Faced with a space 400 sq ft (37 sqm) large – or small, in this case – Annie Tan of The Interarch Design had to make the footprint work for her clients’ lifestyle.
This apartment in Balestier might be short on floor space, but it more than makes up for it in vertical height with the 4.8 metre high ceiling.
This height allowed Annie to create a new loft, connected to the lower floor by a spiral staircase – the loft increased the usable space in the home by about 350 sq ft (32 sqm).
Laundry Room
Within the footprint of the living area, the former wardrobe space now houses the washer and dryer, and also provides general storage.
![89156-interarch-balestier-2](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/89156-interarch-balestier-2.jpg)
Kitchen Carpentry
Annie extended the cabinetry of the kitchen all the way to the windows.
An extendable IKEA table was stained a darker shade to match the cabinet veneer.
![89157-interarch-balestier-8](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/89157-interarch-balestier-8.jpg)
Round Pendant Lights
Two orbs of light hang from the void created in the floor of the bedroom above – drawing the eye to the high ceiling.
![89158-interarch-balestier-7](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/89158-interarch-balestier-7.jpg)
Custom Carpentry Table
There is not a lot of space on the newly created loft level, but Annie did manage to squeeze in a customised study and dressing table for the couple, with storage cubbyholes below the tabletop designed to house cosmetics and accessories.
![89159-interarch-balestier-6](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/89159-interarch-balestier-6.jpg)
Ceiling Mounted Monitor
Mounting the computer monitor from the ceiling is another “neat solution” that frees up countertop space.
![89161-interarch-balestier-5](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/89161-interarch-balestier-5.jpg)
Split Level
The ceiling of the split-level isn’t that high, so Annie opted to keep the space largely white to make it look more spacious.
![89162-interarch-balestier-3-1024x695-1](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/89162-interarch-balestier-3-1024x695-1.jpg)
Loft Floor
Instead of pushing the new floor right to the wall’s edge, enclosing most of the hallway below and making the home feel darker, Annie left a void to act as a kind of “skylight”.
This article was first published on Sona Decor in June 2018.
![89163-interarch-balestier-4](https://sonadecor.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/89163-interarch-balestier-4.jpg)