Home renovation ideas: the small home spaces lockdown is making

Recreating or remaking the smaller, more unusual spaces in your home can have the biggest impact.

Kelly Baker

3 min read

July 15, 2021 - 5:14PM

News Corp Australia Network

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When asked to describe her first impressions of a one-bedroom apartment of a close friend, interior designer Emily MacAlpine does not hesitate. “It was an eyesore,” she says definitively.

“It was one of those suburban units you see everywhere … it had a speckled grey concrete ceiling, black and white lino on the floor. The kitchen had a freestanding white fridge and oven. It was not appealing, especially from the street. The entire building was an eyesore.”

But, there were positives too and Emily recognised them immediately.

One bedroom Paddington apartment by Interior Designer Emily MacAlpine from Marg Studio. Picture: Sheri Mcmahon

The apartment was in the heart of the much sought-after Sydney suburb of Paddington and it had large windows which faced east and provided wonderful local views. If you stood in the parking lot underneath the building you could even catch a glimpse of the harbour.

Most importantly, Emily’s friend could afford to buy it and in today’s tough real estate market that was a major factor to consider.

And while it wasn’t her dream home (yet), it had incredible potential.

“It was very ordinary at first glance, but in the mornings the light was magical and it had the most beautiful outlook,” says Emily.

Eyesore be gone. Picture: Sheri Mcmahon

THE ALLURE OF A SMALL HOME

The trick with small spaces is to ensure every tiny aspect is pulling its weight. Every inch must be beautiful but also functional. There literally is no room to waste.

“Everything has to be in just the right spot,” says Emily.

“It’s a little like a jigsaw puzzle. A highly functional, aesthetically pleasing jigsaw puzzle.”

No room to waste. Picture: Sheri Mcmahon

The first step

Emily and her builder started the project by extending the tiny kitchen space.

They had custom-made joinery installed along the back kitchen wall which then extended into the living room. This worked to make the space feel much bigger and allowed the opportunity for an integrated fridge and a mini office space, perfect for WFH times.

“When you’re working in a small space you have to be creative and build stuff everywhere.”

Emily and her builder settled on a nib wall extending from the shorter side of the kitchen, which also adds a feeling of spaciousness and allows for a tiny kitchen bench and seating area.

Before.

She also installed a dark smokey mirror at the rear of the kitchen.

“It makes the space feel twice as big,” says Emily.

“You can see yourself in it, but because it’s smokey you’re a little bit obscured. It works like a filter,” she adds with a laugh.

“In this style of mirror, you always look good.”

No space to spare. Picture: Sheri Mcmahon

MAKING THE MOST OF EVERY SPACE

The bedroom already had a reasonable size wardrobe but Emily and her builder knocked up a cupboard for long coats, formal dresses and other items not often worn.

“You need a space for items you don’t often wear or use and we tucked it away into the joinery so essentially you can’t see it which also adds to the feeling of space,” says Emily.

After that, she considered the bathroom, which, as per the rest of the apartment, was very small.

There wasn’t much scope for moving things such as the shower so Emily focused on beautiful materials and details.

“We opted for encaustic tiles on the floor,” she says.

“We made that the feature of the bathroom and while they’re slightly more expensive than more standard tiles, we were only tiling a very small space so could afford it.”

Emily repeated the tiles in the entryway.

Emily MacAlpine focused on beautiful materials and details. Picture: Sheri Mcmahon

She was keen to see engineered planks for the flooring but the owner decided to go with vinyl planks because they’re “pretty much bulletproof”, explains Emily.

Today, the apartment, while still tiny, feels twice the size and better still, is terrifically functional and its owner adores it.

Emily would like to see more like it.

“In the age of Marie Kondo, ri-donk-ulous house prices and sustainable living, I think small spaces are really coming into their own,” she says.

“It’s about making more out of what we already have (or can afford). By tightly designing small spaces we can ensure each area is functioning in the best possible way and even having dual function.

Before more.

“We don’t necessarily need six-bedroom, six -bathroom McMansions as we can live smaller by designing smarter.”

When it comes to small spaces it’s most definitely a case of the devil being in the details, says interior designer Emily MacAlpine.

“Materials are so important,” she says.

She also recommends adding items with a story.

“The brass vessels for the flowers are both pieces that a great, great aunt of mine brought home from Egypt after the war. I love pieces rich in history.”