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Making space in Studio apartments – A guide to open-plan, multi-functional apartment living

Donna Connolly • December 19, 2019

 

 

The diminishing size of homes, is a topic you often hear discussed but what truth is there in it?  Is it just a cliché and common misconception batted around, along with the lines of; “It wasn’t like that in my day”.  So are humans getting bigger (we are but that’s another story) or are our homes getting smaller?

The fact is undeniable; our homes are decreasing in size.  The issue is in fact one of concern and debate. The relaxation of laws relating to planning have allowed offices to be converted into residential developments with no need for any planning permission.  It has been reported [1] that 1.6 million square feet (which equates to 6% of London’s office stock) has been converted to residential, many of them very compact studio apartments.

The official UK guidance for a studio apartment designed as a single person dwelling is to have a minimum floor space of 37m 2 . However, since office to residential conversions are not required to meet these standards many studios are even smaller, the smallest being reported at 9m 2 .

 

 

When everything you need to live in has to be fitted in such a small space, the design challenge is really on.  This is what we (John Strand) have lots of experience in doing, so here are some ideas and suggestions:

Firstly, the kitchen.  The heart of the home.  Concealed kitchens really are such a brilliant option here.  They are compact – for example a unit of about 1.6 metres can provide everything within that space; combi-microwave, hob, fridge/freezer and washer dryer.  The best part comes, when you’re not using the kitchen you close the doors and your kitchen just becomes a cupboard.

Secondly, the bed.  As a studio is, in essence, a house in the room the bed can completely take over the space.  Wall-beds are designed for everyday use and really transform the usable space of a studio apartment.  They are even available with a free-standing option for those tenants who are not allowed to drill into walls.

Both the wall bed and the concealed ‘hideaway’ kitchen embrace an approach to styling a flat with an ethos focusing on being multi-functional. In addition to beds that fold away and kitchens that hideaway, other piece of furniture can be put to work.  Coffee tables that open out to become dining tables or desks and more. Take a look through our website for ideas.

There are also lots of articles and guides full of useful tips for designing a small apartment.   Links to a couple of our favourites are here:

 

[1] Source:  https://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/slums-of-the-future-permitted-development-conversions-in-london-by-tom-copley-am.pdf

Kitchens Hidden From View

By John Strand • January 20, 2025
We have been making and selling kitchens for small spaces for a long, long time, so long in fact that we feel comfortable to call ourselves ‘expert’ in the field. An early design development was from the ‘mini kitchen’, which is solely a base unit, to the hideaway kitchen. ‘ Hideaway kitchen’ is the name they have always been given but then it dawned on us, do our customers (and potential customers) understand what a hideaway kitchen is? Simply put, a hideaway kitchen has a top unit with doors which can be shut to conceal the workings of the kitchen so thus hiding it away ! Other names for these kitchens include ‘kitchen in a cupboard’ and ‘concealed kitchen’ or the ‘hidden kitchen.’ We refer them to as hidden kitchens these days to avoid confusion. All pretty straight forward stuff. Simple but great, especially if you need a kitchen in a studio apartment or meeting room. Focusing on the design, the questions we most commonly get asked relate to safety. Can the hob be this close to the sink and is it safe to have doors? Safety is, as it should be, at the top of the list. Sinks must always be positioned with 300mm space between the hob and or any sockets, and the doors can be fitt ed with power supply cut-out and / or the hob is fitted with a safety timer so will cut out after a set time. Hidden kitchens are increasing in popularity every year and when you consider the combination of style, function and suitability for small or multi-use areas it just makes sense.  For more information please visit our website…johnstrand-mk.co.uk

