Houzz Tour: Compact Condo Looks More Spacious With its Muji Style

With space at a premium in this compact, two-bedroom condominium unit, interior designer Ashton Siow of Starry Homestead had to be creative in order to fit in the functions that the homeowner wanted. For example, the communal areas (kitchen, dining and living) was a narrow space of only about 200 square feet. Fitting in all the functions without the communal areas being cramped required clever space planning and a clean-lined aesthetic.

Siow proposed brightening up the apartment “with a Muji feel, achieved through the use of warm white lighting that creates a warm and homely feel”. Wood-look finishes paired with white and light neutrals complete the look.

The renovation focused on the kitchen, says Siow, in order to provide for a proper dining area. To create a cohesive look and feel in the open-plan space, the designer proposed ending the galley-style kitchen with an island that would serve as both additional worktop and dining table.

The designer used matte white for the kitchen cabinets, to contrast with the wood-look Natural Oak laminate from Arova and surface panels made of layers of compressed kraft paper and resin by KompacPlus. Stainless steel accents and neat potted plants add that fresh, utilitarian Muji aesthetic.

The homeowner selected furniture following Siow’s 3D rendering, so the interior decor maintains a very cohesive look. It also helps that several elements such as the TV feature wall and built-in storage solutions were custom-designed for this apartment.