A woman who lived in a 400-sq-ft London apartment showed us how to 'maximalize' a tiny space without making it cluttered

Joey HaddenJan 28, 2021, 05:24 IST

Tiara Christian used unique storage opportunities in her 400-square-foot apartment.Courtesy of Tiara Christian

Tiara Christian turned her 400-square foot apartment in London into a maximalist mid-century modern home.
Christian made the apartment feel larger with mirrors, storage hacks, and plenty of natural light.
She recommends small furniture with thin lines to maintain a sense of flow in little living spaces.

When Tiara Christian's real estate agent recommended a 400-square foot studio in London's Notting Hill neighborhood, she said no way.

Tiara's apartment before she moved in. Courtesy of Tiara Christian

But when she didn't find another place she liked better, Christian decided to give the tiny apartment a chance. After all, she wanted to live somewhere that looked different.

Before and after photos show how Christian decorated the space. Courtesy of Tiara Christian

But when she didn't find another place she liked better, Christian decided to give the tiny apartment a chance. After all, she wanted to live somewhere that looked different.

With only 400-square feet to work with, Christian had to get creative with how to make her tiny apartment feel like a home that fit her maximalist style.

Tiara Christian in her London apartment with her dog Sweet Potato. Courtesy of Tiara Christian

Her priority was having enough seating space for plenty of people to hang out, so she opted for a large sectional couch.

Christian can fit up to eight people on this couch. Courtesy of Tiara Christian

To make up for lost space, Christian got bar stools with ultra-thin legs.

Christian works at the breakfast bar in her London apartment. Courtesy of Tiara Christian

Christian filled the built-in shelves with plants, perfumes, photos, figurines, books, and a mirror to make the room feel larger.

On Christian's shelves, everything has its place. Courtesy of Tiara Christian

Behind the couch, a mirrored wardrobe amplifies the natural light in the room while making it feel much larger.

Christian's wardrobe, desk, and additional storage in the apartment. Courtesy of Tiara Christian

Christian said the loft bed was the biggest adjustment to living smaller.

The loft bed was up a ladder above the kitchen. Courtesy of Tiara Christian

But once up the steps, the bed offers a great view of the apartment and gardens out the window.

Christian's apartment had a loft bed. Courtesy of Tiara Christian

Underneath the stairs, Christian utilized a space with odd angles for her dog's food and water.

Sweet Potato's food is in this little nook. Courtesy of Tiara Christian

In the kitchen, Christian hung up mugs on the wall because she has "way too many" of them.

Christian's kitchen was only 6 feet tall. Courtesy of Tiara Christian

In the bathroom, Christian displayed all the pretty products and hid the rest away in cabinets.

Christian's bathroom in her London apartment. Courtesy of Tiara Christian

Christian stuck a nail rack on the wall for her collection of polish.

A close up of Christian's bathroom wall. Courtesy of Tiara Christian

In the shower, Christian got a bath tray to store additional products.

Christian's bath tray is seen in the apartment shower, Courtesy of Tiara Christian

Since moving out of the small flat, Christian says she misses the floor-to-ceiling windows most.

Courtesy of Tiara Christian

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A woman who lived in a 400-sq-ft London apartment showed us how to 'maximalize' a tiny space without making it cluttered

When Tiara Christian's real estate agent recommended a 400-square foot studio in London's Notting Hill neighborhood, she said no way.

But when she didn't find another place she liked better, Christian decided to give the tiny apartment a chance. After all, she wanted to live somewhere that looked different.

With only 400-square feet to work with, Christian had to get creative with how to make her tiny apartment feel like a home that fit her maximalist style.

Her priority was having enough seating space for plenty of people to hang out, so she opted for a large sectional couch.

To make up for lost space, Christian got bar stools with ultra-thin legs.

Christian filled the built-in shelves with plants, perfumes, photos, figurines, books, and a mirror to make the room feel larger.

Behind the couch, a mirrored wardrobe amplifies the natural light in the room while making it feel much larger.

Christian said the loft bed was the biggest adjustment to living smaller.

But once up the steps, the bed offers a great view of the apartment and gardens out the window.

Underneath the stairs, Christian utilized a space with odd angles for her dog's food and water.

In the kitchen, Christian hung up mugs on the wall because she has "way too many" of them.

In the bathroom, Christian displayed all the pretty products and hid the rest away in cabinets.

Christian stuck a nail rack on the wall for her collection of polish.

In the shower, Christian got a bath tray to store additional products.

Since moving out of the small flat, Christian says she misses the floor-to-ceiling windows most.