Small Apartment Design: How to Make a Space Feel Bigger and Work Better
Volodymyr SydorenkoSeptember 3, 2026
Practical techniques for one-room apartments and studios: zoning, layout, colors, lighting, transforming furniture, storage systems, a kitchen and bathroom in minimal space, and common mistakes.
Small Apartment Design: How to Make a Space Feel Bigger and Work Better
One-room apartments, studios and "smart apartments" of 25–40 m² are the most popular format on the property market. They're more affordable, cheaper to run and easy to rent out. But limited space demands thoughtful design: every centimeter has to work, and the interior shouldn't turn into a storage unit. Here are techniques that make a small apartment feel bigger and comfortable to live in.
Start With How You Live
Before choosing furniture and colors, answer these questions:
- How many people live here, and how often do guests come?
- Do you work from home — do you need a permanent workspace?
- How often do you cook — do you need a full kitchen or a compact one?
- What do you need to store: clothes, sports gear, a bike, seasonal items?
- Do you plan to rent out the apartment in future?
The answers set your priorities. For someone who works from home, a workspace matters more than a dining table for six.
Layout and Zoning
Open Space
Removing non-load-bearing partitions between the kitchen, room and hallway gives a sense of space and more daylight. But any layout changes must be lawful — see apartment redevelopment. If the kitchen has gas, fully merging it with the room is restricted by safety rules.
Zoning Without Walls
You can divide the space into functional zones without permanent partitions:
- open shelving units — divide and store at the same time while letting light through;
- glass partitions — separate a bedroom or study without losing light;
- a platform — drawers underneath, a sleeping or work area on top;
- different floor finishes — tiles in the kitchen area, laminate in the living area;
- lighting — separate lighting scenes for each zone;
- textiles — curtains or rugs that visually define a zone.
A Bedroom in a Studio
The most popular solutions: a bed in a niche behind a partition or curtain, a bed on a platform, a wall bed (transforming furniture), or a mezzanine level if ceilings are high.
Color and Materials
- A light base — white, milky, light gray or warm beige visually expands space and reflects light.
- Monochrome — the same color for walls and large furniture makes them "dissolve" into the space.
- Accents — in moderation — one accent wall or a few bright objects.
- The same flooring throughout the apartment (except the bathroom) — the space doesn't break into pieces.
- Glossy and mirrored surfaces — mirrored wardrobe doors, a glossy ceiling or splashback reflect light and add depth.
- Vertical lines — vertical stripes and tall cabinets up to the ceiling visually raise it.
How to paint walls yourself and choose paint is covered in DIY cosmetic renovation.
Lighting
Light is the main tool for visually enlarging a space.
- Daylight — don't block windows with heavy curtains; choose light fabrics or roller blinds.
- Layered lighting — general, task and accent. A single central chandelier "shrinks" a room.
- Concealed light — LED strips under cabinets, in niches and under the bed.
- Track systems — direct light flexibly without extra wiring.
- Warm light temperature for the living area and neutral for the work area.
Plan lighting scenes when rewiring — see apartment electrical wiring.
Furniture
Selection Rules
- Scale — compact furniture on legs: you see the floor and the space feels bigger.
- Multifunctionality — a sofa bed, a transforming table, an ottoman with storage, a bed with a lifting mechanism.
- Built-in solutions — floor-to-ceiling wardrobes, niches, a window-sill desk.
- Lightness — transparent chairs, glass coffee tables, open metal frames.
- Minimalism — a few well-chosen pieces are better than many small ones.
Transforming Furniture
- a wall bed that becomes a wardrobe or sofa during the day;
- a folding dining table stored as a console;
- a fold-down wall desk;
- modular sofas that change configuration.
Storage Is the Key to Order
The main problem in small apartments is a lack of space for things. Solutions:
- floor-to-ceiling wardrobes — top shelves for seasonal items;
- space under the bed — a lifting mechanism or pull-out drawers;
- a walk-in closet in a niche or corner of the hallway;
- overhead storage above doors and in the hallway;
- vertical storage — shelves, hooks, rails;
- decluttering — regularly get rid of what you don't need;
- a storeroom in a "dead" zone — the end of a corridor or the space above the front door can often become proper storage.
A Kitchen in a Small Apartment
- a single-wall or L-shaped kitchen with wall cabinets up to the ceiling;
- compact built-in appliances: a 45 cm dishwasher, a two-zone induction cooktop, a combination microwave-oven;
- a breakfast bar or fold-down table instead of a dining table;
- rails and magnetic holders free up the worktop;
- a window-sill worktop as an extra work surface.
