Just 18 m² and a whole world of colors! This micro-apartment in Krakow's Salwator proves that small can really do a lot. Designed by Magdalena Pasiak of the BoCo? studio, the space is an explosion of colors, functionality and creative solutions. Here you'll find a full-fledged kitchen, a living area with a bedroom function, a bathroom hidden in a closet and lots of clever tricks that optically enlarge the interior. However, it's the colors that play first fiddle here - powder pink, intense red, juicy green and sunny yellow create an energetic mix, where every inch has been used ingeniously. If you are looking for inspiration on how to furnish a small apartment, this project will be a real mine of ideas for you!
18 m² of clever design and good energy
It is only less than 20 square meters, but it accommodated everything you need for a comfortable life. The studio apartment in Krakow's Salwator district, designed by architect Magdalena Pasiak of BoCo? studio, is a display of creativity, courage and a perfect sense of proportion. Despite the microscopic square footage, it was possible to create here a space that is functional, cheerful and surprisingly spacious. What's more, it' s colorful and full of individual character. This is a project that proves that the square footage does not have to define the quality of life, and limitations can be the starting point for unconventional solutions. Here, every centimeter has been carefully thought out, and the interior - despite its small scale - tells a big story. What does this story look like? It starts with pastel fronts, contrasting details and a few surprises waiting to be discovered.
All household appliances have been cleverly hidden behind the fronts
Photo by DEKORIALOVE Anna Laskowska
A space that works on many levels
In such a small apartment, every centimeter counts, which is why multifunctional solutions were used here, combining practicality with unobvious aesthetics. The kitchen has been integrated with the entrance hall, creating a compact and cohesive entrance area. The annex flows seamlessly into the main room that serves as a living room and bedroom. Such a procedure allows to obtain an impression of spaciousness and openness - key in the case of micro-apartments. From the threshold, the attention is drawn to the corner closet reaching the ceiling, designed to maximize the use of the vertical. This is not only a capacious storage space, but also a clever camouflage. Inside the built-in, the door leading to the bathroom is hidden, avoiding visual chaos and maintaining a unified interior aesthetic. The development also serves as a pavilion, where there was room for a washer-dryer and other technical elements that are usually difficult to hide in such a small space. The whole has been worked out with attention to proportions, rhythm of divisions and colors, thanks to which the development does not overwhelm, but even adds lightness and character to the interior.
The closet hides the entrance to the bathroom
Photo: DEKORIALOVE Anna Laskowska
A built-in that makes a difference
A full-fledged kitchen with an oven, refrigerator and dishwasher was accommodated in such a small space. However, all appliances were cleverly hidden behind the fronts, so they do not disturb the harmony of the space. The kitchen cabinet was designed with the idea that it would be visible from any point in the apartment, so it had to be not only functional, but also decorative. The result? A feria of colors that catches the eye and adds energy to the interior. The lower cabinets took on a powder pink hue. The upper ones surprise with a bold palette: from yellow to green to dark raspberry.
- Here a nod to Mr. Wojtek the carpenter, who with unwavering patience supported the design process of the development with his technical knowledge," recalls architect Magdalena Pasiak.
Thanks to his work, the furniture development was perfected to the smallest detail. It's also a nod to craftsmanship and the importance of good cooperation in creating tailor-made interiors.
The upper cabinets surprise with a bold palette: from yellow, to green, to dark raspberry
Photo by DEKORIALOVE Anna Laskowska
Design with character and a personal touch
This colorful patchwork forms the backdrop for the focal point of the kitchen - a round green table set with two red chairs. Despite the contrasting colors, the whole does not give the impression of being haphazard - on the contrary, the composition is carefully thought out and consistent in its diversity. The table performs not only a practical function, but also becomes the visual center of the apartment, a place for meetings, work and relaxation. Above it hangs the works of artist Carla Petelski - graphic, bold and colorful in relation to the rest of the interior. Thanks to them, the space gains a personal touch and an artistic flair, which emphasizes the author's unusual atmosphere of the apartment. It is such details that create the impression that each element has its own meaning and place. A great role in creating the character of the interior was also played by accessories. Colorful glass, bowls with spherical forms and fancy lamps perfectly complemented this unique arrangement. All the elements were chosen sensitively, but without excessive seriousness.
Above the table hung works by artist Carla Petelski
Photo: DEKORIALOVE Anna Laskowska
Intense colors in a small space
The living area, i.e. the living room combined with the bedroom, surprises with the intensity of colors. The red sofa bed, although it may seem a surprising choice, in fact, perfectly harmonizes with the orange closet. This combination of colors becomes the foundation of a dynamic space, in which every corner is full of energy and character. Strong accents also appear in other places, together creating a lively, dynamic composition. This interior is not afraid of colors - on the contrary, it treats them as the main means of expression. Each of these elements is like an accent in a picture, which together with the others create a coherent but vivid composition. It is thanks to these bold accents that the space becomes full of dynamism, and at the same time cozy.
The red sofa bed perfectly harmonizes with the orange closet
Photo: DEKORIALOVE Anna Laskowska
Bathroom full of contrasts
Red can also be found in the bathroom. Although the entire arrangement is based on the classic combination of white and black, the intensely red cabinet under the sink and the door in the same color immediately catch the eye. These are bold accents that add character to the interior, while at the same time surprising when combined with more subdued elements. However, it is worth noting how the red harmonizes with other elements of the space. Green flooring laid in a classic herringbone pattern provides a striking contrast, but also adds finesse and coziness to the arrangement. The juxtaposition of green and red makes the bathroom more dynamic, while at the same time acquiring a subtle elegance. The cabinet over the toilet, although white and blending in with the wall, is equipped with round red handles, another element that introduces color. The shower walls are white, and the shower enclosure itself is made of clear glass. As a result, the design does not overwhelm the small space. They are contrasted by a black shower faucet, the clarity of which introduces another element of intriguing color play.
The white enclosure over the toilet was equipped with round red handles
Photo: DEKORIALOVE Anna Laskowska
It is also worth noting other details that build the atmosphere in this space. The black, large, expressive countertop washbasin is a strong point in the arrangement, and the interesting rounded mirror subtly emphasizes its shape. In addition, above it is a light fixture shaped to resemble milk glass bulbs. It's a detail that brings an industrial touch to the interior. The entire bathroom is a space that perfectly combines contrasting colors, functionality and subtle elegance. The red, though intense, has been cleverly balanced by subdued elements of white and black, as well as interesting details such as a gently rounded mirror and unique lighting. This is an interior that, despite its small size, is full of character, harmony and coziness.
The black, large, expressive countertop washbasin is a strong point of the arrangement
Photo: DEKORIALOVE Anna Laskowska
Thoughtful design that changes a small interior
It would seem that 18 square meters is definitely not enough to create a comfortable and interesting interior. However, the project of the BoCo? studio shows that even such a small space can surprise with functionality and character. The key is a well-thought-out concept, skillful use of every centimeter and a bold approach to colors and forms. Bespoke cabin etry , clever carpentry solutions and multifunctional furniture make the space work at full capacity. At the same time, however, it does not lose its lightness. On the contrary - the colors add freshness to it, and the playful play of geometries and textures brings an artistic, almost scenographic flair to the interior. The result is an apartment that not only meets all daily needs, but also impresses with style and energy. Every inch has been used not only practically, but also intriguingly. It's more than a studio apartment - it's a colorful microcosm where everyday life takes on color.
Clever solutions made it possible to create a functional interior in a small area
Photo: DEKORIALOVE Anna Laskowska
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Compiled by:KATARZYNA SZOSTAK
