Houzz Tour: This Amazing Home is Only 35 Square Metres in Size
Clever spatial reasoning helped make the most of this tiny studio apartment
Renovating his own apartment in Moscow, Russia, designer Alireza Nemati was determined to create an open space with natural light and lots of storage out of an ordinary “odnushka,” or one-room apartment. The main steps were the removal of internal walls and the construction of a wooden “sleeping box.” It is this sleeping box and its built-in storage that allowed for such functional use of the small space.
The entrance area is adjacent to the main space but separated by a curtain. “There is a lot of storage space: There is a coat closet (on the left, by the door) and three large pull-out closets for large items under the sleeping box,” he says.
Check out these clever hacks for extra storage
Check out these clever hacks for extra storage
Because of the small size of the apartment it was difficult to distribute the functional areas, but the owners decided not to sacrifice comfort. They set up a space for sleeping on a second level, in a special sleeping box with its own lighting, which can be reached by a wooden staircase.
“The height of the staircase allows a person to stand up straight, and it has built-in drawers for storage,” the designer says.
“The height of the staircase allows a person to stand up straight, and it has built-in drawers for storage,” the designer says.
The metal frame of the sleeping box is lined with pine boards. The exterior panels are painted with natural brown wax and the interior ones are colourless. Wax is an environment-friendly material, and wood gives the simple interior a feeling of warmth.
The upper cupboards next to the sleeping box (see previous photo) form a shelf where they meet the sleeping area, as can be seen here.
The upper cupboards next to the sleeping box (see previous photo) form a shelf where they meet the sleeping area, as can be seen here.
There are also open bookshelves next to it. The wall in between is decorated with graphic drawings that the owner made during his first year at university.
Since the bedroom is located well above the main level, the entire apartment and both windows are clearly visible from inside.
Since the bedroom is located well above the main level, the entire apartment and both windows are clearly visible from inside.
The TV is set into a niche framed by white panels; hidden behind each of them is a storage space. The whole structure, including the sleeping box and the staircase, was built based on Nemati’s sketches.
The living and dining rooms are flexible spaces that can be transformed to meet any need. For example, by moving the sofa and extending the dining table, the owners get a comfortable social area which can accommodate up to ten guests.
A small area between the kitchen unit and the window is used as a workspace. Open shelves allow books and documents to be stored without cluttering up the room.
Learn how to set up a home office
A small area between the kitchen unit and the window is used as a workspace. Open shelves allow books and documents to be stored without cluttering up the room.
Learn how to set up a home office
The L-shaped kitchen is from Ikea. The countertop is made of laminated MFC. Ornate handmade Iranian tiles brighten the splashback.
Browse through some photographs of L-shaped kitchens
Browse through some photographs of L-shaped kitchens
“It’s hard to work with a small bathroom: You have to find room for all the necessary fixtures, provide storage space and, of course, hide the pipes,” the designer says.
However, he managed to not only put in a full bathtub with all the necessary plumbing but also hide the washing machine behind the plain facades of the vanity.
Want to give your bathroom an illusion of more space?
However, he managed to not only put in a full bathtub with all the necessary plumbing but also hide the washing machine behind the plain facades of the vanity.
Want to give your bathroom an illusion of more space?
This is a 3D rendering of the apartment. According to the owner, the most interesting and at the same time most difficult stages of this project were the design and construction of the sleeping box. “It (is in itself) a mini piece of architecture within the apartment,” Nemati says.
Apartment floor plan
Read more:
Houzz Tour: This Noida Home Gives a Crash Course in Space Management
Tell us:
What did you like the most about this home? Tell us in the Comments below.
Read more:
Houzz Tour: This Noida Home Gives a Crash Course in Space Management
Tell us:
What did you like the most about this home? Tell us in the Comments below.
Houzz at a Glance
Location: Moscow, Russia
Year of Renovation: 2016
Size: 35 square metres (about 377 square feet)
Who lives here: Nemati and his wife
Designer: Alireza Nemati, Studio Bazi
Like most apartments in new buildings in Russia, this space looked like a concrete box before it was renovated, with a wall separating the kitchen from the living room, and two windows. Its square shape made it difficult to divide it into separate zones, and the interior wall sliced the apartment in half. Therefore, the owners decided to get rid of it “to create a more open space, full of light,” Nemati says.
To create a sense of breadth and a clean look, he chose finishings in white and wood tones. The walls and ceilings were painted with white latex paint, and a highly water-resistant class 33 laminate (that is, laminate suitable for use in commercial areas with heavy traffic) was used for the flooring – it is common practice in Russia to use heavy-duty flooring in entrance areas and living rooms.