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Small space design ideas: a beautiful apartment reno

By Jen Bishop • 1 Comment

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Size, as they say, isn’t everything, and Anju Designs made the most of every inch in this stunning Brisbane apartment makeover. We take a closer look at all their clever tricks as they share their top tips for achieving the most from a small space.

The brief for this project was to make the most of the space available, and to keep the aesthetics very current and in keeping with the local Teneriffe area. The apartment is long and narrow and was previously quite dark. By using a minimal and beautiful palette of materials, mother-daughter design duo Penny Middlemiss and Rebecca Reiken have made it feel a lot more generous than its 115m2.

“It was compromised by low ceilings due to a large bulkhead that ran down the centre of the kitchen and living, with only one row of lighting in it,” Penny says. “We removed the scotias and bulkhead, then added a 50mm drop ceiling throughout the entire apartment, giving a feeling of added height and allowing us to add LED down lights throughout.”

Penny adds it’s a misconception that small places should have smaller joinery and furnishings. “This often makes the space look smaller, usually the opposite of what they are trying to achieve. We would normally oversize objects such as joinery, rugs, artwork, mirrors, and add items like lamps.

“There was no room for a traditional dining setting so we made the most of every inch and incorporated an extensive island bench in the kitchen with plenty of storage and room for seating. The kitchen then becomes the focal point of the home.”

The pair created the feeling of space in the kitchen by keeping the colour scheme light and fresh with an industrial edge. “We used open shelving, along with great lighting – including a lot of low level lighting to brighten and open up the space,” Rebecca says.

“The use of a continuous stone splashback and a beautiful stone double waterfall-ended island bench adds to the seamless effect. All the appliances were integrated which included a pantry with retractable sliding doors to hide the everyday appliances such as coffee machine, toaster, kettle and other go-to items. All these integrated appliances gave very clean lines to a stunning kitchen.”

When working with a small home, Rebecca says it is so important to select the correct appliances to fit your client’s needs and space. “We were able to incorporate a double set of ovens, which is often not possible in such a small space, but by incorporating a Siemens combination oven/steamer and a Siemens combination oven/microwave we were able to meet our clients’ needs as they love to cook and entertain. We were also able to include an oversize Fisher & Paykel refrigerator by integrating it, again adding to the seamless effect.”

The main bathroom had no natural light so they installed mood lighting, as well as LED lighting behind the mirrors, for makeup application. A frameless shower screen helped to visually create a feeling of spaciousness.

In the master bedroom, they designed a custom built-in bed, with storage below, in the side tables and in cupboards surrounding the upholstered bedhead. “We really maximised all of the space we had and in the process and created something a little different and quite beautiful,” Penny adds.

The other space that was a high priority to maximise in this apartment was the balcony. “Our clients wanted if to feel as if it were an extension of their living area. So again we custom-designed a built-in BBQ area which included an integrated cool drawer, and a remote controlled pop-up television. Their small apartment is now an entertainer’s dream!”

Rebecca adds: “Overall the apartment now feels light, vibrant and contemporary and our clients love their new home.”

Anju Designs’ top 5 tips for making the most of small spaces:

1.       Keep colour schemes light and minimal.

2.       Incorporate appropriate lighting as this sets the right mood.

3.       Be creative with storage solutions.

4.       Integrate appliances where possible.

5.       Don’t be afraid to ‘oversize’ when it comes to joinery and furnishings.

Penny Middlemiss and Rebecca Reiken are experts at making the most of small homes

For more on Anju Designs

Small bathroom ideas: an incredible before and after | How to make a small bathroom feel larger

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June 12, 2020

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Appliance colour trends: They've certainly change Appliance colour trends:

They've certainly changed over the years. Remember when ALL fridges were white?! I remember the original BROWN wall oven in our 60s kitchen here pre-reno! I think the dishwasher was brown and beige (and it tripped the electrics every time we used it!) 😜

What do you think of this new dark stainless steel option (pictured) from Westinghouse as seen in @dnaofdesign_'s latest reno? Yay or nay? 

What colour do you like your appliances?

See the rest of this home and kitchen and laundry design tips from the ex Blockheads on the blog now via link in bio.

#kitchenappliances #walloven #wallovens #combioven #combioven #microwaves #builtinappliances #builtinoven #builtinovens #homeappliance #westinghouse #kitchentrends #ovens #laundryappliances #darkstainlesssteel #stainlesssteelappliances
SALE ALERT! Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my fav SALE ALERT!

Listen up Sydneysiders, one of my favourite home stores @shack.furniture.homewares are having their annual warehouse sale this week, from Thursday until Saturday.

HUGE savings on furniture, homewares and decor with 30 to 80% off. Wowsers!

I'm a big fan of SHACK and can never leave one of their stores without a few styling goodies for my place! It's just too tempting!

While you're at the sale, mention Interiors Addict for an extra 10% off!

Unit 16a, 1801 Botany Rd, Banksmeadow NSW 2019

Thursday 1st to Saturday 3rd June 2023, 9am to 4pm. Not online.

#sydneyshopping #sydneysale #sydneysales #sydneyfurniture #shackfurniture #shackfurniturehomewares #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #comeshoppingwithme
A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in th A door to door continuous curved stone ledge in this bathroom is one of the cleverest designs we've seen in a while!

This mega ledge, made of Corian, even incorporates a sink, seamlessly.

Combined with venetian plaster on the walls, it's no wonder this Illawarra bathroom by @birdblackdesign feels like a day spa!

Come check it out via link bio.

Lead designer Stuart Gibson says: "One smooth curve, right around the room, from either side of the door opening. As it moves around, it creates a ledge for the bath: for bath oils, lotions, a book and a champagne glass. The ledge continues around and becomes the vanity, widening out to create a custom seamless basin."

