Houzz Tour: A Clever, Custom-Built 15-Square-Metre Studio in Paris
This cosy and contemporary studio in the heart of Paris’s 9th district benefits from a functional layout
The site’s owner bought this apartment as an investment for rental purposes. Perched on the top floor of a 19th century building, this former maid’s room has been refurbished from top to bottom thanks to the work of Rebecca Benichou, the founder of BatiikStudio. The challenge? Successfully create a kitchen, a bathroom, a living room and a bedroom in a 15-square-metre space! The result is a bright, modern setting, showcasing both functionality and modularity.
The apartment originally consisted of an entrance defined by its walls. Occupants would then enter the living room,with the kitchen and bathroom to their left.
The owner gave the designer free reign to reconfigure and maximise the space, which had a very impractical layout relative to its size. The idea was to integrate a kitchen, a bathroom, a dining area, a desk, a sofa and a bed using materials that were both durable and inexpensive.
The owner gave the designer free reign to reconfigure and maximise the space, which had a very impractical layout relative to its size. The idea was to integrate a kitchen, a bathroom, a dining area, a desk, a sofa and a bed using materials that were both durable and inexpensive.
All of the custom-made furniture is made of birch plywood, while the floor is in light grey polished concrete.
A clever, customised built-in that features multiple concealed and fold-up functions optimises the small space while maintaining its minimalist look. Beneath the bar-height table and the kitchen platform, for example is a pull-out sofa and bed. This flexible design allows the occupant to quickly transform the apartment according to her immediate needs.
A clever, customised built-in that features multiple concealed and fold-up functions optimises the small space while maintaining its minimalist look. Beneath the bar-height table and the kitchen platform, for example is a pull-out sofa and bed. This flexible design allows the occupant to quickly transform the apartment according to her immediate needs.
The kitchen, which has been relocated from its original position, is now elevated on a platform concealing the pull-out sofa-bed. With the bar-height table, it’s also a space to entertain friends while whipping up a simple a dinner.
Kitchen: Ikea (Voxtorp) ; Chairs and stools: Ikea
Kitchen: Ikea (Voxtorp) ; Chairs and stools: Ikea
Once unfolded, the kitchen counter becomes a larger table that can accommodate four to six people. Its legs are designed as a timber screen partially concealing the kitchen, and doubling as back support for the sofa (or headboard for the bed).
This studio also includes clever storage spaces in several areas: a series of cabinets and open shelves that can also be used as nightstands are built under the sloped ceiling, and a chest is hidden under the kitchen and radiator platforms. It provides space to store the stools in order to have more circulation space outside of meal times.
At the ‘foyer’ or entrance area, a cabinet built flush to the wall remains discreet while allowing for the storage of a full wardrobe.
This studio also includes clever storage spaces in several areas: a series of cabinets and open shelves that can also be used as nightstands are built under the sloped ceiling, and a chest is hidden under the kitchen and radiator platforms. It provides space to store the stools in order to have more circulation space outside of meal times.
At the ‘foyer’ or entrance area, a cabinet built flush to the wall remains discreet while allowing for the storage of a full wardrobe.
The greatest difficulties of this renovation came from the sloping ceiling of the maid’s room. All of the custom-made furniture thus had to be adapted on-site. “In addition, given the area of the room, there could never be more than one person working on-site,” Benichou says.
The bed set under the platform serves as a couch when taken half-out,and is decorated with colorful cushions with geometric patterns. When fullyslid under the platforms, it disappears to free the entire space, allowing forthe creation of a full dining space.
Suspension: Leroy Merlin
The bed set under the platform serves as a couch when taken half-out,and is decorated with colorful cushions with geometric patterns. When fullyslid under the platforms, it disappears to free the entire space, allowing forthe creation of a full dining space.
Suspension: Leroy Merlin
“We decided to move the entrance and reconfigure the bathroom throughout the length of the left side,” Benichou says.“Nonetheless, it is as small as possible in order to maximise the area of the living room”.
This new layout has allowed for the creation of a study nook which benefits from natural light through the installation of askylight.
This new layout has allowed for the creation of a study nook which benefits from natural light through the installation of askylight.
The modern and minimalist bathroom is adorned with a dark blue coat of paint, echoing the coffee table which is painted in the same colour. The coffee table on wheels was custom-made, like all of this apartment’s equipment. It also serves as a chest to store duvets, cushions or other objects of all kinds.
Covering an area of 2 square meters, this space accommodates all the necessities: a vertical storage space, a toilet on the right, and a rectangular sink and shower on the left.
Covering an area of 2 square meters, this space accommodates all the necessities: a vertical storage space, a toilet on the right, and a rectangular sink and shower on the left.
The result: a bright studio in which every square centimetre has been put to good use!
Sink: Castorama
TELL US
What do you like most about this space-starved studio? Let us know in the Comments section.
Sink: Castorama
TELL US
What do you like most about this space-starved studio? Let us know in the Comments section.
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: a tenant in her thirties
Location: rue Saint-Lazare,in Paris’ 9th district
Size: 15 square metres (on a 22-square-metre piece of land)
Project cost: 33,000 euros (before taxes)
Interior Architect: BatiikStudio
The owner invested in the 9th district, a trendy neighbourhood filled with wonderful restaurants and shops.With its great location, it is also close to the Saint-Lazare train station.
During the renovation of this old dilapidated attic room – was carried out from December 2015 to February 2016 – everything was refurbished: floors,paint, electricity, plumbing, roof insulation, even the Velux skylights.