Living in a compact flat does not mean abandoning careful decoration or thoughtful layout, and creativity often replaces square meters. Simple adjustments combined with a few multifunctional elements can turn a studio into a welcoming, highly usable home space.
The concise points that follow give immediate, practical directions for visible gain and easier daily living. These focused hints lead directly into the quick takeaways that follow
A retenir :
- Vertical shelving and high storage, larger floor perception
- Multifunction furniture with integrated storage, efficient space use
- Light colors and mirrors, amplified visual depth and brightness
- Mobile separators and varied flooring, clear zones without heavy walls
Build on vertical gains: maximise vertical storage for small spaces
Building on those quick priorities, prioritise height to reclaim usable floor and circulation areas. These vertical solutions naturally invite smarter furniture choices described in the following section.
Practical use of wall height reduces visible clutter while creating display and storage layers. According to Le Journal de la Maison, tall shelving often transforms the perception of a compact room.
Vertical storage options:
- Floor-to-ceiling shelving for books, plants and boxes
- Over-door shelves for seasonal items and small boxes
- Suspended kitchen racks for utensils and pans
- High wardrobes with reachable and labelled zones
Solution
Primary benefit
Example brand
Floor-to-ceiling shelving
Maximises vertical space and display
IKEA
Over-door shelving
Hidden seasonal storage
La Redoute Intérieurs
Suspended kitchen racks
Clears countertops effectively
Maisons du Monde
High wardrobes with compartments
Organised long-term storage
Conforama
High shelving works well in studios and narrow living rooms when shelves reach the cornice or ceiling. According to Le Journal de la Maison, custom or modular units avoid wasted depth and improve access.
Ceiling and overhead options:
- Mezzanine platforms for sleeping or storage when height allows
- Shallow display ledges above doors for small objects
- Hanging rails in kitchens to free counters
« Living in a 22-square-metre studio taught me to use shelves up to the ceiling, and the result felt instantly bigger »
Anna P.
Choose multifunction pieces: integrate seating and storage in small apartments
Following vertical optimisation, multifunction furniture multiplies usable functions without expanding the footprint. These pieces allow living areas to convert quickly between day and night uses while keeping surfaces clean.
Canapés convert into beds and wall beds fold to reveal desks, offering flexible spatial programming. Selon Le Journal de la Maison, a well-chosen sofa-bed or wall bed produces major practical gains.
Multifunction furniture options:
- High-quality sofa-bed with integrated storage and reliable mattress
- Extending dining consoles that fold against the wall when unused
- Vertical wall beds with desk or couch on the visible face
- Ottomans and benches with internal compartments for textiles
Convertible seating and beds often pair comfort with hidden storage to reduce visible clutter and increase comfort. Many mainstream brands such as IKEA, Conforama and Maisons du Monde carry robust, budget-friendly options for small budgets in 2025.
Brands and examples:
Type
Function
Recommended brands
Sofa-bed with storage
Day seating, night sleeping, textile storage
IKEA, La Redoute Intérieurs
Extending console table
Compact dining or work surface
Maisons du Monde, Fly
Vertical wall bed
Instant room conversion, integrated desk
Conforama, Alinea
Storage ottoman
Seating plus hidden compartment
Habitat, AM.PM
« My sofa-bed with hidden drawers made weekend guests easy to host without losing living space »
Marc L.
Amplify light and colour: maximise brightness with mirrors and soft palettes
After refining furniture choice, lighting and colour complete the enlargement effect through perception and reflection. Thoughtful illumination keeps sightlines open while creating a pleasant atmosphere for daily life.
Use sheer curtains, mirrors, and layered artificial lighting to enhance depth without cluttering corners. Selon Le Journal de la Maison, combining natural light with reflective surfaces reliably increases perceived volume.
Lighting strategies:
- Sheer linen curtains to preserve daylight and privacy
- Strategic mirrors opposite windows to double light reflection
- Layered LEDs for ambient, task and accent lighting
- Warm-toned bulbs to maintain a welcoming atmosphere
Lighting strategies often pair with small fixtures integrated into furniture for task lighting and comfort. Designers at Habitat and AM.PM have promoted modular LED fittings that sit discreetly in narrow spaces.
Colours and textures to open interiors:
- Soft pastel walls and pale wood floors for seamless surfaces
- Single accent textiles to introduce depth without visual clutter
- Minimalist galleries or thin shelves to avoid heavy frames
« The mezzanine doubled our usable surface and the large mirror made the whole room feel calm and expansive »
Sophie R.
For practical demonstrations, watch targeted videos on small-space lighting and colour choices before selecting fixtures. The short clips below provide step-by-step setups and brand examples for quick replication.
Colour selection and styling tutorials clarify palette choices and texture mixes for small interiors. These visual guides help choose paints, wallpapers and textiles that match multifunctional furniture and existing pieces.
« Multifunction furniture saved our small flat, and choosing light tones made every corner feel intentional »
Tom B.
Small-space design becomes both practical and personal by combining vertical storage, adaptable furniture, and bright, soft finishes. The next practical step is to choose one area to adapt first and measure the immediate benefits.
Source : La rédaction, « 18 astuces déco qui donnent une impression d’espace », Le Journal de la Maison, 21/08/2019.
