The decision to create a separate toilet will guarantee a better resale price in France. Culturally, they value a separate bathroom and toilet very highly.
@@MultiElodiee One of his intermediate designs had a toilet in a tiny room without a sink which seemed an oversight: one must always wash hands after using the toilet!
I can not fathom why. Having two doors between the toilet and the sink is disgusting. Edit: I see Daniel's doesn't do this, but having been to many French houses this is the norm and having the little sink is the exception.
I wish this separate toilet layout was a more common feature in other countries like the US. This would make it so much easier to share a bathroom with a partner or housemates!
Wow, Daniel - you took us through a design option journey, explaining pros and cons along the way. Awesome, that. And the end result is perfect for the space. If possible, please keep your viewers informed how renovations to this space are made (by the owner) as it would be amazing to see the final result. Class A work!!!
As a french person, I must say I've lived in apartments like these all my life, this layout is so standard here. So cool to see how much more functional and pleasant they all could be.
A bed in a niche like that is a nightmare to make. Although the island solution seems fine from the side of the kitchen, it feels claustrophobic from the living area side. Perhaps clothing storage near the bathroom makes sense, but it would be better to have some place to at least hang clothes as one gets into bed.
@@helensini9987 put the bed on wheels? That would enable pulling it into the living area to change the sheets. Another option, if the ceiling height is high enough, would be to hoist it above the sofa.
@@MultiElodiee They don't need to be in that apartment for the rest of their lives. This an apartment for young adulthood. They can sell it and buy something different when they're older. This is the perfect solution for the present and the near future.
@@MultiElodieeI agree. Daniel mentioned aiming to future proof the apartment and a bed that's difficult to change doesn't fit that aim for me. Also, he talked about the issues with the practicality of having a murphy bed and fold down desk. This was replaced by a kitchen always on show and a large island in the middle of the living space. I suspect he could tweak the kitchen design to allow for space down the side of the bed for easier access. Creating a bedroom is definitely the way to go, but I'm not sure an open plan living space is too. Personally I would like a way to screen off the kitchen from the rest of the living space. Not a wall, but a room divider of some kind. Hope Daniel does more videos like this. Architec Gemma Whelan has a chanel that does a similar thing.
another bedroom option: using the original floor plan: gut the kitchen and you have a bedroom, then put kitchen units along the wall that backs up against the bathroom: the most minimal changes with max effect.
When occupied by an older person, could have a bed on wheels to pull out to change sheets, or have that task done by family or maid/caregiver. Many elderly are more agile than you give them credit for.😊
I have lived in Paris for several years and was interesting to watch this video to see a perspective of a designer who doesn't live in a french capital. Nice job and ideas, was a lot of work to come to a final solution! Living in Paris I can give some impressions: this studio is already a good size, there's a lot of studios available of the size 13-25 m2. :) The size 34 m2 gives enough of space to have a washing mashine inside, this is something luxurious in Paris and laundries are horrible. As someone stated before: the space in kitchen was meant for the washing mashine, this kind of small aparment rarely have dish washer. Living in Paris also means to meet people for dinner and spending a lot of time outside, so washing mashing is more important than a dish washer. My bathroom didn't have any window and was a no-go, the mould was there and color scratching from the wall. I had to buy some kind a "moisture catcher" object (parisian apartments are very old and have a bad isolation). Island was a nice solution and it's quite trendy, as for hosting, people tent to put everything to the wall and have enough space to move arund and to switch in chatting with several people. How do you change the bed linen in such a small space? White kitchen color gives the impression of a bigger space so was the right choice. All in all, was interesting to see how your ideas changed and all the useful possibilities (like - the table you mention would probably stay unfolded and would block the way). This practical point is top. The apartment looks fresh and il would be much easier to sell than the initial layout. Looking forward to see other studio redesigns.
I too live in a 1 bedroom apartment, no room for a dishwasher and I don't need one. There is a Spanish woman on the ground floor who has a very small one, I think she lives on her own so has more space, I have a partner. Getting the linen and clothes dry in the winter months is the time that I dread.
You could go even further : It's rare to find a bed bigger than 140x190cm in Paris, so you could even downsize your queen bed. It's also rare to have kitchen islands in such small spaces ; I find it's and English and American obsession that French people do not have. That space in the middle of the apartment can be used for parties ;)
Yes. This is exactly what I thought. Also the washer/dryer closet is something I think is very US. Also a single sofa and a TV. I would prefer a bigger work space and a huge TV can be replaced by a small projector for movie nights. Smaller fridge and microwaves are also common, as as bigger gas stove. It is very interesting how cultural norms shape our interiors. But the layout is spot on.
I really don’t care for that island as it takes up too much valuable floor space. I think it would be important to understand the client to know if he cooks and entertains. That sized dining room table seems excessively large for essentially a studio apartment.
I also didn't like the kitchen island. I found it too bulky & consumes space. I would make it a movable island (on wheels) so that I could move it to the side if I wanted more space. Though I'm glad he didn't put the sink on the island, across the stove. Having sink & stove across each other (I've seen it in many US homes) is bad feng shui.
It's really curious to me that europeans have smaller appliances to start with. The size of the microwave would be a small oven here 😇 And a big full fridge for a single person seems a bit excessive - though if he finds a partner or cooks a lot, that's fine. We need smaller fridges here because tend to buy groceries more often - one to three times a week 😉 Only a small % of people have a dryer in their apartment - if you have a big family it's a must, but for single people it's really rare. The washer is mostly anywhere stored where there's a small nook and still access to water. I'd prefer a pantry in the place where he put the washer - if we don't have a kitchen island more storage us needed. The balcony could come in handy too, air dried clothes are the best - and it's better for the environment 😅. The bed I'm not sure about - it should at least be 160cm wide I think. If you're a student a 140 bed is fine, but if you own the apartment I wouldn't skimp there. I also don't really like the kitchen island in the middle - I'd prefer small, easily movable furniture - that can be even moved to the balcony. And a real desk is a must I think, if he works from home. So either a big dining table or the big sofa has to go... 🙃
Of course, you have all the water and sewage connections, a large bathroom allows you to have a washing machine. You can also knock down the wall to the living room and make a bar which gives you more work space for the kitchen and is useful for having guests. It is cheaper and better.
