Local developers have been testing the market with their SOHO and loft-style property launches in recent years. The concept works by marrying a smaller floor area with a higher ceiling height, to give you the illusion of more space in your apartment. The design concepts are typically open-concept, and the different living areas merge seamlessly with each other. These types of apartments are for a niche group of people who don't require much storage space, don't use the kitchen for heavy cooking and are comfortable having few doors and walls and less privacy.
Here are some photos of a gorgeous Swedish apartment that creates a modern home out of a small space:
Now you see it...
Now you don't! The secret always lies in hidden storage - your interior designer should be able to offer you various suggestions on how to maximise your storage area without disrupting the look of the home you are trying to achieve. A few sliding doors here, a door flush with a surface there...these are great tricks to help with concealing storage spaces!
While small spaces tend to look bigger without doors and partitions, if you plan to do heavy cooking in your kitchen, it would be advisable to get sliding doors installed, to prevent odours and grease from staining the rest of your house. Again, your interior designer should be able to offer options for sliding doors which disappear into walls when not in use, and are easy to dispatch when required.
A cosy living room with built-in book shelves that are practical and add character to the home.
The living room leads straight to the compact dining room but the contrasting blues and reds allow the areas to be separate from each other. The tall windows flood the apartment with gorgeous natural light and add to the airy-ness of the space.
The varnished walnut staircase in the first 2 pictures leads up to the mezzanine bedroom area and the bookcases extend from floor to ceiling for a consistent look.
