 blending in
‘Built-in components should be visually restrained and not bulky. In this design, the grid of off-white wooden cupboards gives the room a sense of calm and at the same time refers to the charm of historical fixtures in a modern guise.’
Lea Korzeczek, creative director, Studio Oink
2 go bespoke
‘My number one tip for maximising storage in a small apartment is to commission made-to-measure cabinetry. Tailored to the dimensions of your space, the cabinetry can be designed to work round any quirks, such as a sloping ceiling or an awkward corner.’
Irene Gunter, interior designer and founder, Gunter & Co
3 get specific with storage
‘Do not waste space on things you do not need or will not use. Our trick is to approach every project with no preconceived notions of what an apartment needs to have or look like. We interrogate our clients in the way they live and how they will use the space. This allows us to create specific solutions that create the highest utility for the end-users. Be specific. We have our clients count their dishes so that we can more precisely accommodate their lives – this makes sure all the space is being optimised.’
Tom Klaber, founding partner, k—da
4 dynamic design
‘The key to making a small apartment comfortable is flexibility. We like seating arrangements that can be rearranged. Today, spaces are less static and furniture layouts should reflect this. Think ottomans that double up as coffee tables or stools, armchairs that can be easily moved and sectionals with moving parts.’
Nathan Cuttle, interior designer and founder, Studio Nato
5 pocket change
‘Access to natural light is vital – for our Chelsea project, we created translucent glass pocket doors that allow light from the living and bedroom spaces to filter through the apartment, yet the doors provide privacy when needed.’
Christopher Kitterman, principal architect, Stadt Architecture
6 Divide to conquer
‘ You can’t have everything when you’ve got a micro space but I think it is important to create a divide between public and private spaces (sleeping/ bathroom and living) similar to what you would find in a larger f lat. That might be a sliding door that hides the bed or a tiny room designed around the size of a bed.’
Brad Swartz, founder, Brad Swartz Architects
7 surface matters
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