I got emotional when the renders came up. Daniel you definitely can create the most beautiful and functional spaces, but never forgetting the person's history and way of life. The grandfather's artwork add me. This is my favourite series on this platform no doubt.
I learned that in fashion history. The french doors accommodated the pannier gowns popular at that time,(17-18 century) so the ladies didn't have to enter rooms sideways fun fact
I have an almost identical layout apartment and I was stunned when yours started to look exactly like mine the way I totally gutted and redesigned my own apartment. Although mine doesn’t have the centre island bench. I think that shouldn’t be there as it’s such a tiny space it will free the space up without it
I think you could have made more space by using a Japanese style toilet with the basin over the cistern, this would also better future proof the apartment by re using grey water. A loft bed would also have leave more space at ground level for either a sofa or a desk/ table if the ceilings are high enough
For that small a kitchen, and assuming as a studio there would be no more than two people living there, I would find an under the counter size refrigerator/freezer. A dishwasher seems like a superfluity in so small a space.
I love how you give several options with different price points. This give ideas without limiting future needs or changes. Beautifully done. Thank you.
I have to say that my first thought when I saw the floorplan was swap the kitchen and the bathroom and open the kitchen to the rest of the apartment. Glad you got there in the end. Love the bed nook.
I have no experience with interior design whatsoever, but I absolutely love this series and I hope to use some of your insight when I get a home of my own in the future!
I LOVE this! And it’s so interesting to watch you go through ideas and try different things. I feel like so many videos just show a polished version but not the ten other concepts that were considered. It’s insightful to see why the other layouts were a no.
Wow, blown away yet again. I hope they get to see this one through. Truly amazing work Daniel. The amount of thought and intention you put behind each decision really shows.
As someone who has lived in old buildings in small apartments like this most of my life I have a lot of issues with this. Those old parket floors are horrendous. The little slats come lose and tilt, nails start sticking out and cleaning them with a mop just leaves your mop shredded. The space in the kitchen was not for a dishwasher but for a washing machine. Going to the laundromat in big cities like this is expensive and a horrible experience. No washing machine is bad. Sleeping right against the window is horrible. It will always feel drafty even with new windows in winter and horribly hot in summer. The bathrooms needs a window because the airvents in these old buildings are crap. There will be mold there in a few months. Living in such a small apartment having a separate kitchen is a godsend because when you cook something in such a small space, especially fish or currys the entire studio will stink of it and the smell can even creep into your furniture and clothes. The small space next to the bathroom was ideal for brooms and trash. Creating more storage in the kitchen would have been ideal. Also where is this person going to put their clothes? In such a small space there is no need for a dining table AND a desk. You use the same table for both.
I LOVE seeing all these iterations of your ideas. It's very inspiring to see that brilliant ideas don't always just come in a flash of inspiration, but are often the result of many hours' painstaking work trying this here or that there. It's always heartening to see that sometimes a good idea is still a good idea, even if it's not used in the end, because sometimes it's just not the best idea for that space/client/lifestyle. Thank you for sharing your very creative ideas and solutions with us.
I like the final plan, but with one huge exception - the queen-sized bed in the niche. Crawling in and out of bed on hands and knees would wear thin quickly, and changing the sheets would be awkward. Cabinets above the bed would be difficult to access. The drapes/blinds in that big window would probably be left closed most of the time, reducing the natural light in the room. A single or three-quarter bed would make it less of a problem for a solitary occupant. Rather than the bed, I'd be inclined to put my work station in the niche, with bookcases/storage along the blank wall. I do love adding the kitchen to the living space!
Love that you take your thought process and share it with your viewers. I think your decision from original changes you discussed to the final is perfect given the constraints of light, build cost etc. My question is that do you need a large table to entertain 10 in a small space? The island could be designed as a table /desk height and a wall unit /tv on the wall where the dining table would be positioned. Just my 2cents as I have these same challenges. Thanks for going to the lengths you go too to elaborate on the design process. Cheers
WOW!!! This is sooo clever!!! I love it!!! Please continue the series as we also live in a small space with a toddler and making small apartments like this works is very inspiring and comforting for me especially when I’m running into things and finding myself can’t breathe 😂
A single video highlighed SO MANY differences in the way we use our homes it's mind-blowing. I've never used a kitchen island and wouldn't even think to have it in a larger home, nevermind squeezing it in a tiny flat. On the other hand, I'm fond of dining on a small table in a small kitchen. Also, entertaining guests on a formal dining table is absolutely no priority - if I ever having more than 3 friends over, I'd preferred a larger sofa taking that space. A table is something reminiscing of boring extended family gatherings where nobody feels relaxed. I'm glad that murphy bed didn't make it in the final design. It sounds good in design but if you have a place for a furniture that doesn't need flipping every day, do have this furniture. I'm really fed up with having to shelf all the linens and folding-unfolding the sofa everyday before and after sleeping for ten years. Washing machine goes into bathroom, and I will die on that hill. And finally, I admit I don't know French building code, but where I live it's strictly forbidden to have a gas stove in the only living room. Unless you wall off the bed nook it would be considered a health hazard and have to be undone.
@@Alicia-ij6gt some places are much further in said future, while where I live, diversification of energy sources is still a useful habit, because power outages still happen now and then
@@kkkender which is why having solar power and a battery insulates you from local transmission problems. It is possible that people will be able to use their EV cars as a house battery.
@@Alicia-ij6gt not in my area, that's arctic so half a year it's weak sun and the other half it's polar night. EV cars can't stand the temperatures. Some people just live where nature didn't intend us to :)
In the last floor plan all I was thinking about was where are the toilet users supposed to wash their hands?! But then the renders had that slender sink in the toilet room and all my concerns faded. Amazing job. Architects are absolutely under appreciated. The magic you guys can work (while certainly not cheap) is incredible.
Nice design, though I would have another suggestion, what might be much easier and might give a much better value. The kitchen seams to be big enough to turn into a proper bedroom and by halfing the toilet and incorporating into the part with the window a small kitchen you would have a proper 1 bed and living room apartment. Keep up the good job. Cheers George
Yes but the place would still feel cramped, and you would have to put the bed under the window facing the door and you cannot put anything else in the room resulting in dead space
I've admired you for a long time. Although this project was quite difficult, don't give up. You are the light that guides and inspires us, and you have more preparation than us to do a phenomenal job.
