Small spaces demand out-of-the-box thinking to make them both functional living quarters and a place to call home. The international Houzz network has turned up some extreme examples across the globe, from what must be the skinniest home in the world – it's just 1.2 metres wide – to a 50-square-metre cottage housing a family of four.
Some very innovative things can come of it when architects set their sights on making seriously small spaces into homely places. And while most of us do have more space to play with, these homes are an insight into how much opportunity might be going wasted.
Prepare to be amazed by these itty-bitty homes.
Fishing cottage, Wicklow, Ireland
It's all quaint tradition outside, but inside is quite a different cup of tea in this restored Irish row house. With only 25 square metres under foot, the contemporary approach was to take advantage of every centimetre. A large plywood pod was inserted in the heart of the cleared-out cottage, with stairs up one side, the kitchen tucked around a corner and space inside for a bathroom, utility room and storage.
Up top is a sleeping loft. Decor is kept simple with great effect. The plywood is honeyed by the lovely afternoon sun that's invited in by skylights, and the end wall houses a compositionally pleasing formation of cupboards, shelving and box drawers.
Find inspiration for your small living room
Weekender, Sweden
And here's a different take on 25 square metres. It's slightly incongruous, yet fitting. Elegant, but quite quirky, too. Unearthly, but seems rooted in place. In short, this Swedish weekender is a place of high-functioning eccentricity. Set in open country landscape, the house is big enough for a couple, and sometimes visiting friends.
Designer Torsten Ottesjö was aiming "to provide a living space beyond understanding". He's made something that invites you to nestle inside, and take a meditative fix on the world beyond.
Garage reused, France
Here's another great way to use a cube to solve a housing puzzle. With a twist of architectural thought, a dilapidated old garage near downtown Bordeaux, France, was turned into a very contemporary cool style of house. In just six months, the 41-square-metre space was gutted and transformed into a home for one.
The central cube brings form and utility, and divides the space into places. Inside the box are bathing and laundry facilities, and a dressing room – a luxury not many have in much larger abodes! A staircase leads to a private mezzanine for sleeping, and there's a desk and sofa bed built into one side of the structure.
Discover practical shelving options for your home
Family cottage, Oregon USA
This was meant to be a summer house. So there was no need to add on; at 50 square metres it would do just fine. But the remodel turned out so well the family of four have settled in for good. The roof needed to be replaced, which presented an opportunity – not to go up but to blend in more with the surrounding wildlife reserve. The new green roof was planted with local moss and fern species.
Explore thousands of small bedroom ideas
View more contemporary home exteriors
This article originally appeared on Houzz.
0 comments
New User? Sign up