A 38sqm apartment with the perfect layout for living and working
This 38sqm apartment is perfect for living and working, with its open-concept layout, sky-blue kitchen, and vintage living room
In this small 38sqm apartment, designer Alena Miller of ARHYP created a new interior for a friend who specializes in social and cultural projects. She often works from home, so the layout had to meet two needs at once: living and working in the same space. The result is striking for its cohesiveness, color palette, and attention to detail. Blue and pink dominate each room without being overwhelming.
The former hallway has been replaced by a layout of interconnected spaces. Upon entering, the eye travels through the living room, then the kitchen, and finally the bedroom. Each space flows seamlessly into the next thanks to coordinating colors. This choice eliminates the dead zones typical of small apartments. It also creates a natural flow between the rooms.
Old linden trees line the building, and their foliage streams into the living room through large windows. This connection to the outdoors guides the entire design. The designer wanted this natural presence to permeate every corner of the apartment, without ever being obscured by overly heavy curtains or bulky furniture.
The kitchen features a sky-blue color that immediately softens the atmosphere. Its countertop extends all the way to the windowsill, forming a functional desk. This clever solution avoids adding an extra piece of furniture in a limited space. It also takes advantage of natural light, a valuable asset for anyone working from home. In the evening, two opal glass globe pendant lights take over, with an exposed red wire winding across the ceiling. A white square tile backsplash adorns the back wall with understated elegance.
A blue Eames chair, paired with a more classic wicker chair, creates a contrast in styles. Right next to it, an open bookshelf holds books, trailing plants, and colorful blown-glass objects. The powdery pink of its low doors echoes the color palette of the bedroom and living room.
The living room features a low sofa in deep pink, almost burgundy velvet, with chrome-plated tubular metal armrests reminiscent of 1970s furniture. A small electric-blue side table sits right in front of it, round and resting on a slender leg. Its contrast with the sofa’s pink is a real success. A light-colored rug defines the space. A mirrored wall amplifies the sense of space.
This room also features a vintage Scandinavian teak dresser, the prettiest piece of furniture in the space. Its brass handles and single leather tassel knob add a handcrafted touch. An abstract engraving in shades of pink and mustard yellow echoes the colors of the decor. A small bright green bench with a wavy frame deliberately contrasts with this vintage furniture.
The bedroom occupies the most spacious room in the apartment. A glass door with small panes separates it from the living room without blocking the light. It offers true privacy while maintaining a visual connection with the rest of the home. A thick peach-colored curtain conceals a built-in walk-in closet, a perfect, cost-effective solution for staying within a decorating budget.
The rounded headboard, upholstered in powder-pink fabric, pairs with black-and-white graphic-print bedding. The bedside table, made of multicolored speckled resin, is unique. A floor-standing mirror amplifies the natural light. Above the bed, a small colorful illustration adds a graphic touch. The ceiling, painted a soft blue, gives the room a cozy, protective atmosphere.
The renovation added a few centimeters to the former hallway. The bathroom now features a low vanity cabinet with pink cabinet fronts that match the rest of the apartment. Its wall tiles, white with a grid of fine blue lines, echo a pattern already present in the kitchen.
This repetition creates continuity between the utility spaces and the living areas. A large mirror above the sink visually enlarges the space. Mirrors, which are everywhere throughout the apartment, are one of the tricks used to create the impression of more space in a small area. This room is functional without being cold or impersonal.
This decor successfully pulls off a difficult feat: unifying a small space without making it monotonous. Its blue-and-pink combination works because it’s understated and uses fairly soft tones. The vintage furniture prevents the overly sterile look of brand-new interiors. The decision to integrate the desk into the kitchen is commendable, it effectively addresses a real space constraint. This overall design is a beautiful demonstration of what a well-thought-out, professionally designed layout can offer a small home.
The open-plan layout is common in older homes, particularly in Haussmann-style buildings in France. Many homeowners today are seeking to recapture this fluid flow between rooms, which avoids wasting square meters on hallways. We can also take note of the idea of an office integrated into the kitchen, which addresses a reality that has become widespread everywhere: remote work.
In our modern countries, small living spaces are increasingly in demand and align with lifestyles that are evolving with the times. Young couples, students, and even older adults are drawn to small, well-designed spaces that are easy to live in and maintain, and also more energy-efficient.
