Karolina Howorko of Studio HOKA designed this small apartment with a loft bedroom. With little floor area to work with, most of the ideas are about hiding things away and making one element do two jobs.
A kitchen built into the stairs
The front door opens straight into the kitchen, which has plain white cabinets without handles, a sink, a cooktop and an oven. The cabinetry runs under the stairs, and a table slides out from it. Pulled out, it serves as a dining table or as extra worktop.
The same under-stair block also holds a pantry, drawers and a small fridge. When the kitchen is not in use, a curtain can be drawn across to hide it.
Living room and loft
The living room sits by the windows to get the sun. At the foot of the stairs, a floor-to-ceiling shelving unit combines storage with mirrors.
Upstairs in the loft, a built-in desk uses the railing for support. The bedroom is kept simple, with a bed, a side table, artwork and a floor-to-ceiling closet.
The bathroom is tucked beneath the bedroom and behind the kitchen. White walls keep it bright, and flecks in the floor add some colour.
As a general point, in a small home the space under a stair or a loft is often the most useful place for storage and built-in furniture.
Project credits
- Design: Studio HOKA (Karolina Howorko)
- Photography: Motrenko M; Dymitr Kalasznikow
- Source: Contemporist