Maximizing Space in a Small Apartment: Practical and Aesthetic Dining Area Solutions - August 2024

Are you living in a small-sized apartment and struggling with how to best utilize your space? I recently faced this challenge in my 115㎡ apartment, which, after shared areas were accounted for, left me with a mere 86㎡ of personal space. One area where I made significant improvements was the dining area, right at the entrance of the apartment. Here's how I transformed this space into a functional and aesthetically pleasing part of my home.

🔹 The Power of a Well-Designed Sideboard

I installed a floor-to-ceiling dining sideboard with a width of 3.5m. It's not just a storage powerhouse but also seamlessly integrates with the invisible door and TV backdrop wall, creating a visually appealing overall look.

⚠️ Key Details to Note

1. Color Coordination

   • The Issue: Full-wall sideboards can appear cluttered with excessive colors, especially when adorned with decorative items.
   • My Solution: I opted for a minimalist palette with milk white lacquered doors and black Aier oak for the cabinet body. This combination ensures a clean and timeless look.

2. Strategic Power Outlets

   • Convenience: I included a power outlet in the middle of the sideboard for small appliances, making it handy for charging devices during meals.
   • Special Touch: The lower part of the cabinet houses my robot vacuum cleaner, and I added built-in LED strips (4000K color temperature) in the display cabinet for an upscale feel.

3. Cabinet Doors

   • Common Pitfalls: Unattractive handles and poorly designed sealing strips can ruin the cabinet's appearance.
   • My Approach: I used handle-free doors with rebounders and concealed the sealing strips inside the cabinet, achieving a sleek, floor-to-ceiling look.

4. Hardware Hinges

   • Importance: The quality and quantity of hinges directly affect the cabinet's durability.
   • Guidelines: The number of hinges depends on the door's height and weight.
     • < 900mm height: 2 hinges
     • 900mm - 1600mm: 3 hinges
     • 1600mm - 2000mm: 4 hinges
     • 2000mm - 2500mm: 5 hinges
     • 2500mm - 2800mm: 6 hinges

5. Soft Furnishing Accents

   • My Choices:
     • Chandelier: A simple linear design that complements the minimalist style. Pro Tip: Choose timeless designs to avoid future style clashes.
     • Dining Table & Chairs: A pure white sintered stone table with no patterns for easy maintenance, coupled with four leather saddle chairs, maintaining a clean and elegant look.
     • Space Management: After tucking in the chairs, there's ample space with 160cm and 90cm wide walkways on each side.
     • 

‼️ Tip: Plan the location of your dining table early and ensure the chandelier's power source is directly above it.

Do you have any specific questions or areas you'd like to know more about? Raise your hand (🙋🏻‍♀️) and ask away! Let's make our small spaces not just livable, but lovable.

#HomeDecorInspiration #SmallApartmentDesign #DiningArea #Sideboard #DiningTable