I think there is one more option, although your setup is the best, for a budget version. I would turn the kitchen in to a closed bedroom, leave the bathroom as is, and build the kitchen on the shared bathroom wall towards the living space. This would be far more budget friendly than your final remodel while still going a long way to optimize. Yes the living room would feel more cramped than your design but for someone who doesn't have 100K for a full remodel my solution could probably come out at 1/4 to 1/5 that price. Thanks for the enjoyable content. Perhaps reclaiming the windows from the bathroom as you did while shrinking it and adding that L space to the kitchen could also work if a larger budget is available.
One on the best video i've seen on this channel. As a interior design student, your thoughts and the process you're going through while figuring out the best solutions is really inspiring. Thank you for explaining and showing us the whole process and not just the end idea. You are a great architect !
You're a design magician, brilliant re-invention of the space. And thank you for sharing your thought process too, that was fascinating and very instructive. 🙏
I enjoy your detailed description of how you so effectively modified this space to add expanded use and flexibility. Any time I see that you have a new video, I happily watch it. Thanks for the inspiration.
Really beautiful. Only the new bedroom-area bugs me. I find a couple of lost opportunities here. By leaving out the middle third of the storage over the bed, one could have put a door to the bathroom in. That die could be cushioned, so that one or two people could sit there in the morning and look outside the window. Over the cushioning, a small window could have allowed some natural light into the bathroom. Finally, over the door, one could still have some storage or another window. I don't know if going after the outer walls was an option, but putting a door to the balcony directly next to the bed would be gorgeous. By putting plants and storage as a separator in the middle of the balcony, you would effectively have two different balconies without the claustrophobic tightness of passing between boxes and the balustrade. This would turn the bedroom into a place to enjoy. To allow access to the bedroom- balcony from the living room, you could put another balcony door opposite the washer-dryer. That door would have its lower half white and poly is upper half glass. You could install shutters that anchor in the window frames outside and curtains that give a bit of privacy inside.
man what a great video, i just love these insights so much. I am just a hobbyist when it comes to interior architecture, but your videos give me so much inspiration! Thanks 🫶
...the best move imho with the least amount of hassle and most privacy would be to convert the kitchen into a bedroom and then have a linear kitchen in the living room. No knocking walls...and a separate bedroom.
This is a nice design. Wouldn't it be more practical to have combined a desk/dining table and use a wall-mounted 4K TV as a monitor & art display? This would give more desktop working space. The folding desk built into the TV cabinet raises the question of the weight of the folding desk surface if you're using a heavy counter surface like quartz instead of a light-weight laminate countertop. Also, on the side of the sofa, couldn't you include a nice file cabinet that could serve as a place for a lamp or rest a cup of tea, etc. Having storage for work items like pens, a wireless keyboard, etc. seems missing from the current design. In the bed nook, the floating cabinet extend slightly over the bed. Wouldn't the cabinet be a hazard for bumping one's head when sitting up in bed? Additionally, accessing the floating cabinets would be awkward because one would need to stand on the bed. Finally, please consider getting away from using Ikea furniture, etc. It's become boring, if not banal, to see the same solutions used repeatedly in your designs.
I love this channel! Thanks for sharing your design process. It gives me so much inspiration! For this apartment I have two comments. As a 60 year old, I would definitely want to step in&out of bed instead of climbing and crawlin from the end. This would be solved if one can live with twin bed in the bedroom. My other comment is that there is really no need for a vanity in the shower room. I think I would swithch the toilet and the shower. Maybe then the laundry area can also fit in the toilet room and leave space for a great closet next to the bedroom . I can definitely see my self livjng in this apartment. Your comments on transforming furniture is true, they usually get stuck in one set up. Having a fixed bed and out of sight while using up minimal space is priceless. Great design!
Watched this 2 times to catch everything he said and showed. Brilliant! In my next life I want to be an architect. Sooo inspiring. I love this series. You’re a master
I really love this type of videos and hope to keep seeing them coming. I also loved that we got to see how you went through your different ideas before arriving at the final one.
Oh man I love the idea of the kitchen counter wrapping around into the work area. And the fold out desk? Chef’s kiss But the final concept was truly the most optimal. Love how you materialized it visually. It was so cinematic.
As soon as I saw the floorplan I thought about exactly what you did, with the exception of separating the bathroom and the toilet. I would not add a kitchen island, but maybe some sort of island on wheels with storage. An apartment this size does not need that much kitchen space and even less a full size fridge and a dishwasher. You also don't need a proper desk, I would rather work from my dinning kitchen than having a desk that you still need to pull down every day after work.
Great video. Lovely final design, so much light. Two concerns. That bed is going to be an absolute cow to change the sheets on, and therefore a bachelor is likely to do it less often. Secondly, fat and grease form the stovetop will splatter onto the floor to the bedroom with every use. A potential hazard unless constantly well cleaned.
I considered skipping to the end just to see the results but I'm so glad I didn't. I ended up watching the whole thing and I really learned a lot about why you did what you did. Excellent. Love the finished product.
Very thoughtful. Crafting the space around building a life. I like that there are different stages the owner can move through as he earns funds. That seems how it should be…gradually improving our homes over a lifetime.
Yessss I love this series! The design is a brilliant solution... and I love that you shared the reality of the process with things not quite working along the way :)
Bruh... I'd put a kitchen in the living room, move the bedroom where the kitchen is, and voila! No need to throw down walls, just some pipework, and suddenly you have a 1 bed flat
One of my most favourite series on UA-cam. Your redesigns are always so inspiring, functional and beautiful ❤️ This one in particular was interesting with the different layout options you covered! Thanks for another great video!
this is a really worth while set of new spaces - that little bedroom nook is fantastic, you could even put a door up. I live in a studio and oh boy do you long for a bedroom.
The new layout is great with a few amendments. IMO you don't have enough storage. The cabinets above the bed would be a big "no , no" for me, and definitely they wouldn't be enough storage for a woman. (The entry closet doesn't help much; it is just enough for a few coats, plus cleaning equipment). Since you've already moved the water and gas supply significantly you can totally relocate the kitchen. I would do storage on the entire width and length of the living room in an L-shape in the prolongation of the hallway. I would keep the dining area where it is, but with bench sitting flanked by tall storage cabinets. I would have the kitchen and all the other storage on the length of the living room, maybe with narrower cabinets. My sofa would sit with the back to my new kitchen, across from the wall where now you have the kitchenette. The wall with the kitchenette would now have a very long and narrow desk with closed storage high above for books and files, and a screen for a projector, with two swivel chairs, that could be turned towards the sofa creating also a conversation area. I would put my sofa legs on wheels or felt, so I can push it easily away from the kitchen countertop while working. I personally don't like seeing either the bed or the kitchen while sitting on my sofa.
