A 32sqm studio converted into a one-bedroom apartment for a college student
This 32sqm studio was completely reconfigured for a student: kitchen, separate bedroom, custom furniture, and amber glass blocks
This corner apartment in an old building with three windows is a former 32sqm studio. Parents bought this apartment for their daughter, who is starting college. They entrusted the redesign and renovation to interior designer Anastasia Kholoptsova. She transformed it into a functional, bright two-room apartment with a separate bedroom and an open kitchen, making the most of the available space.
Before even thinking about the decor, everything had to be torn out. The non-load-bearing walls, the floor, the plumbing, the electrical work, the apartment was stripped down to its bare bones. This type of renovation in an old building rarely holds any pleasant surprises, and this one was no exception. All the utility lines, electrical conduits and pipes, were redone from scratch.
One of the most significant changes was the switch from gas to electricity. Removing the gas lines freed up space in the kitchen, modest, certainly, but in a 32sqm space, every half-meter gained opens up new possibilities. Aesthetically, it also simplifies the result: no more exposed pipes to conceal, no more specific ventilation requirements to incorporate into the furniture.
The floor plan was completely redesigned. The apartment originally consisted of a single room. It now has two. It features a living room with an open kitchen on the living side and a small separate bedroom on the sleeping side. The new partition separating the two spaces was carefully positioned to preserve the natural flow of light, with the three corner windows remaining accessible from the living room.
Its flooring has also been completely redone. The narrow-plank hardwood, laid in the same direction throughout all rooms, visually unifies the apartment and blurs the boundaries between zones. A simple yet effective choice. In such a small space, a break in the flooring creates a visual boundary that is best avoided.
The walls and ceiling are painted in a uniform off-white. Simple, but that’s what makes everything else possible. Against this neutral backdrop, light wood takes center stage: the furniture, doors, and narrow-plank hardwood floor all play in the same warm tones, reminiscent of ash or bleached oak. It’s timeless and soothing.
In this small apartment, the designer chose to avoid excessive decoration. A few plants, well-considered volumes, and natural light generously distributed by the three corner windows, that’s all it takes. This is a far cry from the standard student studio, with its mismatched furniture, and the occupant will gradually infuse it with her own personality.
Between the living room and the bathroom, Anastasia Kholoptsova installed a row of amber-colored glass blocks, a golden-yellow, translucent, and slightly textured hue. They can be seen from almost every room. They allow light from the bathroom to filter into the hallway and introduce the only real splash of color in the entire space.
This choice is clever for several reasons. Glass blocks are a retro material, and they work well here because they complement the amber and ochre palette found in the bathroom. It is therefore a cohesive and original choice.
The kitchen is compact. Yet it includes a narrow dishwasher, a built-in oven, a two-burner stove, and a refrigerator hidden in a tall cabinet, with the washing machine right next to it. For a student who cooks every day, it’s exactly what’s needed. The layout is modern and adapted to the available space.
The back wall of the living room is entirely occupied by a custom-built unit. It is a bookshelf that is open at the top, with closed storage at the bottom, and an integrated desk. As an added comfort feature, an air conditioner is concealed in the upper section, with no visible grille.
The design avoids looking too bulky. It’s cleverly designed, with shelves at irregular intervals, no back panel, and a mix of open and closed spaces. The unit takes up all the available space without encroaching too much on the living room. It remains airy thanks to its open sections, yet still provides ample storage.
The open shelves at the top hold books, decorative items, and a few plants. The doors at the bottom hide the less photogenic everyday clutter we all have at home. Cables, file folders, and various supplies disappear behind the doors. The desk fits into the design with enough depth to work comfortably.
This type of custom furniture costs more than a store-bought equivalent. But here, it replaces several separate pieces of furniture that would have had to be purchased. And ultimately, it’s a smaller investment than it seems. Buying a bookcase, a desk, a TV stand, and multifunctional storage units adds up to a significant expense, even at affordable retailers like IKEA or JYSK.
The sofa and other upholstered seating were selected based on two criteria. Focus was on quality craftsmanship and a reasonable price. In an apartment intended for a student, the furniture needs to last a reasonable amount of time without representing a disproportionate investment. The chosen colors fit into the overall palette, beige, cream, and light wood, without trying to create a stark contrast that might have quickly gone out of style.
All the furniture was custom-made, except for the bedroom wardrobe. This is a logical choice for this type of project because when every centimeter counts, standard furniture always ends up leaving unusable dead corners and nooks that are impossible to utilize. With custom-made pieces, say goodbye to the gaps between two pieces of furniture that are too narrow to serve any purpose.
The bedroom is small but separate. This is where the main benefit of the reconfiguration lies. Here we have a space truly dedicated to sleep, with a proper door that closes, well-isolated from the rest of the apartment. The headboard is covered in Casamance wallpaper with a natural linen texture, in subtle cream tones that create a very soft effect.
In the bathroom, the tiles blend warm white and ochre in a contemporary format. We see the same tones as in the glass bricks. The space includes everything you need.
This project is a great solution to a real challenge. A 32sqm studio is small, but for a student or someone just starting out in their career, it’s perfect. In small spaces like this, we often see hastily put-together interiors with cheap furniture and generic decor.
Here, the project was taken seriously with a reimagined layout, custom furniture, and a cohesive color scheme. The amber glass bricks are the real standout feature in this apartment. Without them, the space would be clean and comfortable, but a bit bland. With them, it has a real sense of originality, without being over the top.
One might perhaps wish for a slightly more personal touch in the bedroom area, something that says something about the tenant. But that’s also the limitation of this type of project, where you’re designing for someone who will evolve, whose tastes will change. The apartment gives her the space to settle in at her own pace and personalize it over time.
