4 Small Homes with Big Ideas
In the space-constrained urban landscape, small-scale home design is not just about size, but about the imagination to transform limited square footage into thoughtful, functional living.
This article showcases four exceptional small-home case studies that demonstrate how clever spatial planning, multi-functional furniture, and harmonious material integration can unlock infinite possibilities within confined spaces, embodying the essence of "small yet sophisticated" living.
1. Magy Apartment, Shanghai
Situated within a historic Shanghai tenement, this 480-sq-ft residence was expertly reimagined by the Chinese design studio atelier tao+c. By removing the original bedroom wall, the team created a seamless, multifunctional core element that delineates distinct zones for rest, sleep, and dining, maximizing the fluidity and flexibility of the "inward-facing" space.
Crafted from cost-effective and durable green-board, this central installation houses a variety of functions - bookshelves, desks, bed platforms, wardrobes, storage units, and more - layering familiar furniture typologies into a singular, organic living landscape. The once-linear corridor is thoughtfully compressed by flanking bookshelves, guiding the eye towards an expansive balcony that forges a tranquil urban dialogue between indoors and out.
Photos: Wen Studio
2. Gardenia, Hong Kong
Designed by Hong Kong's Burgundy Interiors, this 360-sq-ft Kowloon Tong apartment channels the serene ambience of a boutique hotel, blending Scandinavian minimalism and Japanese wabi-sabi. The open-plan layout seamlessly integrates the living, dining, and kitchen areas, with a versatile marble dining table that can accommodate up to 10 guests for intimate gatherings. Thoughtful storage solutions, including concealed compartments beneath the custom sofa, ensure a clutter-free aesthetic.
Photos: Burgundy Interiors; Vincent Tsoi
Burgundy Interiors
Tel: +852 9018 9687
Website: https://www.burgundyinteriors.com/
Address: Rm 15, 9/F, New City Centre, 2 Lei Yue Mun Road, Kwun Tong, Hong Kong (by appointment only)
3. Silicon Hill, Hong Kong
Hong Kong's Arm Studio has created a stunning transformation of Silicon Hill, a compact 376 square foot two-bedroom apartment designed for a young couple. The practice has embraced a contemporary Scandinavian approach, weaving in warm timber textures to establish a tranquil and inviting atmosphere throughout the home.
The heart of the apartments centres around an open-plan living and dining space, where an eye-catching artistic feature wall behind the sofa becomes the room's focal point. The kitchen flows into this social area, with the designer using creative lighting solutions to introduce dynamic visual interest and energise the space with layered illumination.
Clever spatial planning has optimised the kitchen's functionality while maintaining excellent flow throughout. A particularly thoughtful intervention involved opening up the previously enclosed study using textured glass sliding panels, which now floods the interior with natural daylight and creates a greater sense of openness between the living areas.
The thoughtful material choices and spatial arrangements demonstrate how good design can make a small flat feel both stylish and genuinely liveable for modern city life.
Photos: Arm Studio
Arm Studio
Tel：+852 9221 3684
Address：1202, Inno-Tech Centre is 46 Tsun Yip Street, Kwun Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Email：armstudioltd@gmail.com
Designed by South Korean firm cmm architects, this 450-sq-ft residence in Gyeongju exemplifies a harmonious fusion of contemplative solitude and immersive natural surroundings. Anchored by a circular layout that enhances visual continuity, the home seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor spaces through the extensive use of floor-to-ceiling windows and natural materials like wood, seamlessly blurring the boundaries between shelter and landscape.
Photos: Texture on Texture