Marko is a graphic designer. He works in London and Paris. He lives in micro-apartments in both metropolises - and loves it. Urbanisation, globalisation and new work concepts mean that micro-apartments are in high demand internationally. The residential trend appeals to many different target groups. This is because micro-apartments are centrally located, functional, offer living comfort and are affordable for a single household. The small flats create space for many people in heavily populated metropolises and cities. Due to increasing urbanisation and the extremely high demand for one-bedroom flats, micro-apartments are in tune with the times. The residential concept is also becoming increasingly popular among investors. What do micro-apartments offer, how comfortable can living in just a few square metres be and what tips and tricks are there for interior design?
What is it actually like to live in micro-apartments?
Micro-apartments are an increasingly sought-after niche product on the German property market. While in this country the term micro-apartments is usually only associated with living spaces for students, "micro-living" in the world's metropolises has surprisingly great advantages for every age group. Micro-apartments can follow different living concepts, but they all have certain characteristics: they consist of just one room, they are between 14 and 35 square metres in size, they are centrally located and they are well connected to public transport.
In addition, and this is what distinguishes them from tiny houses, micro-apartments are part of an entire residential complex, which in turn consists of micro-apartments. The differences between individual micro-apartments are mostly conceptual. For example, there are some that specialise in a social and sustainable lifestyle. In co-living, the focus is on the networking of all residents. In addition to living space, there are communal sports facilities, cinemas, libraries, lounges and car-sharing stations in the building complex. The second concept category of micro-apartments is more service-orientated. Here, cleaning and laundry services, Wi-Fi access and integrated furnishings contribute to increased living comfort.
From West to East: Forward-looking practical examples
In a metropolis like New York City, where rents have no limit, affordable micro-apartments are particularly sought-after. One award-winning micro-apartment project is the "Carmel Place" in New York City. The complex was designed by the Brooklyn-based architectural firm nARCHITECTS. It is a modular building with seven to ten storeys.
The living spaces are between 22 and 33 square metres in size and impress with their bright, functional and minimalist design. Tables can be extended or raised and cupboards can be transformed into sofas or beds. The white tones, light-coloured wood and floor-to-ceiling windows make the rooms appear larger. Carmel Place has a fitness and gaming room as well as a lounge with access to the roof terrace. There is also a social club that organises activities for the residents. Guests can also benefit from the Hello Alfredo housekeeping service.
On the other side of the world, the residential building "LIFE" residential building in the trendy Gangnam neighbourhood in the capital of South Korea. It is 16 storeys high and houses 140 micro-apartments. The architect Ian Lee in collaboration with the co-working agency Fastfive to create a sustainable and timeless interior design for the 16 to 23 square metre flats. The flats should be cosy and comfortable, but at the same time offer space for the residents' personalities.
To achieve these goals, the micro-apartments are predominantly made of birch wood and translucent materials. This makes living with a view of the city feel like living in a cosy urban tree house. To reinforce the co-living concept for the residents, the LIFE residential complex integrates various communal spaces, such as co-working spaces, a lounge, a sports area, a roof terrace and a communal kitchen. The house staff plan weekly events and themed evenings for a dynamic and connected community.
Tips and tricks for designing small rooms
- Utilise the entire height of the room. Large mirrors, windows and doors visually enlarge the room. In micro-apartments, it is also a good idea to install a mezzanine for a loft bed and particularly high shelves or cupboards.
- Stay flexible with the furnishings. There is now specially designed furniture for small rooms. For example, the electronic living module "Ori". It is a workstation, wardrobe, bed and sofa in one. Think space-saving in general.
- The targeted use of light can visually enlarge any room, however small, by a few square metres. Floor-to-ceiling windows, several light sources distributed throughout the room to illuminate the walls and ceilings and as many light-coloured and translucent materials as possible can help.
- Create structure and depth. Visual partitions with room dividers or sliding doors with glass cut-outs can add depth to a small room. This immediately makes it appear more organised and larger.
Innovative living with SmartDOORS
Furnishing small flats efficiently and tastefully is one of the special challenges of interior design. GARANT supplies the right door solutions for this task: The sliding glass doors or the sliding doors with glass cut-outs are room-high with the corresponding translucent vestibule elements, achieve spatial depth, brighten up any room and are flexible and space-saving. Sliding doors that slide into the wall when opened even create additional space.
Digital access systems are particularly impressive in multi-storey residential building complexes. Keys are a thing of the past here: Tenants' and owners' flat entrance doors can be managed centrally via the KIWI portal and thus opened using a transponder, smartphone, tablet or PC. Temporary access, for example for tradespeople or family members, can also be controlled individually by the tenant or owner or the housing centre.
Here you can find all information about our smart door system.
Further links:
https://www.garant.de/produkte/innentueren/schiebetueren.html
https://www.garant.de/produkte/produktbroschueren.html
Smart flat entrance door? That's for sure! With the SmartDOORS.