More on ergonomics in kitchen renovation.
A Bathroom in a Small Apartment
- a walk-in shower with a glass screen instead of a bath;
- wall-hung sanitaryware;
- a mirrored cabinet above the sink;
- a washing machine under the worktop or stacked with a dryer;
- light large-format tiles.
More solutions in bathroom renovation.
Hallway and Balcony
- Hallway — a built-in wardrobe with mirrored doors, slim consoles, hooks and a bench with shoe storage.
- Balcony or loggia — once insulated, it becomes a study, walk-in closet or relaxation area. See apartment insulation and window replacement.
Example: A 28 m² Studio for One Person
Consider a typical studio: entrance, a 4 m² hallway, a 3.5 m² bathroom and a 20.5 m² main room with a kitchen area and a window on the end wall. How it could be organized:
- Hallway — a 60 cm-deep full-height built-in wardrobe with mirrored doors: the top for seasonal items, the bottom for shoes and outerwear.
- Kitchen area — a 2.4 m single-wall kitchen along the blank wall by the entrance: a fridge in a tall unit, a two-zone induction cooktop, a sink, a 45 cm dishwasher and wall cabinets up to the ceiling.
- Dining area — a breakfast bar that separates the kitchen from the living area and doubles as a work surface.
- Living area — a sofa bed with a quality mechanism, opposite a slim TV console and a floor-to-ceiling shelving unit.
- Workspace — by the window, where daylight is best: a desktop spanning the window sill with a drawer unit on castors.
- Lighting — a perimeter track system, LED lighting under kitchen cabinets, a desk lamp and a floor lamp by the sofa.
- Bathroom — a walk-in shower with a drain, a wall-hung toilet and a washing machine under the worktop with the sink.
The result: the studio has everything needed for living, working and hosting a few guests, while the space stays open and bright.
How to Save on Furnishing
- Plan built-in furniture together with the renovation — it can fit into niches without extra fillers.
- Mix made-to-order and ready-made furniture — order only what must fit exact dimensions (wardrobes, kitchen) and buy the rest off the shelf.
- Choose versatile pieces — an ottoman that's a seat, side table and storage.
- Don't buy everything at once — live in the apartment for a few weeks to understand your real needs.
Common Mistakes
- Dark walls and floors in a small room without enough lighting.
- Bulky furniture "to grow into".
- A single chandelier as the only light source.
- Lots of small decor and open shelves full of things.
- Doors that open inward and "eat" space — consider sliding doors.
- Different flooring in every zone.
- No planned storage — things "spread" across the apartment.
- Blocking the window with a desk or tall furniture and losing precious daylight.
A Small Apartment as an Investment
Compact apartments have the highest rental demand, and thoughtful zoning and storage noticeably increase the rent. If you're buying to rent out, look for an efficient layout without long corridors and with zoning potential. More in renovation for rental and real estate investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Studio or one-bedroom — which is better? A studio gives more open space and light; a one-bedroom gives a separate kitchen without cooking smells in the room. For one person a studio is often more convenient; for a couple, a one-bedroom with zoning potential.
Can I create a separate bedroom in a studio? Yes, with a glass partition, shelving unit or curtain system, but make sure the sleeping area has ventilation and daylight.
Which colors make a space look bigger? Light, warm neutral shades in a matte or eggshell finish. Cool light shades suit sunny rooms.
Should I install a suspended ceiling in a small apartment? Only if you need to hide utilities. Every centimeter of height matters, so a stretch ceiling with minimal drop or simply paint is better.
How do I stop a small apartment turning into a storeroom? Adopt a "one in, one out" rule, review wardrobes twice a year and store seasonal items in vacuum bags on top shelves. Closed fronts look calmer than open shelves full of small things.
Can I fit a bath into a small bathroom? You can, if it's essential for you — compact models are 120–150 cm long. But a walk-in shower frees up space for a washing machine or cabinet.
Conclusion
A small apartment can be comfortable if the design follows how you live: zoning without unnecessary walls, a light palette, layered lighting, transforming furniture and well-planned storage. Plan everything at the design stage, and even 30 square meters will feel spacious and functional. The general renovation sequence is described in our apartment renovation guide.
Sources
- WHO Housing and health guidelines — requirements for healthy housing, including space and temperature.
- EPA: indoor air quality — ventilation and materials in small spaces.
- ENERGY STAR — energy-efficient appliances and lighting.
- Law of Ukraine on Regulation of Urban Planning Activity — redevelopment rules.