Every time we take a look at a new studio apartment with something innovative in terms of design, we are almost tempted to go back to our post-college days when we were starting off in the big city. That was a time when we barely gave any attention to home design and decorating and pretty much lived in a small apartment that was more shabby than chic. But this beautiful and ingenious apartment in London revamped by Intervention Architecture utilizes a custom wooden-wall unit to completely alter its ambiance and to create a setting that is space-savvy, efficient and adaptable.

Small modern studio apartment in Barbican, London with multi-functional decor that completely transforms it

It is the changeable joinery solution that sits at the heart of the new apartment interior with a wooden bench on one side and a fabulous wooden wall on the other that is filled with different shelves and cabinets. The space can be used as a study, workspace, dining area and even bedroom as the fold-out bed finds its way out after sunset! Additional pillows, cushions and wooden table pieces can be tucked away into the bespoke wall which has ample storage space.

Sliding glass walls on the other side usher in ample natural light while a kitchen in white further accentuates the spacious, cheerful aura of this London apartment. A perfect space-conscious makeover that meets the needs of the apartment’s energetic young owner! [Photography: Handover]

Fold-out bed comes out once you want to turn the living room into the bedroom

Lovely wooden bench wih built-in storage and a desk space acts as one supporting end for the fold-out bed

Removing the table and the cushions to make space for the fold-out bed

Sliding glass doors bring ample natural light into the small London studio apartment

Small single-wall kitchen in white inside the studio apartment in London

New flooring was installed as an engineered light oak to compliment the plywood, with a grey marmoleum floor installed within the original kitchen. To the original bathroom new grey grouting refreshed the space.

Wood and blue bench and seating becomes the heart of the new apartment interior

Beautiful wooden cabinets help in creating a more organized apartment interior

Bespoke wooden wall in the living room turns the same area into dining space, workspace and bedroom

Custom wooden wall unit with smart niches contains the bedside lamps

Decorating the wooden table with plants

You're reading Small Studio Apartment in London Gets a Multi-Functional Wall that Hides Almost Everything!, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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Creating new space might feel like a magical proposition for some of us and an idea that is almost impossible in our congested urban homes. But move past the mundane constraints of poorly executed architectural plans and throw in a bit of creativity and you have a fabulous new interior really IS far more spacious. This is not about ‘paint and mirrors’ that create an illusion of more space. This is actually discovering new area in your home and this small apartment in Kiev revamped by Martin’s shows you exactly how to get the job done! Turning an old, 47 square meter apartment into one that has 60 square meters of area, the new interior feels fresh, rejuvenating and just brilliant.

Custom wooden addition inside the Kiev apartment with two sleeping area and a new loft level

It is hard to miss the feature that created the biggest impact inside this apartment you step into the open plan living area – a custom wooden unit at the end with loft bedroom and workspace. This new second level brings additional square footage to the small home while removing unnecessary internal partitions also helped a great deal. The new living area, kitchen and dining space are now one large flowing space with large windows bringing in ample natural light. Exposed brick walls on one side and polished white finishes on the other blend the old with the new.

Bespoke wooden unit inside the apartment has two sleeping areas and a walk-in closet

Creating additional space in the double-height apartment with lovely sleeping areas

Decorating the tiny living area in an open plan apartment without too many decor pieces

Exposed brick walls and arched window bring a sense of timeless charm to the modern apartment

Large mirror and lovely art work welcome you at the entry of this beautiful Kiev apartment

Lighting and wooden walls give the walk-in wardrobe a fabulous modern appeal

Loft level bedroom and work area feels simple and minimal

Décor inside the apartment is simple and minimal with a smart couch in the living area, a round dining table with wooden chairs and a single wall kitchen completing the setting. A large mirror at the entrance and brilliant lighting put the final touches on this transformed Ukrainian apartment. [Photography: Igor Karpenko]

Mirror at the entry hallway gives the interior a more spacious and stylish look

New open plan living of the small Kiev apartment with double-height interior

Tiny balcony of the Kiev apartment with just enough space for a couple!

View of the living area from the loft level bedroom above that also has a workspace

Wooden staircase leading to the loft level also offers storage area

Beautiful and large windows bring ample natural light into the living area of the revamped apartment

You're reading Create New Space: Altering a Small 47 Sqm Apartment into a 60Sqm Home, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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These days some of us have a lot more time on our hands, while others are juggling way too many tasks and just trying to keep the house in order. Wherever you fall on the spectrum, consider organizing by color, at least for some of your items. For starters, it’s something that design lovers can appreciate because it’s aesthetically beautiful. There’s nothing like a rainbow bookshelf to motivate you to get those books and decorative items sorted and displayed! It can also be truly helpful, especially when it comes to supplies such as arts and crafts items. Did we mention that it’s kid-friendly?! Keep reading as we check out ways to bring a rainbow of organizational style to your home… [rainbow shelf styling by Kailo Chic]

Strategies for Organizing by Color

When it comes to making rainbow style a reality, there are many strategies you can follow to get the job done. The bottom line: choose a method that works for you and makes the most sense for your space. [photo by Kate Simmons for Decoist]

