This 25sqm Condo Unit is a Small Space Wonder
The unit's floor area didn't stop interior designer Angelo Aguilar from delivering the home the owner wanted: functional, well-maximized, and travel-inspired
In designing this 25sqm condo unit, interior designer Angelo Aguilar had to overcome a challenge: come up with a multipurpose home with separate areas for cooking, sleeping, and working. The owner also wanted to have a mini walk-in wardrobe as well as improve the look of the bathroom.
“The owner wants every corner of the unit maximized when it comes to storage and functionality since it’s a compact unit. The real challenge is how to separate the areas he wanted given the unit’s size,” shares the designer. Sounds like a tough challenge, but it’s something Angelo knew how to solve. “If you have a small space, you can maximize the space using multipurpose furniture. Take advantage of a high ceiling if your space has it since you can have extra space by raising the bed. Mirror panels create an illusion of a bigger space, too,” he explains.
See how Angelo expertly maximized the unit’s every inch of space below:
Entrance
The unit opens up to the kitchen on the left and the bathroom (with a sliding door) on the right. Given the compact cooking area, Angelo installed a folding table by the door to serve as extra prep space when needed. He used cooking-related wall decals to spruce up the plain walls as well as to define it as part of the kitchen.
Kitchen
Black subway tiles are chosen as backsplash as these are easy to maintain, plus, it complements the color of the cabinets. “We installed additional overhead cabinets and shelving to maximize the storage. The kitchen counter base was also extended to make it more spacious,” says the interior designer.
Living, Dining, and Sleeping Areas
According to Angelo, one of the owner’s concerns is the smell coming from the kitchen. To separate the kitchen from the living and sleeping areas, he had a pocket sliding door with tempered glass panel installed. It creates an illusion that the unit is a one-bedroom space, too.
To meet the owner’s request to have a separate living area, the interior designer elevated the sleeping area and had a loft bed customized. “We installed a mirror panel as well then added a laminated wood backdrop behind the sofa. It also has a T5 light to serve as a night lamp and an additional power outlet for charging gadgets,” shares Angelo.
The designer was also able to add display shelves and storage nooks for the owner’s belongings. When not in use in the dining area, the FROSTA stools function as a coffee table in the living area.
Since the owner travels for work, he wanted to have a travel-inspired home. In this part of the unit, Angelo spruced up the plain surface with wall decals related to traveling including stamps and famous landmarks.
The sofabed comes in handy whenever the owner is having friends or relatives over. It instantly transforms the living area into an extra sleeping space.
Yes, it’s possible to incorporate a mini walk-in wardrobe even in a compact condo unit! Placed under the loft bed, it has enough space for clothes, plus, Angelo installed a full-height wall mirror panel as well to make the wardrobe look more expansive.
The entertainment area also functions as the owner’s home office. To keep it functional, Angelo had a modular cabinet in laminated wood finish installed together with another mirror panel. “Additional T5 light was also installed under the hanging cabinet to keep the area well-lit. most of the downlights are dimmable so the client can control the mood or ambiance inside the living/sleeping area,” he explains.
Dining Nook
The dining table made of laminated wood and a metal frame with caster wheels can be pulled under the modular cabinet. It can also serve as a work desk when needed. Angelo opted for IKEA's FROSTA stools as these can be stacked and stored away when not in use.
Sleeping Area
The sleeping area showcases the unit’s color palette of cool gray, white, black, wood, and teal blue. It has a loft bed made of laminated wood panel and a metal frame painted in black. To ensure the stability of the bed, Angelo had it bolted into the wall.
Bathroom
The bathroom also serves as the laundry area. To make the most of the space, the designer incorporated multiple storage options, including a shelf for toiletries, perfume collection, and medicines. “We used wall-to-wall mirror panels with T5 light as well as changed the tiles on the wall, shower enclosure, and fixtures to achieve the hotel-like feel the owner wanted,” Angelo says.
The perfume collection on display gives the bathroom a unique, personal touch. Painting the wall behind it in teal blue ties the look of the T&B with the rest of the unit.
Ready for your own home makeover? Get in touch with interior designer Angelo Aguilar through email at acga.designs[at]gmail.com. You can also follow ACGA Designs on Facebook.
