Nowadays, having enough space is a luxury that many struggle to achieve. With financial uncertainties prompting people to tighten their budgets, numerous individuals are choosing to downsize, while others are exploring ways to optimize smaller areas. Remember, size isn’t the defining factor; bespoke joinery isn’t exclusively meant for large-scale design ventures. Customized design elements from our expert team can dramatically enhance rooms, regardless of their dimensions.
CREATIVE SOLUTIONS FOR COMPACT SPACES
The passionate Shape London team recently took on an exciting project affectionately named the “Hidden House,” and we’re delighted to provide a sneak peek into the results of our efforts. Our talented designers transformed a 58sqm one-bedroom apartment into a more luxurious and inviting two-bedroom dwelling. This endeavor was truly a labor of love, with the primary challenge being to retain a sense of spaciousness and comfort while incorporating an extra bedroom.
One effective strategy for enhancing sleeping capacity in small areas is to create a multifunctional space. In the case of the Hidden House, we designed a foldable bed that allows for rapid and convenient room conversion. In mere seconds, the bed can be tucked away inside a custom cabinet, resulting in a polished and cohesive look. This flexibility enables the room to serve multiple functions, whether it’s drying laundry, providing a play area for children, or functioning as a home office, yoga studio, or gym.
A less obvious advantage of utilizing custom joinery in smaller areas is its potential to create an illusion of spaciousness. In this project, we incorporated light European oak paneling throughout the apartment. Using lighter woods, such as birch and oak, creates an ambiance that feels bright and airy, while also adding a warmth that standard plaster finishes often lack. Innovative ideas like this can trick the mind into perceiving compact spaces as significantly larger, helping to combat the discomfort of confinement. Additionally, these design choices offer effective solutions for hidden storage, further enhancing the overall sense of space.
SMART LIVING
Today, technology has become a vital aspect of our everyday lives. Each device requires its own dedicated spot, which can be tricky when storage and surface space is limited. Transitioning to a smart home can pose various challenges, but these are hurdles our creative team is well-equipped to overcome. Recently, we seamlessly integrated a TV lift from Future Automation into a wall of custom cabinetry, allowing our client to conceal their wall-mounted TV behind elegant shaker paneling. The result is a chic storage solution that provides easy access at the push of a button.
We love collaborating to devise inventive solutions that address the constraints of compact spaces, but often the most effective approach is to stick with tried-and-true methods. At Shape, we are architect-led and truly grasp how to maximize spaces—not only for storage but also in terms of natural light and overall wellbeing. We specialize in bespoke fitted joinery solutions for entire homes or multiple rooms, perfect for enhancing storage and cleverly hiding smart features that may not align with your interior design vision.