I LOOOOOVE how you think about space. Ugh. One of these days I’m gonna get my stuff together so I can submit my apartment for entry to be redesigned. It’s a lot of steps lol, but you’re my fave UA-cam architect.
We’ve own a small home for 28yrs, that we recently renovated. I loved this video because we got lucky and found a draftsman who could give us a proper open concept in a small footprint that didn’t break the bank, was practical but also beautiful. PS thanks for saying “joinery”. I’m American, my husband is Aussie and we had the “cabinet” vs “joinery” debate during our remodel 😂
The remodeling of the house is really interesting ! Lots of great idea. I really like that you somehow found a way to fit a bedroom, even though making the bed and cleaning the area would make it absolutely tedious. The most disliked part for me is the pseudo kitchen island/ desk. This furniture is for WAY bigger homes. In a small appartment like this one I feel like it definitely stick out and overpower the room. For me, whose don't really watch TV, having a big kitchen Island as a view when I'm chilling on the sofa looks like a real bummer... Hell... even having a kitchen as a view sucks. With all that being said, still, thank you so much for your work, it always give us so many insight ! Don't let my critics get you down, you do good job !
I really like the new design of the apartement. After your first Idea I also thought, that there is more potential in this flat. And you did it! The only thing I dont like is this "movig TV" cause its predestined to get broken. The better Idea in my opinion is an projector and a projector screen. When its placed in front of a window and if you swapp the kitchen table with the sofa, its better in my opinion.
Oh I love that style of explaining your thought process! I liked the second Idea, with the separate room for a nursery. I thought the whole size of the kitchen could just be used as a separate bedroom, cutting the bathroom shorter and then having the kitchen with a corner cabinet on the balcony side. But without your thought process I would have never thought about that!
Have watched all your works since your London apartment days and I have to say you've outdone yourself this time. Excellent design process and presentation.
What an excellent & sensible redesign. Very much appreciate hearing your logic behind what got changed - and what didn't. For myself, I'd move the microwave oven into the dishwasher's spot & eliminate the fixed kitchen island. If there's room for a half-height dishwasher below the microwave lovely; if not - it's not an essential item for me. I'd add a flip-up counter on the end near the stove (which would also serve the laundry) and a mobile cart with cutting board on it for bench space. That gives more options for the main room's layout - another plus for resale. Overall what you designed is very appealing. I especially like the long sightline from the main room into the bed nook. The perfect spot for a large piece of art.
This was VERY interesting to watch, your thought process of how to best utilise the space. And i love that you consider peoples financial possibilities. It looks like a very good design to me i really like that you were able to find that nook for the queen size bed, and keep the parquet floors- which i love.
I lived in a 200 sqft apartment in a big expensive city for many years I just put a yoga mat in it came back from work, sleep in it and wake up next morning after 6 hours, go back to work now my house is a double story 2000+ sqft per floor in a developing city when i bought it now the city is developed and my new house costs 3 times more than when i bought it now that same 200 sqft apartment room would cost more than my current house at current value no wonder people are sleeping on the streets nowadays
ha! exactly what you ended up designing is what I felt would be the best set up for such a small space....you see, I'm listening when you're busy teaching! Thank you!
I love your work. It’s so inspiring. I’m trying to figure out a move to London and I know it may require me giving up a spacious home for a small apartment - which I’m absolutely fine with. I don’t use most of my house. For this reno - I wanted to swap the bathroom and kitchen too - but didn’t see it that way - that was such an interesting choice. My only thought is - making that bed seems like it would be such a pain in the ass. But what if you did the same layout - and did a Murphy bed - so that it never has to be made - just pulled down at night and put up - and then you could have an additional space to use during daytime as a small office etc.. with more cleverly designed furniture.
Put the W/D in the door swing of the WC, slide the shower to the toilet and integrate the toilet into the bathroom. This lets you remove the utility closet, from the sleeping area, and add a pocket door to the bedroom while making it easier to make the bed.
I really wish you don't abandon this series.. so much more inspiring than any other interior series I can find on youtube
I find the channel Never Too Small to cover similar redesigns!
Try Gemma Wheeler Architecture
Agreed, I think this kind of content sets you apart and makes your channel interesting
I agree. Please don't leave us 😨
it's the kind of series people love indeed
The decision to create a separate toilet will guarantee a better resale price in France. Culturally, they value a separate bathroom and toilet very highly.
Absolutely true. And a small sink in it is even better
@@MultiElodiee One of his intermediate designs had a toilet in a tiny room without a sink which seemed an oversight: one must always wash hands after using the toilet!
I can not fathom why. Having two doors between the toilet and the sink is disgusting.
Edit: I see Daniel's doesn't do this, but having been to many French houses this is the norm and having the little sink is the exception.
I wish this separate toilet layout was a more common feature in other countries like the US. This would make it so much easier to share a bathroom with a partner or housemates!
@@SubaruAficionadohis final design was no sink with the toilet in the same room which was like wtf.
Wow, Daniel - you took us through a design option journey, explaining pros and cons along the way. Awesome, that. And the end result is perfect for the space. If possible, please keep your viewers informed how renovations to this space are made (by the owner) as it would be amazing to see the final result. Class A work!!!
As a french person, I must say I've lived in apartments like these all my life, this layout is so standard here. So cool to see how much more functional and pleasant they all could be.
A bed in a niche like that is a nightmare to make. Although the island solution seems fine from the side of the kitchen, it feels claustrophobic from the living area side. Perhaps clothing storage near the bathroom makes sense, but it would be better to have some place to at least hang clothes as one gets into bed.
@@helensini9987 put the bed on wheels? That would enable pulling it into the living area to change the sheets. Another option, if the ceiling height is high enough, would be to hoist it above the sofa.
Ooooh I like the idea of 3 Tier designs in terms of costs. A renter friendly-budget one, a medium cost, and a "no budget dream flat" type one.
Please keep this series alive!
