This tiny apartment of just 175 square feet (15 square meters) features some rather ingenious design ideas in order to make the most of the – limited – space available to it.
The apartment is composed of two rooms: an open plan living, dining, kitchen and sleeping area, and a separate bathroom. The multi-functional living area makes use of a 3.2 foot (1 meter) tall addition that’s used for storage of belongings, as well as the kitchen.
The floor of the raised section can be lifted up to reveal a small kitchen sink, counter space, a cooktop and a variety of utensils. Further kitchen cabinets, drawers, and an oven are also incorporated into the unit. There is an issue with this set-up though, as pointed out by Lloyd Alter of TreeHugger; you would need to be finished cooking and cleaned up before trying to get to the dining area above.
More storage can be found at the foot of the bed, which contains a trap door in the floor revealing some much need clothing space. Lastly, the bathroom can be found at the end of the kitchen and it (presumably) contains a shower, sink and toilet based on its depth.
This tiny apartment succeeds in creating a functional home on a tiny scale while also reducing visual clutter. Albeit, it’s probably geared towards the young with its sometimes awkward storage solutions.
For more apartments check out this micro-apartment that features sloped walls and custom furniture to make it more functional. Or, this tiny mordern apartment on the Italian Riviera. See all apartments.
Via TreeHugger
Photos: Boiserie & C.
this works better if the kitchen and eating area are on top level and bed is on rollers underneath. The climbing around to get to a sleeping area is the achilles heel of most very small spaces. also it ignores the major market share of the seniors that are willing and eager to reduce housing expenses, and time on maintenance. Very small houses naturally appeal to younger childless people who want their own space at a price they can afford and to the retirees who have a similar set of circumstances and desires. We older people have sore knees and backs…… we are not risking our necks climbing anywhere! especially on tiny steps and ladders with no handrails.
I agree, as an older person who’s downsizing I wouldn’t be climbing up onto something to go to bed. I also see a fire hazard with a glass topped range covered by wood, and no fire proof insulation… Nice otherwise, but I’d get a hideabed….
I love this! Great use of space. The issue with the cooking are needing to be closed to access the dining are could be resolved by moving the sleeping corner to the opposite cornere (where the dining are is at present). That way the dining area could be on the lower level and creating an opportunity for a storage area beneath the raised bed platform.
I love this! Very clever use of space. The issue with the dining area and cooking area conflict could easily be resolved by putting the dining area in the opposite corner (where the head of the bed (sleeping area) is now. I would also put the dining area on the same level as the cooking area to eliminate stairs while carrying food. The sleeping area being being the only raised portion and storage under the platform as well. Thanks for the idea of using the space over the cooking area.
What a nightmare. Bedding with the scent of Eau de Bacon and food-splashed sheets. I say back to the drawing board on this one
I totally agree with Kristina. Another inconvenience is the fact that in order to eat at the table, the kitchen would first have to be hidden away to pull the chair out and the meal would then have to be carried up to the loft area.
With Kristina’s suggestion of the kitchen being on the loft level, you can prepare your meal, and eat at the table with ease. The added bonus of having the bed hidden away under the loft is you wouldn’t even have to make the bed!!! =D
I agree about switching the levels. I would also be afraid of falling off the edge of the kitchen at night or any time. Have to say the design is inventive, not going to put creativity down!
Kristina Nadreau is exactly right. We seniors would like very small homes without the need to risk life and limb!
Yes, the designs I’ve seen which have the bed rolling under the raised area, with kitchen/dining on the lower level and living up above, seem the most practical to me. In addition to concerns raised in the comments above, I wouldn’t like having people walking around right over my cooking area, even given that the floor folds up–just seems like a recipe for dirt and grime getting into the kitchen.
I am fascinated by the tiny house movement. It’s more and more my dream as I age and downsize. However, almost every tiny house I’ve seen (in photos) requires a climb up a ladder or very steep steps. I’m not in the market for any home with ladders or stairs. Otherwise, beautiful.
Having the spices places above a heat source is also a bad idea.
Hi,. Interesting but as everyone has says no handrails. Range too close to bed and wood coverall. I do like the concept especially since when I was living overseas in the Marshall Islands a number of years back, I was living in a loft with another roommate and we both were living in a loft with living room and kitchen area space and bathroom and closets space. What made it workable was both of us had our own bedrooms in a loft. I also saw another lady had a loft that she could walk up stairs and could walk around her loft area but her roommate had a very small room area underneath with a separate living room area and kitchen and bath area.
Others have suggested about putting the kitchen area on top with the bed underneath . I would suggest having the kitchen area with stove above where the bed is with the side view as storage instead of stove, frig and bed on the floor that could be put underneath the storage area by rolling it under. It might be great for someone starting out but a closet needs to there also with storage area. Does it have w/d hookups also? or larger frig area if need be?
The range could be induction and then heat wouldn’t be an issue, but agree it could be laid out better. Not sure how they are getting to the clothes in the crawl space, but that looks like it could get annoying rather quickly.
Well I must be the only one which thinks this layout is outstanding given the small size. The apt is 175 sq ft. Including a 3′ wide bathroom plus 4-5 inches for wall depth. That means the living area is approx. a 12′ x 12′ room. You can see in the bathroom mirror the entrance door. There is very low light. So I believe to the right when you walk in is a window probably 3′ wide and 4′ tall. There is a space of approx 1′ behind the door for hanging coats and boots.
The placement of the dining table and chairs has only been put there for “staging” in the photograph. It normally would be located under the only window. The bed has no place else to be given its 5 x7 size. There is no water hook up available except against the bathroom wall for the kitchen. If you want a cooktop, fridge and sink you need a 6′ minimum run. Thus the only space for the kitchen and have it connect with water is where it is right now.
I do think the back splash should be done in stainless steel. But generally younger Europeans eat out and use a kitchen for snacks or very small meals. You will note the sink faucet has no spray and a built in soap dispenser, thus reducing any splashing. The cooktop is probably induction. Although I personally would like a vent, the bathroom vent could be powerful enough to take cooking smells and moisture out of the area.
It is not possible to put a roll out bed beneath the loft because there is less than 4′ of floor space between the loft/kitchen and the window wall. It would also block the entrance door (a fire hazard).
I’m not fussy about the clothes storage, but the choice is putting closets at the end of the bedroom loft (against bathroom wall) or go under the loft. I think the apt has lots of storage underneath the bed. It shows shoes on long pull out shelves. For visual space they chose to go down rather than store clothes in tall closets.
So, given the tight space available putting everything into a 12 x 12 space would challenge even the best of architects. Yes, the bathroom is big enough to also accommodate a bidet or an apt size washer/dryer.
After reading Peggy’s comment I must agree that a 4′ space is not big enough for a pull out bed which is using floor space that is simply not there.
Our ‘cabana’ is 12×12 and this lay out works the best, however cieling height is also a consideration.
GREAT lay out! Thanks for sharing!