A remarkably small 130-square-foot duplex apartment in Hong Kong's Kwun Tong district has captured widespread online attention after a viral video demonstrated how it was ingeniously renovated to accommodate three bedrooms, a living area, and even an elegant staircase. The transformation video, shared by a popular Douyin influencer, showcased how the microscopic living space was cleverly designed to house a couple and their preteen child.
The ground floor of the duplex features the child's bedroom, which includes a space-saving retractable bed, a compact desk, storage shelves, and built-in cabinets. The influencer emphasized the precision required for the renovation, explaining that every element had to fit perfectly with no more than a millimeter's tolerance to ensure the door could open properly. This attention to detail highlights the extreme space constraints typical of Hong Kong's notoriously expensive housing market.
The second floor houses a loft-style master bedroom that manages to fit a double bed and includes a window for proper ventilation. Access to this upper level is provided by a steep staircase that maximizes functionality by incorporating additional storage spaces directly into its structure. The influencer noted that despite the cramped quarters, the design maintains basic comfort and practicality for the adult occupants.
The third "bedroom" is actually an open sleeping area located on the ground floor that serves multiple purposes throughout the day. According to the influencer's explanation, this flexible space can be converted into sleeping quarters for an additional person using either a foldable sofa or a floor mattress, demonstrating the apartment's adaptability to changing needs.
When addressing questions about the staircase design, which he described as "luxury-style," the influencer clarified that it functions more like a ladder while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance. This dual-purpose feature allows residents to access storage areas in the loft while serving as the primary means of reaching the master bedroom.
The video has generated mixed reactions from online viewers, with responses ranging from admiration to concern. Many viewers praised the renovation's ingenuity, with some calling the transformation "magical" and expressing amazement at how much functionality was packed into such a small space. However, others voiced discomfort about the extremely cramped living conditions, raising questions about quality of life in such confined quarters.
This viral renovation reflects the ongoing housing crisis in Hong Kong, where sky-high property prices force many residents to live in increasingly smaller spaces. The creative use of every available inch in this duplex represents both human adaptability and the challenging reality of urban living in one of the world's most expensive real estate markets.
