Check this project for more divider ideas and how to separate spaces.
Warehouse conversion into a small studio
A warehouse turned into a comfy small studio in Madrid center.
YEAR 2018
SIZE 30m²
CLIENT Álvaro
YEAR 2018 | SIZE 30m² | CLIENT Alvaro
Design Brief
With an initial small warehouse, the main goal of this project was to maximise and transform the available space to create a beautiful contemporary studio in the center of Madrid.
The design brief was to include a kitchen, dining room, living room, bedroom and bathroom in less than 30m2. All of it in the most practical and economical way. The process included spatial planning, design features, great attention to detail and clever thinking in order to make the most of this small interior.
Concept Design
When our clients bought this place, it was a small warehouse with concrete floors, broken windows and bare ceilings. The place was not a habitable space, but the clients were determined to transform that warehouse into a 1 bedroom studio.
We noticed the potential of the existing brick wall right away, and we all agreed to develop the design around this beautiful feature. It was the key element that unified and gave personality to the whole space.
Without even thinking about it, the style was already defined. An industrial-chic style softened with some nordic elements would be perfect for this space and its purpose.
The red brick wall was already very powerful. We needed to keep the rest of the space bright in order to make it look bigger and neat. Light grey floors and white walls created contrast with the brick wall and black elements, like the windows and glass panel. The windows are in the most important wall of the studio (the brick wall). They needed to be beautiful and to have a design according to the rest of the place.
Maximising every square meter
Although it was a small space, the clients wanted to create all the possible comforts required in an apartment. A comfortable and stylish bathroom, an area to chill, a place to prepare and enjoy food and a space to rest.
The initial layout of the warehouse consisted of a small corridor that led to a squared room. Using the back of the corridor to place the bathroom and dividing this room between the living areas and the bedroom was the best idea to start the design.
Once the overall distribution was agreed, we started thinking about how to separate the different areas. We always pay special attention to light and how to maximise the amount of it in all our projects. The room only had windows on the brick wall to illuminate the whole space. To keep the space as airy and bright as possible the best solution was to create a glass divider. It would allow some privacy at the same time that would create the feeling of a larger space in both areas.
The Kitchen
The best location for the kitchen and dining area was in the middle of the studio. With the available layout it seemed quite logical that the bedroom was located at the back and the living area in the left corner.
The dining table as the central point and the design of the kitchen, aligned with the wall, contains everything necessary for 2 people. The vintage fridge, the chalk wall, the white tiles, and the metal extractor, emphasize the desired industrial style and give personality to the studio. Also, the lights play an important role in creating the mood.
Living Area
On one side, the living area has a nordic style sofa and a side table. Both highlighted with a gallery wall background of frames and warm colour drawings.
The gallery wall creates interest and coziness to this corner. We played with warm tones, similar to the brick wall colours, for the cushions and paintings.
The different areas are also accentuated by the lamps. The big lamps help to emphasize each area: the pendant lamp in the living area, the same as the pendant lamps above the dining table and the wall lamps in the kitchen.
The brick wall unifies the space, but the elements and furniture are responsible for visually separating the different areas. In the left corner, two more cabinets continue from the kitchen to cover the wide of that wall in a visual way. The cabinets work as storage and living room furniture as well, framing the TV integrated into the wall. We wanted to keep it simple. At the same time create interest and make different areas as comfortable and practical as possible. A beautiful stylish design is equally important than a practical and well-designed space.
The Bathroom
The small bathroom was designed to be as comfortable as possible. To maintain the industrial style in the whole studio, we proposed hydraulic tiles on the floor and shower wall, and white tiles for the rest. This way we create contrast and a bright space. It is vital to keep coherence between the different rooms and areas in the same apartment. Especially in a small studio like this one.
The basin cabinet goes from the basin to the floor to make the most of that space. The main goal of this project was to maximize the space keeping it simple and clean.
The Bedroom
Behind the glass panel, a king-size bedroom is the main character. The pendant lights in both sizes enclose the bed. Also, the small simple detail of a plant in the middle creates a focal point and interest to the background in a simple and elegant way.
We used a black stool as one side table. Some big framed paintings on the other side to break the symmetry. Also, cleverly located, a good size closet is in the corner next to the glass panel and aligned with the wall. It allows plenty of storage and it is visually pleasant from all points of the studio.
Great Attention to Every Detail
Just as the windows needed to look great and beautiful in the brick wall, the same happened with the switches. The importance is in the details and we always pay close attention to them. We know that something as simple as a switch can make a big difference.
In small places like this one, it is essential to use minimal concepts to make the room appear bigger and clean. What makes the difference, is to make the most of the space thinking about every detail of the design. How things will be used, the best way of placing objects and how elements interact with each other.
This project was beautiful and special since the beginning. The building told us the style and the space gave us guidance for the layout and the design. We just focussed on the details to make it perfect.
What our clients say about us
“Tania understood what I wanted to achieve better than I did. Her vision of the space and her ideas to make the most of it were invaluable for the project. I knew it was going to look good, but the final result has exceeded my expectations.”
Alvaro, owner of this property and client of The White Interior
Find Out More
Read more about our residential interior design service or contact us to discuss your project.