I would never have thought about the queen sized nook that you created in the second design. Well done! I love these types of videos that you do.
It’ll be difficult to change the sheets though. Imagine that at 80 years old 😮
@@MultiElodiee They don't need to be in that apartment for the rest of their lives. This an apartment for young adulthood. They can sell it and buy something different when they're older. This is the perfect solution for the present and the near future.
@@MultiElodieeI agree. Daniel mentioned aiming to future proof the apartment and a bed that's difficult to change doesn't fit that aim for me. Also, he talked about the issues with the practicality of having a murphy bed and fold down desk. This was replaced by a kitchen always on show and a large island in the middle of the living space. I suspect he could tweak the kitchen design to allow for space down the side of the bed for easier access. Creating a bedroom is definitely the way to go, but I'm not sure an open plan living space is too. Personally I would like a way to screen off the kitchen from the rest of the living space. Not a wall, but a room divider of some kind. Hope Daniel does more videos like this. Architec Gemma Whelan has a chanel that does a similar thing.
another bedroom option: using the original floor plan: gut the kitchen and you have a bedroom, then put kitchen units along the wall that backs up against the bathroom: the most minimal changes with max effect.
When occupied by an older person, could have a bed on wheels to pull out to change sheets, or have that task done by family or maid/caregiver. Many elderly are more agile than you give them credit for.😊
I have lived in Paris for several years and was interesting to watch this video to see a perspective of a designer who doesn't live in a french capital. Nice job and ideas, was a lot of work to come to a final solution! Living in Paris I can give some impressions: this studio is already a good size, there's a lot of studios available of the size 13-25 m2. :) The size 34 m2 gives enough of space to have a washing mashine inside, this is something luxurious in Paris and laundries are horrible. As someone stated before: the space in kitchen was meant for the washing mashine, this kind of small aparment rarely have dish washer. Living in Paris also means to meet people for dinner and spending a lot of time outside, so washing mashing is more important than a dish washer. My bathroom didn't have any window and was a no-go, the mould was there and color scratching from the wall. I had to buy some kind a "moisture catcher" object (parisian apartments are very old and have a bad isolation). Island was a nice solution and it's quite trendy, as for hosting, people tent to put everything to the wall and have enough space to move arund and to switch in chatting with several people. How do you change the bed linen in such a small space? White kitchen color gives the impression of a bigger space so was the right choice. All in all, was interesting to see how your ideas changed and all the useful possibilities (like - the table you mention would probably stay unfolded and would block the way). This practical point is top. The apartment looks fresh and il would be much easier to sell than the initial layout. Looking forward to see other studio redesigns.
I too live in a 1 bedroom apartment, no room for a dishwasher and I don't need one. There is a Spanish woman on the ground floor who has a very small one, I think she lives on her own so has more space, I have a partner. Getting the linen and clothes dry in the winter months is the time that I dread.
You could go even further :
It's rare to find a bed bigger than 140x190cm in Paris, so you could even downsize your queen bed.
It's also rare to have kitchen islands in such small spaces ; I find it's and English and American obsession that French people do not have. That space in the middle of the apartment can be used for parties ;)
Yes. This is exactly what I thought. Also the washer/dryer closet is something I think is very US. Also a single sofa and a TV. I would prefer a bigger work space and a huge TV can be replaced by a small projector for movie nights. Smaller fridge and microwaves are also common, as as bigger gas stove. It is very interesting how cultural norms shape our interiors. But the layout is spot on.
I really don’t care for that island as it takes up too much valuable floor space. I think it would be important to understand the client to know if he cooks and entertains. That sized dining room table seems excessively large for essentially a studio apartment.
I also didn't like the kitchen island. I found it too bulky & consumes space. I would make it a movable island (on wheels) so that I could move it to the side if I wanted more space. Though I'm glad he didn't put the sink on the island, across the stove. Having sink & stove across each other (I've seen it in many US homes) is bad feng shui.
It's really curious to me that europeans have smaller appliances to start with.
The size of the microwave would be a small oven here 😇
And a big full fridge for a single person seems a bit excessive - though if he finds a partner or cooks a lot, that's fine. We need smaller fridges here because tend to buy groceries more often - one to three times a week 😉
Only a small % of people have a dryer in their apartment - if you have a big family it's a must, but for single people it's really rare. The washer is mostly anywhere stored where there's a small nook and still access to water.
I'd prefer a pantry in the place where he put the washer - if we don't have a kitchen island more storage us needed.
The balcony could come in handy too, air dried clothes are the best - and it's better for the environment 😅.
The bed I'm not sure about - it should at least be 160cm wide I think. If you're a student a 140 bed is fine, but if you own the apartment I wouldn't skimp there.
I also don't really like the kitchen island in the middle - I'd prefer small, easily movable furniture - that can be even moved to the balcony. And a real desk is a must I think, if he works from home.
So either a big dining table or the big sofa has to go... 🙃
My first thought was flipping bathroom and kitchen too and then work out the the details. Great outcome!
Of course, you have all the water and sewage connections, a large bathroom allows you to have a washing machine. You can also knock down the wall to the living room and make a bar which gives you more work space for the kitchen and is useful for having guests. It is cheaper and better.
I love how you continued to improve the design even after you have achieved a fairly workable layout.. Thats passion!
This series is the heart and soul of this channel!
pls don't abandon the series I've learnt so much and I keep learning more
I got emotional when the renders came up. Daniel you definitely can create the most beautiful and functional spaces, but never forgetting the person's history and way of life. The grandfather's artwork add me. This is my favourite series on this platform no doubt.
I learned that in fashion history. The french doors accommodated the pannier gowns popular at that time,(17-18 century) so the ladies didn't have to enter rooms sideways fun fact
I have an almost identical layout apartment and I was stunned when yours started to look exactly like mine the way I totally gutted and redesigned my own apartment. Although mine doesn’t have the centre island bench. I think that shouldn’t be there as it’s such a tiny space it will free the space up without it
I think you could have made more space by using a Japanese style toilet with the basin over the cistern, this would also better future proof the apartment by re using grey water. A loft bed would also have leave more space at ground level for either a sofa or a desk/ table if the ceilings are high enough
Wow - I would have gone nuts trying to figure this out - I greatly admire your persistence and critical thinking.
Architects are the ones who shapes our world. Thank you for showing us all that one with creativity and imagination can turn minimum to premium❤.
finally another episode of architect redesigns!! thank you for this
This is the kind of videos I live for.
