Making room – by D5 Studio Image

To make the five-room flat comfortable for its six residents, the design began by purchasing the external corridor and extending the entrance beyond its original boundary. This created the room needed to remove the kitchen wall and rework the space into an open layout, while the former balcony was absorbed to enlarge the living area. The home now reads as a more generous, continuous communal zone.

Rather than keeping things minimal, the living area is shaped by what the homeowners enjoy. Skateboards line the wall, a bicycle is mounted in full view, and artwork adds to the mix. Together, these elements introduce bursts of colour across the space, set against a clean white backdrop that keeps the composition clear and visually composed.

The bathroom keeps to a predominantly white scheme, allowing light to reflect easily across the compact space. Underfoot, a monochromatic patterned floor introduces texture and visual interest, breaking the uniformity.

Positioned directly beside the entrance, the kitchen is designed as part of the home’s main flow rather than a separate zone. A large two-way island anchors the space, offering storage on both sides while supporting everyday prep. “We wanted this zone to feel open and usable, not tucked away,” says designer Jason Lee.

From the kitchen, a reeded glass window looks into the small walkway leading to the common bathroom. It extends sightlines across the plan, making the kitchen feel less enclosed. A secondary counter next to it offers an easy alternative for casual meals and also serves as an extra food preparation corner.

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