1 BHK Interior Design Ideas: Make a Small Flat Feel Spacious

Think in zones, not rooms

In a 1 BHK the living room is also the dining room, the guest room and often the office. Define zones with a rug, a pendant light or a change of wall finish rather than with bulky furniture or partitions, so light and air move freely.

Furniture that does two jobs

• Sofa-cum-bed for guests, so you do not need a second bed.
• Hydraulic storage bed that swallows suitcases, quilts and seasonal clothes.
• Extendable or wall-mounted dining table that folds away after meals.
• Nesting tables and stools that tuck under each other.
• A wall-mounted desk with shelves above, for working from home — see home office ideas.

Storage that disappears

• Run wardrobes to the ceiling with lofts — vertical space is free space. Choose sliding shutters if the room is narrow.
• Build a slim shoe cabinet with a seat at the entrance.
• Use the space above doors and under windows for shallow cabinets.
• Choose a TV unit with closed storage instead of a separate sideboard.

Light and colour

Use one light, warm base colour across the whole flat — off-white, beige or soft greige — so the eye reads it as one larger space. Light wood or matt laminates, mirrors opposite windows and sheer curtains all bounce light deeper into the rooms. Layer lighting with a few downlights, a cove in the living area and warm lamps rather than one bright tube light.

A compact kitchen that works

Most 1 BHK kitchens are straight or L-shaped. Full-height wall cabinets, a tall pull-out for groceries, and drawers rather than shelves make the most of every running foot. Our guide to small modular kitchen designs has more ideas.

What 1 BHK interiors cost

For a rental or investment flat, a modular kitchen and wardrobes with durable laminates give the best return. Try the cost calculator or read our cost guide.