Unlock the full potential of your living space

By John Strand MK • January 8, 2024
John Strand Sofa Wall beds 1. Maximizing Living Areas: The most apparent advantage of a sofa wall bed is its ability to maximize living areas. During the day, the sofa serves as a relaxing seating arrangement, allowing you to make the most of your space. When night falls, seamlessly transform it into a comfortable bed, eliminating the need for separate pieces of furniture and optimizing your floor space. 2. Dual-Functionality in Compact Spaces: For those renting or living in smaller apartments or studio flats, the sofa wall bed is a revelation. It effortlessly combines two essential pieces of furniture into one, providing a seating area for daytime activities and a sleeping space at nighttime. This dual-functionality is a game-changer in compact living situations. 3. Effortless Transition: The mechanism behind sofa wall beds is designed for ease of use. Transitioning from a sofa to a bed, and vice versa, is a smooth and hassle-free process. This user-friendly feature ensures that you can transform your living space with minimal effort, making it an ideal solution for all age groups. 4. A Stylish Addition to Any Room: Sofa wall beds are not just about functionality; they also add a touch of style to your living space. Available in various designs, colors, and materials, these pieces can complement any decor style. The seamless integration of a sofa wall bed enhances the overall aesthetics of your room.

Concealed Kitchens: The Sleek Solution for Modern Living

By John Strand • September 18, 2023
The benefits of a concealed and hidden kitchen.

Small Kitchen Design Layouts

By Donna Connolly • February 27, 2020
    Small Kitchen Design Layouts How to make kitchens work in a small space? Kitchen design, like many forms of design, relies on what have become traditional formulas and concepts.  These ‘design rules’ have been tried, tested and work a treat; such as the classic triangle of fridge, sink and hob within a 7 … Continued The post Small Kitchen Design Layouts appeared first on John Strand MK.

Wall beds for studio apartments

By Alt Admin • December 5, 2019
The objective was to create light filled, desirable apartments aimed at young professionals in a town centre location but the challenge was in the size. John Strand worked with property developers for a project of contemporary flats in Watford Hertfordshire.  The objective was to create light filled, desirable apartments aimed at young professionals in a … Continued The post Wall beds for studio apartments appeared first on John Strand MK.

Luxury Cabins by the Sea

By Alt Admin • November 14, 2019
Oh we do like to be beside the seaside!The aim of Cabü by the Sea is to provide beautiful buildings for everyone.  An ambition successfully achieved with the Scandinavian inspired cabins offering a relaxing space within the wild and windswept surroundings of St. Mary’s Bay. CABU approached John Strand Kitchens for a development of architecturally … Continued The post Luxury Cabins by the Sea appeared first on John Strand MK.

Office to residential converstion in Harrow

By Alt Admin • November 5, 2019
Change of use from office space to stylish contemporary studio apartments with John Strand Contract kitchens.Harrow sits on the North West of London’s Metropolitan line. A short tube-ride into central London and a stone’s throw from the rolling countryside of the surrounding home counties. It’s a popular destination with first time buyers and therefore an … Continued The post Office to residential converstion in Harrow appeared first on John Strand MK.

Kitchens in a Grand Location

By Alt Admin • October 24, 2019
Bespoke kitchens for a beautiful and grand refurbishmentThe majority of John Strand clients call looking for expert help, they need a kitchen but don’t have space for one!  On the opposite end of that scale is Barrington Hall, lack of space was definitely not a concern for this project. A magnificent Grade II listed Georgian … Continued The post Kitchens in a Grand Location appeared first on John Strand MK.

A Brief History of the John Strand Mini Kitchen

By Donna Connolly • October 8, 2019
    It’s small and mighty.  John Strand has been supplying compact kitchens for over 30 years and here is the history of how it all began, and why, three decades on, the one-metre-wide kitchen units are still sold across the country. Constructed of steel with a powder coated white finish; it houses a sink, … Continued The post A Brief History of the John Strand Mini Kitchen appeared first on John Strand MK.

Empty Nesters – How to re-design your spare room and keep everyone happy

By Donna Connolly • September 19, 2019
    Empty Nesters – How to re-design your spare room and keep everyone happy The four walls that surround you have changed a lot over the last 18 years or so.  Pastel safari animals, Thomas the Tank Engine and more recently a selection of sporting flags and posters have all had their time and … Continued The post Empty Nesters – How to re-design your spare room and keep everyone happy appeared first on John Strand MK.
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