A three-level studio on the Upper West Side stretches the limits of a tiny space

This Upper West Side apartment, showcased on the design blog Design-Milk, is just 425 square feet, but that didn’t stop architects Specht Harpman from creating an airy “micro-loft” in what was once a teeny sixth-floor studio. 

 

According to the architects, the original space wasn’t even large enough to fit a bed or a sofa, but it did have a couple of things going for it: 25-foot ceilings and a roof deck. To make the most of those features the architects created four platforms—each its own distinct area: entry/kitchen, living room, bedroom and roof. Next they put into practice some of the best tips for small-space living we’ve seen:

 

 

Think open concept: Walls can make a small space feel even smaller. By removing interior walls—and using the vertical space to its advantage—the architects created an apartment that feels open and airy.

 

 

 

 

Reduce clutter: Extra stuff can make a small apartment feel even smaller, so the architects made sure to keep the chaos in control by concealing as much of it as possible inside built-ins. For example, everything but a small stovetop is hidden behind white lacquered cabinets in the kitchen and a platform bed keeps everything in the sleeping area contained.