Small and compact living spaces are becoming increasingly common in Antalya, especially in central and popular areas. If you have a studio or a small 1+1 apartment, you need to value every centimetre. As Renovation Antalya, we have prepared 5 smart design and renovation tips to help you achieve maximum efficiency in small spaces without sacrificing your quality of life:
1. The Art of Vertical Storage: Turn Walls into Shelves
The most effective way to eliminate clutter on the floor is to move storage to the vertical space. The less furniture you put on the floor, the more spacious the area appears:
- Floor-to-Ceiling Shelves: Especially in common areas like the kitchen and living room, extend your storage units all the way up to the ceiling. Reserve the top shelves for items you rarely use.
- Niches and Built-in Closets: Niches (recessed shelves) placed inside walls create both decorative and functional storage spaces without taking up extra room.
- Above-Door Shelving: Utilize the empty space above door frames as a smart shelving area for books or small decorative items.
2. Multi-functional and Foldable Furniture
In a small apartment, one piece of furniture should serve multiple purposes. This saves a significant amount of space.
- Sofa Beds / Murphy Beds: Bed systems that only open up at sleep time completely free up your living area during the day.
- Storage Coffee Tables and Ottomans: Ottomans with storage or coffee tables that can also be used as seating offer extra hidden storage.
- Extendable Tables: Choose your dining table to expand only when guests arrive; for daily use, it should remain minimal in size.
Wall-mounted folding tables are the most practical way to create a
dining or working area.
3. Optical Illusions: Using Mirrors and Light Colors
Design tricks are the easiest way to perceptually "enlarge" a small space. You cannot change the actual size of the space, but you can change its appearance:
- Large Mirrors: Full-length mirrors placed on walls instantly expand the room by reflecting light and doubling the perceived depth of the space.
- Light Color Palette: Choose neutral and light tones such as white, cream, and light gray for walls, floors, and large furniture (sofas, rugs). Dark colors constrict the space.
- Uniform Flooring: Using the same flooring material between different rooms (with seamless transitions) creates a sense of unity, allowing the space to flow uninterruptedly.
"In a small space, storage is not a necessity, but a design opportunity. With smart solutions, you achieve both order and enhance the aesthetics of your space."
4. Hidden and Floating Storage Solutions
Instead of traditional floor-standing storage units, use wall-mounted solutions that disconnect from the floor.
- Floating Shelves: TV units or nightstands that do not touch the ground allow the floor to remain visible, giving a sense of openness.
- Baseboard Drawers: Convert the baseboard area at the bottom of kitchen cabinets into shallow drawers for extra storage (e.g., for trays or thin kitchen items).
- Corner Utilization: Utilize dead corners with custom-designed rotating shelves or corner seating.
5. Change the Doors: Switch to Sliding Systems
Traditional hinged doors create about one square meter of dead space due to their opening arc. Prevent this:
- Sliding Doors: Replace room doors (especially bathroom and bedroom) with sliding doors that either disappear into the wall or move along it. This completely frees up the space next to the wall.
- Transparent Partitions: In studio apartments, instead of fully closing off rooms, use glass sliding partitions or screens that allow light to pass through. This provides privacy while maintaining spaciousness.
The fact that your home is small does not mean you have to compromise on your comfort. At Renovation Antalya, we are here to transform your small spaces into modern, stylish, and highly functional living areas. Contact us now to discover our custom solutions for your project and benefit from our free consultation service.