Small Apartment Got A Complete Remodel And A New Attic Room

Sometimes an apartment can seem smaller than it actually is and that’s usually because of bad planning of the floor space or an impractical layout. This 48.5 square meter apartment in New Taipei City, Taiwan is a pretty good example. Its original interior design was fragmented, with lots of walls separating the spaces, creating a claustrophobic ambiance. Then came A’Lentil Design and gave the apartment a complete remodel.

Initially, the apartment had a layout that made it feel smaller than it actually was
Initially, the apartment had a layout that made it feel smaller than it actually was
This used to be a second bedroom and it's been transformed into the new living room
This used to be a second bedroom and it’s been transformed into the new living room

The first thing the designers did was to break down the original layout and to open up the interior. They wanted to offer the inhabitants more freedom of movement and it was hard to achieve that with all the walls standing in the way. By eliminating the unnecessary barriers, they also managed to ensure a better connection between the different spaces in the apartment.

Although small, the apartment is bright and filled with sunlight which allows to be look pretty airy
Although small, the apartment is bright and filled with sunlight which allows to be look pretty airy
The new spacial layout lacks unnecessary walls and partitions and ensures a smooth transition between rooms
The new spacial layout lacks unnecessary walls and partitions and ensures a smooth transition between rooms

One of the positive consequences of getting rid of some of the walls was a more open and bright decor and fewer corridors and corners which were difficult to furnish and not very practical in the first place. Small apartment decorating is hard enough even with an open floor plan and lots of sunlight. The designers focused mostly on ensuring a more efficient use of the existing space and ways to gain more floor area when possible.

The apartment has no hallways or corridors. The walls were removed to open up the spaces
The apartment has no hallways or corridors. The walls were removed to open up the spaces
The staircase has built-in storage and offers access to a new loft bedroom
The staircase has built-in storage and offers access to a new loft bedroom

In addition to a simplification of the overall floor plan, the designers also made some structural and functional changes. One of the bedrooms became the new living room and the kitchen  and hallway were turned into an open social space. The entryway/ foyer was replaced by a cleverly hidden storage area under the staircase. The walls throughout the apartment are either white or a soft pastel color and the overall decor is a bright, open and airy one.

The interior design is simple throughout the apartment, featuring neutral colors and simple materials
The interior design is simple throughout the apartment, featuring neutral colors and simple materials

The staircase we mentioned is the link between the living room, main bedroom, kitchen and a second bedroom which was newly designed. This is a loft bedroom designed to actually be quite flexible. It could also serve as a storage room or as a guest room. It’s a cozy space with large windows and quite a bit of storage integrated into a raised platform on top of which was placed the bed. The decor up here is simple and the lack of big furniture pieces is a great plus.

The main bedroom is quite large thanks to the cleverly integrated platform which offers lots of storage
The main bedroom is quite large thanks to the cleverly integrated platform which offers lots of storage