The 30㎡ Apartment Challenge: Understanding Your Space

A typical 30㎡ apartment usually consists of:

• Total Area: 30 square meters (323 sq ft)
• Typical Dimensions: 6m × 5m (20ft × 16.5ft) or variations
• Ceiling Height: Usually 2.4-2.7m (8-9ft)
• Window Coverage: 15-25% of wall space
• Storage Potential: 4-6 cubic meters without special solutions

Common Layout Challenges:

1. Single-room living (studio) vs. partitioned spaces
2. Limited wall space for furniture placement
3. Circulation paths consuming valuable floor area
4. Natural light obstruction from poorly placed furniture
5. Visual clutter from too many small pieces

The Golden Rules of Small Space Layout

Rule 1: The 60-30-10 Floor Plan Principle

• 60% of floor space for primary furniture and circulation
• 30% for secondary functions and storage
• 10% left as visual “breathing space”

Rule 2: Vertical Space Utilization

• Use height to add storage and visual interest
• Standard apartment can gain 8-12㎡ equivalent through vertical use

Rule 3: Zone by Function, Not by Walls

• Define areas through furniture placement, not partitions
• Use area rugs, lighting, and furniture orientation to create zones

Rule 4: The Visual Weight Principle

• Light-colored furniture appears to take up less space
• Furniture with legs creates visual space beneath
• Reflective surfaces enhance perceived size

Three Optimized Layouts for 30㎡ Apartments

Layout Option 1: The Open Studio Flow (For True Studio Apartments)

Ideal For: Single occupants or couples without separate rooms
Key Features: Fluid movement, multi-purpose zones, visual continuity

Furniture Placement:

Zone	Furniture Selection	Dimensions	Key Features
Sleeping	Murphy bed or sofa bed	140×200cm	Converts to seating/living by day
Living	2-seater modular sofa	140×80cm	Can separate to create guest seating
Dining	Wall-mounted drop-leaf table	80×60cm (extended)	Folds flat against wall when not in use
Working	Wall-mounted desk	100×50cm	Folds up or integrates with shelving
Storage	Floor-to-ceiling system	200×50×30cm	Combines wardrobe, pantry, utilities
Circulation	Clear pathways	Minimum 60cm width	Looped circulation to avoid dead ends

Visualization Tips:

• Place bed/sofa perpendicular to the longest wall
• Use a room divider (open shelving) between sleeping and living areas
• Position dining near window for natural light during meals
• Create an “L-shaped” furniture arrangement to maximize corner use

Layout Option 2: The Partitioned Efficiency (For Apartments with Partial Walls)

Ideal For: Apartments with bathroom/kitchen separation but open main area
Key Features: Defined zones, privacy where needed, efficient traffic flow

Space Allocation:

• Sleeping Zone: 8-9㎡ (27-30% of total)
• Living Zone: 10-11㎡ (33-37% of total)
• Dining/Kitchen: 6-7㎡ (20-23% of total)
• Bathroom: 3-4㎡ (10-13% of total)
• Circulation: 2-3㎡ (7-10% of total)

Furniture Strategy:

• Modular sofa system that can transform from lounge to guest bed
• Nesting tables that tuck away when not in use
• Mobile kitchen island that serves as prep space, dining table, and storage
• Vertical storage towers that act as room dividers

Layout Option 3: The Flexible Studio (For Those Who Work from Home)

Ideal For: Remote workers needing dedicated office space
Key Features: Work-life separation, technology integration, acoustic considerations

Zone Specifications:

Zone	Area Allocation	Furniture Solutions	Acoustic Treatment
Work Area	25% (7.5㎡)	Wall-mounted desk with storage	Acoustic panels behind desk
Living Area	40% (12㎡)	Compact sectional sofa	Rugs and soft furnishings
Sleeping Area	25% (7.5㎡)	Loft bed or sofa bed	Curtain around sleeping zone
Dining/Kitchen	10% (3㎡)	Convertible table/island	No special treatment needed

KCK.CASA Products Specifically Designed for 30㎡ Apartments

1. Compressed Modular Sofa System:

• Dimensions: 140cm wide (2-seater) compressible to 35cm depth for storage
• Configuration Options: 8 different arrangements
• Storage Integration: Under-seat storage compartments
• Multi-function: Converts to guest bed in 30 seconds

2. Wall-Mounted Convertible Desk:

• Workspace: 100×50cm when deployed
• Storage: Integrated shelving and cable management
• Deployment Time: 10 seconds to set up or stow
• Weight Capacity: 25kg distributed load

3. Vertical Storage System:

• Dimensions: 200cm height × 120cm width × 35cm depth
• Modules: 16 interchangeable storage units
• Functions: Wardrobe, pantry, office storage, entertainment center
• Customization: Mix of open shelving, drawers, and cabinets