For that small a kitchen, and assuming as a studio there would be no more than two people living there, I would find an under the counter size refrigerator/freezer. A dishwasher seems like a superfluity in so small a space.
Bravo! So amazing to see how you completely transformed such a small space to make it unique and livable!
I love how you give several options with different price points. This give ideas without limiting future needs or changes.
Beautifully done. Thank you.
I have to say that my first thought when I saw the floorplan was swap the kitchen and the bathroom and open the kitchen to the rest of the apartment. Glad you got there in the end. Love the bed nook.
I have no experience with interior design whatsoever, but I absolutely love this series and I hope to use some of your insight when I get a home of my own in the future!
I LOVE this! And it’s so interesting to watch you go through ideas and try different things. I feel like so many videos just show a polished version but not the ten other concepts that were considered. It’s insightful to see why the other layouts were a no.
Personaly I would kick out tv and that island thing and use dining table as a work desk.
Glad to finally see another episode of redesign. These are your best work, I hope you’ll continue creating them 👍
Please make this series more consistent!
amazing you came up with TWO layout options for this space. truly remarkable.
I really appreciate the transparency, we know that designing on budget its challenging. Keep this series.
Wow, blown away yet again. I hope they get to see this one through. Truly amazing work Daniel. The amount of thought and intention you put behind each decision really shows.
As someone who has lived in old buildings in small apartments like this most of my life I have a lot of issues with this. Those old parket floors are horrendous. The little slats come lose and tilt, nails start sticking out and cleaning them with a mop just leaves your mop shredded. The space in the kitchen was not for a dishwasher but for a washing machine. Going to the laundromat in big cities like this is expensive and a horrible experience. No washing machine is bad. Sleeping right against the window is horrible. It will always feel drafty even with new windows in winter and horribly hot in summer. The bathrooms needs a window because the airvents in these old buildings are crap. There will be mold there in a few months. Living in such a small apartment having a separate kitchen is a godsend because when you cook something in such a small space, especially fish or currys the entire studio will stink of it and the smell can even creep into your furniture and clothes. The small space next to the bathroom was ideal for brooms and trash. Creating more storage in the kitchen would have been ideal. Also where is this person going to put their clothes? In such a small space there is no need for a dining table AND a desk. You use the same table for both.
I feel like the dining table for 8 people was especially unnecessary, most younger people would rather go out to eat than host dinner parties
I LOVE seeing all these iterations of your ideas. It's very inspiring to see that brilliant ideas don't always just come in a flash of inspiration, but are often the result of many hours' painstaking work trying this here or that there. It's always heartening to see that sometimes a good idea is still a good idea, even if it's not used in the end, because sometimes it's just not the best idea for that space/client/lifestyle. Thank you for sharing your very creative ideas and solutions with us.
I like the final plan, but with one huge exception - the queen-sized bed in the niche. Crawling in and out of bed on hands and knees would wear thin quickly, and changing the sheets would be awkward. Cabinets above the bed would be difficult to access. The drapes/blinds in that big window would probably be left closed most of the time, reducing the natural light in the room. A single or three-quarter bed would make it less of a problem for a solitary occupant. Rather than the bed, I'd be inclined to put my work station in the niche, with bookcases/storage along the blank wall. I do love adding the kitchen to the living space!
Love that you take your thought process and share it with your viewers. I think your decision from original changes you discussed to the final is perfect given the constraints of light, build cost etc. My question is that do you need a large table to entertain 10 in a small space? The island could be designed as a table
/desk height and a wall unit /tv on the wall where the dining table would be positioned. Just my 2cents as I have these same challenges. Thanks for going to the lengths you go too to elaborate on the design process. Cheers
WOW!!! This is sooo clever!!! I love it!!! Please continue the series as we also live in a small space with a toddler and making small apartments like this works is very inspiring and comforting for me especially when I’m running into things and finding myself can’t breathe 😂
Amazing! This is true creativity.
A single video highlighed SO MANY differences in the way we use our homes it's mind-blowing.
I've never used a kitchen island and wouldn't even think to have it in a larger home, nevermind squeezing it in a tiny flat. On the other hand, I'm fond of dining on a small table in a small kitchen. Also, entertaining guests on a formal dining table is absolutely no priority - if I ever having more than 3 friends over, I'd preferred a larger sofa taking that space. A table is something reminiscing of boring extended family gatherings where nobody feels relaxed.
I'm glad that murphy bed didn't make it in the final design. It sounds good in design but if you have a place for a furniture that doesn't need flipping every day, do have this furniture. I'm really fed up with having to shelf all the linens and folding-unfolding the sofa everyday before and after sleeping for ten years.
Washing machine goes into bathroom, and I will die on that hill.
And finally, I admit I don't know French building code, but where I live it's strictly forbidden to have a gas stove in the only living room. Unless you wall off the bed nook it would be considered a health hazard and have to be undone.
In a previous home, I did have the washing in the bathroom only because it was a complete ground up renovation.
Induction cooktops are the way of the future.
@@Alicia-ij6gt some places are much further in said future, while where I live, diversification of energy sources is still a useful habit, because power outages still happen now and then
@@kkkender which is why having solar power and a battery insulates you from local transmission problems. It is possible that people will be able to use their EV cars as a house battery.
@@Alicia-ij6gt not in my area, that's arctic so half a year it's weak sun and the other half it's polar night. EV cars can't stand the temperatures. Some people just live where nature didn't intend us to :)
In the last floor plan all I was thinking about was where are the toilet users supposed to wash their hands?! But then the renders had that slender sink in the toilet room and all my concerns faded. Amazing job. Architects are absolutely under appreciated. The magic you guys can work (while certainly not cheap) is incredible.
Nice design, though I would have another suggestion, what might be much easier and might give a much better value. The kitchen seams to be big enough to turn into a proper bedroom and by halfing the toilet and incorporating into the part with the window a small kitchen you would have a proper 1 bed and living room apartment.
Keep up the good job. Cheers George
Yes but the place would still feel cramped, and you would have to put the bed under the window facing the door and you cannot put anything else in the room resulting in dead space
@bebenut123 I believe you can have the bed across the room. There is enough width to get around.
I just found your channel. I subscribed and I'm going to watch all of your other videos. Right now.
