Living Big In A 30 SQM Apartment – A Creative Design Approach

By most standards, 30 square meters of space (which is 322 square feet) is not a lot and usually not enough for a comfortable home that has everything you need. But sometimes we enjoy to prove ourselves wrong. It’s how we discovered this tiny apartment in Milan, Italy. The apartment is definitely small but also quite roomy and surprisingly well organized.

Small apartment in Milan window in living area

All the basic functions are part of its design. The apartment has a living space, a kitchen, a bedroom, a bathroom and even a dining space. This was all managed by the PLANAIR team. They’re a studio specialized in architecture, landscape and engineering and they develop all their projects in stages (usually 6). Each stage requires the client’s approval before moving on to the next part of the project.

Small apartment in Milan open and closed cabinet doors

The main concern when designing this small apartment was to include all the necessary functions and features and as much storage as possible. All of this had to be done while keeping the apartment airy and letting in as much light as possible.

Small apartment in Milan opening cabinet doors

The front door opens directly into the lounge area. This is also where the kitchen is situated. They are both placed along one of the walls. Despite the reduced floor space, the room doesn’t really feel crowded. The lounge space is small and is mostly composed of a minimalist bench-like structure in the continuation of the kitchen counter.

Small apartment in Milan opened and closed divider wall

Above it there’s a wall-mounted cabinet with closed doors and an open compartment above it where plants and other things can be displayed. The front door itself is framed by storage units which combine both open and closed compartments.

Small apartment in Milan opening divider wall

The kitchen has its own set of storage spaces in the form of lower cabinets and wall-mounted ones. The counter space is quite small, accommodating a stove top and a sink. Underneath, a built-in oven occupies a portion of the unit.

Small apartment in Milan opening bedroom wall

The wall opposite to the kitchen and lounge space is a movable one. It can be opened to reveal the bedroom, bathroom and dining space. The bedroom is a lofted space and only the upper section of the wall can be folded, forming a gap similar to a window.

Small apartment in Milan opening divider window

The sleeping area is small and only has a mattress and some built-in lighting but that’s not all. The platform on which it stands conceals a vast storage area. The platform can be lifted and a small walk-in wardrobe is revealed. The bathroom is hidden behind the black wall.

Small apartment in Milan lofted bedroom and dining

The stairs that offer access to the lofted bedroom can be neatly tucked away when not needed. Once they disappear under the platform, the sleeping area can be completely closed off with another folding wall that separates it from the adjacent dining space.

Small apartment in Milan opened and closed bedroom walls

As you can see, there are circular walls in the dining walls and cabinet doors throughout the apartment. Their role is to let some of the light into the bedroom for a pleasant ambiance and an interesting look.

Small apartment in Milan opened and closed divider window

The dining area is the small section between the sleeping area and the exterior wall. It has windows and a small table which can sit four people. Given its simplistic and versatile décor, this area can be used as a workspace in which case the table becomes a desk.

Small apartment in Milan lofted bedroom and dining

The small window ledge offers additional storage space for desk supplies and other things or can used as a display platform for a potted plant or a decoration.

Small apartment in Milan dining area

Considering all the elements described so far, it’s now easier to understand how such a small space can serve as a cozy home for a single person or even a couple. Although it’s tiny, the apartment has lots of storage, a clever and space-efficient interior and a décor that’s really lovely.

Small apartment in Milan opened and closed bedroom stairs
Small apartment in Milan opening bedroom stairs