AD Small Spaces: 5 uber stylish homes under 500 square feet

Curated from the AD archives, this guide showcases exquisitely designed homes under 500 square feet, located in India and around the globe. Living in bustling metropolises offers a blend of exhilarating opportunities and vibrant city life. However, this comes with a trade-off—space. In these urban landscapes, where every square foot commands a premium, homes often shrink in size, compelling residents to maximise their living areas creatively. Showcased below, these five homes are a testament to how small spaces can be transformed into cosy, efficient, and stylish habitats.

This 460-Square-Foot Mumbai Rental Is Minimal And Timeless

When it comes to rented homes, apprehension often hinders any design transformations. Yet, a Mumbai rental spanning 460 square feet challenges these inhibitions. Designed by Nishi Jain of Space.Object.Human Experience (S.O.HE) for her parents in their 50s, this space defies conventional constraints. A soulful sanctuary emerges from clean lines, subtle intricacies, and a muted, neutral palette. Reflecting the essence of Jain's philosophy, it marries functionality with aesthetics. The initial site was an old apartment with terrazzo tile flooring, smaller windows, and pockets of under-utilised space.

The transformation began by breaking down internal walls, opening up windows, and creating a blank canvas. What was initially a 1BHK, now could be converted into a 2BHK. Situated on the second floor, there are lots of trees and natural light which they wanted to take in as much natural light as possible. So Jain opened up the windows as per the design to make sure that they got a good amount of light and breeze. Another unique and smart space solution is the dining table that uses the artwork on the wall as the tabletop while the legs of the table can be tucked into the wall, becoming an independent side table when not in use.

This 280-Square-Foot Apartment In Munich Is Charmingly Spacious

Living in a 280-square-foot home is not an easy feat. Interior designer Andrea Harbeck, founder of the design studio .PEAM, in the Munich suburb of Starnberg, sees it differently: “Above all else, the decision to move into a mini apartment means getting rid of things. You have to think carefully about what you really need and what you can do without.” That’s demanding, of course, but to Harbeck, it’s exciting too.

Her Munich client was an extremely passionate cook, so a well-equipped kitchen and workspace was essential. The result is an almost 12-foot-long custom kitchen that also hides a washing machine and additional storage space behind its brushed stainless-steel fronts. The reflective surface provides a sharp contrast to the white oiled larch of the cabinetry all around. A natural white lime wash was used on the walls and ceiling, completing the pared-down colour and material palette. “The more muted the choices, the calmer a room feels”, says Harbeck.

The counter, which extends the length of the apartment’s large window and functions as a desk and dining table at once, adds even more storage with its built-in drawer. “It was a challenge to go beyond the floor-to-ceiling cabinets and find and design hidden storage that would maintain a sense of spaciousness,” Harbeck says. But with the tiny apartment in Munich, she succeeded in creating a concept that looks both downsized and cosy yet spacious at the same time, and all while providing its owners with everything they need to live. It is micro living par excellence.

A 335-Square-Foot Apartment In France Is Bathed In Sunlight

Adjacent to the Grand-Théâtre in Bordeaux, on the third floor of a listed building, this small apartment in France manages to fit all the features of a large flat—a kitchen, bathroom, and separate bedroom, as well as lots of storage space—into only 355 square feet. Pulling this off, however, was not an easy feat. “We had to make the space more fluid, allow as much light in as possible, and address the issue of the low, 2.25 metre-high, ceilings”, explains architect and designer Matthieu Récopé de Tilly, who was entrusted with the renovation along with interior designer Margot Le Métayer. Past the entrance to this L-shaped flat, the architects divided the long unit into three equally sized spaces: a living room; a wood-panelled box containing the kitchen, storage space, dressing room, toilet, and bathroom; and, finally, the bedroom. The box—the central core that organises the apartment—is finished in stained oak and covered in mirrors that reflect light and make the space appear larger.

To create a greater sense of height of this apartment in France, the architects drew an imaginary line two feet from the floor, which is reflected in the shelving and the built-in furniture, particularly the desk to the right of the entrance. Mirrors and fluted glass were combined with the dark oak of the built-in furniture and the central oak box, to “lighten things up” and give a sense of verticality as well as privacy to the wet rooms without blocking natural light. As far as homes under 500 square feet go, nothing in this space stands out demanding attention, and instead all the different elements meet in a relaxed exchange.

A Clever Colour Palette Transformed This 295-Square-Foot Mumbai Home

Multipurpose furniture and clever utilisation of space helped architects Disha Nayar and Umal Patil transform this 295-square-foot small space studio apartment into a fully functional home for a 30-something woman. Located in suburban Mumbai, the design practice D + U Architects jumped at the opportunity to design a studio that masters simplicity and light.

Though tiny, this west-facing apartment is basked in natural light during the afternoons. The homeowner was keen on transforming the space with minimal civil alterations, integrating plenty of storage, and deploying an all-white palette to create an apartment that feels far bigger than its square count. The architects tried to infuse the homeowners’ free-spirited vibe and fondness for hosting into the spatial planning and interior aesthetic of this home. They introduced a breakfast counter, separating the alcove from the living area and doubling up as an entrance foyer to the studio. “Integrating a window seat was a no-brainer, taking in stunning views of the cityscape and sunsets whilst maximising seating in the living area,” Disha adds.

The bedroom and attached bath are located on the rear end of the studio. The platform bed eliminates the need for bulky wall cabinets, offering ample storage while keeping the room clutter-free. A custom banana-leaf-inspired wall texture graces the accent wall in the bedroom, imparting a tropical boho vibe to the space.

This 420-Square-Foot Home In Kazakhstan Is A Colourful Escape

This playful 420-square-foot home in Kazakhstan was a bit of an outlier for interior designer Elina Mussakulova. “Usually, our clients aren’t involved in the design, but we worked as a team,” says the cofounder of boutique interiors studio Sdelaemremont.kz. “It was fun!”

The one-bedroom apartment, located in the heart of Almaty, Kazakhstan, belongs to a family of six who live about an hour outside the city. The couple’s three daughters (they also have a young son) attend school nearby and participate in oodles of extracurriculars—math, tennis, and more. The team completely gutted the unit, which is on the third-floor of a four-story residential building that was constructed in 1966. “We like to work with clients who will rethink the entire space,” Elina notes. “Here, we changed the layout so they could have a proper bedroom and kitchen that would accommodate longer stays.”

The custom credenza and storage cabinet with blue interior float above the floor to impart airiness into the small space. By the same token, the one-armed sofa doesn’t block the living space upon entry.The cheery red partition that runs within the cased opening between the living area and dining-kitchen area was the starting point. The feature adds architectural interest to the otherwise plain white box while delineating the two zones—all without blocking light.