This 24 Sqm Condo Unit Was Transformed Into a Stylish Home for a Family of 5
Learn more about how an interior design studio utilized the space's small footprint with a P350,000 budget.
Hitting a serious design block when faced with a cramped space is a common dilemma of most homeowners. Such is the case of a family of five—a happy couple with three children who live in a nearby province outside of Metro Manila. They needed a place to act like a halfway home for weekend trips in the city, as well as a nearby place to come home for the mother who is a professor at a prestigious university in Manila. To help address their needs, they invested in a 24 sqm condominium unit situated in SMDC Coast, Roxas Boulevard, Manila.
To transform the space into a warm, intimate home that is livable and flexible to their needs—they enlisted help from Victoria Pariña of Likha Studio Interior Services, who happily accepted the challenge of renovating the unit. The project took 3 months to finish, with the client satisfied with the end result that cost them P350,000—excluding appliances and furniture. “Although it was a challenge, it’s such a rewarding feeling to be able to accomplish that goal and be able to give the clients a home they deserve. I personally find this project special because it would be our client's home away from home in Manila. It’s so heartwarming to hear from them that they love the design and give them a home that they deserve to come home to,” Victoria shared in an exclusive chat with Real Living.
Below, read on to learn more about the smart and space-saving storage ideas that you can incorporate for your own small space renovations.
BEFORE:
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AFTER
Since the common area is one narrow hall, the clients wanted to create a "separation" of the living room from the kitchen. Instead of changing the flooring which would entail more work, the living and dining areas were divided through faux wood beams. It also concealed the awkward small beam in the corner of the living room ceiling.
There’s also a sliding pull-out pantry near the kitchen that stores cleaning items and a few pantry staples to address storage space. It was placed at the end of the kitchen just before the living or dining room to create a division among the spaces.
They also made use of quick but impactful makeover hacks, such as incorporating drop leafs to be expanded as dining tables and a functional but clean shoe cabinet on the far left of the console.
While there’s a constrained approach when it comes to design, Victoria still injected a personal yet fun approach when it comes to style—incorporating paintings that were done by the kids and the little knick-knacks and souvenirs from their trip to Japan.
The bedroom marries a mix of open and closed storage, providing a clear pathway and easy access to the bed with a headboard wall that doubles as a closet and additional storage. Since it’s for a family of five, a pull-out bed was also installed for additional sleeping space.
Hybrid work and study culture is a fast-rising trend, so it only makes sense to give a space for office or study use. It was positioned placed across the bed to take advantage of natural light. The original bedroom wall (previously beside the tv console) was also replaced with a glass partition to make the bedroom look even bigger and brighter. For more privacy if a guest is in the living room, a curtain was thoughtfully put in the partition.
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