UK Houzz Tour: A Bright, Fearless Revamp for a Small, Dingy Home
Bold colours and creative solutions bring personality and a sense of spaciousness to a couple’s compact apartment
When first-time buyers Craig and Sian moved into their tiny one-bedroom conversion flat, the space felt cramped and dingy. So they called on Omar Bhatti of Space Shack to bring some life to their new home and help them make the most of the space.
Omar presented Craig and Sian with a variety of colour swatches for the living room and they finally settled on a deep blue for the walls. He then added warmth by introducing complementary colours in orange tones in the textiles and accessories, and green in the form of indoor plants.
Find an interior designer on Houzz near you to transform your home from drab to fab
Find an interior designer on Houzz near you to transform your home from drab to fab
A terrazzo side table brings a contemporary feel and complements the graphic artwork and geometric designs on the rug and cushions.
“The stone-grey sofa helps to anchor the scheme,” says Omar.
Ceiling light: Spark & Bell; cushions: Heal’s and Swoon Editions; terrazzo side table: Article; lamp: H&M Home.
“The stone-grey sofa helps to anchor the scheme,” says Omar.
Ceiling light: Spark & Bell; cushions: Heal’s and Swoon Editions; terrazzo side table: Article; lamp: H&M Home.
The whole space was replastered and new radiator heaters were fitted.
Hem Orange Hide side table: Opumo; chunky-knit throw, Debenhams.
Hem Orange Hide side table: Opumo; chunky-knit throw, Debenhams.
Handmade shelves were painted in the same deep-blue colour as the walls, forming an uninterrupted backdrop for a bright, fun display of accessories.
Wall brackets: Trouva.
Wall brackets: Trouva.
The kitchen was originally a separate room, but Omar opened up the space by removing the door and side wall.
“The floor was really uneven and needed to be replaced,” says Omar. To give the space a continuous flow, herringbone vinyl tiles now feature throughout the hall, kitchen and living room.
Vinyl floor tiles: Moduleo; hallway wall painted in Silver Thistle Down: Valspar.
Vinyl floor tiles: Moduleo; hallway wall painted in Silver Thistle Down: Valspar.
Omar removed the original kitchen cabinets and replaced them with flat-fronted matt-grey units and a white quartz benchtop. A boiling-water tap saves space on the work surfaces, as there’s no need for a kettle.
“We really wanted to give Craig and Sian their first dining area, as they’d always eaten on their laps,” says Omar. A laminated breakfast bar helps hide the washing machine, while creating a small eat-in kitchen and an extra work surface.
“We always try to make the most of dual-purpose furniture and utilise vertical areas in a small space,” says Omar.
Kitchen cabinets and breakfast bar: Kütchenhaus; bar stools: Hay; appliances: CDA; boiling-water tap: Victorian Plumbing.
“We always try to make the most of dual-purpose furniture and utilise vertical areas in a small space,” says Omar.
Kitchen cabinets and breakfast bar: Kütchenhaus; bar stools: Hay; appliances: CDA; boiling-water tap: Victorian Plumbing.
Matt white square tiles with light grey grouting form a simple, practical splashback. The deep green walls offset the bright white of the tiles and benchtops.
Open shelves are ideal for displaying plants and books and prevent the kitchen cabinets from feeling too overbearing.
Omar also added a wire shelving unit for items such as jars and herbs, so Sian and Craig can access them easily.
Wire shelving unit: Cox & Cox.
Wire shelving unit: Cox & Cox.
Dark green tones give the bedroom a calm ambience. “I took the opportunity to be creative with colour blocking,” says Omar. The darker green surrounds the cosy sleeping area, while the lighter hue lifts the space above.
“We also wanted to add an element of tranquillity throughout the home with house plants, but in the bedroom, the lack of light made this tricky,” says Omar. He got around it by mixing real plants with good-quality faux foliage.
Walls painted in Nature Lover (top) and Thunderbolt (bottom): Valspar; faux foliage: Abigail Ahern and H&M Home.
Your turn
What do you like about this bright, creatively designed apartment? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Craving more stylish international interior design? You’ll love this My Houzz: A Designer Transforms an Abandoned Swedish Farmhouse
“We also wanted to add an element of tranquillity throughout the home with house plants, but in the bedroom, the lack of light made this tricky,” says Omar. He got around it by mixing real plants with good-quality faux foliage.
Walls painted in Nature Lover (top) and Thunderbolt (bottom): Valspar; faux foliage: Abigail Ahern and H&M Home.
Your turn
What do you like about this bright, creatively designed apartment? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Craving more stylish international interior design? You’ll love this My Houzz: A Designer Transforms an Abandoned Swedish Farmhouse
Houzz at a Glance
Who lives here: Newly married couple Craig and Sian
Location: North London, UK
Size: A ground-floor apartment with one bedroom and one bathroom
Designer: Omar Bhatti at Space Shack
“People are often afraid of using strong colours in a small space, but in fact, bold shades can really help to lift a tiny room,” says Omar. “So we were really happy that Craig and Sian shared our love of bold colour.”
Walls painted in Starry Night: Valspar; grey sofa: Camerich; rug: West Elm.