I've admired you for a long time.
Although this project was quite difficult, don't give up. You are the light that guides and inspires us, and you have more preparation than us to do a phenomenal job.
This series is incredible! Being able to visualize everything in the end is the difference maker.
I think there is one more option, although your setup is the best, for a budget version. I would turn the kitchen in to a closed bedroom, leave the bathroom as is, and build the kitchen on the shared bathroom wall towards the living space. This would be far more budget friendly than your final remodel while still going a long way to optimize. Yes the living room would feel more cramped than your design but for someone who doesn't have 100K for a full remodel my solution could probably come out at 1/4 to 1/5 that price. Thanks for the enjoyable content.
Perhaps reclaiming the windows from the bathroom as you did while shrinking it and adding that L space to the kitchen could also work if a larger budget is available.
One on the best video i've seen on this channel. As a interior design student, your thoughts and the process you're going through while figuring out the best solutions is really inspiring. Thank you for explaining and showing us the whole process and not just the end idea.
You are a great architect !
You're a design magician, brilliant re-invention of the space. And thank you for sharing your thought process too, that was fascinating and very instructive. 🙏
I enjoy your detailed description of how you so effectively modified this space to add expanded use and flexibility. Any time I see that you have a new video, I happily watch it. Thanks for the inspiration.
Really beautiful. Only the new bedroom-area bugs me. I find a couple of lost opportunities here. By leaving out the middle third of the storage over the bed, one could have put a door to the bathroom in. That die could be cushioned, so that one or two people could sit there in the morning and look outside the window. Over the cushioning, a small window could have allowed some natural light into the bathroom. Finally, over the door, one could still have some storage or another window.
I don't know if going after the outer walls was an option, but putting a door to the balcony directly next to the bed would be gorgeous. By putting plants and storage as a separator in the middle of the balcony, you would effectively have two different balconies without the claustrophobic tightness of passing between boxes and the balustrade.
This would turn the bedroom into a place to enjoy.
To allow access to the bedroom- balcony from the living room, you could put another balcony door opposite the washer-dryer. That door would have its lower half white and poly is upper half glass.
You could install shutters that anchor in the window frames outside and curtains that give a bit of privacy inside.
I'm really mind blown by the last design. Astonishing how it changed the apartment!
This is one of my favourite series! Its amazing to see just how much thought goes into each element. I would love for this to be a regular series
1:55 Right be fore you mentioned it the thought cross my mind: "I guess they're just called doors in France."lol
They're actually called "Porte-fenêtre" in French which translates to window-door
Good job. Every inch of that space was very well utilized. Hope more of this content. It was inspiring to make good use of what we already have.
This is such an gem of a series I've binged all the Redesigns. The production on this episode was top notch.
man what a great video, i just love these insights so much. I am just a hobbyist when it comes to interior architecture, but your videos give me so much inspiration! Thanks 🫶
...the best move imho with the least amount of hassle and most privacy would be to convert the kitchen into a bedroom and then have a linear kitchen in the living room. No knocking walls...and a separate bedroom.
This is a nice design. Wouldn't it be more practical to have combined a desk/dining table and use a wall-mounted 4K TV as a monitor & art display? This would give more desktop working space. The folding desk built into the TV cabinet raises the question of the weight of the folding desk surface if you're using a heavy counter surface like quartz instead of a light-weight laminate countertop. Also, on the side of the sofa, couldn't you include a nice file cabinet that could serve as a place for a lamp or rest a cup of tea, etc. Having storage for work items like pens, a wireless keyboard, etc. seems missing from the current design.
In the bed nook, the floating cabinet extend slightly over the bed. Wouldn't the cabinet be a hazard for bumping one's head when sitting up in bed? Additionally, accessing the floating cabinets would be awkward because one would need to stand on the bed.
Finally, please consider getting away from using Ikea furniture, etc. It's become boring, if not banal, to see the same solutions used repeatedly in your designs.
I love this channel! Thanks for sharing your design process. It gives me so much inspiration!
For this apartment I have two comments. As a 60 year old, I would definitely want to step in&out of bed instead of climbing and crawlin from the end. This would be solved if one can live with twin bed in the bedroom.
My other comment is that there is really no need for a vanity in the shower room. I think I would swithch the toilet and the shower. Maybe then the laundry area can also fit in the toilet room and leave space for a great closet next to the bedroom .
I can definitely see my self livjng in this apartment. Your comments on transforming furniture is true, they usually get stuck in one set up. Having a fixed bed and out of sight while using up minimal space is priceless. Great design!
Watched this 2 times to catch everything he said and showed. Brilliant! In my next life I want to be an architect. Sooo inspiring. I love this series. You’re a master
I really love this type of videos and hope to keep seeing them coming. I also loved that we got to see how you went through your different ideas before arriving at the final one.
Oh man I love the idea of the kitchen counter wrapping around into the work area. And the fold out desk? Chef’s kiss
But the final concept was truly the most optimal. Love how you materialized it visually. It was so cinematic.
As soon as I saw the floorplan I thought about exactly what you did, with the exception of separating the bathroom and the toilet. I would not add a kitchen island, but maybe some sort of island on wheels with storage. An apartment this size does not need that much kitchen space and even less a full size fridge and a dishwasher.
You also don't need a proper desk, I would rather work from my dinning kitchen than having a desk that you still need to pull down every day after work.
Great video. Lovely final design, so much light. Two concerns. That bed is going to be an absolute cow to change the sheets on, and therefore a bachelor is likely to do it less often. Secondly, fat and grease form the stovetop will splatter onto the floor to the bedroom with every use. A potential hazard unless constantly well cleaned.
I considered skipping to the end just to see the results but I'm so glad I didn't. I ended up watching the whole thing and I really learned a lot about why you did what you did. Excellent. Love the finished product.
This series is so hardcore I love it
Very thoughtful. Crafting the space around building a life. I like that there are different stages the owner can move through as he earns funds. That seems how it should be…gradually improving our homes over a lifetime.
Yessss I love this series! The design is a brilliant solution... and I love that you shared the reality of the process with things not quite working along the way :)
Bruh... I'd put a kitchen in the living room, move the bedroom where the kitchen is, and voila! No need to throw down walls, just some pipework, and suddenly you have a 1 bed flat
I thought that's what he would do.
Exactly!
