Houzz Tour: Clever Space-saving in a Compact Dublin Apartment
Despite its bijou size, this city flat feels surprisingly spacious, thanks to some careful planning and ingenious storage solutions
When the owner of this compact flat in Dublin contacted designer Eva Byrne, the place was cluttered and in desperate need of a revamp. Thanks to some thoughtful reconfiguring and clever design elements, Byrne has managed to transform it into a space that feels larger than it actually is.
Clever space-saving ideas have been used throughout the kitchen. Storage bins fit neatly in the cupboard under the sink, while a flat chrome handrail hangs above the worktop, providing a handy spot for utensils. “It’s both practical and elegant,” says Byrne. “And it gives the room some character.”
The units are handmade from MDF and sprayed white. Byrne took the wall units up to the ceiling to avoid dust collecting on the top. The units contain adjustable shelves that can be moved to meet different storage needs.
Many features are carried throughout the house. The kitchen floor tiles, for example, have also been used in the hall and bathroom for a unified feel. “They’re a bright white, but have texture in them to be unforgiving on dirt,” says Byrne.
Rimforsa rail, Ikea.
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The units are handmade from MDF and sprayed white. Byrne took the wall units up to the ceiling to avoid dust collecting on the top. The units contain adjustable shelves that can be moved to meet different storage needs.
Many features are carried throughout the house. The kitchen floor tiles, for example, have also been used in the hall and bathroom for a unified feel. “They’re a bright white, but have texture in them to be unforgiving on dirt,” says Byrne.
Rimforsa rail, Ikea.
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The living room floor is an attractive oak, finished with a low-gloss lacquer. A modern tulip table with Erland chairs from Ikea (now discontinued) fits well in the space. The well-placed artwork above the table ties it into the area and creates a cosy vignette.
The chimney breast previously housed an asymmetrically placed fireplace, but the homeowner didn’t want an open fire, as she was intending to rent out the apartment at some point. It made sense to add this slimline electric fire instead. A wall-mounted TV sits neatly next to it.
Lappljung rug, Ikea.
The chimney breast previously housed an asymmetrically placed fireplace, but the homeowner didn’t want an open fire, as she was intending to rent out the apartment at some point. It made sense to add this slimline electric fire instead. A wall-mounted TV sits neatly next to it.
Lappljung rug, Ikea.
In the original layout, the door to the hallway was located where the sofa is now. It meant the only place for the sofa was next to the terrace door. It blocked the light and whoever sat on it had their back to the outside view. Byrne moved the door nearer to the kitchen, so the sofa could face the fireplace and TV and there’s a clear view to the terrace and trees beyond.
The right-hand wall is slanted, which pushed the sofa out at an angle, leaving an awkward gap behind it. Byrne constructed an MDF shelf that allows the sofa to sit flush against it and also provides a handy surface to display items and rest cups and glasses.
The right-hand wall is slanted, which pushed the sofa out at an angle, leaving an awkward gap behind it. Byrne constructed an MDF shelf that allows the sofa to sit flush against it and also provides a handy surface to display items and rest cups and glasses.
A simple Ikea floor lamp sits next to a Danish chair. “I like to put functional, high-street furniture next to more one-off pieces,” says Byrne.
Carl Hansen MG501 chair, Peter Johnson Interiors.
Carl Hansen MG501 chair, Peter Johnson Interiors.
Byrne turned the bedroom’s small surface area and strange shape into a clever design feature. The entrance to the room is narrow, and opens to the asymmetrical space where the bed sits. Byrne moved the entrance out slightly to incorporate a hallway cupboard and built floor-to-ceiling wardrobes along the space. “It separates the bed area from the dressing area,” she explains, “and creates a luxurious feeling of two zones.” The chic effect is a real bonus, considering the tiny space.
Floating box shelves are used as bedside tables to keep the floor clear and create a feeling of flow. The bed has storage drawers underneath, which are extremely practical in such a small space. The simple blue and white colour scheme makes the room feel peaceful and uncluttered.
Originally, the bed faced the hallway door, but Byrne moved it so it now looks onto the outside terrace. The sliding doors save on floor space and are framed by a cosy linen and silk curtain. The overall feel in the bedroom is calm and restful.
All the rooms have track ceiling lights. The ceilings are low, so pendant lamps would have dominated the space. Byrne isn’t keen on recessed LEDs, so track designs are a good alternative and offer simple, directional light.
All the rooms have track ceiling lights. The ceilings are low, so pendant lamps would have dominated the space. Byrne isn’t keen on recessed LEDs, so track designs are a good alternative and offer simple, directional light.
The drawers at the far end of the wardrobes are of varying sizes to cater for different items, such as socks and jumpers.
Byrne chose an opal glass door to bring light into the hall from the bedroom. The hallway also houses an ingenious laundry station, built into a cupboard.
Byrne chose an opal glass door to bring light into the hall from the bedroom. The hallway also houses an ingenious laundry station, built into a cupboard.
Each area of the laundry station has been carefully thought out. The washing machine space has a useful work surface on top, while a hanging rail sits precisely 120cm above, leaving room to hang clothes.
At the top is a shelf that can hold a suitcase, while the side area is perfect for storing long items, such as the ironing board. “I believe storage should either be very flexible, or very precise,” says Byrne.
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At the top is a shelf that can hold a suitcase, while the side area is perfect for storing long items, such as the ironing board. “I believe storage should either be very flexible, or very precise,” says Byrne.
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The bathroom is a simple space with neutral porcelain tiles on the floor and walls. The vanity unit and mirrored cupboards provide handy storage and the cupboards feature adjustable shelves.
“This room wouldn’t be the same without the picture,” says Byrne. “The fact that it’s reflected in the mirrors adds to the quirkiness of it.”
“This room wouldn’t be the same without the picture,” says Byrne. “The fact that it’s reflected in the mirrors adds to the quirkiness of it.”
The floor plan shows where Byrne has cleverly moved walls to make the flat a more liveable space. The bedroom has moved into the hallway and appropriated a cupboard, and by simply moving the living room door, the sofa can now look out to the terrace and face the cosy fireplace.
TELL US…
What do you think of the space-maximising ideas used in this apartment? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
TELL US…
What do you think of the space-maximising ideas used in this apartment? Share your thoughts in the Comments below.
Who lives here A single woman, near retirement age
Location Dublin
Property A modern apartment
Size 1 bedroom, 1 bathroom
Designer Eva Byrne of Houseology
One of Eva Byrne’s design decisions was to turn the U-shaped kitchen into an L-shaped one. “An L-shaped kitchen has fewer jarring corners and is much more pleasant to work in,” she explains. It also accommodates a longer space on the side for more accessible units.
Byrne screened the room with an outward-facing bookcase. It provides a simple, yet beautiful division between the kitchen and living area.