#bathroomhappiness #bathroomdetails #bathroomshelves #bathroomshelf #venetianplastering #coriandesign #coriansolidsurface #spalikebathroom #spabathroom #sustainablebathroom
Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last Catch the season finale of @sellinghousesaus last night?

We have all the before and afters for you on the blog now, via link in bio (and swipe for a taster).

#sellinghouses #sellinghousesaustralia #foxtel #lifestylechannel #beforeandafterkitchen #beforeandafterlivingroom #beforeandafterrenovation #realitytv #housetours #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
😍 Not sure what's better: the custom mirror abo 😍 Not sure what's better: the custom mirror above the fireplace in this Art Deco one-bedder or the wallpaper in the kitchen (swipe)?!

It's been a while since we featured an apartment makeover on IA. Would you like to see more apartment interiors? Head to the blog now to see more of this one. Via link in bio.

#artdecoapartment #artdecointerior
#artdecomirror #artdecofireplace #artdecomelbourne #artdecofurniture #artdecobuilding #artdecointeriors #apartmentrenovation #apartmentinterior #smallspaceliving #melbourneapartments #melbourneairbnb #kitchenwallpaper #wallpaperaustralia
Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sh Low tox and planet friendly laundry liquid (and sheets and soap and powder!). We have a great roundup of the best options on the blog today. 

A whole host of brands are offering eco-friendly, low tox alternatives to the more chemical-laden ones. Not only that, they often smell amazing, look good on your shelf and come in recycled or recyclable (or even better, both) packaging. 

Good for your skin, your clothes and the planet: what’s not to like?

Do you use any of these?

COMPARE THEM ALL VIA LINK IN BIO NOW.

#lowtoxliving #lowtoxlife #lowtoxlifestyle #lowtoxhome #lowtoxlaundry #lowtoxswaps #naturallaundry #naturallaundrydetergent #naturallaundrysoap #ecolaundry #lowtoxcleaning #ecofriendlyhome #ecofriendlyhouse #laundryliquid #laundrypowder #laundrysoap #naturalcleaning #chemicalfreecleaning #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome
Play room goals!👌🏻 This is just one room fr Play room goals!👌🏻

This is just one room from today's real house tour which I really love because in employing interior designer @issyandhcreative the owners weren't looking for a complete rip out and re-do but rather to work with what they had in their new suburban home (including a dated kitchen) and give it a largely cosmetic glow up with styling and new furniture (some of which was upcycled). 

The brief was to create a family friendly home. "They weren't looking for perfection but rather a warm and relaxing retreat for their busy young family." This playroom though? Pretty close to perfect! And the mum did the colour coded books herself. Love that😁

Head over to the blog now via link in bio to see the rest of this home.

#playroomideas #playroomgoals #playroomdecor #familyhomes #kidfriendlyhome #kidfriendlyinteriors #familyhomedecor #sustainabledecor #affordablerenovations #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #beanbagchair #beanbags #colourcodedbooks #colourcoded #toyroom #kidsroomdesign 

Pix by @tealily
All the heart eyes for this little setup 😍 Hea All the heart eyes for this little setup 😍

Head to the blog to shop this and two other gorgeous styled images from @greenhouseinteriors 

The stunning @mrsniceart artwork has already sold but the good news is, you can still get prints of it!

Styling by Aisha Chaudhry for Greenhouse Interiors, assisted by Nikki McGar, Kylie Harris, Rachael Blake and Max Green. Photography by Stephanie Rooney. 

#poolart #sideboardstyling #buffetstyling #consolestyling #vignettes #greenhouseinteriors #barcartstyling #shopthelook #bluehomedecor #poolumbrella #beachumbrella
Bookworms need a cosy book nook! 📖 🐛 Seb an Bookworms need a cosy book nook! 📖 🐛

Seb and Charlie had one of those kid size couches in their playroom but frankly, they'd outgrown it! I picked this Aussie made compact 2-seater Ruby sofa from @fantasticfurniture 

I'd usually go for grey to keep it neutral but as it's in a kid's room I went for this heather blue fabric to make it a little more fun while still classic. There's more than 50 fabric choices for Fantastic's Aussie made range so good luck choosing 😂 

I left the legs off to keep it below the windowsill. I'm super happy with the quality. It looks a lot more expensive than its $699 pricetag 👌🏻

Books, natural light and a cosy couch = happy boys! And let's not pretend they won't be watching the odd movie on there too 🍿 because #keepingitreal

#FantasticFurniture #FantasticFamily #booknook #booknookstagram #booknook #bookwormsofinstagram #littlereader #littlebookworm #cosycorner #cosycorner #playroomideas #toyroom #interiorsaddictfamilyhomereno #interiorsaddict #theinteriorsaddict #jenbishop #heartyourhome #aussiemade #aussiemadefurniture #twoseater #kidssofa #kidscouch #bluesofa #loveofreading
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About Jen Bishop

Jen Bishop is our owner and publisher and an experienced journalist and editor. Interiors Addict has been her full-time job for more than 10 years. She is mum to two young boys and lives in Sydney.

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Comments

  1. AvatarLucille McLaren says

    June 17, 2020 at 7:17 am

    What a fabulous job the girls did on the Brisbane apartment, the use of lighting made that apartment ,it doesn’t matter how pretty you make it if you have bad light which is happening more and more with wall to wall high rises , the apartment is always gloomy. LED’s help tremendously.
    They on the other hand make it seem as though it’s full of natural light and ones mood instantly lifts. Putting storage everywhere they could while still making it feel spacious is another asset as one is very lucky if there is one cupboard for linen in most apartments. Well done girls.

    Reply

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