Space-Saving Furniture Selection Criteria

When choosing furniture for 30㎡ apartments, prioritize items that meet multiple criteria:

Essential Characteristics:

Characteristic	Importance (1-5)	Example Products
Multi-functional	5	Sofa bed, storage ottoman
Nesting/Stacking	4	Nesting tables, stackable chairs
Wall-mounted	4	Fold-down desk, wall bed
Mobile	3	Kitchen island on wheels
Transparent/Visual Light	3	Glass tables, acrylic chairs
Scale-appropriate	5	Apartment-sized sofa (not full-size)

Measurement Guidelines for 30㎡ Apartments:

• Sofa: Maximum 180cm width (ideally 140-160cm)
• Dining Table: Maximum 120cm length (extendable preferred)
• Bed: 140cm width (double) or 90-100cm (single)
• Storage Depth: Maximum 45cm (shallower for walkways)
• Clearance: Minimum 60cm for walkways, 90cm for main circulation

Lighting Strategies for Small Spaces

Layered Lighting Approach:

1. Ambient Lighting: Ceiling-mounted fixtures that wash walls
2. Task Lighting: Adjustable desk and reading lights
3. Accent Lighting: LED strips under furniture and in shelving
4. Natural Light Enhancement: Mirrors opposite windows

Specific Recommendations:

• Use 3-5 light sources minimum to create depth
• Install dimmers on all main lights
• Choose wall-mounted or pendant lights over floor lamps
• Utilize under-cabinet lighting in kitchen areas

Color and Material Selection for Spatial Perception

Color Palette Guidelines:

• Main Surfaces: Light neutrals (white, light gray, beige)
• Accent Colors: One or two bold colors repeated throughout
• Flooring: Light to medium tones, consistent throughout
• Ceiling: White or slightly lighter than walls

Material Selection:

• Reflective Surfaces: Glass, mirror, glossy finishes
• Visual Texture: Natural materials (wood, linen) to add interest
• Consistency: Limit material palette to 3-4 main materials

Storage Solutions by Zone

Living Zone Storage:

• Vertical: Floor-to-ceiling shelving (25-30cm depth)
• Furniture-integrated: Ottoman with storage, sofa with drawers
• Wall-mounted: Floating shelves above sofa

Sleeping Zone Storage:

• Under-bed: 30-40cm high storage containers
• Bedhead: Integrated shelving in bedhead
• Vertical: Tall, narrow wardrobe (60cm width maximum)

Kitchen/Dining Storage:

• Vertical: Wall-mounted spice racks, utensil rails
• Over-door: Storage on inside of cabinet doors
• Ceiling: Pot racks suspended from ceiling

Common Layout Mistakes to Avoid

Mistake 1: Pushing All Furniture Against Walls
Solution: Float some pieces to create intimate conversation areas

Mistake 2: Using Oversized Furniture
Solution: Measure carefully and choose apartment-scale pieces

Mistake 3: Neglecting Vertical Space
Solution: Install shelving and storage up to ceiling

Mistake 4: Poor Lighting Planning
Solution: Layer lighting at multiple heights and locations

Mistake 5: Ignoring Traffic Flow
Solution: Create clear pathways between functional zones

Budget-Friendly Layout Tips

Inexpensive Space-Saving Solutions:

1. Tension Rods: Create temporary room dividers with curtains
2. Pegboard Walls: Customizable storage for entire walls
3. Stackable Crates: Modular, affordable storage that can be reconfigured
4. Removable Wallpaper: Define zones without structural changes
5. Multi-purpose Furniture: Invest in 2-3 key multi-functional pieces

The KCK.CASA Advantage for Small Spaces

Our compressed furniture technology offers unique benefits for 30㎡ apartments:

Delivery Advantages:

• Smaller Package Size: Up to 80% smaller than traditional furniture
• Easier Installation: Can navigate narrow corridors and staircases
• Self-assembly: No need to remove doors or windows for delivery

Space Optimization:

• Modular Design: Reconfigure as your needs change
• Vertical Storage Integration: Built-in storage solutions
• Dual-function Pieces: Furniture that serves multiple purposes

Conclusion: Small Space, Big Living

A 30㎡ apartment doesn’t mean sacrificing comfort or style—it means embracing intelligent design. By applying strategic layout principles, selecting appropriately scaled furniture, and utilizing every dimension of your space (including vertical space), you can create a home that feels spacious, functional, and uniquely yours.

The key is to think of your apartment not as a series of rooms, but as a flexible canvas where zones overlap and furniture serves multiple purposes. With the right approach and the right furniture solutions from KCK.CASA, your 30㎡ apartment can become a showcase of efficient, beautiful living.

Ready to Transform Your Small Space?
Contact our space planning specialists for a personalized layout consultation. We’ll help you select the perfect KCK.CASA furniture pieces to maximize your 30㎡ apartment’s potential.