If you believe that for a home to feel airy, open, and serene, it must be large, this 24 square meter Parisian apartment is about to challenge that belief. It's a far cry from the cramped studios of student housing nightmares, offering a design that strips things back to basics without ever feeling dull.
The color scheme is neutral, and the style is minimalist, but that doesn’t mean there’s anything unexciting about this small apartment. In fact, it feels thoroughly exciting, offering a fresh take on decorating with minimal space. For the designer, this was exactly what appealed to her about the project. "Small spaces often push you to be more inventive," explains Camille Saucereau from Rosso Studio. "Every centimeter has to serve the design without compromising the atmosphere." And she didn’t compromise. With a consistent vision and plenty of space-saving tricks, Camille shows how to get the most from the tiniest of spaces.
The Brief
In this tiny Parisian apartment, minimalist design is given a breath of new life, proving that a home can have personality without clutter. "The client is a single man who wanted a very minimal and uncluttered space," explains Camille. Without slipping into typical 'man cave' or 'boy apartment' style, Camille aimed to create a design that embodied a more masculine take on minimalism.
Since the apartment is only 24 square meters, the aim was to keep it completely open and make the most of the two large windows to create the brightest atmosphere possible. "I also wanted the design to feel effortless, as if the architecture itself naturally shaped the space," says Camille. In a space as architecturally interesting as this one, that wasn't hard. Despite its small size, the apartment benefits from dramatic windows that flood the space with natural light, making them central to the final design.
Creating a sense of separation between different areas of an open-plan space can be challenging. "Because all the functions of the apartment communicate with each other, I wanted to blur boundaries and keep the space very clean and serene," Camille explains. She created strong focal points, especially the kitchen with its carved travertine block integrated into a white linear storage wall, and played with floor levels to subtly define each zone. "My intention was to create a calm, fluid environment where volumes, rather than partitions, guide the experience of the space."
The Inspiration
When working on the design for this apartment, Camille found inspiration in nature and ancient architecture, from Roman villas to iconic villas of the last century. She lifted the natural flow and rhythm found in nature and brought the same sense of fluidity to the apartment. Richly textured natural materials played a significant role, creating visual links to the outside world and offering a softness to the space. "In general, I love mixing mineral and wood," says Camille.
Choosing one room to begin with and focusing on that can be a helpful way to approach designing a small apartment. For Camille, this was the kitchen. "After refining the floor plan, the concept crystallized around the kitchen: I wanted to blur its definition and create a sculpted monolithic travertine block." By choosing one standout material to take center stage in the kitchen, Camille was able to set the tone for the rest of the space. Travertine is an ideal choice, simultaneously subtle and eye-catching. "I always strive to design spaces where materials and natural light speak louder than decorative elements."
The Design
When designing such a small area, it can often feel like a series of hurdles to jump over, a constant battle of compromise after compromise. But in this design, Camille proved this doesn't have to be the case. "I didn’t make any compromises," she says. Instead, she designed the apartment thoughtfully and intentionally, shifting rooms around to best exploit the space available. "I chose to place the bathroom in the former kitchen to give it privacy and its own window," she explains. "Then I reworked the plan to include everything the apartment needed: generous storage, a functional modern kitchen, a living area, and a spacious bed."
This may sound impossible for a 24 square meter apartment, but Camille says, "To achieve this, I minimized circulation areas as much as possible. The challenge turned into an opportunity to sculpt a space that feels both complete and extremely fluid." This image of Camille as the sculptor and the apartment, her clay, perfectly encapsulates the level of creativity she employed when designing this home.
While Camille admits she felt no need to compromise within this design, there were challenges involved. Most notably, "Balancing the day and night zones without falling into a conventional layout with too many partitions, and avoiding the sensation of sleeping in the kitchen." This is a design flaw many people with studio apartments are familiar with. As useful as room dividers can be, when used in excess, they can make the home feel disjointed. However, without any attempt to partition the space, the home blurs into one.
To overcome this issue, Camille chose a new approach. "Don’t be conventional—blur the boundaries between functions," she explains. "Think in terms of volumes and materials rather than rooms. Small spaces become beautiful when they are treated like a single, continuous composition."
Shop the Look
Sklum UK - Bicorp Iron Wall Light
Chrome details bring a modern edge to this small apartment, and this little wall light would be a brilliant addition to any home.
H&M - Small Lidded Marble Container - Beige
In our books, the more travertine, the better, even if it's only something little, like this sweet container.
John Lewis - Vitra Eames House Bird, Black
The Eames House Bird looks elegant perched on the wooden shelf in this apartment, and it would look equally chic anywhere in your home.
LA REDOUTE INTERIEURS - Ladara Rattan Storage Headboard
A headboard with some built-in storage is a brilliant solution for designing a tiny bedroom, and this rattan version doesn't look half bad either.
Zara Home - Travertine Side Table
Another cool way to bring some travertine into your home, I absolutely love the geometric, sculptural quality of this side table.
Sklum UK - Diepe Wooden Shelving Unit
A chic yet simple way to create some more division in your space, this bookshelf has a cool, modernist look, and the large gaps mean it never feels too harsh a division.
This apartment feels like a true feat of minimalist design, showing exactly how to build character in a tiny space while making it feel relaxing and not overwhelming. "What I love most about this project is how such a compact space can feel open, sculptural, and deeply serene," Camille says as a final note.
If you're on the hunt for more ways to make your home feel calm, don’t worry, we've got you covered.