5 Bright and Bold Compact Apartments Under 40 m²

Even the smallest apartment can be made beautiful and comfortable for living. The key is to thoughtfully plan the layout and surround yourself with beautiful and functional items. We present five bright compact apartments—each filled with original designer ideas that go beyond traditional approaches to apartment design.

A 21 m² Studio with Pop-Art Elements

This small studio was designed for a young creative woman. Designer Sara Mikhailova managed to foresee all functional zones on a modest area. The narrow two-row kitchen accommodates all necessary appliances, while the room includes a full-size bed and even an additional sleeping space—a bright fold-out sofa. The bathroom and entrance are also meticulously planned with built-in storage systems.

Design by Sara Mikhailova

The basis of the design was the expressive pop-art style, which added exceptional individuality to every detail of the interior. The main colors were white tones, while yellow and fuchsia shades created contrast with lilac and blue bedroom accents. The interior is full of vibrant elements: Mayakovsky busts in neon-berry shades, invisible doors painted to match the ceiling, and an unusual scratching post shaped like a girl's face. Zebra-patterned accessories and unique paintings emphasized the pop-art atmosphere.

Design by Sara Mikhailova

32 m² Studio with Bold Color Accents

The main tool in this compact space was color. Designer Julia Pоздняк used a pleasant green eucalyptus tone as the base and added warm wood and unconventional stone textures. Using textiles, decor, and paintings, she 'colored' the interior, bringing brightness and energy to it.

Design by Julia Pоздняк

The rectangular layout allowed effective organization of key zones: a compact entrance hall, kitchen-living room with a dining table and sofa, and a cozy bedroom separated by a glass partition. Storage systems were designed as a unified whole: the corridor cabinet transitions into the kitchen zone, and that into the TV area. The shelf in the bedroom serves as a nightstand, completing the composition.

Design by Julia Pоздняк

40 m² Colorful Studio with Vintage Touches

The inspiration for this compact space came from vintage items and antiques carefully chosen by designer Natalia Chopenko. The result is an emotionally rich interior with a soulful atmosphere, where every item has its own story. The bed headboard in the bedroom is made from antique backs and footboards, complemented by 1960s side tables with modern painting. A unique sonnet near the rocking chair with a bell adds an atmosphere of a noble estate.

Design by Natalia Chopenko

The focal point in the entrance is an Indian mirror with shutters, while a vintage phone found by the designer in a St. Petersburg store unifies design elements and adds color. The bathroom uses an original stove-oven as a washbasin, adding originality to the interior.

Design by Natalia Chopenko

28 m² Studio with Twin-Home Functionality

The feature of this studio was the clear separation of several functional zones within a modest area. Designer Natalia Kalentieva managed to fit a kitchen, mini-living room, visually separated bedroom, entrance with ample storage, and a combined bathroom. A shelf was used to separate the bedroom from the living room. The living room sofa was chosen not to be foldable, which helped preserve open space.

Design by Natalia Kalentieva

35 m² Stalin-era Apartment with European Aesthetics

The inspiration for decorating this studio was a cozy European flat, where every centimeter works. Designer Angelina Borodkina decorated it entirely according to her taste. The main room combines the bedroom and living room, while the kitchen is merged with the entrance. The atmosphere of old apartments is created by carpets and vintage furniture: a grandfather's commode was restored, a chair was found in the garage and refurbished, and a pouf was given legs found in a friend's restorer collection.

Design by Angelina Borodkina

The wall niche provided by the building's architecture was insulated and soundproofed. A mattress with bedding was placed on top—this created a spacious sleeping area. Additional storage was built into the bed footboard. Decor with plant motifs harmonizes with the wallpaper in the living room area.

Design by Angelina Borodkina

These vibrant compact apartments show how original designer solutions can change the perception of space and make it more comfortable.