A tiny 183-square-foot apartment in Paris's Montmartre district has been transformed from a rundown maid's quarters into a functional and elegant living space that proves small can be beautiful. Architect Hélène Lacombe, who specializes in designing small spaces, took on the challenging project of converting the former servant's room in a 19th-century stone building into a fully equipped studio apartment with stunning views over the zinc rooftops of Montmartre.
The apartment, located on the top floor of the historic building, was in terrible condition when Lacombe first encountered it, with four layers of linoleum stacked on top of each other. Despite the numerous challenges posed by the cramped quarters, the architect was determined to create an inviting and completely functional living space that could be rented to students. The goal was to optimize the room's functions despite the limited square footage while creating a homey atmosphere that would take advantage of the abundant sunlight streaming in throughout the day.
Mahogany laminate became the central material and unifying element throughout the project. Lacombe chose a dark variety that would withstand the test of time and changing tenants. The small entrance area is completely clad in mahogany-look paneling, behind which storage space and access to the bathroom are cleverly concealed. Unlike many other former maid's rooms, this apartment had the significant advantage of having its own bathroom, which the architect designed to be as practical as one would find in a larger apartment, using concrete and white tiles.
The renovation was designed with a modest budget in mind without compromising on aesthetics. The compact, brightly designed bathroom is located to the left of the entrance and features a mirror from Zara Home and handles from Matilda Goad. Lacombe explains that they had so little space that they needed to find a very small vanity unit, which she purchased commercially but personalized with beautiful fixtures and designer accessories.
The small entrance area flows seamlessly into the kitchen, which maintains the same style and is also finished with mahogany surfaces. For the countertop, the architect chose a particularly resistant gray-white ceramic with a marble look. To save as much space as possible, the small kitchen transitions directly into a floor-to-ceiling white wardrobe, which in turn adjoins the dining area's built-in bench seating and open shelving above.
Lacombe thoughtfully utilized every corner of the 183-square-foot apartment to give it all the functions found in larger homes. The idea was to have everything necessary quickly at hand thanks to custom carpentry work, avoiding the need to move too much furniture around in such a tiny space that simply doesn't allow for it. Among the reduced furniture selection, the stool by Benjamin Bureau x Monoprix combines multiple functions in one piece, serving as seating, coffee table, and side table. Equally practical is the rolling serving cart by Muller Van Severen, which can be moved and repurposed as needed. The sofa can be quickly converted into a bed, as is typical for this type of studio.
The light-filled living area feels inviting and spacious despite measuring just 129 square feet. Lacombe explains that you first enter a small room of dark wood and then discover the rest of the apartment, which is so much brighter. The room appears much larger than its actual size due to the brightness and unobstructed view of trees and rooftops. Mahogany forms the common thread of the project and creates a gentle atmosphere that gains an elegant touch with the soft light falling through the skylight.
Most of the few pieces of furniture come from IKEA, keeping costs manageable while maintaining style. Another sophisticated trick the architect employed was mirror cladding for the lintel and reveals of the French doors in the dining area. This reflects the sunlight and trees, creating not only more brightness but also a sense of more space. In such a small apartment, every centimeter counts.
The dining and seating area offers both a view over the Paris rooftops and plenty of natural light streaming through the French balcony doors. The space features a Spike hanging light from Bloomingville and makes use of soft ecru tones alongside the dark mahogany to capture the incoming daylight. Wall sconces from Sézane provide additional ambient lighting.
This successful renovation demonstrates that with careful planning, quality materials, and clever design solutions, even the smallest spaces can be transformed into comfortable, functional homes. The project proves that size doesn't have to limit style or comfort, and that thoughtful design can make any space feel larger and more livable than its actual dimensions might suggest.
