Have you asked your architect?

A house isn't a bunch of Lego blocks. And neither is this attempt at creating an illegal rental space out of a closet. The permits for the conversion will require professional drawings, and that zoning actually allow this closet conversion. Hire a Pro. After a visit to the permitting office to find out what the fines are when your neighbor turns you in.

Or face facts that this is not a viable project at all.

Are your dimensions in meters or feet?

Chloe - I'm pretty sure it's meters. 4.07 = 13.353 feet, 5.45 = 17.881 feet, and 7.61 = 24.967 feet. Dimensions are approx. - I was getting some slightly different results.

Gillian - with some creative space planning you should be able to accommodate everything you're looking for - do you have any photos of the space ? Ceiling height ?

My architect did not give me details of how to place what where. Kitchen designer told me to put the sofa in the middle, so I am looking for other options here.

Illegal rental space out of a closet? Excuse me? Why is this not a viable project?

Measurements are in meters.

Thanks Columbus Custom Design! I have some photos but its full of tools and bricks at the moment. The Ceiling is almost 4m high.

Entrance and staircase

Front part balcony (kitchen dining area) - contuction is still in process so lots of rubbish in the way sorry!

I think people were thinking feet, it is much more manageable as a studio knowing the units are meters :)

Gillian - thanks for the photos - it looks like it will be an amazing space ! May I ask where you're located roughly ? Will you eat outdoors a good part of the year ?

Is the space behind the stairs the entry into your space, and the bedroom(s) and bath are upstairs ?

Thank you :) I am located in Rabat, Malta :) We do have a lot of good weather throughout the year but the balcony is not very spacious so it will probably be safe to have the dining table in the middle of the room? Besides this there is a floor downstairs (main bedroom with ensuite bathroom) and another floor upstairs (shower/toilet/washing machine and large terrace). The space behind the stairs is the entrance to the maisonette yes :)

Just realizing that a staircase must be a reasonable width, the dimensions were obviously meters. One option would be a galley kitchen that you walk through when entering. If you don't cook much and choose sleek cabinetry and appliances, that might work. Another possibility would be to use that area as a foyer with closet on one side and bench on other perhaps with shoe/boot storage beneath. Then appliances/cabinets on right side of middle portion with dining table parallel to use as work surface while preparing food. Or, if you like eating at a "bar" make have an island with stools and no table. Reserve the balcony end for seating and enjoying the fabulous view. So how you arrange the space depends on how you want to live in it. My choice might not be yours.

Taking your first picture, being the layout plan. In the lower right part comes the kitchen, with the sink, oven and fridge to the right. Use up those high walls with double cabinets, for things you hardly use, but must store somewhere, like vases and Christmas decorations.

The other side of the kitchen might benefit you most by having small cabinets (37 cm in depth, like normal upper cabinets) with an extra desk top to put the coffeemachine etc. on and to have some extra workspace. Above that some open shelves as far as the staircase gives you room for them. Did the builder leave you any space under the staircase as to have sort of a pantry there?

The rectangular dining table comes in the middle to the right wall. It will sit 5 people that way. By taking it from the wall, it will sit six people. If you have a dining table that you can prolong, there is even room for 8 people then, for when you throw a party.

The rest is living room. I would place a sectional in the upper left, if the opening to the balcony allows for that. If not: just a normal couch then with on either side a small table to place nice lamps upon. Table with storage possibility in it in front of it. Across the room there is plenty of space for dresser and tv. Above the sectional a nice bigger piece of art. Some big plants in a few corners and done.

Since the space isn't too big, I'd go for light colors and light furniture. Tables with glass and light texture furniture (leather if you have or want kids).

Do not put any furniture in that musn't be there. It will just fill the place up. Refrain from putting all sorts of 'souvenirs' there too. It will only clutter your place. If you have beautiful things you want to display then put up just the most beautiful ones and/or put them all together in a glass display case.

Hope this helps. Have lots of fun!

The standard response is to talk to an architect because that is what needs to happen. There is no equivalent board for amateurs to go on and compare symptoms to self diagnose liver failure or glaucoma or a cavity. Because you need a trained professional. Throwing around a bunch of amateur ideas in hopes that one hits the wall is a lot more frustrating than just working with the knowledgable professional that is required to produce the plans in the first place. It also leads to entrenching some pretty bad ideas that need not happen.

Dang, Sophie! Couching your words in a more-friendly tone might help you with your credibility.

In this case, the OP did already have an architect. I suspect they posted a blank slate on here because they wanted fresh original ideas, not something based off what their architect already came up with.

Also, since the OP's location is Malta, the practice of architecture may differ from other parts of the world. And in fact, architects in the USA vary in their ability to advise wisely and conceptualize. Some know more about the practicalities and costs of various alternatives than others. So "get an architect" is not always the best advice. We let ours go: he was great at concepts and design, not so hot on builders and costs (we were on a pretty tight budget; thought we had communicated clearly, but perhaps had not). Instead we worked from our own experience and knowledge of our needs with a cooperative, creative, and cost-effective builder.

You don't "need" an architect to design a layout of rooms inside an already standing structure. Sorry, but you just don't.

Construction, real estate and architecture in Europe are very different than North America. In many places apartments are sold without kitchens or kitchen designs. Kitchens are purchased and installed like furniture. I have no idea if this is the case in Malta it's just an example of how different things are.

Gillian Eve, I believe local professionals will be much more helpful than this forum. I think this will be a very appealing space when done.

Thank you Mike, that is exactly what I thought. My architect may not be the best to give advice.. I want alternatives and new ideas which perhaps my architect/kitchen designer/myself did not yet think about. Also perhaps since it is a 'job' and right now in Malta all architects/kitchen designers etc are super busy, I can sense that my little kitchen may not be given the deserved attention.

If I find a better alternative to what my architect/kitchen designer suggests, I will suggest it to the 'professional' and if it works, we will go ahead.

For example.. Is it best to have the frige and cooker on one side and the sink on another? living area is best next to the balcony and kitchen before that or vice versa? In the end it all boils down to taste, yes but I need to make sure that I am using the little space I have as best I can and in the way it would be most practical.

Thank you christina and Maria Privat, I will have a look and draw up you idea to see how it looks :)

Yes in this case, get an architect is not the right answer and certainly not helpful. As others have said, you don't need an architect to rearrange interior rooms.

Also you have the laundry on the top floor along with the only other bathroom?

What is the width of the space between the stairs and the bump out?

The main entrance is next to the bump out (not drawn in this layout plan). The distance is of around 5 feet I believe. I thought of adding coat hanger/shoe rack there.

There's a bathroom upstairs and another downstairs.

I'd start by looking at the other sources of plumbing (water, waste and venting) within the home. I'd try very hard to locate the kitchen in the general vicinity of those existing areas to minimize cost and hassle. After that gets you a general location, you could fine tune from there. Good luck!

Gillian, How many people will call this space home? What kind of hobbies/activities will the occupants participate in? How many people would you entertain at parties? Do you need to accommodate any overnight guests? Will any pets be living in the space? What are your storage needs? How do you feel about cooking?

Answering these questions will give you a better idea how to prioritize your square footage, and help others give you better suggestions.