Tiny apartments in Paris have become famously chic despite their small size. Known as the ‘Chambres de Bonne’ – or maid’s rooms – traditional Paris apartment blocks all typically feature these attic-style apartments.
These tiny apartments have become synonymous with chic Parisian living. Even Emily In Paris found herself one. And, most of them recreate the vision of one man, Baron Haussmann, who redesigned the city in the mid-19th century. Known as ‘Haussmann’ apartments, the buildings follow the same six-storey layout and floor plan and feature similar aesthetic flourishes, including gorgeous windows, mouldings and floorboards.
For this reason – and, of course, their location – these stylish apartments remain highly lusted-after. That’s despite their small size, which can sit as small as 8-12 square metres. Truly an inspiration to any Australian struggling in the current housing market.
French girls have been making the most of these small spaces and sharing their interiors triumphs on Instagram for years, and if you’re struggling with how to add some je ne sais quoi to a tiny living room or petite bedroom, there’s a treasure trove of tips to be found on some of our favourite French influencers’ pages.
One page we’re constantly scrolling is ceramicist Sofia de Moser Leitão, who was born and raised in Portugal but has lived in Paris for four years.
Sofia recently shared her styling secrets in an apartment walkthrough with Parisian Vibe.
Taking some cues from Sofia, here’s what we learned about styling a small space.
Add Pops Of Colour
Sofia was able to bargain with her landlord to paint the apartment a light blue instead of white – a bargaining chip most Aussies don’t have in a rental. However, incorporating colour throughout can help inject a space with warmth, cosiness and personality.
You don’t want to crowd your space, so you’ll need enough surfaces to allow well-organised placements with some space around them. And, make use of your walls.
Then source artworks, plants, books, candles and other items that represent your personality.
Utilise Mirrors
This is an old interior stylist’s hack – use mirrors to make the space appear larger than it is. When used correctly, mirrors can help keep a space light and also create illusions of space.
Sofia has a large mirror on her sofa to enlarge the space, plus a floor-length mirror leaning against a wall.
Use Space Dividers
“Because I live in a studio, there’s only one room. It’s good to try and create a bit of a division to have several different spaces,” Sofia says.
She then executed this with the aid of a side-table / low-height storage shelving to separate her kitchen and living areas, and by using tri-fold room divider between the living and bedroom areas.
Atop the shelving, she’s added large ceramics – of her own making – to add colour and height with the separation.
Measure, Measure, Measure
Before Sofia moved in, she took measurements to allow her to plan for how she would furnish and arrange the space.
When living in a small apartment or room, measurements are key.
Just don’t forget to measure the door too to make sure everything will squeeze through.
Cover Things You Don’t Like
… Including the floor.
As part of her measuring blitz, Sofia scoped the floor measurements to ensure she could find floor coverings to fit the space and hide the original floor of her rental.
Go Custom
Some things you can buy at a store, but other things – like fabrics, rugs, frames, artworks – may need to be made.
In her apartment, Sofia had curtains made to disguise storage areas she didn’t want to be visible.
Her artworks are also an eclectic mix of her own ceramics and framed pieces she’s collected from her travels, as gifts and other personal souvenirs.
Watch Sofia’s complete walkthrough here.
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