The unique design of this 28 square metre apartment was born from the challenge of bestowing a tiny place with the living comfort that is enjoyed in a much larger home. Service areas were designed with a fluid and minimalist mindset to maintain as much space as possible in the living dining combo. A simple plywood storage “box” is balanced by the brightness of the balcony doors.

The glass doors cut away an open visual to the outdoor area to extend the feeling of space. The plywood volume conceals a wealth of storage options, from an open bookcase to a spacious closet. A custom flexible sofa bed design scoots away on castors.

A white ceiling and matching floor reflect the natural light from the large window deep into the apartment.

A plethora of indoor plants stir an energising infusion of green that complements the natural wood grain walls. A red anglepoise table lamp provides a perfectly contrasting pop of red. See more ideas for unique table lamps here.

Directly opposite our first volume of plywood storage, a second ‘action wall’ comes into play. This time the centre of the piece reveals a double Murphy bed.

The contrast of wood grain against a crisp white ceiling dramatises the sharp slope of the room.

Wood cladding encases the entryway into the kitchen.

Floating shelves extrude from the wall of the small blue kitchen to hold colourful gadgets, curiosities, kitchen essentials and plants.

A sliding door at the opposite side of the Murphy bed leads to the bathroom, which is given the same solid blue decor treatment as the kitchen.

A compartment for the air conditioning fills another spot in the plywood wall.

The balcony becomes valuable square footage when linked with the living space.

The custom built living space offers great flexibility to facilitate changing activities through the day…

… And at night.

This 28 square metre rental apartment is located near the historical park in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The concept for the small apartment is based upon brightly coloured accent walls and furniture. Large chip terrazzo dances behind apricot kitchen stools, whilst a mint green bar stool uplifts the neighbouring desk area. The shining designer table lamp is an Atollo table lamp.

The apricot kitchen bar stools create a tropical pairing with a papaya yellow kitchen.

An optical illusion is created within a partition wall, being open at the top to show the kitchen lighting, but mirrored behind its shelving to reflect the bedroom window.

Whilst a large wall of warming yellow kitchen cabinets dominate one side of the apartment, the opposite side of the kitchen is an understated affair.

A mint square is painted behind an open shelving unit to increase its effect.

The mint accent finds a place in the bedroom too, where it is used in fresh horizontal color blocking behind the headboard. Modern wall sconces and a slimline vertical radiator balance out each side of the bed.

The tropical yellow colourway of the kitchen reaches out around the home entryway, where it engulfs a closet and the front door.

The colour scheme abruptly changes upon entering a mint green bathroom.

Linear bathroom vanity lights sharply highlight a swathe of mint green tile.

Apartment floor plan.

Finally, we end our small home tours in an elongated 29 square metre studio layout in Saint-Petersburg, which was designed for a young female doctor. In the compact lounge area, a small sofa is stylishly teamed with a square ottoman coffee table and a round counterpart.

The apartment features compact furniture from IKEA, Oh, Dog and ONE mabel. Lighting: is by AGO, Santa & Cole, Bosma lighting and Центрсвет.

A modern fruit bowl draws the eye to a simple kitchen peninsula that doubles as a dining spot.

Slender sofa arms leave enough space to slot a small side table in at each side.

Different side table silhouettes keep the design interesting and unpredictable.

A book ledge utilises the free wall space above the sofa, without encroaching on the depth of the room.

A red wall light provides an appealing pop of colour in the grey and white space.

A Cesta table lamp drops a matching red wire anchor.

The wall opposite the sofa is given over to an extensive array of cabinets that double as a TV unit.

In the interests of creating maximum storage space without cluttering the layout, the living room storage cabinets were designed to merge subtly into the white kitchen run.

A bookcase marks a divide between the two areas of use.

Two speakers slot neatly into a nook above the TV.

An ornamental skull drops in another shot of red.

A moody blue backsplash contrasts a red linear suspension light and red sink in the kitchen.

The small bathroom sink is held tight into a narrow shelf to create a space saving vanity area.

Scented candles and soap dispensers tuck away into a recessed shelf around the tub.

Elongated floor plan.