Apartments may be getting smaller and smaller, but armed with creativity and some practical knowledge, you can make informed changes that will drastically make a limited space feel and look bigger. Take a leaf out of the book of these small apartments and see how they do it. Remember, size doesn’t matter. It’s what you do with it.
Let natural light seep in
1. If you live in a small apartment, light is your best friend. Plenty of natural light and colour schemes in light, neutral shades work wonders to make a small space look roomier. The use of glass dividers in the balcony and kitchen not only aids in visually expanding the limited space, but also allows more sunlight to enter the living area, keeping everything bright and airy.
Interior Designer: 82
Location: Parkland Residences (HDB)
Cost of renovation: $52,000
Peek-a-boo partitions
2. This gorgeous apartment sticks to a simple 2-toned colour palette of browns and white to achieve a unified, clutter-free look. The see-through folding partition separating the living room and the study is also extremely handy, letting the space look bigger than it actually is. The apartment also looks bright and breezy when the curtains are drawn.
Interior Designer: Space Atelier
Location: Upper Serangoon Road (HDB)
Cost of renovation: $37,000
Spacious open-concepts
3. This apartment attains its spacious vibe by doing away with walls and partitions where possible, opting for an open concept layout. The homeowners’ love of geometric designs also shines through, from the floor tiles to feature walls.
Interior Designer: The Association
Location: Hougang (HDB)
Cost of renovation: $70,000
4. This 85sqm home may be tiny, but it sure packs a punch when it comes to making the best use of a limited space. The open concept kitchen and dining area proves to be an excellent design decision as it makes the home look bigger than it actually is. The strategically placed mirror behind the dining table helps to give the illusion of spaciousness too.
Interior Designer: M3 studio
Location: Punggol Place (HDB)
Cost of renovation: $30,000
Keep furnishings minimal
5. Live in a small space, but fancy dark colours? Fret not! There are things you can do to make an apartment in dark hues look roomier than it actually is. For instance, this cool enclave in The Peak manages to pull it off by keeping its furnishings simple and minimal, escaping the cramped look that plague overcrowded apartments.
Interior Designer: Project File
Location: The Peak (HDB)
Cost of renovation: $35,000
6. Extremely clutter-free, this apartment does it right when it comes to keeping furnishings to the bare essentials. The built-in mirror with the dual-function seat is also strategically located, ensuring that you never leave home with a strand out of place. We love how simple and clean this apartment looks.
Interior Designer: Ascenders Design Studio
Location: Tiong Bahru (HDB)
Cost of renovation: $28,000
7. Without any physical barriers between the living and dining areas, this small space appears elongated and more spacious than it really is. Also, who needs a chair when you can sit on a bed? The work desk positioned right before the bed is a perfect excuse for homeowners to stay in bed all day, and the headboard comes with storage compartments too; handy for a small apartment like this.
Interior Designer: NeuKonceptz
Location: Sengkang (condo)
Cost of renovation: $25,000
Deceptive dividers
8. Earth-toned colour palettes are extremely small-space friendly, and also easy to execute. Room dividers that double up as storage spaces are also something to look out for too. Don’t be deceived by the seemingly small kitchen, as the wet kitchen is cleverly separated from the dry kitchen with a framed glass divider.
Interior Designer: Lux Design
Location: Punggol (HDB)
Cost of renovation: $35,000
You swivel me right round
9. What’s cooler than a swivel TV? Nothing. Perfect for people who share a small living space with others, this swivel TV ensures that everyone gets their TV time without having to move to where the TV is at. This tiny apartment also utilises plenty of built-in shelves where possible to make the best out of its limited space.
Interior Designer: Liid Studio
Location: One Shenton (condo)
Cost of renovation: $25,500
Fun-sized, not small-sized
10. Living small doesn’t mean that you can’t have fun with it. This apartment in Costa Ris is playfully eclectic, opting for different designs that are practical yet give each room its own distinct look and personality. Perhaps the secret is this – keep the apartment fun and quirky, and guests will be too distracted to notice its size.
Interior Designer: Design Chapterz
Location: Pasir Ris (HDB)
Cost of renovation: $36,000
Need help to transform a small space into a lovely home? Start by downloading the Qanvast app and start saving home interior ideas. If you'd like to meet up with trusted interior designers, drop us a complimentary quote request today! The app can be download free on the App Store and Google Play.