Some design lovers prioritize a full rainbow effect. Check out the thoughtfully styled bookshelves below, the work of A Beautiful Mess founder Elsie Larson. In planning and executing these stunning statement shelves, Larson accepted the fact that she’d be collecting some new books (on topics she was interested in) in order to rack up more of the colors she needed. She didn’t purchase books that she wouldn’t want to read, but she was aware that she wouldn’t be reading everything cover to cover either! The overall look was a priority, along with staying true to what she loved. We’d say the results are nothing short of amazing:

Another strategy involves using what you have. If you’re short on space or you simply don’t want to collect additional items just for rainbow effect, you can organize what you’ve got and make it as rainbow-fabulous as possible, even if it isn’t a massive display of the whole spectrum. Even a little bit of rainbow can go a long way.

You may also decide to organize each group of items by color. This works especially well for areas of the home where you’re wrangling a large number of supplies. For example, with the craft storage system below, a DreamBox, we see that each little section (ribbons, markers, etc.) is grouped by color, rather putting all of the pink items on one shelf, the blue items on another, etc. This glorious “craft room in a box” is styled by Heidi Kundin of Happiness Is Homemade. Check out all the details here.

Then there’s a full-on creative approach. This is where your individual vision can truly come through, making your home artistic in the best possible way. With the shelf above, we see how the use of rainbow paper as shelf liner in the clear drawers gives them a colorful effect. Below, a bar cart created by Brit + Co. is spray painted with a gradient of style. You could even try grouping items by color within the cart, congregating blues and greens to the left and warmer tones to the right (to match the colors of the paint).

Effective Displays

In this next section of the post, we highlight ways to ensure that you can find what you need at a moment’s notice. It’s one thing to create a pretty arrangement. It’s another thing to make it functional. If you’re organizing art supplies, how can you make all of your items as accessible as possible? Are the pom poms easy to grab? Will you group rosy and warm tones (pinks, reds and oranges) one one shelf if it makes the most sense? The key is thinking through the display logically. It may not be the fun part, but it will ensure that the work you put in now will stand the tests of time and function. [photo by Kate Simmons for Decoist]

This yarn display from the fiber art studio of Knits for Life is amazing on many levels. For one thing, pegboard is an ultra-functional material that has true benefits. Not to mention, the yarn is out in the open and ready to grab at a moment’s notice. Add the fact that it’s beautifully grouped by color, and you have a display that makes it easy to find what you need, all the while being a “wow” statement. It’s a win-win!

In this next space, a modern sewing/craft room by Studio Build , it appears that the fabrics are grouped by color as well as type. Vibrant artwork and fabric creations are displayed on the wall, making it clear that this is a place where productivity and inspiration reign. Also note how the open storage for fabric makes each item extremely accessible. Radiant and functional! [featured at Sebring]

You Make the Rules

Are you starting to feel inspired?! As we’re all spending more time at home these days, what are the items that you always seem to need? Maybe you’re an artist who wants items that inspire you to be grouped in with the supplies you use to create the art. You may be surprised by the fact that grouping unlikely items by color can create a still life feel, which you may want to leave on display at all times. Open shelving and glass cabinets may be the best friend you’ve ever had! This is your space. These are your rules. [photo by Kate Simmons for Decoist]

On that note, we’re loving the impressive yet realistic book display shown below. While there may have been some special collecting going on to create this rainbow effect, the reality is that many books have cream, brown, black and beige covers and bindings. A floor-to-ceiling rainbow shelf may not be in the cards for many of us, but we can group the vibrant books we have in the more visible areas and then keep the more typical colors near the ground, where furnishings can block them. Our point: make the grouping and organizing work for you. Don’t feel the need to ditch or store “boring” items in order to display impractical ones. This is YOUR space and your project. [photo from Hudson Interior Designs, featured at Heather Zerah Interiors]

Fun for Kids

Rainbow groupings are especially fun for children! After all, they’re an easy way for kids to instantly recognize what they need. Now is a great time to create a “creativity cabinet” for your little ones. Include items such as art supplies and fillers for the sensory table. For example, green pom poms are on the green shelf, along with the green paper shred and washi tape. Even if you don’t have color “shelves”, you can organize items such as ribbon by color so kiddos can use hue as an important clue.

Another cool idea: let the kids help create the display. Organization can be fun, and there’s no better way to drive that point home than by letting children take the lead on this project. [photo by Kate Simmons for Decoist]

This color-sorting strategy can work for larger items, such as books. The color-coded bookshelf below was created by Studio DIY. We can’t think of a better way to showcase beautiful picture books while making it easy for kids to have a visual reminder of where they’re stored!

We hope you’re all staying positive and finding some energizing inspiration, even during this difficult time. Surrounding yourself with items that encourage you to create and keep things tidy at the same time can be a great way to remain engaged and truly make your home a space that comforts you. Use color to your advantage. Happy organizing!

You're reading The Benefits of Organizing by Color, originally posted on Decoist. If you enjoyed this post, be sure to follow Decoist on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.

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