This small 38sqm apartment proves that a compact space can accommodate a full life without sacrificing either style or comfort. The designer has created a cohesive interior, from the blue kitchen to the pink bedroom. The vintage furniture adds character, while contemporary touches bring it into the 21st century. Styling by Evgeniya Poleshchuk
An entryway without a hallway, a layout designed as a series of interconnected spaces
The former hallway has been replaced by a layout of interconnected spaces. Upon entering, the eye travels through the living room, then the kitchen, and finally the bedroom. Each space flows seamlessly into the next thanks to coordinating colors. This choice eliminates the dead zones typical of small apartments. It also creates a natural flow between the rooms.
Old linden trees line the building, and their foliage streams into the living room through large windows. This connection to the outdoors guides the entire design. The designer wanted this natural presence to permeate every corner of the apartment, without ever being obscured by overly heavy curtains or bulky furniture.
A sky-blue kitchen and a home office
The kitchen features a sky-blue color that immediately softens the atmosphere. Its countertop extends all the way to the windowsill, forming a functional desk. This clever solution avoids adding an extra piece of furniture in a limited space. It also takes advantage of natural light, a valuable asset for anyone working from home. In the evening, two opal glass globe pendant lights take over, with an exposed red wire winding across the ceiling. A white square tile backsplash adorns the back wall with understated elegance.
A blue Eames chair, paired with a more classic wicker chair, creates a contrast in styles. Right next to it, an open bookshelf holds books, trailing plants, and colorful blown-glass objects. The powdery pink of its low doors echoes the color palette of the bedroom and living room.
In the living room, a blend of vintage and color
The living room features a low sofa in deep pink, almost burgundy velvet, with chrome-plated tubular metal armrests reminiscent of 1970s furniture. A small electric-blue side table sits right in front of it, round and resting on a slender leg. Its contrast with the sofa’s pink is a real success. A light-colored rug defines the space. A mirrored wall amplifies the sense of space.
This room also features a vintage Scandinavian teak dresser, the prettiest piece of furniture in the space. Its brass handles and single leather tassel knob add a handcrafted touch. An abstract engraving in shades of pink and mustard yellow echoes the colors of the decor. A small bright green bench with a wavy frame deliberately contrasts with this vintage furniture.
The bedroom, a pink cocoon behind a glass door
The bedroom occupies the most spacious room in the apartment. A glass door with small panes separates it from the living room without blocking the light. It offers true privacy while maintaining a visual connection with the rest of the home. A thick peach-colored curtain conceals a built-in walk-in closet, a perfect, cost-effective solution for staying within a decorating budget.
The rounded headboard, upholstered in powder-pink fabric, pairs with black-and-white graphic-print bedding. The bedside table, made of multicolored speckled resin, is unique. A floor-standing mirror amplifies the natural light. Above the bed, a small colorful illustration adds a graphic touch. The ceiling, painted a soft blue, gives the room a cozy, protective atmosphere.
A bathroom in soft and delicate pink
The renovation added a few centimeters to the former hallway. The bathroom now features a low vanity cabinet with pink cabinet fronts that match the rest of the apartment. Its wall tiles, white with a grid of fine blue lines, echo a pattern already present in the kitchen.
This repetition creates continuity between the utility spaces and the living areas. A large mirror above the sink visually enlarges the space. Mirrors, which are everywhere throughout the apartment, are one of the tricks used to create the impression of more space in a small area. This room is functional without being cold or impersonal.
Our take on this decor
This decor successfully pulls off a difficult feat: unifying a small space without making it monotonous. Its blue-and-pink combination works because it’s understated and uses fairly soft tones. The vintage furniture prevents the overly sterile look of brand-new interiors. The decision to integrate the desk into the kitchen is commendable, it effectively addresses a real space constraint. This overall design is a beautiful demonstration of what a well-thought-out, professionally designed layout can offer a small home.
Can a project like this inspire us in other countries ?
The open-plan layout is common in older homes, particularly in Haussmann-style buildings in France. Many homeowners today are seeking to recapture this fluid flow between rooms, which avoids wasting square meters on hallways. We can also take note of the idea of an office integrated into the kitchen, which addresses a reality that has become widespread everywhere: remote work.
In our modern countries, small living spaces are increasingly in demand and align with lifestyles that are evolving with the times. Young couples, students, and even older adults are drawn to small, well-designed spaces that are easy to live in and maintain, and also more energy-efficient.
Our take on this small 38sqm apartment
This small 38sqm apartment proves that a compact space can accommodate a full life without sacrificing either style or comfort. The designer has created a cohesive interior, from the blue kitchen to the pink bedroom. The vintage furniture adds character, while contemporary touches bring it into the 21st century. Styling by Evgeniya Poleshchuk
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