Mumbai Houzz: A Tiny Studio Apartment Makes the Most of Its Space
This linear studio apartment is a lesson on how to create a fully-equipped, stylish home in a small space
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: K.V. Bala, Chairman, BVK group
Location: Bandra, Mumbai
Year built: 2016
Size: 43.6 square metres (470 square feet); living area and kitchenette; 1 master bedroom; 1 guest room-study-TV room; 1 bathroom
Interior architect: Sameer Balvally and Shilpa Jain Balvally, Studio Osmosis
The homeowner had been on the lookout for the right designer to design his second home in Mumbai. It needed to be a self-sufficient, comfortable apartment that he could use on his frequent business trips to the city. He saw Studio Osmosis’ work on Houzz and reached out to firm through the platform.
When tasked with renovating this tiny sea-facing studio apartment, architects Sameer Balvally and Shilpa Jain Balvally of Studio Osmosis had one goal – to keep the 470-square-foot linear space as open as possible. The brief was to create a stylish, modern space that was minimal in decor but high on function. Starting with a flat that had been vacant for some time and hence was quite rundown, the design duo decided against any major structural changes. “We got rid of unnecessary walls, the small windows and the false ceiling that closed up the space,” Jain Balvally says.
Photographs by Kunal Bhatia, KB Studio
Who lives here: K.V. Bala, Chairman, BVK group
Location: Bandra, Mumbai
Year built: 2016
Size: 43.6 square metres (470 square feet); living area and kitchenette; 1 master bedroom; 1 guest room-study-TV room; 1 bathroom
Interior architect: Sameer Balvally and Shilpa Jain Balvally, Studio Osmosis
The homeowner had been on the lookout for the right designer to design his second home in Mumbai. It needed to be a self-sufficient, comfortable apartment that he could use on his frequent business trips to the city. He saw Studio Osmosis’ work on Houzz and reached out to firm through the platform.
When tasked with renovating this tiny sea-facing studio apartment, architects Sameer Balvally and Shilpa Jain Balvally of Studio Osmosis had one goal – to keep the 470-square-foot linear space as open as possible. The brief was to create a stylish, modern space that was minimal in decor but high on function. Starting with a flat that had been vacant for some time and hence was quite rundown, the design duo decided against any major structural changes. “We got rid of unnecessary walls, the small windows and the false ceiling that closed up the space,” Jain Balvally says.
Photographs by Kunal Bhatia, KB Studio
The studio apartment is all about a chic minimal decor and an abundance of natural light that filters in through large windows in every room. The front door opens into a short corridor that leads to the linear apartment. In the centre, a fully equipped, modular kitchenette shares space with a tiny living area. Though the apartment does not have a formal living room, this cosy seating space was created to take advantage of the large windows and ocean views. At one end of the apartment is the master bedroom, and at the other is the guest bedroom that also functions as a study and a TV room when required. The entire apartment is chock-full of clever ways to use every bit of space.
Sweeping ocean views are the highlight of the central living area. All the windows, which run almost the entire length of the wall, are encased in an Eta gold stone frame. “We did away with a bulky sofa in favour of sleek custom-made armchairs to create a cosy setting for two,” Jain Balvally says. The absence of formal living room furniture keeps this space uncluttered. The neutral colours – beige, browns and greys – further open up the space.
A fully functional compact, modular kitchenette lines the length of the wall in the living area. It features a granite countertop, beige backsplash and laminated push cabinets. “This tiny apartment has many facets, yet is unified to create a single space. Each room changes seamlessly to accommodate various needs,” Jain Balvally says. By making use of a streamlined design and muted colours, the kitchenette blends with the seating area. Furnishings such as window treatments, rugs and upholstery have been kept minimal, lending an airy, contemporary vibe.
Browse through more kitchen images
Browse through more kitchen images
The apartment features semi-glazed glass folding doors that completely open up when required. The architects used these give the bedrooms privacy when required, without permanently closing off parts of the apartment. They also chose to use Andhra chocolate stone flooring throughout the home. While the colour leans towards the darker side, the chocolate brown lends a warm vibe to a space that may have otherwise been a little stark.
Find a designer near you for your next home project
Find a designer near you for your next home project
Another unifying characteristic is the minimal lattice-patterned white false ceiling made from gypsum boards. Simple pot lights provide the rooms with ambient lighting, while sleek accent lights, such as a minimal floor lamp, add layers to the illumination. Eliminating ceiling fans from the entire home was another trick used to get rid of visual clutter. The walls are adorned with simple photographs of nature and windmills to add a sense of calm.
This guest room can also be used as a study or TV room. A streamlined, custom-made pull-out sofa-bed provides both seating and a guest bed when needed. The soft grey upholstery adds a subtle plushness while cushions add a splash of colour. “The bathroom door, storage space and the wardrobe were specifically designed to feature as one unit by using the same pattern on all three,” Jain Balvally says.
Seen in the far right of this image is a window ledge that doubles as a study table. Located in the guest room that can also be used as a study, the table-cum-ledge overlooks the Arabian Sea and ocean sunsets. The architects made use of this corner to add to the functionality of the room without adding unnecessary furniture.
The main bedroom is dominated by a semi-floating bed – and, of course, the spectacular sea view from the wall-to-wall window. The room is kept uncluttered by eliminating bedside tables, using the window ledge for the purpose. The grey bison board wall panelling behind the bed is also used on the wardrobe, creating a seamless, integrated look.
Creating visual continuity, the compact bathroom features on its walls and floors the same Andhra stone that runs through the apartment. Simple fixtures and chrome finishes add to the minimal aesthetic, while bright-yellow figurines add just a hint of colour. Their kin sit on the window ledge of the living area – another light touch that subtly ties the spaces together into one seamless whole.
Read more:
Mumbai Houzz: A 760-Sq-Ft Home Reveals Its Space-Boosting Secrets
Tell us:
What did you like most about this house? Tell us in the Comments section below.
Read more:
Mumbai Houzz: A 760-Sq-Ft Home Reveals Its Space-Boosting Secrets
Tell us:
What did you like most about this house? Tell us in the Comments section below.
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