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Houzz Tour: A Clever Layout Opens Up This Tiny Studio Flat

Ingenious planning means this little apartment has great storage, space to entertain and even a home office

Евгения Назарова 31 January 2018

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Getting the right balance between an open and airy space and distinct zones can be tricky, but this small flat shows how successful thoughtful planning can be. Interior designer Julia Veselova has created a very liveable home in a small space – and given it bags of personality with emerald green walls and colourful artwork.

Юлия Веселова

Houzz at a Glance
Location Moscow
Size About 300 sq ft (28 sq m)
Who lives here A young couple and their two cats
Designer Julia Veselova

Photos by Yuri Grishko

Houzz тур: Квартира 28 кв. м с зелёными стенами

The apartment floor plan shows how walls have been removed to improve the flow of the small space.

See more excellent design ideas for flats

Юлия Веселова

Designer Julia Veselova’s first task was to open up the flat as much as possible. All the walls were torn down and rebuilt, creating two big cupboards in the process. There are no longer any doors in the apartment (apart from on the bathroom), and the doorways have been enlarged to allow uninterrupted sightlines through the space.

Another unifying feature is the flooring: the oak boards extend into the kitchen and connect it to the rest of the home.

10 vital questions to ask before knocking down a wall

Юлия Веселова

It was necessary to include both a bed and a sofa for guests in the sleeping area, as the owners didn’t want to give up on either. Compact furniture was chosen to fit the dimensions of the space – a two-seater retro sofa sits between the enclosed balcony and the bed.

Light fixtures found in a small interiors shop in Cologne illuminate the living room.

Sofa, The Birdie.

Юлия Веселова

A vintage kilim rug from Istanbul – a favourite with the owners’ two cats – provides a contrast to the bright green walls.

Under the custom-made bed are open shelves for books and magazines. A shelf above the headboard is supported by leather belts.

Юлия Веселова

The three shelves on the wall facing the sofa are made of copper and artificial stone, and were created by a professional sculptor. They house books and accessories.

The walls are a mini gallery. Almost all of the artwork was taken from the owners’ personal collection. Artist Maria Smirnova painted the still life for the apartment.

The side tables are light and portable, so ideal for when friends come round.

Юлия Веселова

“We stuck to a clear concept from the very beginning: a vivid colour palette, interesting furniture and graphic elements,” Veselova says. “We did change individual details over the course of the renovation: we had to find a few similar-looking budget replacements for some pieces. For example, we used an Ikea chest of drawers from the owner’s old apartment. I repainted it and replaced the old handles with brass ones,”

Юлия Веселова

The enclosed balcony adds to the usable floor area of the apartment. The bank of windows that had separated it from the inside was removed, but the lower part of the wall was retained. It now sections off a small home office.

The other side of the now-enclosed balcony contains one of the built-in cupboards.

Юлия Веселова

Preserving a sense of airiness is important in a small space. A thin stainless-steel worktop complements the kitchen’s crisp white units, while the open cooker hood makes the wall cabinets look lighter. The black tiled splashback accentuates the cooking area and adds depth to the space.

Юлия Веселова

There are many interesting details in the kitchen. For example, the knobs on the cabinet doors are made of marble and the car-shaped wall lights, seen here, are made of solid oak.

Lights, WoodLed.

Юлия Веселова

The owners fell in love with these floor tiles and designed the rest of the bathroom around them. The sandy tiles in the wet areas contrast with the deep blue walls.

The area under the basin has a curtain across it that conceals the cats’ litter boxes.

Floor mosaics, Appiani. Tiles, Mirage.

What do you think of this small studio flat? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.

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bessieem

It looks lovely. My issue is with the use of the space. The kitchen should have been turned into a bedroom and where the bed is should be the kitchen area.

Like 6 May 2018 at 10:14a.m.

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ellie2000

Nice colours!! But poor cats stuck in there all day!

Like 7 August 2019 at 10:45p.m.

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G M

I love this home, and the beautiful colour palate. Excellent way of concealing the litter trays and close to the loo for easy disposal. wonderful attention to detail. very nicely done

Like 9 August 2019 at 5:34p.m.