Source : Lakbermagazin
From studio to a one-bedroom apartment with optimized space
Before even thinking about the decor, everything had to be torn out. The non-load-bearing walls, the floor, the plumbing, the electrical work, the apartment was stripped down to its bare bones. This type of renovation in an old building rarely holds any pleasant surprises, and this one was no exception. All the utility lines, electrical conduits and pipes, were redone from scratch.
One of the most significant changes was the switch from gas to electricity. Removing the gas lines freed up space in the kitchen, modest, certainly, but in a 32sqm space, every half-meter gained opens up new possibilities. Aesthetically, it also simplifies the result: no more exposed pipes to conceal, no more specific ventilation requirements to incorporate into the furniture.
The floor plan was completely redesigned. The apartment originally consisted of a single room. It now has two. It features a living room with an open kitchen on the living side and a small separate bedroom on the sleeping side. The new partition separating the two spaces was carefully positioned to preserve the natural flow of light, with the three corner windows remaining accessible from the living room.
Its flooring has also been completely redone. The narrow-plank hardwood, laid in the same direction throughout all rooms, visually unifies the apartment and blurs the boundaries between zones. A simple yet effective choice. In such a small space, a break in the flooring creates a visual boundary that is best avoided.
Off-white, light wood, and genuine warmth
The walls and ceiling are painted in a uniform off-white. Simple, but that’s what makes everything else possible. Against this neutral backdrop, light wood takes center stage: the furniture, doors, and narrow-plank hardwood floor all play in the same warm tones, reminiscent of ash or bleached oak. It’s timeless and soothing.
In this small apartment, the designer chose to avoid excessive decoration. A few plants, well-considered volumes, and natural light generously distributed by the three corner windows, that’s all it takes. This is a far cry from the standard student studio, with its mismatched furniture, and the occupant will gradually infuse it with her own personality.
Amber-colored glass bricks to make a statement
Between the living room and the bathroom, Anastasia Kholoptsova installed a row of amber-colored glass blocks, a golden-yellow, translucent, and slightly textured hue. They can be seen from almost every room. They allow light from the bathroom to filter into the hallway and introduce the only real splash of color in the entire space.
This choice is clever for several reasons. Glass blocks are a retro material, and they work well here because they complement the amber and ochre palette found in the bathroom. It is therefore a cohesive and original choice.
A small but fully equipped kitchen
The kitchen is compact. Yet it includes a narrow dishwasher, a built-in oven, a two-burner stove, and a refrigerator hidden in a tall cabinet, with the washing machine right next to it. For a student who cooks every day, it’s exactly what’s needed. The layout is modern and adapted to the available space.
A custom bookshelf in the living area
The back wall of the living room is entirely occupied by a custom-built unit. It is a bookshelf that is open at the top, with closed storage at the bottom, and an integrated desk. As an added comfort feature, an air conditioner is concealed in the upper section, with no visible grille.
The design avoids looking too bulky. It’s cleverly designed, with shelves at irregular intervals, no back panel, and a mix of open and closed spaces. The unit takes up all the available space without encroaching too much on the living room. It remains airy thanks to its open sections, yet still provides ample storage.
The open shelves at the top hold books, decorative items, and a few plants. The doors at the bottom hide the less photogenic everyday clutter we all have at home. Cables, file folders, and various supplies disappear behind the doors. The desk fits into the design with enough depth to work comfortably.
This type of custom furniture costs more than a store-bought equivalent. But here, it replaces several separate pieces of furniture that would have had to be purchased. And ultimately, it’s a smaller investment than it seems. Buying a bookcase, a desk, a TV stand, and multifunctional storage units adds up to a significant expense, even at affordable retailers like IKEA or JYSK.
The other living room furniture
The sofa and other upholstered seating were selected based on two criteria. Focus was on quality craftsmanship and a reasonable price. In an apartment intended for a student, the furniture needs to last a reasonable amount of time without representing a disproportionate investment. The chosen colors fit into the overall palette, beige, cream, and light wood, without trying to create a stark contrast that might have quickly gone out of style.
All the furniture was custom-made, except for the bedroom wardrobe. This is a logical choice for this type of project because when every centimeter counts, standard furniture always ends up leaving unusable dead corners and nooks that are impossible to utilize. With custom-made pieces, say goodbye to the gaps between two pieces of furniture that are too narrow to serve any purpose.
The bedroom and bathroom
The bedroom is small but separate. This is where the main benefit of the reconfiguration lies. Here we have a space truly dedicated to sleep, with a proper door that closes, well-isolated from the rest of the apartment. The headboard is covered in Casamance wallpaper with a natural linen texture, in subtle cream tones that create a very soft effect.
In the bathroom, the tiles blend warm white and ochre in a contemporary format. We see the same tones as in the glass bricks. The space includes everything you need.
Our design take
This project is a great solution to a real challenge. A 32sqm studio is small, but for a student or someone just starting out in their career, it’s perfect. In small spaces like this, we often see hastily put-together interiors with cheap furniture and generic decor.
Here, the project was taken seriously with a reimagined layout, custom furniture, and a cohesive color scheme. The amber glass bricks are the real standout feature in this apartment. Without them, the space would be clean and comfortable, but a bit bland. With them, it has a real sense of originality, without being over the top.
One might perhaps wish for a slightly more personal touch in the bedroom area, something that says something about the tenant. But that’s also the limitation of this type of project, where you’re designing for someone who will evolve, whose tastes will change. The apartment gives her the space to settle in at her own pace and personalize it over time.
Source : Lakbermagazin
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