One of my most favourite series on UA-cam. Your redesigns are always so inspiring, functional and beautiful ❤️ This one in particular was interesting with the different layout options you covered! Thanks for another great video!
this type of video is why I subbed. honestly I skip all the other ones. Transformation videos and things of this nature are the best content you make
this is a really worth while set of new spaces - that little bedroom nook is fantastic, you could even put a door up. I live in a studio and oh boy do you long for a bedroom.
Finally... ! Please do more of this series... The only reason i subscribed ...
Thanks
The new layout is great with a few amendments. IMO you don't have enough storage. The cabinets above the bed would be a big "no , no" for me, and definitely they wouldn't be enough storage for a woman. (The entry closet doesn't help much; it is just enough for a few coats, plus cleaning equipment). Since you've already moved the water and gas supply significantly you can totally relocate the kitchen. I would do storage on the entire width and length of the living room in an L-shape in the prolongation of the hallway. I would keep the dining area where it is, but with bench sitting flanked by tall storage cabinets. I would have the kitchen and all the other storage on the length of the living room, maybe with narrower cabinets. My sofa would sit with the back to my new kitchen, across from the wall where now you have the kitchenette. The wall with the kitchenette would now have a very long and narrow desk with closed storage high above for books and files, and a screen for a projector, with two swivel chairs, that could be turned towards the sofa creating also a conversation area. I would put my sofa legs on wheels or felt, so I can push it easily away from the kitchen countertop while working. I personally don't like seeing either the bed or the kitchen while sitting on my sofa.
Wow this is unbelievable, absolutely love the eloquence in which you explain every detail and function.
One of your best creations lately. Very thoughtful and also clean video structure. Cheers to that
I LOOOOOVE how you think about space. Ugh. One of these days I’m gonna get my stuff together so I can submit my apartment for entry to be redesigned. It’s a lot of steps lol, but you’re my fave UA-cam architect.
We’ve own a small home for 28yrs, that we recently renovated. I loved this video because we got lucky and found a draftsman who could give us a proper open concept in a small footprint that didn’t break the bank, was practical but also beautiful. PS thanks for saying “joinery”. I’m American, my husband is Aussie and we had the “cabinet” vs “joinery” debate during our remodel 😂
This is a great redesign with a walk through in steps of what works and doesn't work. Love it!
Love how he examines what’s there before redesigning.
The remodeling of the house is really interesting ! Lots of great idea.
I really like that you somehow found a way to fit a bedroom, even though making the bed and cleaning the area would make it absolutely tedious.
The most disliked part for me is the pseudo kitchen island/ desk. This furniture is for WAY bigger homes.
In a small appartment like this one I feel like it definitely stick out and overpower the room.
For me, whose don't really watch TV, having a big kitchen Island as a view when I'm chilling on the sofa looks like a real bummer...
Hell... even having a kitchen as a view sucks.
With all that being said, still, thank you so much for your work, it always give us so many insight !
Don't let my critics get you down, you do good job !
I really like the new design of the apartement. After your first Idea I also thought, that there is more potential in this flat. And you did it! The only thing I dont like is this "movig TV" cause its predestined to get broken. The better Idea in my opinion is an projector and a projector screen. When its placed in front of a window and if you swapp the kitchen table with the sofa, its better in my opinion.
This.... This is why I subscribed to the channel ... was sooo excited to see this and it didn't disappoint. Love it!
Oh I love that style of explaining your thought process! I liked the second Idea, with the separate room for a nursery. I thought the whole size of the kitchen could just be used as a separate bedroom, cutting the bathroom shorter and then having the kitchen with a corner cabinet on the balcony side. But without your thought process I would have never thought about that!
I'll second the ask for you to continue making videos like this! You do such a nice job and your attention to detail is appreciated!
I so love your work. The generosity in sharing your thought process is unique...thank you
This is my favourite series! I love watching your genius unfold!
Have watched all your works since your London apartment days and I have to say you've outdone yourself this time. Excellent design process and presentation.
Absolute master work. Thank you for documenting it in a cinematic fashion.
Thank you for showing the thought process and redesign from start to finish.
I had almost the same floorplan but with a kitchenette in that little bedroom nook. But I see the added value of a bedroom area. Well done!
What an excellent & sensible redesign. Very much appreciate hearing your logic behind what got changed - and what didn't.
For myself, I'd move the microwave oven into the dishwasher's spot & eliminate the fixed kitchen island. If there's room for a half-height dishwasher below the microwave lovely; if not - it's not an essential item for me. I'd add a flip-up counter on the end near the stove (which would also serve the laundry) and a mobile cart with cutting board on it for bench space. That gives more options for the main room's layout - another plus for resale.
Overall what you designed is very appealing. I especially like the long sightline from the main room into the bed nook. The perfect spot for a large piece of art.
This was VERY interesting to watch, your thought process of how to best utilise the space. And i love that you consider peoples financial possibilities. It looks like a very good design to me i really like that you were able to find that nook for the queen size bed, and keep the parquet floors- which i love.
I lived in a 200 sqft apartment in a big expensive city for many years
I just put a yoga mat in it
came back from work, sleep in it and wake up next morning after 6 hours, go back to work
now my house is a double story 2000+ sqft per floor in a developing city when i bought it
now the city is developed and my new house costs 3 times more than when i bought it
now that same 200 sqft apartment room would cost more than my current house at current value
no wonder people are sleeping on the streets nowadays
My favourite series on your channel!
ha! exactly what you ended up designing is what I felt would be the best set up for such a small space....you see, I'm listening when you're busy teaching! Thank you!
I love your work. It’s so inspiring. I’m trying to figure out a move to London and I know it may require me giving up a spacious home for a small apartment - which I’m absolutely fine with. I don’t use most of my house. For this reno - I wanted to swap the bathroom and kitchen too - but didn’t see it that way - that was such an interesting choice. My only thought is - making that bed seems like it would be such a pain in the ass. But what if you did the same layout - and did a Murphy bed - so that it never has to be made - just pulled down at night and put up - and then you could have an additional space to use during daytime as a small office etc.. with more cleverly designed furniture.
i LOVE THI SERIES. Please dont stop
Put the W/D in the door swing of the WC, slide the shower to the toilet and integrate the toilet into the bathroom. This lets you remove the utility closet, from the sleeping area, and add a pocket door to the bedroom while making it easier to make the bed.