If living with less than 250 square feet of space sounds like struggle and sacrifice, you may be surprised by how great design can make it easy to live large and comfortably in a tiny space. Taiwan-based A Little Design achieved just that by renovating a 237-square-foot (22 square meter) apartment into a light-filled home that feels much more spacious than its footprint lets on.

Skyrocketing housing prices in Taipei have forced young homeowners into increasingly smaller houses. Like most small apartments in the city, the property the client purchased already came with a space-saving loft setup, however, the existing design made the apartment feel cramped, limited on storage, and unsuitable for entertaining guests. To maximize space and reinvent the feel of the apartment, the architects gutted the interior and inserted a new materials palette and hidden storage for a clean and minimalist vibe.

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White-painted walls, white brick, and light oak surfaces dominate the renovated apartment. While the layout was kept mostly intact, the clever reorganization of spaces and appliances made a big difference. New shelving and closet space span the wall from floor to ceiling, while additional hidden storage can be found inside the couch in the alcove, which previously occupied a long table with seating. Two narrow wooden tables at the edge of the room can be moved and rearranged to form a workspace or dining table. The bathroom was also made to feel more spacious thanks to the new white tiling, removal of the washing machine to the kitchen, and the replacement of the shower stall with a bath. The bed and a small desk are located on the mezzanine level.

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“The flat has sufficient natural light and ventilation, and the main colors used are white and oak which makes the space brighter and more spacious,” write A Little Design. “All equipment and fixtures are stacked according to the confines, but not be compressed in size. In a city like Taipei, where the living space is limited, we hope the project can provide a practical solution for people who own a tiny space like this.”

+ A Little Design

Via ArchDaily

Images via A Little Design

Article by Lucy Wang at inhabitat.com