Small, space-saving homes with serious style.
Your home’s size shouldn’t determine how stylish or functional it is. With an interior plan that maximises space, your tiny home can be practical and still look oh-so-gorgeous.
In fact, these 7 compact condominiums are living testaments. Though each apartment is less than 625 sqft (or 58 sqm; smaller than the average 3-room HDB flat), they're packed with space-saving ideas and no less charming.
1. Sea Pavillion Residences | 463 sqft (43 sqm)
View this project by Flo Design
In this 463 sqft condo designed by Flo Design, it’s all about utilising every square inch there is. As with many small apartments, the kitchen counter also functions as a breakfast counter for light bites, while proper meals take place in the balcony that has been ziplined for when it rains or gets too sunny.
And speaking of meals, even its built-in appliances – like the collapsible hood above – have been carefully chosen to lend its owners flexible use of countertop space depending on the occasion.
Lastly, having a small home doesn’t mean you can’t have bulky items (like bicycles) around. Sometimes, all you need is a little creativity to ensure your space remains tidy!
2. Moonstone View | 430 sqft (40 sqm)
View this project by ID Gallery Interior
In this condo designed by ID Gallery Interior, floor-to-ceiling cabinets are likewise used to keep the space clutter-free; except this time, a standing bicycle pole is used for the owner’s two-wheeler.
Explore: 5 Practical, Clutter-Free Ways to Store Your Bicycle at Home
Here, the kitchen counter extends further out to the breakfast counter, while a foldable glass partition is used when heavier cooking is in progress. Should the owners require more tabletop space, there’s even a wall-mounted drop-leaf table at the side.
And as you might have noticed in the first photo, the owners now have the space for a 3-seater sofa and a cat tower despite living in a small 430 sqft apartment, proving that these simple ideas go a long way in maximising square footage!
3. High Park Residences | 592 sqft (55 sqm)
View this project by Livspace
What do you do when you have multiple people living in a small apartment, each needing his/her own personal workspace? Build multi-functional carpentry! And this simple but cosy condo designed by Livspace shows us just how it’s done.
In both the master and junior bedrooms, platform beds double as storage units that are seamlessly integrated with work desks. The result? Visual continuity for a cohesive white-and-wood aesthetic, with three distinct and practical purposes (sleep, storage and work) served.
After all, Singaporeans love all things 3-in-1, don’t we?
4. Sol Acres | 484 sqft (45 sqm)
View this project by Happe Design Atelier
Alternatively, if you’re into multi-functional spaces that are a little more Japanese-inspired, take a leaf from this 1-bedder designed by Happe Design Atelier.
Sporting a tatami mattress that can easily be moved aside, the master bedroom becomes a mixed-use space not just for sleeping, but also for chilling out over a cup of tea, jamming and more.
And of course, in the spirit of space maximisation, the platform bed is also used for stowing away less frequently used items like luggages*, while more frequently used items are stored in the floor-to-ceiling cabinet at the side.
*Subject to each condo's MCST guidelines on the building of platforms. If you're living in an HDB flat, note that the space underneath the platform can’t be sealed with cement or other materials, nor can it be used for storage.
5. The Alps Residence | 625 sqft (58 sqm)
View this project by Ethereall
An open-plan concept works best in visually expanding a small home. Despite its heavy industrial touches, this home by Ethereall still retains an airy feel by hacking away walls of the junior bedroom and replacing them with foldable glass doors.
Doing so allows the owners to ‘expand’ the living room when the need arises – say, when having guests over – while keeping the junior bedroom as a separate mixed-use space at all other times.
Explore: Breaking Boundaries: 9 Clever Ideas for Flexible Living Spaces
Clutter is also kept to a minimum in this condo, once again with plenty of built-ins and a platform bed that’s complete with hidden storage compartments.
6. Espada | 355 sqft (33 sqm)
View this project by Weiken.com
Contrary to popular belief, having a small home doesn’t mean you have to steer away from dark colours.
You can, in fact, create a luxurious air with the help of dark wood tones. For instance, pair it with statement pendant lights, a velvet Chesterfield and tinted glass to achieve a new level of sophistication, like in this loft designed by Weiken.com.
On a practical level, the stairs leading to the upper floor are also fitted with cabinets, which means that not a single square inch is wasted!
7. eCo | 538 sqft (50 sqm)
View this project by Yang's Inspiration Design
Resembling a hotel suite, this 1-bedder designed by Yang’s Inspiration Design truly epitomises what it’s like to live large in a tiny apartment.
Where layout is concerned, the lack of walls between the master bedroom and living area adds a sense of spaciousness that’s further amplified by its high ceiling, large marble tiles and full-height feature wall.
But perhaps the biggest surprise of all is that there’s even a pull-out bed located next to the TV, for when its owners have a guest sleeping over – not something you hear often when it comes to 1-bedroom condos!
CONTACT YANG’S INSPIRATION DESIGN
Space planning is crucial, especially in small homes.
An experienced interior designer can provide the best ways to maximise your space. If you're looking to renovate your home in the next 6 months, send us a quote request with your preferred style and budget, and we'll match you with 5 interior firms, for free!
This article was originally published on 3 Apr 2017 and last updated on 12 Aug 2022.
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